We are thrilled to announce grants to two organizations working to help individuals impacted by the fires who are struggling with insurance claims, legal issues, and securing the resources they need to recover.
These grants are funded through our Sonoma County Resilience Fund, which was established in October 2017 to support long-term fire recovery with grantmaking planned through 2022 and beyond. Grants from the Resilience Fund will fall into three focus areas: helping individuals impacted by the fires, healing the long-term impacts of trauma and housing solutions for our community.
Today’s grants will go to two organizations working to help individuals who have been impacted by the fires:
Listen to our CEO, Elizabeth Brown announcing these grants on air with Pat Kerrigan on KSRO:
United Policyholders
As a national nonprofit with 26 years of experience in disaster recovery, technical expertise in insurance legalities and a uniquely skilled volunteer corps, United Policyholders (UP) helps survivors meet the tremendous challenge of navigating the foreign language of insurance rules and the claim process, dealing with estimates, damage reports, contractors, and hard-sell vendors while grappling with the pain of profound personal loss.
This grant to United Policyholders offers funding through 2020 to expand and strengthen their recovery support services by piloting an insurance dispute mediation option for underinsured people.
“Successful disaster recovery is a marathon, not a sprint. On behalf of the thousands of wildfire-impacted households our organization is serving through our Roadmap to Recovery program, we are deeply grateful to the Sonoma County Resilience Fund and the Community Foundation of Sonoma County for this support and vision. Thank you for understanding that these households will need us well into the third anniversary of the fire and for making it possible for us to stay the course,” said Amy Bach, Esq., executive director, United Policyholders.
Legal Aid of Sonoma County
Communities and individuals struggling to recover from disaster face a myriad of legal issues including problems with insurance carriers, contractor/rebuilding issues, and consumer fraud. Legal Aid’s Disaster Relief Program has already reached out to over 2,000 fire survivors since November.
This grant to Legal Aid will support the Disaster Law Program (DLP) to provide legal information and advocacy to those affected by the 2017 wildfires. Assistance will include help with insurance, FEMA, housing, contractors, consumer fraud, and legal services that support mental health. Services will include outreach, clinics, document preparation, negotiations, and individual representation.
“With thousands of survivors still grappling with FEMA, trying to get the insurance proceeds they deserve or dealing with legal issues surrounding their fire-affected housing, Legal Aid needs to be here for the long haul to help survivors recover. We are both thrilled and relieved to have the support of the Resilience Fund to support our community’s recovery,” said Ronit Rubinoff, executive director, Legal Aid of Sonoma County.
The Julia L. Grant Fund for Basic Human Needs program addresses the pressing challenge of meeting the basic needs of individuals and families in Sonoma County. This year, the Basic Human Needs program supported 50 organizations with over $1.3 million in grants, supporting a critical safety net of organizations throughout…
Lynx Employer Resources is proud to support Community Foundation Sonoma County (CFSC) in its search for a Philanthropy Assistant! At CFSC, our team is made up of people with different strengths, experiences, and backgrounds who share a passion for investing in the promise of Sonoma County. We are deliberate, intentional, and purposeful about…
We are thrilled to announce that Angela Ryan has joined Community Foundation Sonoma County as the Executive Director of the Catalyst Fund. Angela brings a deep understanding of Sonoma Valley’s unique challenges and opportunities, having recently served as the Executive Director of the Sonoma Valley Education Foundation. In this newly created…
Community Foundation Sonoma County Announces the Launch of the Resilient Organizations Program: New Training Initiative to Bolster Health & Human Service Nonprofits in Sonoma County Santa Rosa, CA — Community Foundation Sonoma County (CFSC) is thrilled to announce the launch of its new Resilient Organizations Program, a training initiative…
We are thrilled to share that Deirdre Holbrook will be joining Community Foundation Sonoma County as our new Vice President for Philanthropic Advancement, starting on July 30th. With over 15 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, Deirdre brings a wealth of knowledge and a strong connection to our community. Her…
Starting this week, two new wildfire response vehicles will be servicing the areas of Santa Rosa, thanks to the hard work of the Santa Rosa Fire Foundation and a Resilience Fund grant from Community Foundation Sonoma County! These wildfire response vehicles will serve two crucial roles for the Santa Rosa…
The Philanthropic Planning Team plays a pivotal role in guiding donors to achieve their charitable goals and maximize the impact of their philanthropy. This team works closely with individuals, families, and businesses to understand their values and aspirations and to help them create personalized giving plans. By offering expert advice…
It is with great appreciation and some sadness that we share with you that after 10 years of dedicated service to our organization, Kristin Nelson will leave Community Foundation Sonoma County in July. While we bid farewell to Kristin, who has been an integral part of our team, we are…
On Wednesday, May 29th, Community Foundation Sonoma County, First Five Sonoma County, and the Sonoma County Imagination Library Advisory Board held a press conference to announce the launch of the Sonoma County Imagination Library. CFSC CEO & President Óscar Chávez spoke at the event, along with Angie Dillon Shore, Executive…
A year ago, I walked through the doors of a very familiar place—a place that has long felt like home to me— the offices of Community Foundation Sonoma County in Santa Rosa. During my inaugural week as President & CEO, I was frequently asked about my vision for the…
