Community Foundation Sonoma County

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $19.9 million (2023)
• Total Assets: $214 million
• Success Rate: Approximately 50% for competitive programs
• Decision Time: 4-6 weeks (varies by program)
• Grant Range: $10,000 - $30,000 (competitive programs)
• Geographic Focus: Sonoma County, California
• Total Grants Since 1983: $300+ million

Contact Details

Address: 120 Stony Point Road, Suite 220, Santa Rosa, CA 95401

Phone: 707-579-4073

Fax: 707-579-4801

Email: invest@sonomacf.org

Website: https://www.sonomacf.org

Grant Inquiries: grants@sonomacf.org

Key Contacts:

• Amy Holter, Vice President for Community Impact
• José Castro Gambino, Senior Community Impact Officer (jcastro@sonomacf.org)
• Annette Williams, Community Impact Associate

Overview

Community Foundation Sonoma County (CFSC) was founded in 1983 by civic-minded citizens committed to building a permanent endowment to strengthen local philanthropy. Over 40 years, the foundation has awarded more than $300 million in grants to local organizations. Today, CFSC stewards over $214 million in charitable assets across 450 charitable funds created by individuals, families, businesses, and community groups. In 2023 alone, CFSC distributed $19.9 million in grants across 275 awards, with 85% of grants staying in Sonoma County.

Under the leadership of President & CEO Óscar Chávez—the foundation's first person of color to serve in this role—CFSC has embraced a trust-based approach to philanthropy, working in partnership with donors, nonprofits, and community leaders to address Sonoma County's most pressing challenges including housing, healthcare, climate resilience, education, and equity. The foundation earned a Four-Star rating (100%) from Charity Navigator for its financial health and accountability.

The foundation gained national recognition for its response to the 2017 Tubbs Fire, establishing the Resilience Fund which has granted nearly $20 million toward healing, helping, and housing recovery efforts. This disaster response work exemplifies CFSC's commitment to addressing both immediate needs and long-term community resilience.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Julia L. Grant Fund for Basic Human Needs: $30,000 maximum (median grant: $30,000)

• Open competitive application
• Focus on food and shelter needs for marginalized community members
• Approximately $800,000-$1.3 million available annually
• At least 70% dedicated to direct food assistance
• Typically funds about 50% of applicants
• 50 organizations funded in 2025 with $1.3 million total

Environmental Education Pathways Project: $10,000 stipends

• Invitation-only program
• Supports environmental education during school day with field components
• Must serve identified Pathways schools (50%+ socioeconomically disadvantaged students)
• Recipients must provide free transportation to schools
• Requires participation in school-level working groups

Arts Education Grant Program: Amounts vary

• Invitation-only program
• Supports high-quality arts education with priority on equitable access
• Focuses on visual, literary, and performing arts
• 11 grants awarded in 2024

BIPOC Leadership Fund: Amounts vary

• Invitation-only program (evolved from Latino Leadership Fund in 2015)
• Supports organizations elevating BIPOC communities through advocacy and leadership
• Provides flexible funding for emerging leaders of color
• Invitations sent in late summer/early fall
• $123,000 distributed in 2024

Sonoma County Resilience Fund: Varies, invitation-based

• Ongoing grantmaking for disaster recovery and long-term resilience
• $1.3 million distributed in 2024
• Nearly $20 million granted since 2017

Sonoma County Vintners Community Grants: Amounts vary

• Annual program with specific application periods
• Supports community needs identified by vintners partnership

Mental Health Grant Program: Amounts vary

• $567,300 distributed in 2024

Foster Youth Support: Amounts vary

• $170,000 distributed in 2024

Homelessness Prevention: Amounts vary

• $321,300 distributed in 2024

Priority Areas

Equity and Inclusion: Projects providing increased opportunity for youth, BIPOC individuals, and others most impacted by economic, racial, and social inequities are prioritized. The foundation commits to reducing barriers to accessing community resources due to income, ethnicity, or other demographic characteristics.

Environment: Understanding the links connecting human and natural communities, with emphasis on environmental education programs. $1.06 million distributed in 2024.

Arts and Culture: Supporting the arts as necessary to sustaining the common good, including arts education, artist support, and expanding engagement. $123,000 distributed in 2024.

Basic Human Needs: Food security, shelter, and essential services for vulnerable populations. $1.03 million distributed in 2024.

Animal Welfare: $202,500 distributed in 2024.

Education: Supporting educational opportunities throughout the county. $92,932 distributed in 2024.

Immigrant Support: Multilingual immigration updates through trusted community partners, culturally responsive gathering spaces with mental health support in native languages, and job security, training, and entrepreneurship opportunities.

What They Don't Fund

Based on specific program guidelines:

• Direct financial assistance (rental assistance, utility payments, gift cards)
• Referral-only programs
• Out-of-school-time environmental education programs (after school or during breaks)
• Classroom-based programs without field components (for environmental education)
• Organizations outside Sonoma County's service area

General exclusions referenced but not fully detailed publicly; applicants should verify project expenditures align with foundation guidelines via grants@sonomacf.org.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

Executive Officers:

• Christina Z. Hollingsworth, Board Chair
• Aiko-Sophie Ezaki, Vice Chair
• Kit Driscoll, Secretary
• Kerri Berry, Treasurer
• Richard Davis-Lowell, Immediate Past Chair

Board Members At Large:

• Vince A. Figueroa
• Dr. Angélica Garcia
• Kevin Jaggie
• Nicole Lim
• Teejay Lowe
• Ralph Lewin
• Alan Preston
• Michael Ricioli
• Bhupinder "Sonu" Singh Chandi
• Tim Tesconi

Director Emeritus:

• Jean Schulz (Non-Voting)

Senior Staff

• Óscar Chávez, President & CEO: Joined March 2023 as CFSC's first person of color to serve as CEO. Previously served on the Board of Directors for nine years, spent 10 years at Sonoma County Department of Human Services as Assistant Director, and six years as Executive Director of Community Action Partnership Sonoma County. Chávez stated: "I am honored to join Community Foundation Sonoma County as its new President and CEO. I look forward to working with our staff, board members, donors, nonprofit and community partners to continue building a stronger and more equitable community for all of Sonoma County."

• Amy Holter, Vice President for Community Impact

• Deirdre Holbrook, Vice President for Philanthropic Advancement

• Pamela Harris, Chief Financial Officer

• José Castro Gambino, Senior Community Impact Officer

• Susan Price, Senior Philanthropic Advisor, Planned Giving

• Rebecca Rogoway, Senior Philanthropic Advisor

Leadership Vision

CEO Óscar Chávez has emphasized working across multiple sectors to address the county's biggest problems, concentrating on disparities among neighborhoods with focus on race, ethnicity, and gender. He has stated: "We have come to a new understanding about opportunity and well‐being in Sonoma County," noting that data "makes it painfully clear that certain racial groups and neighborhoods in our county continue to be much more vulnerable to suffering."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Competitive Grant Programs: All grant applications are submitted electronically through the Competitive Grants Table on the foundation's Apply for Grants page (https://www.sonomacf.org/nonprofits/apply-for-grants/).

Eligibility: Applicants must be incorporated, charitable 501(c)(3) organizations serving Sonoma County. Non-exempt groups can apply through a fiscal sponsor meeting specific requirements.

Pre-Application Contact: If you believe your program strongly aligns with grant criteria, send a brief program summary to grants@sonomacf.org. The foundation is sensitive to nonprofit resources required for applications and helps ensure programs are a strong fit before requesting full applications.

Invitation-Only Programs: Many programs (Environmental Education, BIPOC Leadership, Arts Education, Resilience Fund) operate by invitation. Organizations believing they meet criteria can contact José Castro Gambino at jcastro@sonomacf.org to express interest.

Trust-Based Approach: The foundation employs trust-based philanthropy, assuming responsibility for researching and vetting projects in advance and minimizing reporting burdens on grantees.

Current Application Deadlines

Julia L. Grant Fund for Basic Human Needs 2026:

• Application Opens: January 12, 2026
• Deadline: February 6, 2026 at 5:00 PM
• Award Notifications: Week of March 2, 2026
• Grant Period: March 15, 2026 - March 14, 2027

Other Programs: Deadlines vary by program and are posted on the Apply for Grants page. Newsletter subscribers receive advance notice of upcoming opportunities.

Decision Timeline

Typical Timeline: 4-6 weeks from application deadline to notification, though this varies by program.

Evaluation Process: Proposals are evaluated by the Community Impact Team and compared against other applications. The foundation considers alignment with grant criteria, program impact, and organizational capacity.

Notification Methods: Notification dates are posted on the Apply for Grants webpage for each program. Award decisions are typically communicated via email.

Success Rates

Basic Human Needs Program: Approximately 50% of applicants receive funding. In 2025, 50 organizations were funded out of a competitive pool.

Overall Statistics: In 2023, CFSC made 275 grant awards totaling $19.9 million. Historical data shows 289 awards in 2022, 259 in 2021, and 298 in 2020.

Reapplication Policy

Multiple Applications Permitted: Organizations may apply to each program annually as long as they meet grant criteria. Multi-service organizations can submit multiple applications to different programs in the same year.

No Waiting Period: There is no mandatory waiting period for unsuccessful applicants. The foundation encourages reapplication when goals align with program criteria.

Staying Connected: Organizations are encouraged to email brief organizational updates to grants@sonomacf.org even when not applying, helping the foundation stay aware of community activities.

Application Success Factors

Strong Program Alignment: The foundation prioritizes applications that closely match specific grant criteria. For Basic Human Needs, this means direct food and shelter services (not referrals) serving marginalized populations with minimal access barriers.

Equity Focus: Projects providing increased opportunities for youth, BIPOC individuals, and communities impacted by economic, racial, and social inequities receive priority consideration. Demonstrate how your program reduces barriers due to income, ethnicity, or other demographic characteristics.

Clear Impact Demonstration: Provide specific details about program outcomes and community benefit. The foundation values programs that strengthen the community safety net and improve quality of life across Sonoma County.

Organizational Capacity: Ensure current 501(c)(3) status and prepare financial documentation. The foundation assesses whether organizations have capacity to deliver proposed programs.

Geographic Service: 85% of CFSC grants stay in Sonoma County. Demonstrate clear connection to serving local community members.

Cultural Responsiveness: For programs serving BIPOC or immigrant communities, show culturally responsive approaches including multilingual services, trusted community partnerships, and support delivered in participants' native languages.

Trust-Based Readiness: The foundation has shifted toward trust-based philanthropy with reduced reporting requirements. Be prepared to articulate program goals clearly while understanding the foundation values flexibility and organizational autonomy.

Pre-Application Communication: The Community Impact Team encourages brief program summaries via grants@sonomacf.org before full applications. This demonstrates respect for both nonprofit and foundation resources by ensuring fit before extensive application work.

Community Health Worker Input: The Basic Human Needs program specifically involves Community Health Workers and Promotores in shaping priorities. Programs aligned with grassroots community perspectives have stronger chances.

Recent Funding Patterns: Review the Recent Grants page on their website to understand types of organizations and projects funded. 2024 priorities included environmental programs ($1.06M), basic needs ($1.03M), resilience ($1.3M), and mental health ($567K).

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Trust-based philosophy: CFSC values relationship-building and reduced administrative burden on nonprofits. Pre-application contact via grants@sonomacf.org is welcomed and demonstrates strategic thinking.

• Equity is central: Projects serving BIPOC communities, immigrants, and economically marginalized populations align with CEO Óscar Chávez's vision of addressing neighborhood disparities by race, ethnicity, and gender.

• About half succeed in competitive programs: With approximately 50% success rates in competitive programs like Basic Human Needs, applications must demonstrate strong alignment with specific criteria and clear community impact.

• Many programs are invitation-only: Environmental Education, BIPOC Leadership, Arts Education, and Resilience Fund operate by invitation. Express interest to José Castro Gambino if you believe your organization fits these criteria.

• Local focus matters: 85% of grants stay in Sonoma County. Emphasize direct service to local community members and deep understanding of county-specific needs.

• Think beyond single programs: Multi-service organizations can apply to multiple programs. Consider which of your programs align with different CFSC funding priorities (arts, environment, basic needs, equity, etc.).

• Stay connected year-round: Send organizational updates to grants@sonomacf.org even when not applying. The foundation values ongoing relationships and awareness of community activities.

• Application timing varies: Subscribe to the newsletter for advance notice of opportunities. Some programs have fixed annual cycles while Resilience Fund operates on ongoing invitation basis.

• Direct service over referrals: For Basic Human Needs, provide direct food/shelter services rather than referral programs. Show how you minimize barriers to access for vulnerable populations.

• Community Health Worker perspective valued: Programs reflecting grassroots community input, particularly from Community Health Workers and Promotores, align with the foundation's participatory approach to identifying priorities.

References

1. Community Foundation Sonoma County Official Website - https://www.sonomacf.org - Accessed January 2026

2. "About CFSC" - Community Foundation Sonoma County - https://www.sonomacf.org/about-cfsc/ - Accessed January 2026

3. "Our Grant Programs" - Community Foundation Sonoma County - https://www.sonomacf.org/nonprofits/apply-for-grants/ - Accessed January 2026

4. "Grant FAQ" - Community Foundation Sonoma County - https://www.sonomacf.org/nonprofits/grant-faq/ - Accessed January 2026

5. "$1.3 million in Grants made through CFSC's Julia L. Grant Basic Human Needs Grant Program" - Community Foundation Sonoma County - https://www.sonomacf.org/blog/basic-human-needs-2025/ - Accessed January 2026

6. "The Julia L. Grant Fund for Basic Human Needs" - Community Foundation Sonoma County - https://www.sonomacf.org/nonprofits/apply-for-grants/basic-human-needs-grants-program/ - Accessed January 2026

7. "Introducing our new President and CEO, Óscar Chávez" - Community Foundation Sonoma County - https://www.sonomacf.org/blog/introducing-our-new-president-and-ceo-oscar-chavez/ - Accessed January 2026

8. "Our Team" - Community Foundation Sonoma County - https://www.sonomacf.org/about-cfsc/our-team/ - Accessed January 2026

9. "Recent Grants" - Community Foundation Sonoma County - https://www.sonomacf.org/nonprofits/recent-grants/ - Accessed January 2026

10. Community Foundation Sonoma County GuideStar Profile - https://www.guidestar.org/profile/68-0003212 - Accessed January 2026

11. Community Foundation Sonoma County Charity Navigator Profile - https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/680003212 - Accessed January 2026

12. "Environmental Education Pathways Project Grants Program" - Community Foundation Sonoma County - https://www.sonomacf.org/nonprofits/apply-for-grants/environmental-education-pathways-project-grants-program/ - Accessed January 2026

13. "BIPOC Leadership Fund" - Community Foundation Sonoma County - https://www.sonomacf.org/nonprofits/apply-for-grants/bipoc-leadership-fund/ - Accessed January 2026

14. "Arts Education Grant Program" - Community Foundation Sonoma County - https://www.sonomacf.org/nonprofits/apply-for-grants/arts-education-grants-program/ - Accessed January 2026

15. Community Foundation Sonoma County 990 Report - Instrumentl - https://www.instrumentl.com/990-report/community-foundation-sonoma-county - Accessed January 2026

16. "A partner in regional disaster preparedness: Napa Valley Community Foundation" - Community Foundation Sonoma County - https://www.sonomacf.org/blog/a-partner-in-regional-disaster-preparedness-napa-valley-community-foundation/ - Accessed January 2026