There are many great local organizations in our area that support the people, environment and wildlife of Humboldt County. Check out our list below to see which Community Services may be available to help your cause today!
ARTS
INK PEOPLE – CENTER FOR THE ARTS
A great local resource for all things community and art. There are many facets to this organization including community restoration, kids/teen programs, a monthly newsletter and so much more.
The Sanctuary exists to creatively connect people with resources, experiences, ideas, and best of all… each other. Located in downtown Arcata – it is a bustling community center, gallery, artist residency, library, music venue, and workshop, with lab facilities including printmaking, ceramics, textiles, small metals, book arts, woodworking, music recording, bicycle repair, culinary arts, gardening, homesteading, and more. “Everyone who enters the building shares in a collaborative art piece that inspires and facilitates creative work, artful living, and environmental stewardship.” 1301 J Street Arcata, (707) 822-0898
Westhaven Center for the Arts is an all-volunteer, non-profit gallery dedicated to supporting local performing, cultural and healing arts.
Arcata Artisans is a cooperative gallery featuring the work of 22 artists living in Humboldt County. We are open 7 days a week to share our work with you.
We are the cretakes of the arts and artists of Humboldt County. It is our goal to ensure that art is a part of everyone’s lives in Humboldt County, by supporting the artists who live among us and by offering free and low-cost arts programs and exhibitions to the public at the Morris Graves Museum of Art. Every year, we are proud to serve over 16,000 local students by bringing art banks into schools, as well as providing school tours, art camps, and monthly family arts day events.
Humboldt Made is a community of Makers, Artisans, Entrepreneurs, Farmers and local Leaders who drive sustainable ideas and change across the Redwood Coast economy. We execute projects that positively impact our communities through public outreach and engagement, resource management, strategic growth facilitation, networking and community event production.
Our goal since 1973 has been to bring musical theatre to the people of our community – not just as a viewing experience, but also as a performing experience for those who have dreamed of taking the stage themselves. We seek to combine the arts of singing, drama, and dance to tell a story that will be enjoyed by audience and performers alike.
Humboldt-Del Norte Film Commission
The Humboldt-Del Norte Film Commission is here to help with your production needs and our services are provided free of charge. We are recognized by the County of Humboldt, County of Del Norte, and the California Film Commission as the official advocate for filming in Humboldt and Del Norte, California. We are also a member of the organization Film Liaisons in California Statewide (FLICS), Association of Film Commissioners International (AFCI), and Location Manager Guild International (LMGI).
A local tradition since 1969, the Kinetic Race is no parade! In the Kinetic Grand Championship bodies of art and artist’s bodies are put to the test. There’s 50 miles to go, over land, sand, water, and mud. These intrepid Kinetinauts are a unique breed of human. With a heart full of joy and a bucket full of tools, they face innumerable obstacles for just one reason … For the GLORY!
NATURE/ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS
FRIENDS OF HEADWATERS (REDWOOD PARKS ASSOCIATION)
REDWOOD PARKS ASSOCIATION: As a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, the mission of Redwood Parks Association is to foster understanding, enjoyment, and stewardship by providing support to our partner agencies – the National Park Service, California State Parks, the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management at Headwaters Forest – who are entrusted with the care of northern California’s public lands. Sales at our partner’s visitor centers, online sales, memberships, and special events such as the Candlelight Walk, generate funding for development of interpretive facilities such as visitor centers, improvement of interpretive programs and equipment, design and construction of exhibits, displays, training opportunities, and publications of informative pamphlets, park maps, and brochures. The Redwood Parks Association (RPA) was formed by the merger of two associations, Redwood Park Association and Northcoast Redwood Interpretive Association. The Redwood Park Association had been in existence for 25 years and the North Coast Redwood Interpretive Association had supported the Parks for 34 years. With the combined talents and experience of these past organizations, RPA will become a stronger and more efficient power for visitor services within California’s north coast parks.
Our mission is to inspire a passion for understanding and preserving the natural life of the Lost Coast region in students, visitors and the community. Sharing this passion is what our programs are all about as we work toward our vision of a time when our local and global communities understand, value and appreciate the unique environment of the Lost Coast region and reflect this in their personal lives.
HUMBOLDT BAY MYCOLOGICAL SOCIETY
The Humboldt Bay Mycological Society is an organization of community members and professionals united by an interest in the fungi of northwestern California. We are a non-profit organization formed in 1978 with a current membership of about 70 people and welcome all who share an interest in fungi. Our principle aims are to add to the knowledge of members and the public at large. We seek to accomplish these goals by means of monthly informative meetings to which the public is invited, field trips, workshops and an annual Mushroom Fair.
The Mid Klamath Watershed Council collaboratively plans and implements ecosystem restoration, promotes community vitality, and involves people in land stewardship.
REDWOOD REGION AUDUBON SOCIETY
Redwood Region Audubon Society advocates for the protection of birds and other wildlife by increasing the understanding and appreciation of the natural world, and by initiating and supporting local conservation and education efforts.
Friends of the Dunes is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to conserving the natural diversity of coastal environments in northern California through community supported education and stewardship programs.
HUMBOLDT AREA FOUNDATION & WILD RIVERS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
We have a vision of a Thriving, Just, Healthy, and Equitable Region. This vision is implemented through four decade-long goals of increasing Racial Equity, Thriving Youth and Families, Healthy Ecosystems and Environments, and a Just Economy.
FOR KIDS
The Blue Lake Community Resource Center with funding from First 5 Humboldt offers a playgroup for families with children 0-5 years. Playgroup is a safe and comfortable environment for children to play and learn important social skills.
Want more info? (707) 668-5239, or Email at [email protected]
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF THE REDWOODS
The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Redwoods is a youth development program for children ages 6 to 18. All of our sites offer a safe place for our members to learn, play and develop citizenship and leadership skills. We have over 1500 members and we typically serve over 155 members daily.
Click here for a complete list of contact info for our Clubs & Administrative Office.
Evolve Youth Services is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children in foster and adoptive care and their families by creating individually tailored and holistic programs that include academic, recreational, creative, and therapeutic services. Evolve Youth Services (EYS) creates individually-tailored programs designed to maintain adoption placement and unlock each child’s potential; reducing stress and increasing positive interactions within the family unit.
HUMBOLDT BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS
We partner with parents/guardians, volunteers and others in the community and hold ourselves accountable for each child in our program. We help kids achieve higher aspirations, greater confidence, better relationships, avoidance of risky behaviors, and educational success.
The National CASA/GAL Association for Children supports and promotes court-appointed volunteer advocacy for children and youth who have experienced abuse or neglect. We believe that every child should be given the opportunity to thrive in a safe and loving home.
Kids are curious, lovable and hilarious. They are also wild, impatient and vulnerable. Kiwanis is looking out for kids in every corner of the globe with more than 550,000 volunteers who serve their communities through local clubs.
GENERAL COMMUNITY GROUPS
Cooperation Humboldt helps to build a solidarity economy on California’s North Coast. We support existing cooperative efforts and create new solutions where needed. A solidarity economy empowers us to meet our needs in harmony with nature without exploiting anyone. It puts people and planet over profit by prioritizing collaboration over competition and cooperation over domination.
In Humboldt County, there is 25.1% of People of Color experiencing cultural starvation. Community members decided to plant seeds of love, faith, and nurturing space for BIPOC individuals and families to feel welcomed, appreciated, and acknowledged. An African Agency was necessary with leaders with cultural knowledge, history, and Afrikan methodologies. Thus, a village for the village was reborn through HC Black Music and Arts Association (HCBMAA).
COMMUNITY ACCESS PROJECT FOR EUREKA (C.A.P.E.)
C.A.P.E. partners and works directly with community agencies to assess the evolving needs of disadvantaged populations, in order to address access barriers head on. In this effort, C.A.P.E. focuses on three primary areas: Quality of Life Programming, Homeless Services (Uplift Eureka), and Employment Programming.
After hearing that BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) students often feel unwelcome or even unsafe in Arcata, equity arcata’s Home Away from Home working group was formed to help build a bridge between college students and the broader community. since fall 2020, Home Away from Home volunteers have supported students safely by hosting physically-distant meal and household supply distributions, providing meals and goods for 1,015 local college students
Children with Autism are capable of extraordinary things, with the right tools and education in place, we can change the future for these beautiful kids. This is a local non-profit organization.
JEFFERSON PROJECT The Westside Community Improvement Association, Inc. (a non-profit 501(c)(3) Public Charity) supports and facilitates programs to combat urban blight and revitalize neighborhoods by increasing recreational, educational and vocational opportunities where they are either lacking altogether or insufficient to the needs of the community. The Association’s activities are dedicated to fostering a sense of working together for the benefit of the greater Eureka community.
MATEEL COMMUNITY LUNCH PROGRAM
Tues-Thurs, 12N-1P, Hot lunch served to the public in Redway!
Connect with other real moms who love to real talk! Your next real hug is waiting here for you!
The Redwood Genealogical Society maintains a library of information, has local talks/gatherings, and also has a website full of information, helpful links and more. Anyone interested in information about family histories of Humboldt County can find resources and community here.
Access Humboldt is an innovative, self-sustaining and trusted media resource for residents of Humboldt County. Diverse community members utilize local access media resources to engage in meaningful conversations.
Our mission is to provide advocacy for and services to the homeless and food insecure with compassion, dignity and empowerment.
Arcata Economic Development Corporation
AEDC was created in 1978 by a group of Arcata business and community leaders to help grow the city’s economy through assistance to local businesses and homeowners. Today, AEDC is a 501c3 non-profit organization and a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). AEDC’s mission is to provide loans and support to entrepreneurial, innovative business and community endeavors. AEDC provides financing for business opportunities in Del Norte, Humboldt, Mendocino, Lake, Siskiyou and Trinity Counties, and sometimes Shasta County, in Northern California.
The Arcata Community Pool is a non-profit government agency that offers year-round recreational and educational activities. For over 35 years, we’ve offered the best water quality, cleanliness, education, and customer service on the North Coast.
Eureka Main Street lives in the heart of Old Town at the Eureka Visitors Center, supporting local business by organizing and implementing various good-faith economic practices derived from Main Street America; a program that began in 1992 as a public-private partnership between the Redevelopment Agency and the Downtown and Old Town merchants. The Eureka Main Street District covers A to I Streets and the Waterfront to Eighth Streets. In partnership with local businesses, the City of Eureka, and other local organizations, Eureka Main Street works to promote a diverse and sustainable local economy that supports the community in which it grows. Community events are a cornerstone feature of Eureka Main Street, including First Saturday Night Arts Alive, which promotes local artists, musicians, and local businesses monthly.
Food for People is working to eliminate hunger and improve the health and well-being of our community through access to healthy and nutritious foods, community education and advocacy.
We envision a community where everyone has access to good quality, nutritious food, understands the consequences of hunger and poor nutrition and is committed to creating a stronger, healthier Humboldt County.
Historical Sites Society of Arcata
Historical Sites Society of Arcata was established in 1972. HSSA promotes recognition of the cultural heritage of Arcata, California and its environs, identifying historically and architecturally significant structures and sites within the Arcata and encourages their preservation.
A traditional community hall in the heart of the Mattole River Valley of Southern Humboldt.
WILPF – WOMEN’S INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE FOR PEACE AND FREEDOM
We are the Humboldt County, California, branch of the US section of Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, women and men working for peace worldwide since 1915. Our local branch started in 2002. Our mission is to promote peace and justice. We sponsor and participate in various local peace-related activities. We give out a yearly scholarship/grant in memory of Edilith Eckart, which helps a local person or organization complete a peace related project. We organize an International Women’s Day celebration on March 8th, and we usually hold a used book sale in Arcata on July 4th to raise funds to buy children’s books for local schools and libraries, as well as for our scholarship.
Humboldt Botanical Gardens Foundation
The Humboldt Botanical Garden provides direction for the building of a world-class botanical garden for the Northern California region. The Gardens are constructed on a 44.5 -acre site south of Eureka near the Humboldt Bay adjacent to the College of the Redwoods.
The Humboldt Builders Exchange is a non-profit member association of approximately 300 member businesses in the construction industry and related services such as architecture, engineering, building supplies, hardware, insurance, and more. The association was established to promote unity among licensed contractors and affiliates. Our goal is to provide education, support services, and annual college scholarships.
HUMBOLDT COUNTY GROWERS ALLIANCE
HCGA is the trade association advancing the interests of the legal
and responsible cannabis businesses in Humboldt County.
The Humboldt Literacy Project connects adults 18+ who wish to improve their reading and writing with adult volunteer tutors for free, confidential, one-on-one English language tutoring. What this means is we pair our volunteer “Tutors” with “Learners” to help the learners to read and write or learn English.
Humboldt County Visitors Bureau
The Bureau is the authorized Destination Marketing & Management Organization (DMMO) for Humboldt County, whose mission is ensure and enhance the positive economic impact of tourism by keeping Humboldt front and center for state, national and international visitors.
Life Plan Humboldt is a nonprofit formed to plan, build, and support a Life Plan Community in Humboldt Co to engage the mind spirit and body in wellness and community to enable older adults to thrive.
Norcal APEX Accelerator (formerly Norcal PTAC)
The APEX Accelerators, formally known as the Procurement Technical Assistance Program (PTAP), was authorized by Congress in 1985 to expand the number of businesses capable of participating in government contracts. The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for the FY 2020 ordered the PTAP to move to Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (USD(A&S)); and the DoD Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) began to manage and operate PTAP with a new name, APEX Accelerators, effective FY 2023. The APEX Accelerators program focuses on building a strong, sustainable, and resilient U.S. supply chains by assisting a wide range of businesses that pursue and perform under contracts with the DoD, other federal agencies, state and local governments and with government prime contractors.
The Fortuna Sunrise Rotary Club of is an engaged, hands-on service club dedicated to reducing hunger, raising literacy, mentoring youth, and working to ensure a healthy and prosperous future for the Eel River Valley, and the world. Check out our Facebook page to see recent projects and club activities.
Small changes can have big impacts for both our present and future generations. Talking about these behaviors may be the first step in creating greater health for ourselves, our loved ones and our communities.
We Are Up is building a vibrant and inclusive community in rural Northern California’s, Humboldt County that welcomes people across differences and honors our natural world. On our beautiful 15-acre site, neighbors with diverse abilities, ages, and socioeconomic backgrounds will live, learn, work, and thrive together.
Northern California Community Blood Bank
At the NCCBB we believe that providing a safe and adequate supply of blood and blood products to the patients we serve is not only a great mission statement for our staff but also for our community.
SMOKING ACES HORSE ASSOCIATION
Obstacle races, gymkhana and the local horse community come together!
COMMUNITY LAND TRUSTS
The Jacoby Creek Land Trust emerged out of a pursuit to inspire and support the community, and a desire for actions to speak louder than words. Established in 1992, we’re an organization driven by conservation, bold action, and a strong foundation of support. Contact us to learn more and get involved.
NORTH COAST REGIONAL LAND TRUST
The Northcoast Regional Land Trust is a nonprofit organization with a focus of protecting land and water on nearly five million acres on California’s North Coast encompassing Humboldt, Del Norte, and Trinity Counties. Find out more About us.
Dedicated to providing coastal access while protecting the natural beauty and character of the Humboldt County Coast from Little River to Big Lagoon. Every day we work to ensure that people can experience the stunning coast by maintaining public access trails, providing educational walks and activities that connect people to place and involving the community with conservation and stewardship of these lands. Office located in the Simmons Gallery next to the Trinidad Library, 380 Janis Court. 707-677-2501
SENIORS
REDWOOD COAST VILLAGE – FOR SENIORS
Redwood Coast Village (RCV) is a volunteer-based membership program of the Humboldt Senior Resource Center, a leading provider of support for seniors in Humboldt County. RCV is an independent 501(c)3 non-profit organization. RCV provides specific types of volunteer services, information, and referrals to its members to assist them in living independently in their own homes and engaged in their communities as they age.
We encourage neighbors helping neighbors and support seniors being active, independent, and socially connected to their communities. This grassroots Humboldt County organization is linked to the nationwide “Village” movement and is a member of the “Village to Village” Network.
ADULT DAY HEALTH CARE OF MAD RIVER
Adult Day Health Care of Mad River is a medically based day program for adults who are dependent on others for some of their care. We are a non-profit corporation on the Mad River Hospital campus.
Humboldt Senior Resource Center
Seniors and their caregivers in Humboldt County will have a high-quality life with dignity, health, and self-determination in a community of respect and tolerance. The Humboldt Senior Resource Center is committed to providing services, information, education and recreation for seniors, families and caregivers in Humboldt County. We envision a caring and healthy community which encourages intergenerational relationships, recognizes the wisdom and experience of its elders and demonstrates awareness and respect for the aging process.
MENTAL HEALTH ORGANIZATIONS
AOT HUMBOLDT ASSISTED OUTPATIENT
We are a clinical team providing recovery-based treatment to adults with a serious mental illness, utilizing Assertive Community Treatment and evidence-based practices.
WILDLIFE/ANIMAL RESCUE
Over 1200 injured wild animals per year are treated directly, and we address many more situations over the phone. Whether a Hummingbird who’s collided with a window, a Raccoon hit by a car, or a Barn Owl poisoned by rodenticide, most of the cases we treat are the result of unfortunate interactions with human activity or infrastructure.
NOAH’S ARK ANIMAL HAVEN & RESCUE
All volunteer 501c3 animal rescue catering to farm animals, dogs/cats, orphaned wildlife, and more!
Companion Animal Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit animal rescue organization formed in 2002 in response to the high euthanasia rate of adoptable animals in Humboldt County.
Northcoast Environmental Center
The mission of the Northcoast Environmental Center is to promote understanding of the relations between people and the biosphere and to conserve, protect, and celebrate terrestrial, aquatic, and marine ecosystems of northern California and southern Oregon.
CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE
Crescent City/Del Norte Chamber
McKinleyville Chamber of Commerce
Willow Creek Chamber of Commerce