Carmel Cares is a 501(c)3 nonprofit volunteer organization (EIN: 85-3432174) dedicated to keeping Carmel-by-the-Sea a beautiful, safe, and inviting place through volunteer maintenance and improvement projects, branded community engagement programs, educational outreach and other creative activities. We partner closely with the City of Carmel’s Public Works Department and other nonprofit organizations to make a difference in our community.
Several years ago we started out as a virtual organization investigating how to make the Village safer through traffic calming messaging in local restaurants and retail stores. However, when COVID-19 hit our town hard, we knew it was time to get more involved in protecting what makes Carmel a special place. Weeds and the need for maintenance don’t take time off when budgets are cut. So, we got to work creating new ways for you to help out.
We are Dedicated to Community Engagement
We started with a few passionate people who really believed in Carmel-by-the-Sea and were willing to get their hands dirty to clean things up. A Carmel Pine Cone article helped connect a few more of us and before you know it we were all pulling weeds together. It felt good and we knew that we had a good idea. Next, we had to get better organized and work together with people who really know how this City works.
We Partnered with the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea
We made a short video that showed the challenges the Village was facing and made a presentation to the Public Works Department team. They embraced it and so we started working directly with them to define projects and get them completed in a very transparent way. We helped them acquire some equipment and worked hand-in-hand with them on our projects. We will also be integrated with their online systems to update the status of important assets, share equipment and eliminate duplicate efforts.
We Help with Landscape Restoration
Many parts of the Village had been overtaken by invasive plant species and unsightly weeds. Our Carmel Cares volunteers remove the weeds, carefully trim plants and trees use creative approaches to get our neighbors and participating landscaping companies to help maintain City median islands and easements and find sponsors to replant and look after native plants using the City’s free spring-fed water supply. Working with Carmel Gives, we have acquired a utility vehicle with a water tank that can be used by our Volunteers to water plants around town using the City’s free and unlimited non-potable water supply.
We Assist with Maintaining and Upgrading City Assets
The City of Carmel-by-the-Sea has physical assets that are in need of maintenance and repairs. Working with the City we selected high priority targets and created an online living Carmel Cares project document which allows all stakeholders to view, edit and comment. We then assign Project Managers that we call “Caretakers” and develop a plan and get to work. It is our medium to long-term goal to use creative approaches, better equip our City staff, maximize volunteer efforts and find generous donors willing to protect, improve and make all City assets once again productive to the Village.
We Partner with other NonProfits
We are partnering with local non-profits such as Carmel Gives, the Carmel Foundation, Friends of Carmel Forest, Friends of the Mission Trail Nature Preserve, the Carmel Residents Association and others to assist them in achieving their goals and providing their members opportunities to participate in projects beneficial to the community at large. We will also volunteer in their organizations. Carmel Gives assists us by funding some of our projects and acquiring assets for the City of Carmel-by-the-Sea.
We Would Like You to Help Us
When Tim Allen, who is on the Carmel Cares board, started Carmel Gives and recruited our President and Chief Caring Officer Dale Byrne as his Project Manager, he told him to Think Big. So, we are doing just that. When something gets in our way, we work with the City and our other partners to find a solution and we do it quickly and efficiently. We over communicate with all stakeholders and operate in an incredibly transparent manner. We have literally presented nearly 2,000 Google Slides to the Public Works Department in over 80 status meetings since July, 2020!
So, in a nutshell (which we see plenty of on Scenic Pathway…please don’t feed the ground squirrels!), we have big plans. We are looking for people that want to help us achieve these goals. We know you are out there because we see and talk to our neighbors around town every day. We meet them while cleaning with our team on Scenic Pathway every Wednesday, picking up litter with our Pick Up Posse, renewing Devendorf Park and many other projects. We are now ready for you to get involved and start having fun making a difference with us. There are many ways you can help. You can find out more on this website or we’ll work with you to find the best fit. We have a job for everyone, even our smallest recruit that you can see if you click here!
For More Information
As required by IRS rules, we provide transparency. If you would like more information about our nonprofit please send an email to carmelcares1@gmail.com and we will assist you in your request in a timely manner.
