Community Foundation Sonoma County

Right now in Sonoma County, many people are facing rising costs and tough choices about basic needs like food, housing, and health care.

Local nonprofits are stepping up every day to support our community, often with limited resources.

That’s why we’re proud to share $1.2 million in grants to 51 organizations working to keep Sonoma County fed, housed, and healthy.

Through the Julia L. Grant Fund for Basic Human Needs, we’re investing in trusted organizations that are there in the moments people need support most.

Thank you to the nonprofits and donors who make this work possible.

Read more here: https://www.sonomacf.org/blog/bhn2026/

We’re growing our team to better support the people and organizations strengthening Sonoma County. If you’re looking for meaningful, community-centered work with a collaborative team, we’d love to hear from you!

Now hiring:
🌟Senior Philanthropic Advisor - open until filled
🌟Community Partnerships Lead - apply by 1/9
🌟Lead Technologist - apply by 1/16

Learn more & apply via the link in our bio!

We’re so grateful for you all during this holiday season!

Sonoma County, will we see you at the polls today? Read on for a note from Óscar Chávez, CFSC’s President & CEO, on what voting means to him:

As Election Day approaches, I’m reminded of the power of our votes and how they directly shape the future of Sonoma County and our nation. During times like these, when so much is at stake, your voice can make a meaningful difference—not only in high-profile races but also in local elections that impact our daily lives and strengthen the bonds that connect us as a community.

As someone who came to the United States as a child without legal status in the 1980s, I’ve always been inspired by this country’s promise and opportunities. Becoming a naturalized citizen in 2002 was a monumental milestone for me, and with it came a privilege I hold dear: the right to vote. Every election season, I reflect on my journey and the importance of having a voice in shaping our shared future.

Voting is more than a right—it’s a responsibility I take seriously. It’s a chance to advocate for our communities, uphold our values, and work toward a better future for the next generation. I encourage each of you to exercise this privilege. Every vote is a step toward building the community and country we aspire to be.

From local school boards to policies that impact housing, early education, public safety, and essential services, your vote directly affects the issues that matter most to us here in Sonoma County. Local elections hold the power to shape our neighborhoods and the lives of our loved ones.

If you haven’t already, please take a moment to visit the Sonoma County Registrar of Voters’ website to check your registration status, locate your polling place, and review requirements for registering or voting.

Thank you for your commitment to Sonoma County and for lending your voice to the future we’re building together. Your vote truly matters, and I look forward to seeing each of you at the polls!

Warm regards,
Óscar

Join Our Team!

CFSC is searching for our next great team member— a Philanthropy Assistant! This position reports to our Vice President for Philanthropic Advancement and supports our philanthropy, office, and events. Visit our website to apply.

Do you know someone who would be a great fit? Share this post with them!

We’re proud to announce the launch of the Resilient Organizations Program, a new training initiative designed to enhance capacity and sustainability of health and human services nonprofits in Sonoma County. The program will launch on Friday, September 6th, at a kick-off event at The Backdrop from 9-11. Over 50 HHS organizations will be in attendance! Read more at the link in our bio.

Join CFSC, Northern California Grantmakers, and Philanthropy CA on September 17th for an in-person grant writing training that brings together community-based organizations, nonprofits, and Tribes in and around Santa Rosa and the North Bay to learn about pursuing grant funds to support your organization’s vision and values. Learn more here:

Grant Writing Regional Training for Santa Rosa, CA An in-person grant writing training that brings together community-based organizations, nonprofits, and Tribes in Santa Rosa and the North Bay.

We're so excited to welcome Deirdre Holbrook as our new Vice President for Philanthropic Advancement. Deirdre is deeply committed to our community and eager to collaborate with our donors to address Sonoma County’s most critical issues. Her first day is today-- we hope you'll join us in welcoming her! Read more about Deirdre on our blog: https://www.sonomacf.org/blog/welcome-deirdre-holbrook-as-vice-president-for-philanthropic-advancement/

Join us in welcoming Deirdre Holbrook, who will join CFSC on July 30th as our Vice President for Philanthropic Advancement! She brings over 15 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, most recently at Year Up and Sonoma Land Trust. We couldn’t be more thrilled to have her join our team. Read more about Deirdre on our blog! Link in bio.

CFSC offices are closed today to honor Juneteenth! Juneteenth is an opportunity to reflect upon our ongoing struggle for equality and justice, and to celebrate resilience and strength.

On June 19, 1865, union troops arrived in Galveston TX to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation at the end of the Civil War. While legal slavery continued in the US until later that year, the celebration of this day grew into a nation-wide holiday that has been called America’s 2nd Independence Day.
 
Sonoma County has honored Juneteenth in various ways for over 70 years. This year, the community festival at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park in Santa Rosa held its 54th event. The celebration, which took place over the weekend, honored food, music, and the ongoing work in Sonoma County & beyond for equality and justice.

Do you plan to honor ? Share some of the events happening locally in the comments below!

The Sonoma County Imagination Library has officially launched! You can now sign your child up to receive FREE BOOKS every month until their fifth birthday. We're proud to support this initiative to improve kindergarten readiness in our community with a $50,000 donation and by managing the fund that will collect donations for the county-wide effort. Books are available in both English, and in bilingual English & Spanish, as seen in this photograph. You can learn more at sonomacf.org/SCIL! Thank you to First 5 Sonoma County and the SCIL Advisory Board for their efforts to bring this wonderful program to Sonoma County.