Dominick & Bridget McGrath Fund

Established by:  Descendants of Dominick and Bridget McGrath

Established on:  June 22, 1992

Purpose of the fund:  The purpose of this fund is to support the Cornerstone Community Needs Response Fund.

Background:  The arrival of Dominick and Bridget in Oxnard in 1874 was the beginning of one of Ventura County’s oldest and most prominent families.  The story of the McGrath clan and their development of an agricultural empire on the Oxnard Plain began with Dominick’s original land purchase on West Gonzales Road.  The McGraths had 14 children and wer noted for their closeness and enjoyment of each other’s company.  Now, there are over 500 descendants of Dominick and Bridget and it is harder and harder for the family to know everyone and to share its strong roots.  Tom Leonard, McGrath descendant and founding VCCF board member, noted in helping to establish this fund, “rarely in life are we given the opportunity to record a presence and place in history and at the same time enhance the future well-being of our community.  Through our contribution to the Fund, we can actively participate in a ‘family’ of funds with VCCF that will breathe life into our community by those who owe their roots to this beautiful county.”