Invested in the Promise of Sonoma County
Our Strategic Plan
Community Foundation Sonoma County’s strategic plan is rooted in our shared commitment to build a place where everyone feels they belong, has a voice, and can help create a thriving community.
What We Accomplish Together
Community Foundation Sonoma County is the hub of philanthropy in Sonoma County. We utilize our local knowledge, leveraged resources, and over 40 years of experience serving Sonoma County, to benefit all who live here.
42
Active Years
$300m
in Total Grants
$202m
Total Assets
Community Impact
Our grant programs seek to meet Sonoma County’s most pressing needs, to make our community a place where everyone can thrive.
Ways to Give
Community Foundation Sonoma County can help you develop a personalized approach to charitable giving.
Open a Fund
Build your Legacy
Support a Program
Together, we’ve granted over $300m back into our community since 1983
CFSC is formed by a group of civic-minded citizens to address community needs and to establish an endowment program that would encourage philanthropy and enhance lives in Sonoma County. Their first grant is to the Santa Rosa Symphony.
The Parent Education Project, CFSC’s first major project, is launched, bringing parent education classes to workplaces, schools, and churches across Sonoma County.
Charles “Chops” DeMeo, a local lawyer and banker, grants CFSC $16 million dollars that he saved in secret to put towards making a club for local teens in Santa Rosa. Chop’s Teen Club opens its doors in 2001 and continues to make a difference today.
In 2003, the Healdsburg Area Affiliate Fund (now Healdsburg Forever), and later, in 2006, the Sonoma Valley Fund (which later became Sonoma Valley Catalyst Fund), got their start as CFSC’s first regional affiliates.
CFSC establishes the Resilience Fund in response to the devastating Tubbs Fire, designed to address long-term disaster recovery in Sonoma County. Since 2017, the Resilience Fund has granted nearly $20 million dollars towards healing, helping, and housing.
A banner year, CFSC reaches $300 million dollars granted out to our community in our 40 years of service. After nearly a decade on our Board of Directors and committees, Óscar Chávez becomes CFSC’s first person of color to serve as President & CEO.
CFSC is formed by a group of civic-minded citizens to address community needs and to establish an endowment program that would encourage philanthropy and enhance lives in Sonoma County. Their first grant is to the Santa Rosa Symphony.
The Parent Education Project, CFSC’s first major project, is launched, bringing parent education classes to workplaces, schools, and churches across Sonoma County.
Charles “Chops” DeMeo, a local lawyer and banker, grants CFSC $16 million dollars that he saved in secret to put towards making a club for local teens in Santa Rosa. Chop’s Teen Club opens its doors in 2001 and continues to make a difference today.
In 2003, the Healdsburg Area Affiliate Fund (now Healdsburg Forever), and later, in 2006, the Sonoma Valley Fund (which later became Sonoma Valley Catalyst Fund), got their start as CFSC’s first regional affiliates.
CFSC establishes the Resilience Fund in response to the devastating Tubbs Fire, designed to address long-term disaster recovery in Sonoma County. Since 2017, the Resilience Fund has granted nearly $20 million dollars towards healing, helping, and housing.
A banner year, CFSC reaches $300 million dollars granted out to our community in our 40 years of service. After nearly a decade on our Board of Directors and committees, Óscar Chávez becomes CFSC’s first person of color to serve as President & CEO.
Blog
$525,000 Available to Strengthen Sonoma County Nonprofits: Resilient Organizations Grant Opens August 10
Strong communities rely on strong, adaptable nonprofits. Yet traditional funding often focuses solely on short-term direct services, leaving organizations with little room to innovate, address operational challenges, or plan for long-term stability. To help nonprofits…
Fund for Belonging Update: Sonoma Together Launches with Trusted Messenger Network Support
In 2026, Community Foundation Sonoma County’s Fund for Belonging will distribute more than $1 million to support Sonoma County’s immigrant communities in three key areas: legal information sharing to reduce confusion and fear, income generation to increase financial…
Arts Education Grants Help Young People Create, Connect, and Thrive
From learning to perform on stage for the first time to creating films in the classroom and expressing themselves through murals and storytelling, arts education gives young people opportunities to build confidence, creativity, and community. Community Foundation…