The 2025 Julia L. Grant Basic Human Needs Grant Program is open for applications from January 6 – January 31. Apply today!
Meeting Basic Human Needs
In Sonoma County, the persistent challenge of meeting basic needs causes hardship for local individuals and families. So many of those living in this beautiful county must make difficult choices between essentials like housing and food due to the constraints of receiving low wages in an area with a high cost of living.
Trusted local service organizations and community groups are working day and night to support the urgent needs of community members. As part of our process this year, we hosted a discussion with Community Health Workers (CHWs) and Promotores who work directly with individuals and families to help them meet their basic needs. During this discussion, they shared insights about the pressing issues and potential solutions they observe in the community. These conversations, along with many others held with community partners, will inform our grantmaking for the Basic Human Needs grantmaking program and other programs in 2025.
Grant Program Overview
The Julia L. Grant Fund for Basic Human Needs grant program provides a funding opportunity for nonprofit organizations supporting critical safety net services in Sonoma County. Grant applications may include funding requests for programs that provide food, shelter, and/or permanent supportive housing for people in acute need in Sonoma County. Due to limited resources, requests for direct financial assistance, such as rental or utility assistance, gift cards, etc., will not be considered.
This year, thanks to the continued support of Julia L. Grant and a generous donation from an anonymous donor, the fund has been expanded to approximately $1 million to meet continued need for healthy food options in Sonoma County. Of this entire funding amount, 70% will go towards critical food needs for local people facing hunger and food insecurity.
The maximum grant request is $30,000. Given the high number of applicants expected, there is a possibility that recipients may not receive the full amount requested. There is no limit to the use of grant funds for program overhead expenses.
Grant Program Criteria
Grant Program Criteria:
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- Requesting organization is a Sonoma County 501(c)(3) nonprofit or an organization fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
- Program provides services that address the food, shelter, and permanent supportive housing needs of community members. Referral programs are not eligible for this funding. Due to limited resources, requests for direct financial assistance, such as rental or utility assistance, gift cards, etc., will not be considered.
- Program is designed to serve those living on the margins and minimizes barriers to accessing services.
Application Timeline
- January 6: Grant application opens
- January 31: Grant application closes at 5 pm
- Late February: Applicants informed of grant awards
- Grant Period: March 15th, 2025 through March 14th, 2026
How To Apply
Community Foundation Sonoma County uses an online process for submitting grant applications. You can apply by clicking here, or navigating to the “Grantee Login” link at the top of our website.
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 with a Fiscal Sponsor will also be asked to upload the Fiscal Sponsorship Form and a Fiscal Sponsor Organizational Budget. To review FAQs for Online Submission, please click here.
2024 Grant Summary
42 grants were awarded in 2024. The median grant size was $20,000.
| Organization | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Ambulatory Surgery Access Coalition dba Operation Access | to provide local health providers to donate surgical and specialty care |
| Buckelew Programs | to provide urgent basic needs |
| California Human Development | to support low-income Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers (MSFs) |
| California Indian Museum & Cultural Center | to provide healthy and traditional food boxes |
| Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa | to support drop-in services at Caritas Center |
| Ceres Community Project | to provide organic, medically tailored meals |
| Community Action Partnership of Sonoma County | to provide immediate basic needs support |
| Corazon Healdsburg | to support the family resource center |
| COTS (Committee on the Shelterless) | to support Kids First Family Shelter (KFFS) |
| Extended Child Care Coalition of Sonoma County Inc. | to provide accessible, free, and nutritious produce |
| Farm to Fight Hunger | to continue growing, harvesting and donating thousands of pounds of produce |
| Farm to Pantry | to support Jardin del Pueblo |
| Farm to Pantry | to supply nutritious food for local families |
| FISH of the Santa Rosa Area Inc. | to provide free food through its food pantry |
| Food For Thought | to support the provision of free medically tailored meals and groceries |
| Forget Me Not Childrens Services | to support Project HOME |
| Friends in Sonoma Helping | to support families with rental assistance |
| Healdsburg Shared Ministries | to provide food to more families in Healdsburg and Geyserville |
| HomeFirst Services of Santa Clara County | to support the Housing Opportunity for Everyone (HOPE) program |
| Homeless Action Sonoma | to provide immediate basic needs |
| Jewish Community Free Clinic of Sonoma County | to support the Food Pantry and other food-related financial assistance |
| La Familia Sana | to provide emergency financial assistance |
| Northern California Center for Well-Being | to support nutrition therapy and food insecurity programming |
| On The Move | to support LGBTQ Connections and its food assistance programs |
| Petaluma Health Center | to support prescription and transportation costs for homeless and low-income patients |
| Petaluma People Services Center | to support the Bounty Hunters Gleaning and Food Recovery Program |
| Reach for Home | to support basic human needs for economically vulnerable individuals |
| Rebuilding Together - Petaluma | to support the Safe and Healthy Homes program for senior and people with disabilities |
| Redemption House of the Bay Area | to support victims and survivors of human trafficking in meeting their basic needs |
| Redwood Empire Food Bank | to support operations of critical food assistance programs |
| River to Coast Children's Services | to support the Emergency Resource Program |
| Sebastopol Area Senior Center | to support the Sebastopol Area Senior Center’s Harvest Café food program |
| Sonoma County Acts of Kindness | to support the expansion of meal and basic necessities delivery service in Sonoma County |
| Sonoma County Black Forum | to support program services that provide financial assistance and food assistance |
| Sonoma Family Meal | to support the Emergency Meal Distribution Program |
| Sonoma Overnight Support | to support the Food/Day Services Program |
| St. Vincent De Paul Society of Sonoma County | to support emergency funding such as rental and utility bill assistance |
| The Living Room | to support essential services for women and children who are homeless or at risk of homelessness |
| West County Community Services | to support the Crisis Support Program |
| Windsor Presbyterian Church Food Pantry | to support the weekly free food distribution pantry program |
| Women's Recovery Services - A Unique Place | to support the Nutrition in Recovery program |
| YWCA of Sonoma County | to support the YWCA's domestic violence services |
For questions about the Julia L. Grant Fund for Basic Human Needs, please contact:
For questions regarding the online application, please contact:
