History

In 2012, the Zannon family determined that instead of continuing on their foundation’s work in perpetuity, they would spend the foundation down into a legacy impact investment. They understood private foundations traditionally do not fund capital improvements but saw a large need for nonprofits, social businesses, and academic institutions to share space, align, and collaborate towards finding local solutions to the most vexing and interconnected issues - such as climate change, chronic poverty, and economic stagnation. The Zannons also understood that across the United States, rural communities were being left behind and hollowed out and recognized that philanthropy together with social businesses must play an increasingly important role in building resilient rural communities. Today, Blue Sky Center has narrowed its focus and strategy but remains under development and is continually adapting and evolving to meet the needs of the local communities of the Cuyama Valley.