The Issue
Living in Sonoma County is expensive. The high cost of living makes it challenging for low- income residents to cover their basic human needs—a situation made worse by the compounding effects of the wildfires, Coronavirus pandemic, and subsequent inflation. Families are increasingly forced to choose between paying their rent versus buying food or gas to get to work.
In crises such as these, straightforward, real-time assistance with food, shelter, transportation, or medical expenses can prevent families from losing a job, falling into homelessness, or facing another day without food.
Grant Program Overview
The Julia L. Grant Fund for Basic Human Needs grant program provides a unique funding opportunity for nonprofit organizations already working with vulnerable populations and in need of funding for critical safety net services. In 2023, this grant program is by invitation only. Grantees from the 2022 grant program may apply for a renewal grant through a streamlined application process.
Funds may be used to provide immediate and direct assistance to secure shelter, emergency food, transportation, and support for urgent medical and dental expenses to people in acute need. Examples of previous safety net services funded through this program include:
- Rental assistance
- Emergency financial assistance
- Diapers and other hygiene items
- Medical expenses
- Emergency food boxes or grocery store gift cards
Grant Program Criteria
Our Julia L. Grant Basic Human Needs Grant Program is meant to address the most essential needs of families and individuals in Sonoma County. When evaluating proposals, we use the following criteria to assess a request for funding:
Evaluation Criteria
- Support can be delivered immediately and directly to those in acute need (ex. gift cards, hotel vouchers, rent subsidies).
- Organization is fiscally sound with strong management.
- Program minimizes barriers to accessing services.
- Food providers will be prioritized.
Eligibility Criteria
- Sonoma County 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization or fiscally sponsored.
- Intervention-related services that address short-term needs of community members, rather than prevention-oriented activities.
- Case management and referral services are not eligible for this funding.
- Program and general operating support are not eligible for this funding.
Timeline
January 9, 2023: Grant application opens; invited applicants will be emailed a link to apply
January 27, 2023: Grant application closes at 5pm
Late February: Applicants informed of grant awards
Grant Period: March 15th, 2023 through March 14th, 2024
How to Apply
The 2023 Basic Human Needs grant program is open by invitation only. If your organization has been invited to apply, please review the information below to submit your application. If you have a program or project that is a strong fit with the Basic Human Needs grant criteria, please feel free to submit a brief summary describing your work to grants@sonomacf.org. The Community Impact Team will contact you if there is an opportunity to explore further.
How To Apply
Community Foundation Sonoma County uses an online process for submitting grant applications. Organizations who have been invited to apply will be emailed a link to the application.
If this is your first application using the online portal, you will be asked to set up an account. If you have an established account, you will be asked for your password to open a new application.
Once you’ve opened an online account, you will be asked a series of questions that include your contact information and a series of narrative questions. Applicants will also be asked to upload the following documents:
- Organization Budget
- Fiscal Sponsorship Form (only for organizations using a Fiscal Sponsor)*
*If using a Fiscal Sponsor, complete the Fiscal Sponsorship form. Provide an Organization Budget and Board of Directors list for both the fiscal sponsor and the organization being sponsored.
To review FAQs for Online Submission, please click here.
For questions about the Julia L. Grant Fund for Basic Human Needs, please contact:
For questions about the online application process, please contact:
2022 Grant Recipients
| Organization | Grant Purpose |
|---|---|
| California Human Development | to provide direct financial assistance to low-income farmworkers and other vulnerable populations |
| California Indian Museum & Cultural Center | to provide healthy foods, rental and utility assistance to local Native American elders and families in need |
| Child Parent Institute (CPI) | for food assistance, medical expenses, and for diapers and similar household needs for families |
| Cloverdale Senior Multipurpose Center | to provide access to healthy foods, housing, and other fundamental human needs to maintain independence and dignity |
| FISH of the Santa Rosa Area Inc. | to purchase healthy food from Redwood Empire Food Bank for distribution to food-insecure people of Sonoma County |
| InterFaith Shelter Network | to provide immediate solutions to community members who have unmet basic needs |
| La Familia Sana | to provide direct rental and utilities assistance to families impacted by COVID |
| On The Move | to support VOICES to prevent homelessness among transition-age youth and address critical basic needs |
| Social Advocates for Youth | to provide food and rental support to vulnerable youth through the SAY Housing Continuum |
| Sonoma Applied Village Services | to provide nutritious meals to homeless persons living in Sebastopol SAVS Horizon Shine Village and on the street |
| Sonoma Family Meal | to provide delicious, efficient and safe meals to families and seniors facing food insecurity in times of crisis and beyond |
| TLC Child & Family Services | to support the the Transition Age Youth Housing Program youth with emergency basic needs |