Sonoma Wine Country Weekend Grant Workshops
We are excited to share that on December 2nd, 2016 Sonoma Wine Country Weekend will be launching the 2016-17 Community Grants Program, a broadly accessible, responsive grants program designed to address the most pressing needs in our communities. To learn more about...
Gratitude for Our Community
At Community Foundation Sonoma County, we regularly share things we are personally and professional grateful for. It is, quite frankly, part of our culture and the work we do every day. Recently, President and CEO Beth Brown led our staff through a “speed gratitude”...
The AIDS Fight for Civil Rights
A New York Times review of How To Survive a Plague – The Inside Story of How Citizens and Science Tamed AIDS by David France caught our eye. The review is beautifully written, inspiring and highlights the moving work AIDS activists and scientist undertook to create a...
The Gift That Keeps On Giving
Reframe the holidays in your workplace to include a more generous approach to your community and selves. Research shows that employee satisfaction is higher amongst individuals whose employers participate in community engagement (i.e. making donations, volunteering...
Family Holiday Guide
Preparing for family holiday gatherings is more than determining who gets the guest bedroom and who gets the sofa. It is more than finding gluten-free dessert recipes and the frenzy of assembling complicated toys at the last minute. Instead holiday family gatherings...
Saving Families
Expecting their first child, saving for a first home and working as a preschool teacher, all seemed well with a young family until their daughter’s birth had complications. The couple, having no health insurance, used all their savings on medical bills. Then, after...
There’s No (Good) Excuse to Postpone Estate Planning
There’s a saying attributed to Benjamin Franklin: “If you fail to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” This is especially true when it comes to estate planning. In my practice, I often encounter excuses as to why people fail to plan their estates. I encourage...
Local Health Assessment
The 2016 Sonoma County Community Health Needs Assessment is a large-scale look at the health of our community as developed collaboratively by local health care providers, health experts, county leaders and residents. The report informs and engages local decision...
Three Questions Each Night
A family’s nightly question ritual creates meaningful reflection, laughter, and bonding for all ages. Huffington Post writer, Meg Conley shares her family’s dinner conversation starter questions and the opportunities the questions uncover to dive deeper into the lives...
Preparing for Year End
As much as Sonoma’s autumn heatwaves and rainstorms may have us convinced it is still the beginning of Fall, the holiday season is right around the corner. With the seasonal changes, our thoughts reflect on what we have done for our county's nonprofits – and what we...
Philanthropic Wizard
Community Foundation Sonoma County couldn’t be more proud! We have always known that J Mullineaux is a Philanthropic Wizard but when the University of Washington inducted him into the Huskies' Hall of Fame this October, they made it official. J was honored for his...
Hounded by the Political Season?
Visit the Charles M. Schulz Museum! If pundits and politicos have left you spinning in recent weeks, re-adjust your wheels and head towards the Schulz Museum for a truly heart-warming and patriotic affair. Prepare to “oooh”, “ahhhh”, and wax nostalgic over the amazing...
Introducing Donor First!
Community Foundation Sonoma County is very excited to launch a new online Giving Center for fund representatives! The portal, called Donor First, will provide a cleaner and easier user interface and will allow you to access information about your fund, make grants and...
Sustaining Community
Congratulations Jackson Family Wines and Katie Jackson! Jackson Family Wines will be honored by the Sonoma County Harvest Fair for their innovative work and advocacy to create a sustainable grape-growing region by 2019. The inaugural award highlights the long-termed...
Terrific Two-Some
We have welcomed two new team members to Community Foundation Sonoma County (and we couldn’t be more excited!) Annette Williams brings a signature enthusiasm and versatility to her role as Program Coordinator. Nicole LeStrange joins us with extensive non-profit...