GRANT UPDATE for 2009 – Major Changes

In 2009, Community Foundation Sonoma County will provide about $ 1,800,000 in competitive and discretionary grants to charitable organizations serving the people of Sonoma County. Of this total, about $600,000 will be available in the competitive grant programs listed below.

In response to the extraordinary economic crisis, the Community Foundation’s Board of Directors has temporarily changed the focus of our competitive grantmaking in 2009. We have revised many of our grant programs, applications and review criteria. Grants for Basic Human Needs, as well as for the Healdsburg Area Fund and the Sonoma Valley Fund are NOT affected by the changes described below.

• All competitive grants will be for general operating support rather than focused on specific programs or projects, to provide the greatest flexibility to grantees in uncertain times.
• General operating support is defined by Grantmakers for Effective Organizations as “…funding in support of a nonprofit organization’s mission rather than specific projects or programs. Organizations can use these funds at their discretion to cover an array of expenses, from program costs and salaries to administration, office expense, technology, training, fundraising and marketing, and much more.”
• The maximum grant amount for Education, Environment and Health & Human Services grants will decrease from $25,000 to a range of $10,000 to $15,000 for the year, in order to provide support to a greater number of organizations.
• For 2009 only, grants in the Arts will be given in two categories: matching grants and mini-grants.
• Grant applications have been shortened to reflect the changed focus.
• There will be a single application required, eliminating the letter of intent process.
• We plan to switch to electronic grant applications later in the year.

Is My Organization Eligible to Apply?

In order to apply for most competitive grants, an organization should be incorporated, be designated by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) and not be a private foundation (IRS designation as a 509(a)). Competitive grants are intended to serve only the residents of Sonoma County. Your organization does not need to be headquartered in Sonoma County, but you must serve Sonoma County residents in order to apply.

Projects and Organizations Not Eligible for Competitive Grants

We generally do not fund competitive proposals involving capital expenses, special events, debt retirement, endowment building, political or religious programs or organizations that discriminate. Except for our Healdsburg Affiliate, we also generally do not make competitive grants to primary or secondary schools or their school foundations or to departments of local government.

What Else Do I Need to Know?

Grant Application Materials

Grant Progress Report Instructions

What We Look For In Grant Proposals

How Applications Are Reviewed and Decided

Frequently Asked Questions