“It is easy to make a buck. It is a lot tougher to make a difference.”
– Tom Brokaw
The Mendiburu Magic Foundation
Mendiburu Magic Foundation (MMF) was founded in 2000, as a 501 c3 non-profit organization, in honor of Nancy Ann Mendiburu. MMF responds to the unmet needs of local children and their families that may be facing cancer and/or other catastrophic or life threatening illness.
In the year 2009 MMF was slightly restructured by Brian and Valerie Mendiburu after the birth of their first son, so as to more effectively accomplish these worthy tasks and continue turning ideas into action! The foundation was established to turn ideas into action while supporting cancer care and assistance for children suffering from any life threatening illness. The sustained inspiration would only be enhanced with their own three children and driven with relentless purpose and drive.
The organization’s leadership team is comprised of five Executive Trustees, a Governing Board of Directors, and Community Advisory Council chaired by Dr. Larry Reider (Associate Chairs are Brian Mendiburu & Steve Sanders).
Our vision.
To honor the legacy of Nancy Ann Mendiburu, the Mendiburu Magic Foundation will be recognized and valued as a compassionate resource for our local children and families in need
Our values.
Nancy Mendiburu’s unique spirit and legacy lives on through Mendiburu Magic Foundation. Our vision will enable the foundation to be responsive to requests by citizens within Kern County (California).
It is true, we might stumble at times, but the only way someone does not stumble is if they choose to stand still…we have done the opposite of that and will continue to work hard and always move forward, advancing great projects. There is no sort of rocket science involved. If we can help, we’ll make that happen without any strings attached. – Brian J. Mendiburu
Above all else we value:
Dignity & Compassion
- Respecting the inherent value and worth of each person. MMF will strive to accomplish these worthy tasks while appreciating the purpose of human life as being to serve, and show compassion and the will to help others
Turning IDEAS into ACTION
- Working together with people (being inclusive and seeking community input) to create effective and non-duplicated programming for our community and providing assistance to those in need with as little red tape as possible, and no strings attached
Stewardship & Trust
- Cultivating the resources entrusted to us to embrace our mission & vision
Our Founder, Brian Mendiburu
The Founder/CEO for Mendiburu Magic Foundation is Brian “BJ” Mendiburu, the youngest son of Juan and Nancy.
Brian says: “…as the Japanese poet, Kenji Miyazawa says…we must embrace pain and burn it as fuel for our journey. Please understand that we have established this foundation to help people in need and impact lives. There is no sort of rocket science involved. If we can help, we’ll make that happen without any strings attached. Because of family and community contribution, this foundation will be able to make a global difference one day.
As did my mom, I wear a rubber band on my wrist every waking moment. Since her horrific diagnosis in 1994, we have both done this and she was even buried with one on the same wrist. For me, this symbol represents her courage, hope, and willingness to stay optimistic and fight. The rubber band is resistant to so much that it is appropriate to measure vitality and endurance. I think of her every day and will do whatever I can on earth in order to ensure the fact that I see her again someday. Her endless compassion and empathy for other people always amazed me. I can only aspire to be half the person my mom is…”
