Geographic Giving
Do you give close to home? You aren't alone. Some donors give locally to build and grow something that they can connect to over time. Others are driven by community needs that they can identify in their own backyard. Still others are passionate about a cause,...
The Opposite of Spoiled
Our holiday reading list includes a gem about raising generous children. The Opposite of Spoiled: Raising Kids Who are Grounded, Generous, and Smart About Money by New York Times financial columnist Rob Lieber takes the sting out of talking to kids about money. Lieber...
LGBTQI Giving Circle
The LGBTQI Giving Circle of Sonoma Community Foundation has recently made 5 grants to non-profit organizations that serve the needs of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, and Intersex (LGBTQI) residents of the region. The special grants were made...
Social Security Changes
Social Security changes may affect us all. Are you discussing these changes? At a recent seminar for professional advisors hosted by the Community Foundation, Stephanie Curry, from Pacific Life, presented an overview of Social Security which knocked the socks off our...
Advising Literacy
Get ready for National Financial Literacy Month (April 2016). Elite Advisors have a unique opportunity to improve financial literacy and awareness and thereby increase the quality of life of clients, friends, and family. The Financial Awareness Foundation (FAF), a...
Big Impact
Melissa Kelley, Co-founder of Impact 100 Redwood Circle is just about to lead more than 125 members through the process of making a $100,000 impact grant. This is a phenomenal accomplishment considering the new giving circle began earlier this year. Melissa was...
SCF’s Behind the Scenes Engine: Finance and Operations Team
Every organization has a critical engine that keeps things running smoothly, ensures consistency and reliability, and controls resources and expectations in a measured way to meet the goals of the organization. At Sonoma Community Foundation, our engine is the Finance...
Celebrating Star Volunteers!
Sonoma Community Foundation's Sonoma Valley Fund knows how to throw a party! This year, they have celebrated 26 of the communities brightest volunteers through their Star Volunteer awards. Volunteers were included from many - if not most - of the valley's nonprofit...
The Unlikely Philanthropist
Ty Cobb’s strategic approach to giving contradicts everything we know of him. His journey to assess the needs of a community, perform due diligence, and set specific and personal giving criteria preceded many other philanthropists in his time. Today, we recall Ty Cobb...
Early Childhood Education
Access to education is a basic human right and essential in ensuring that all children are able to meet their greatest potential. Early Childhood Education allows children to have equal footing when they begin their educational careers. In Sonoma County, only 39...
annual report
2016 Annual Report
New Partnership with Sonoma Wine Country Weekend
Sonoma County, CA, October 13, 2015 – Sonoma Wine Country Weekend, Sonoma County’s largest wine and food charitable event, and one of the top three U.S. charitable wine auctions, is pleased to announce a new partnership with Sonoma Community Foundation. This...
Environment + Education: Global Student Embassy
Analy High School students Nica, Maya, and Isi in the GSE garden. How can a garden grow more than just vegetables? When it helps to grow adults, too. That, at least, is among the aims of the Global Student Embassy (GSE), a Sebastopol nonprofit that serves...
Quarterly Coffee in October
Please join us for coffee and conversation with our Vice President for Programs, Karin Demarest. This is an opportunity to meet other community leaders and learn about Sonoma Community Foundation. Click here for details and to register.
Investment Strategy
Sonoma Community Foundation’s Investment Advisory Committee developed a new investment strategy for the Long-Term Pool. The changes went into effect at the end of June 2015. The goal of the changes is to improve transparency and communication, eliminate the portfolio...