The 2025 Julia L. Grant Basic Human Needs Grant Program is closed.
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 |
|---|
| Ambulatory Surgery Access Coalition dba Operation Access |
| Buckelew Programs |
| California Human Development |
| California Indian Museum & Cultural Center |
| Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Santa Rosa |
| Ceres Community Project |
| Community Action Partnership of Sonoma County |
| Corazon Healdsburg |
| COTS (Committee on the Shelterless) |
| Extended Child Care Coalition of Sonoma County Inc. |
| Farm to Fight Hunger |
| Farm to Pantry |
| Farm to Pantry |
| FISH of the Santa Rosa Area Inc. |
| Food For Thought |
| Forget Me Not Childrens Services |
| Friends in Sonoma Helping |
| Healdsburg Shared Ministries |
| HomeFirst Services of Santa Clara County |
| Homeless Action Sonoma |
| Jewish Community Free Clinic of Sonoma County |
| La Familia Sana |
| Northern California Center for Well-Being |
| On The Move |
| Petaluma Health Center |
| Petaluma People Services Center |
| Reach for Home |
| Rebuilding Together - Petaluma |
| Redemption House of the Bay Area |
| Redwood Empire Food Bank |
| River to Coast Children's Services |
| Sebastopol Area Senior Center |
| Sonoma County Acts of Kindness |
| Sonoma County Black Forum |
| Sonoma Family Meal |
| Sonoma Overnight Support |
| St. Vincent De Paul Society of Sonoma County |
| The Living Room |
| West County Community Services |
| Windsor Presbyterian Church Food Pantry |
| Women's Recovery Services - A Unique Place |
| YWCA of Sonoma County |
For questions about the Julia L. Grant Fund for Basic Human Needs, please contact:
For questions regarding the online application, please contact:
