Healdsburg Area News & Publications
Healdsburg Area 2010 Grants Announced by Community Foundation Sonoma County
Local Board awards $55K to region's non-profit organizations -- up 46% over 2009
Healdsburg, CA; December 10, 2010 -- Community Foundation Sonoma County today announced eight new grants totaling $55,000 for Healdsburg area organizations focusing on health and human services, youth development, and education.
“This year's funding bolsters agencies serving those disproportionately affected by the economic downturn,” said Susan Lentz, Healdsburg area board chair. “We selected groups needing operational support to maintain the level of services they provide to the public – and in some cases, to expand them.”
Grant recipients are: Alliance Medical Center, to support their new Teen Health Center; Becoming Independent, to expand their paper shredding business and provide more employment for their clients; California Human Development, to support the costs of running the Healdsburg Day Labor Center; Community Child Care Council, to support the W. K. Johnson Infant Development Center on the Healdsburg High School campus; Healdsburg Education Foundation, to assist their executive director in developing a fiscal sustainability plan for long-term operations and services; Public School Success Team, to help expand their youth education and development program; Redwood Empire Food Bank, to support the Geyserville Backpack Program, which benefits 24 children with a “backpack” of groceries once a week; and Social Advocates for Youth, to help cover core operating expenses and salaries for their Family Resource Center in Healdsburg.
The Community Foundation's Healdsburg area grants program is administered by a local 11-member board and 9-member grants committee. It is funded by the Healdsburg Endowment Fund. This endowment is dedicated exclusively to supporting non-profits operating in Healdsburg and the surrounding communities.
The 2010 grants represent an increase of 46% over similar grants made last year. Additional funding was approved this year in response to increasing demands facing local non-profits. The economic recession has had compounding effects on agencies' finances –- both reduced donations and grants and also increased caseloads resulting from government cutbacks. The growth in the Community Foundation's grants was made possible by the generosity of new and existing donors and by contributions from the Healdsburg area board members. To donate to the endowment, visit www.sonomacf.org, click on Donate Now and specify “Healdsburg Endowment” in the Fund Description box.
A grantmaking organization such as Community Foundation Sonoma County is an ideal choice for charitable bequests because it responds to changing needs while providing ongoing support to local programs and projects.
Established in 2003 and managed by a committee of the Foundation’s Board of Directors, the CFSC Healdsburg Endowment awards financial grants to nonprofit groups that directly benefit residents of the greater Healdsburg area, including Geyserville, Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley, and parts of Russian River Valley (USPS Zip Codes 95448 and 95441).
A gift to the CFSC Healdsburg Endowment supports a wide spectrum of organizations working to address community needs.
Community Foundation Sonoma County and the Healdsburg Farmers' Market are teaming up to encourage Healdsburg residents on low incomes to eat more fresh local produce. Read more