The 2024 Foster Youth grant program is currently closed. Invitations for this grant program will be made again in Fall 2025.
Grant Program Overview
The transition from childhood to adulthood is a challenging one for anyone. Youth in foster care may experience a more difficult transition because they often don’t have the support network or the resources they need to reach their full potential.
In California, it is estimated that 24% of foster youth experience homelessness after exiting care. In 2023, 15% of Point in Time survey respondents experiencing homelessness in Sonoma County reported a history of foster care. It is critically important to support foster youth throughout their transition to independence so that they can create the future that they want and deserve.
The Foster Youth Fund provides support to organizations that provide critical services to foster youth. These grants support organizations in providing services that address needs related to housing, foster parent recruitment and retention, and wraparound, trauma-informed care for foster youth.
Grant Program Criteria
- Requesting organization is a Sonoma County 501(c)(3) nonprofit or an organization fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
- Organization provides housing, foster parent recruitment and retention, and/or wraparound, trauma-informed care for foster youth.
- Organization offers services that help foster youth develop skills, find stable housing, and build a support network to succeed in adulthood.
- Organization provides programs specifically aimed at reducing the risk of homelessness for foster youth exiting care.
How To Apply
Applications will be made available to those who are invited to apply. If you have a program or project that you believe fits the Foster Youth grant program criteria, please contact Jose Castro Gambino at jcastro@sonomacf.org.
2024 Grant Summary
4 grants were awarded in 2024. The median grant size was $42,500.
| Organization | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Community Support Network | to provide services to foster youth |
| On The Move | to support the VOICES Sonoma program |
| TLC Child & Family Services | to provide general operating support |
| Valley of the Moon Children's Home Foundation | to provide general operating support |
For questions about the Foster Youth Grant Program, please contact:
