Humboldt Area Foundation and Wild Rivers Community Foundation, along with our family of philanthropic partners such as Humboldt Health Foundation and Native Cultures Foundation, work together to support the future of the remarkable region we love and serve: Del Norte, Humboldt, and Trinity counties in Northern California and Curry County in Southern Oregon, as well as the 22 Native American Tribal Nations and lands, among the country’s most populous and culturally significant ancestral lands. The regional area represents remote rural areas bound together by land, water, history, and circumstances.

The 22 Tribal nations, reservations, and rancherias are situated among the regional service area, including the Yurok Nation, Hoopa Valley, Karuk, Wiyot, and Tolowa Dee-Ni’ Nations (among many others) are undergoing a strong revitalization of native cultures, languages, and traditions. The region is also home to flourishing Latinx and Hispanic, and Asian American populations, who provide integral cultural stimulation and strong interconnected communities. In addition, Humboldt County is an official Sanctuary county for immigrants, which means that cooperation with Federal immigration entities is limited, and safety, permanency, and the ability to thrive in Humboldt County are more easily attained for our neighbors, families, and community members with immigrant status.

The rural region is also bound by the unique shared environment, which is considered sacred, wild, scenic, and recreational by the people that live within it. The many miles of national forest, rivers, lakes, and beaches play an integral role in the circumstances of our communities. Rural regions face a unique set of strengths, challenges, and opportunities for the animals, environment, and people of those rural places, and it is through this lens that Humboldt Area Foundation and Wild Rivers Community Foundation can work closely together on these shared circumstances to serve the region as a whole.

Since 1972, Humboldt Area Foundation has been serving Humboldt and Trinity counties and surrounding Tribal Nations and lands as a central hub for philanthropic organizations in the region; and as a community facilitator, organizer, and capacity builder to accomplish together what single entities cannot.

Annually, the organization distributes $5.8 million in grants and scholarships and convenes around 1,500 people for training on leadership, racial equity, and cultural empowerment through programs such as the Redwood CORE Hub, the Equity Alliance of the North Coast, the Native Cultures Fund, Building Healthy Communities, and other initiatives.

Since 2004, Wild Rivers Community Foundation has served a vital and unique role in the region as an affiliate of Humboldt Area Foundation in service to Del Norte and surrounding Tribal communities in Northern California and Curry County in Southern Oregon. The two organizations have the same mission: Promoting and encouraging generosity, leadership, and inclusion to strengthen their communities.

We acknowledge that the HAF+WRCF Service Region is located on unceded territory and is the traditional ancestral homeland of Indigenous nations. We share a deep gratitude and respect for our Indigenous communities. We take this opportunity to thank and honor the original caretakers of the lands that Indigenous people continue to cherish and protect, as elders have instructed the young through the generations.

The HAF+WRCF Service Region is located on the current and ancestral homes of the following Indigenous Peoples and Tribal Nations:

1. Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria
2. Big Lagoon Rancheria
3. Blue Lake Rancheria
4. Chilula Tribe
5. Chimariko*
6. Hoopa Valley Indian Reservation
7. Karuk Tribe
8. Lassik*
9. Nomlaki
10. Nongatl*
11. Nor El Muk Wintu Nation
12. Resighini Rancheria
13. Round Valley Indian Tribes
14. Sinkyone
15. Sovereign Nation of Elk Valley Rancheria
16. Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation
17. Trinidad Rancheria
18. Tsnungwe Council
19. Wailaki
20. Whilkut
21. Wiyot Tribe
22. Yurok Tribe

_{*Denotes tribes with descendants only without an active tribal organization.}

_{‡This list was made possible by the research of the Native Cultures Fund}

Regional Totals

• Population 198,580
• White 166,239
• Native American 18,358
• Asian American 11,365
• Hispanic/Latinx 39,866
• African American 3,220

Median Income By County

• Humboldt $45,528
• Curry $46,396
• Del Norte $45,258
• Trinity $38,497

Persons in Poverty

• Humboldt 20.3%
• Curry 14.9%
• Del Norte 20.4%
• Trinity 21.6%

Regional Facts

• Curry County / 1,988 mi²
• Humboldt County / 4,052 mi²
• Del Norte County / 1,230 mi²
• Trinity County / 3,208 mi²
• Total service area square mileage 10,478mi²

_{Data provided by the U.S. Census}