Sonoma County Resilience Fund

Overview

_Note:_

* _This grant program is open by invitation on a rolling basis throughout the year. If you have a program or project that strongly fits the Resilience Fund grant program criteria, please contact the foundation._
* _The grantmaking process is proactive and by invitation only. Foundation staff consult with local leaders, practitioners, and experts in the field to better understand issues and opportunities to address those issues. When an organization is identified as a potential fit with the Foundation’s goals, the organization is invited to submit a grant application._

Sonoma County Resilience Fund Overview

Sonoma County has seen unbelievable hardship, and through it all, we continue to build tremendous resilience. Through wildfires, floods, and a global pandemic, the community has come together time and time again to face incredible odds. In addition, we acknowledge that climate change will continue to cause disasters and extreme weather in our community far into the future, so our investments today must be impactful for decades to come. These funds were raised through the incredible generosity of thousands of donors in Sonoma County and beyond, including support from these key early donors and organizations.

The Sonoma County Resilience Fund is the only long-term recovery fund in Sonoma County dedicated to supporting residents impacted by disaster. Since the 2017 wildfires, we have made more than $19 million in grants to support nonprofit organizations working on the front lines of disaster recovery.

These grants are focused on helping those affected, healing the long-term effects of trauma, housing solutions for our community, and preparedness for the next disaster. With the knowledge that the impacts of disaster are long-term but that resources often dry up within the first year, the Resilience Fund was established to support medium- and long-term community resilience.

Through 2026, CFSC will continue to invest in these areas of impact with an updated approach for each strategy:

* Preparedness: Strengthening systems-level preparedness efforts for those most vulnerable to the impacts of disaster and extreme weather.
* Housing: Supporting solutions that increase the affordable housing supply and decrease housing instability at a community level.
* Healing: Addressing the persistent effects of mental health crises induced by disaster-related trauma.
* Helping: Providing support for relief and recovery work at household and community levels in the wake of future disasters and/or extreme weather.

Criteria

Projects funded by the Resilience Fund will meet the following criteria:

* Focus on equitable solutions and prioritize communities facing the most acute impacts of disaster, extreme weather, and/or Covid-19.
* Engage in partnerships and build cohesion among stakeholders for collective impact.
* Encourage change on a systemic level.
* Foster both short- and long-term impact.
* Strengthen community-driven initiatives whenever possible.

Eligibility

_You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website._

* Community Foundation Sonoma County provides Resilience Fund grants to federally-designated 501(c)3 charitable organizations.

Ineligibility

* We are unable to provide grants directly to individuals.