About the Organization
The Marin Coalition is a non-profit civic affairs organization founded in 1974. Incorporated as a California corporation (C0699304) and operating under IRS rule 501(c)(3), our mission is to engage residents of Marin County in discussions focused on public policy and civic improvement. We do this primarily through a monthly speaker series featuring leading newsmakers, scientists, experts, and elected officials.
The Marin Coalition was formed in 1974 — over 50 years of continuous civic engagement. We are now in our sixth decade of presenting programs to the citizens of Marin County.
Our programs cover the full range of issues that shape life in Marin County and the wider Bay Area, including housing and homelessness, public health, the environment, transportation, education, public safety, and political affairs. Past speakers have included members of Congress, county sheriffs, university researchers, nonprofit leaders, water district officials, and local journalists.
The Marin Coalition does not have a formal paid membership structure. Our programs are open to anyone in the community. We encourage supporters to make a tax-deductible donation to help sustain the speaker series, and we welcome everyone to join our email list for program announcements.
Our Program Archives is a free video library of past presentations dating back to the 2013–14 season. New recordings are posted a few days after each event. No registration is required to watch.
Attending Events
Programs are generally held on the second Thursday of each month, September through June. Check-in begins at 1:00 pm and the program runs from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm. Our current venue is the Marin Rod & Gun Club, located at 2675 Francisco Blvd East, San Rafael, CA 94901. Visit the Our Next Program page for directions and any venue updates.
Advance tickets are $12 for one person or $18 for two people. Walk-ins are welcome at $15 per person at the door. No-host food and beverages are available at the venue. Reservations can be made on the Our Next Program page.
Reservations are not required — walk-ins are welcome at the door. However, reserving in advance saves you money ($12 vs. $15) and helps us plan appropriately. You can reserve your spot on the Our Next Program page.
All are welcome! While our programs focus on issues affecting Marin County and the Bay Area, there is no residency requirement. Anyone interested in civic affairs is encouraged to attend.
The best way is to sign up for our email list. We send announcements before each program. You can also check the Our Next Program page on this website at any time.
Yes. Every program includes both a formal presentation by the guest speaker(s) and a lengthy Q&A period. Audience members are encouraged to ask questions directly.
Membership & Donations
Yes. The Marin Coalition is a California non-profit corporation operating under IRS rule 501(c)(3), which means donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. Please consult your tax advisor for specifics.
We are entirely dependent on the financial support of our community — through program attendance fees and voluntary donations. We receive no government funding. Your contributions directly enable us to continue bringing quality speakers to Marin.
Donations can be made online via the Donate page on this website. We gratefully accept contributions of any amount.
The best ways to support us are to attend programs, make a donation, and spread the word in the community. If you are interested in volunteering or joining the board, please contact the board directly.
Email List & Newsletter
Visit our Email List Sign-up page and enter your name and email address. You’ll receive notifications about upcoming programs and occasional news from the Coalition.
Emails are sent to announce upcoming programs (roughly once a month during the September–June season) and occasionally for special news. We respect your inbox and will not send excessive or unrelated communications.
Every email we send includes an unsubscribe link at the bottom. You can also contact us directly to request removal from the list.
No. We use your contact information solely to send Marin Coalition program announcements. Please see our Privacy Policy for full details.
Still have questions? We’d love to hear from you.