In Sonoma County, the persistent challenge of meeting basic needs has become more pronounced in the wake of successive crises. The region’s high cost of living intensifies the difficulties faced by low-income residents, exacerbated by the compounding effects of wildfires, the aftermath of the Coronavirus pandemic, and the ripple effects of inflation. Consequently, families find themselves grappling with the difficult choices of allocating funds for basic needs like housing, food, clothing, or transportation to work. To address these pressing issues, timely and direct assistance is crucial to preventing job loss and homelessness and ensuring that families can meet their daily needs. A recent report from the United Ways of California Real Cost Measure 2023 study shows that more than one-third (36%) of Sonoma County working households cannot afford basic household necessities, underscoring the urgent demand for sustained support in the community.

Community Foundation Sonoma County’s Julia L. Grant Fund for Basic Human Needs provides a funding opportunity for nonprofit organizations already working with vulnerable populations and needing funding for critical safety net services. Grant applications may include funding requests for programs that provide food, shelter, housing, transportation, and/or urgent medical and dental services for people in acute need in Sonoma County. Programs should limit barriers to access for all individuals. Programs should provide services that address the short-term, urgent needs of community members. Referral programs are not eligible for this funding.