2025 Grant finalist sUMMARIES

Below are summaries of our 2025 Grant Finalists. The 19 finalists are listed in alphabetical order, and just below the nonprofit's name, you will see whether they are a finalist for just the Impetus Grant or for both the Impetus and the Encore Grant. You will be able to make up to 13 selections for the Impetus Grant and then cast one vote for the Encore Grant (from your Impetus selections).

Information about each of the finalists includes the organization's mission statement, a brief summary of their proposal and a short explanation as to why they were selected as a Finalist. You will also see the requested grant amount, the type of support it would provide, and primary and secondary focus area of the proposal.

See a listing of past grant recipients

Cumulative Grant Recipient Spreadsheet

10,000 Degrees

IMPETUS/ENCORE  

$25,000 for: College Tour Program 

To provide college tour transportation and related expenses for Sonoma Valley high school students from low-income backgrounds seeking to attend college, and to support the salary of Fellows who work directly with these students

Mission: 10,000 Degrees supports students from low-income backgrounds to and through college so that they can reach their full potential and make a positive impact on their communities and beyond. We envision a world where all students, regardless of race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic background, have access to the full range of educational opportunities.

Type of Support: Programmatic or Project Needs

Focus Area(s): 1. Education 2. Human and Social Services

Proposal Summary: This proposal supports Sonoma Valley students from low-income backgrounds – including those who are undocumented – who dream of earning a college degree. The Impetus Grant will enable 10,000 Degrees to take students on college campus tours. Students report that the tours are exciting and transformative, enabling them to see themselves as college students. Tour programming enriches 10,000 Degrees’ offerings and strengthens the college-going mindset of Sonoma Valley students. The grant also will support the work of 10,000 Degrees Fellows, many of whom are alumni of the program, who work directly with Sonoma Valley high school and college students to provide the wraparound support they need to succeed and thrive. 

Encore Grant Summary: The Encore Grant will enable 10,000 Degrees to provide additional college tours and further develop its cohort model, which brings together students who share similar aspirations and challenges, creating a collaborative environment where they can learn, grow, and thrive.

Why this proposal?: Education is the foundation of a just and equitable society, and a college degree is the most effective way to break the cycle of generational poverty. In light of the increasing challenges facing our immigrant community, especially for students with mixed immigration status, it is more important than ever for 10,000 Degrees to provide the wraparound, near-peer support that encourages those Sonoma Valley students who are furthest from opportunity to pursue their dreams. Students supported by this grant can become the next generation of community leaders and strengthen the economic vitality and social health of Sonoma Valley.

Website: www.10000degrees.org

Cancer Support Sonoma

IMPETUS

$25,000 for: Client Services Expansion

To provide financial support for a dedicated Client Navigator who will assist in client outreach and intake, including to more diverse communities; to provide new classes to enhance client well-being; and to provide financial assistance for lower income clients

Mission: Cancer Support Sonoma (CSS) is dedicated to providing support services for people diagnosed with cancer living in the greater Sonoma Valley and adjoining areas. Whether newly diagnosed, in treatment, in recovery, or entering end-of-life, we offer physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual comfort to every client in need, regardless of ability to pay.

Type of Support: Capacity Building or Infrastructure Support

Focus Area(s): 1. Health 2. Human and Social Services

Proposal Summary:  In recent years, CSS has substantially increased the number of clients served and of services provided, and broadened its range of service offerings. To effectively manage and build on this growth, CSS will use Impetus Grant funds to hire a part-time, dedicated Client Navigator who will perform initial client intake, assist with educational outreach, and provide referrals to outside resources. Grant funds also will  enable CSS to offer new classes to support client well being, and to provide more low-income clients with financial assistance for accessing CSS services.

Why this proposal?: CSS is the only organization in Sonoma Valley that supports people with cancer and their families and caregivers. CSS understands the cancer journey and listens to client needs. Client support addresses not only cancer, but the whole person, attending to all aspects of health. And by supporting families and caregivers, CSS offers a much needed respite to those who tirelessly give of themselves. CSS will use grant funds to continue to grow and provide important cancer support services to our neighbors in need.

Website: www.cancersupportsonoma.org

Career Technical Education Foundation

IMPETUS

$25,000 for: Expanding Connected Learning Opportunities for Sonoma Valley Students 

To support career technical education programs at Sonoma Valley High School and Hanna Academy that integrate academics with technical skills, career exploration and soft skills development for post-graduation success

Mission: Career Technical Education Foundation, founded in 2012, innovates the education-to-career experience to support student success. We invest in connected learning -- practices that align academics, careers, and ambition -- to prepare students for life after high school. Goals include transforming education to equitably prepare Sonoma County students, reshaping perceptions of readiness, and ensuring access to high-quality pathways that align passion, skills, and career aspirations.

Type of Support: Programmatic or Project Needs

Focus Area(s): 1. Education 

Proposal Summary: CTEF has made significant investments at Sonoma Valley High School and Hanna Academy by providing funding, technical assistance, and program development to expand career technical education (CTE) opportunities. At Sonoma Valley High School (SVHS), grant funds will support the purchase of new production equipment to enhance the Digital Media Arts course, as well as transportation for equitable access to CTE experiences, including employer site visits and post-secondary institution tours. At Hanna Academy, grant funds will enable CTEF to support innovative CTE programs that integrate academics with technical skills, career exploration, internships, and certifications. These initiatives promote equity and career readiness, helping students overcome barriers and achieve success after graduation. 

Why this proposal?: CTEF addresses an urgent need in our community: ensuring that more Sonoma Valley youth are equipped with the skills, confidence, and opportunities to thrive after graduation. Grant funding will enable CTEF to advance a key priority of its strategic plan: Frame a Vision of Readiness. This vision redefines what it means to be prepared for life after high school in a rapidly changing world. Through partnerships with SVHS and Hanna, CTEF will provide transformative opportunities, including technical and soft skills development, comprehensive student support, and the creation of informed education-to-career plans. 

Website: https://ctesonomacounty.org/

Food For Thought

IMPETUS/ENCORE

$25,000 for: Comprehensive Nutrition Program

To support home delivery of medically tailored groceries and meals as well as nutrition counseling to chronically ill individuals and their families

Mission: Food For Thought fosters health and healing with food and compassion.

Type of Support: Programmatic or Project Needs

Focus Area(s): 1. Health  2. Human and Social Services

Proposal Summary: Funding will support the Food for Thought (FFT) comprehensive, home-delivered, medically-tailored meals and food program for Sonoma Valley residents living with a wide range of serious and chronic medical conditions, including their families, for the next year. All individuals served are chronically ill and facing nutrition insecurity and/or malnutrition, and typically experience barriers to sufficient nutrition, including lack of transportation or mobility, economic insecurity, and lack of health insurance. In addition to providing medically tailored meals and food, program expenses include vitamins, supplements, and other essentials as needed (including pet food, diapers, and small kitchen appliances), as well as individualized nutrition counseling sessions from Registered Dieticians.  The program also serves nutrition-insecure pregnant women and their families.

Encore Grant Summary: The Encore Grant would enable FFT to reach even more nutrition-insecure individuals in Sonoma Valley by supporting two new programs: the Senior Nutrition Program, providing tailored nutrition support for a wider range of chronic conditions in older adults; and the Healthy Start Program, promoting childhood development for youngsters age 0 to 5 and their families. 

Why this proposal?:  FFT addresses a critical rise in regional nutrition insecurity, exacerbated by Sonoma County’s increasingly high cost of living. Rising costs disproportionately affect vulnerable populations, including low-income seniors, people of color, pregnant women, and families living below federal poverty levels, all of whom are at risk of nutrition insecurity. Direct community benefits include better management of chronic illnesses; improved maternal health and birth outcomes; reduced childhood hunger and healthier early childhood development; and enhanced support for isolated, chronically ill seniors.

Website:  https://fftfoodbank.org/

Girl Scouts of Northern California

IMPETUS

$25,000 for: STEM Program for Sonoma Valley Girls

To remove economic barriers to a program that introduces Sonoma Valley girls to the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), and Robotics – where women are consistently underrepresented – in an environment that encourages them to try new things with confidence

Mission: Girl Scouting builds girls of courage, confidence, and character, who make the world a better place. Founded in 1912, Girl Scouts of the USA is the preeminent leadership development organization for youth ages 5 to 17 (grades K through 12).  

Type of Support: Programmatic or Project Needs

Focus Area(s): 1. Education  2. Health and Human Services

Proposal Summary: The grant will support two years of a STEM and robotics program for Sonoma Valley girls in grades 4 through 8. It is volunteer-run and Girls Scouts of Northern California (GSNorCal) staff-supported, and encourages families to participate, as well. This strong academic program includes programming, coding and building, as well as problem solving, teamwork, and presentation and leadership skills. It addresses a significant gender gap in STEM and has proven pathways to success. It provides a unique and inspiring experience, located in the “maker” area of Sonoma Valley High School, that could ultimately shape these girls’ decisions about what they will focus on in school and beyond. 

Why this proposal?: This is not the Girl Scouts of your youth! With this program, GSNorCal introduces STEM, robotics, and coding concepts to Sonoma Valley girls in grades 4 through 8. Students whose families could not otherwise afford the costs of participating are able to compete on an all-girl team, as well as participate in Girl Scouting. This local program has been run successfully for two years by dedicated volunteers, but grant funding for robotics activities, competition materials, and lab work, will help it to continue and expand, creating a stepping stone into future careers.  

Website: https://www.gsnorcal.org/

Girls on the Run

IMPETUS/ENCORE

$18,900 for: Girls’ After-School Program at El Verano School

To support a transformative after-school program in the fall and spring that empowers girls to build strong social and emotional skills and increases their level of physical activity

Type of Support: Programmatic or Project Needs   

Focus Area(s): 1. Education 2. Health 

Mission: Girls on the Run provides an inclusive, fun, girl-empowerment program that builds resilience through creatively combining social, emotional, and physical health. Girls on the Run inspires Sonoma Valley girls ages 8 to 13 to be confident, healthy, caring, and joyful.

Proposal Summary: Girls on the Run offers an eight-week after-school program at El Verano School in both the fall and spring. Most participants come from underserved communities, and cutbacks have reduced the school’s ability to pay for the program. This grant will allow Girls on the Run to offer the program in fall 2025 and spring 2026 at El Verano.  Funds will cover a portion of the costs of staff coaching, participant workbooks, water bottles, snacks, T-shirts, medals, volunteer recruitment, background checks, insurance, and  staff to recruit, train, and support volunteers for both seasons.

Encore Grant Summary: The Encore Grant would support a continued partnership with El Verano for 2026/2027 and allow for continued expansion and building on insights from 2025/26. More in-depth analysis of program impact and coach-participant compatibility would help identify and target the unique needs of El Verano girls.

Why this proposal?: Girls on the Run is much more than a running club. It is an evidence-based program that inspires girls of all abilities to discover, build, and grow their self-confidence. Together, they experience a sense of belonging and connection as a team. Volunteer coaches facilitate lessons that blend physical activity with life-skills development, including managing emotions, fostering friendships, and expressing empathy. For 75 minutes, twice a week, the girls run, walk, skip, or cartwheel while developing social and emotional skills that help them to deal with longstanding gender stereotypes, societal obstacles, and cultural challenges that can be detrimental to their emotional and physical health.

Website: https://www.gotrnorthbay.org

HomeFirst Services of Santa Clara County

IMPETUS

$25,000 for: Sonoma Valley HOPE (Housing Opportunities for Everyone)

To support costs related to obtaining/maintaining permanent housing, such as rent, security deposits, moving, transportation and other basic needs, for vulnerable individuals and families in Sonoma Valley

Mission: Every day, HomeFirst works to end homelessness by providing a full spectrum of services to help people find a home, improve their lives, and stay housed. We envision a community where everyone has a home.

Type of Support: Programmatic or Project Needs

Focus Area(s): 1. Human and Social Services  2.Health

Proposal Summary: HomeFirst, a well-established housing advocate in the South Bay, has brought its programs to Sonoma County.  The HOPE (Housing Opportunities for Everyone) program in Sonoma Valley offers support services to local participants seeking permanent housing.  The range of available services includes case management, housing search and placement, self-sufficiency and wellness workshops, and clinical behavioral health services. Grant funds will provide a much-needed infusion of direct financial assistance to help some of our community’s most vulnerable residents achieve housing stability.

Why this proposal?: HomeFirst is a seasoned, well-regarded, and successful provider of housing services in the Bay Area, including Sonoma County.  Grant funding will enable two case management workers specifically assigned to Sonoma Valley, who are already working in “hot spot areas” to offer immediate, flexible, and tailored support to individuals and families seeking housing security.

Website: https://www.homefirstscc.org/

Pets Lifeline

IMPETUS  

$25,000 for: Companion Care: Veterinary and Essential Support for Sonoma Senior Citizens and Their Pets

To provide veterinary care, food, and essential supplies so that seniors with limited access to resources can keep their pets at home

Mission: Pets Lifeline works to protect and improve the lives of Sonoma Valley’s dogs and cats in need through sheltering and adoption, humane education, and community programs.

Type of Support: Health and Social Services

Focus Area(s): 1. Adults (Seniors)  2. Pets

Proposal Summary: Sonoma Valley senior citizens often face financial challenges and limited access to resources, making it difficult to meet their pets’ essential needs. Pets provide companionship and emotional support, reduce loneliness, and offer mental stimulation, yet economic and resource constraints can force some seniors to surrender their beloved companions to shelters.  Collaborating with Siesta Senior Apartments and Totem Small Animal, Pets Lifeline will use grant funds to deliver subsidized veterinary services, pet food, and other essential supplies directly to approximately 300 households, empowering seniors to keep their pets at home and enhancing the well-being of both. 

Why this proposal?: For seniors, who often face financial challenges, mobility limitations, and isolation, pets are more than companions—they are vital sources of emotional support, purpose, and connection. By offering subsidized veterinary care, pet food distribution, essential supplies, and Animal-Assisted Therapy, this program will have a transformative effect by ensuring that vulnerable seniors have the tools to care for their pets at home. It will improve both human mental well-being and pet welfare by eliminating the need for heartbreaking animal surrenders. These services empower seniors to maintain independence, improve mental and physical well-being, and foster community connections. 

Website: www.petslifeline.org

Raizes Collective

IMPETUS/ENCORE  

$25,000 for:Youth Empowerment Through Art & Culture

To aid the healing, empowerment, and engagement of underserved, low-income youth through art, cultural activities, and dialogue

Mission: Raizes Collective, based in Santa Rosa, was established in 2015 to empower and mobilize community members through art, culture, environmental education, leadership development, and policy campaigns. Raizes works primarily with the Latinx, immigrant and indigenous communities of Sonoma County.

Type of Support: Programmatic or Project Needs

Focus Area(s): 1. Health  2. Arts, Culture and Humanities

Proposal Summary: Raizes Collective’s work in Sonoma Valley supports the empowerment and engagement of Sonoma Valley young people, particularly those from often-marginalized low-income, Latinx, and indigenous communities.  Through art, cultural activities, dialogue, and special activities, the youth and artist programs help heal the traumas and isolation faced by these underserved youth. Activities and projects are chosen and created by the participants and may include painting, poetry, creative writing, mural painting, grassroots theatre, and dancing and movement. All activities are accompanied by dialogues, presentations, historical placement, and general mentorship, helping to instill a sense of cultural pride, belonging, self-love, and connectedness to people and issues, as well as caring for one another. 

Encore Grant Summary: The Encore Grant will take the program to the next level and allow Raizes to deepen relationships by drawing more youth into community engagement projects. 

Why this proposal?: Youth in Sonoma Valley who are living in poverty, who are part of Immigrant households, and who are otherwise marginalized due to racial and cultural biases have few  opportunities for empowerment and engagement. Raizes engages these youth through the art and culture with which they identify. This work is particularly important now, as they face challenges such as hate speech, intimidation, fear, and insecurity.  Participation in Raizes programs is often transformative, instilling cultural pride, developing empathy, self love, self esteem, and confidence, and offering ways for these isolated youth to engage in meaningful dialogues and activities that inspire and empower them to build a better community and world.  

Website: http://www.raizescollective.org/

Redwood Empire Food Bank

IMPETUS

$ 25,000 for: Feeding Sonoma Valley

To continue providing critical hunger relief services throughout Sonoma Valley to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity

Mission: Redwood Empire Food Bank (REFB) works to end hunger in our community by having a robust, innovative, and responsive emergency food system in place for anyone in need.

Type of Support: Programmatic or Project Needs 

Focus Area(s): 1. Human and Social Services  2. Health

Proposal Summary:  Grant funds will support continuing critical hunger relief services to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity throughout Sonoma Valley. REFB operates food distributions on a weekly, twice monthly, or monthly basis at 12 Sonoma Valley sites. Each time someone attends a distribution, they receive a provision containing enough fresh California produce, meat and vegetarian protein, dairy, eggs, bread, and shelf-stable goods to make the equivalent of 29 meals. Funding will help keep healthy whole foods easily accessible to all in need of assistance in Sonoma Valley.

Why this proposal?: Hunger is a basic and fundamental unmet need for thousands of households in Sonoma Valley. Data indicate that in the latter half of 2022, a monthly average of 5,300 residents received food distributions, and by the second half of 2024, distributions increased 70 percent to 8,900 recipients. The unfortunate reality is that in our current climate, with the rising cost of living,

this number will continue to grow exponentially. Funding this proposal provides a worthwhile investment in the health and stability of our community, and helps restore a much-needed sense of security during an unpredictable and precarious time.

Website: http://www.refb.org/

Sebastiani Theatre Foundation

IMPETUS/ENCORE  

$25,000 for: Helping the Sebastiani Theatre Fly!

To support the renovation of the aging stage grid/rigging system at Sonoma’s treasured, historic theatre

Mission: The Sebastiani Theatre Foundation is dedicated to offering first-class performing arts, films, and creative educational programs that inspire and entertain the entire community while preserving and enhancing Sonoma’s treasured, historic theatre for the enjoyment of current and future generations.

Focus Area(s): 1. Arts, Culture and Humanities  2. Civic Engagement and Benefit

Type of Support: Capital Expenditures

Proposal Summary: The Sebastiani Theatre’s rigging system, often referred to as a Fly System, supports the lighting instruments, backdrops, movie screens, curtains, and other movable hardware used in live performances. The Fly System must be modernized to ensure that the theatre provides a safe and secure environment for actors, dancers, staff, and others using the facility. With an updated Fly System, the theatre also will be able to expand options for stage productions. The future of the theatre lies in its ability to continue to attract and deliver live performances, including many thriving programs and camps that provide the community’s youth with opportunities to participate in performance art. Grant funds will cover a portion of the cost of implementing the new Fly System, which will have a useful life of 25 to 30 years.

Encore Grant Summary: The estimated costs of the rigging design and structural work for the Fly System at the Sebastiani Theatre are approximately $60,000. The Impetus and Encore Grants together would fund most of this work, with the balance coming from other sources.

Why this proposal?: The Sebastiani Theatre occupies a unique, historic place in Sonoma Valley, playing many roles in our community. Generations of local youth have benefitted from theatre programs, camps, and performances, and countless adults have enjoyed movies, live music, dance and stage productions, and other events. A new Fly System will ensure these opportunities continue in a safe environment. With an updated Fly System, the theatre also will be able to expand options for stage productions, which will not only improve the venue’s sustainability well into the future, but also contribute to the viable business model offered by live theatre.

Website: www.sebastianitheatre.com

Sonoma Botanical Garden

IMPETUS

$25,000 for: Garden Pathways Program

To cultivate students' connection with nature through immersive experiences in the Sonoma Botanical Gardens, combining the benefits of hiking with holistic, hands-on learning opportunities

Type of Support: Programmatic or Project Needs          

Focus Area(s): 1. Ecology, Environment and Animals. 2. Arts, Culture, and Humanities

Mission: The mission of Sonoma Botanical Garden (SBG) is to inspire an appreciation and understanding of the beauty and value of Asian and California native plants, and to promote their conservation in natural habitats and gardens.

Proposal Summary: In an age dominated by screens—and after years of wildfires, pandemic, and ongoing political uncertainty—families need the healing power of nature. This program enhances experiential learning, encouraging Sonoma Valley students and their families to get outside and engage with nature together.The grant will fund passes to Sunday Funday and Acoustic Sunsets for 20 families from Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley, 25 families from La Luz Center, 25 families from Kenwood Elementary School, and 25 families from Woodland Star Charter School, and pay for educators participating in Sunday Funday.

Why this Proposal: Gardening builds motor skills, enhances physical dexterity, and teaches the importance of nutrition and healthy living. The Garden Pathways program addresses the need for immersive outdoor education that connects students with nature. It enriches the children's gardening experience at school by blending the physical and educational benefits of hiking and immersion in nature at SBG. This type of experiential approach fosters community connections and helps students contextualize academic subjects in real-world applications. 

Website: http://www.sonomabg.org/

Sonoma Community Center

IMPETUS/ENCORE  

$25,000 for: Capital Improvements for Community Capacity

To expand capacity for civic rentals and program usage and make upgrades for safety and efficiency

Mission: The Sonoma Community Center (SCC) works to create extraordinary artistic, cultural, and learning experiences that enrich our diverse community.

Focus Area(s): 1. Arts, Culture and Humanities 2. Civic Engagement and Benefit

Type of Support: Capital Expenditures

Proposal Summary:  To better serve Sonoma Valley, SCC must expand capacity by adding a space for youth and family programming, and by increasing space for low-cost rentals for civic and community use. SCCalso needs upgrades for safety and efficiency.  Grant funds will help to meet the first need by transforming an office into a youth and family programs room and a community rental space. To better ensure community safety, law enforcement has advised SCC to install security cameras at strategic sites on campus and an internal intercom system in each room. Grant funds will go toward security improvements, which will satisfy the second need and allow SCC to safely accommodate more classes, workshops, community organizations, and events. 

Encore Grant Summary: The Encore Grant would further support the safety enhancements and community room upgrades. Doorknobs and locks that are ADA-compatible and can be secured from the inside are essential to protecting against an intruder on campus.  The additional funds would also go toward upgrading Room 110, the largest community room, which is used by many organizations, including Impact100 Sonoma. The room desperately needs new sound abatement, lighting, and finishes, as well as new AV equipment and technology upgrades. These renovations will improve the functionality of the room for our community and encourage additional rentals, thus increasing the SCC’s  operating revenue.

Why this proposal?: SCC has been a cornerstone of the Sonoma community for more than 73 years. Its growth and sustainability depend on its ability to safely provide high-quality, accessible classes, events, and gathering spaces. Using grant funds to increase youth programs and overall community use and to address safety and security concerns will help ensure that SCC continues as a vital resource long-term.

Website: http://sonomacommunitycenter.org/

Sonoma Ecology Center

IMPETUS   

    

$14,000 for: Outdoor Gear Lending Library for Students

To establish an Outdoor Gear Lending Library at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park to ensure equitable access to outdoor education for K through12 students

Type of Support: Capacity building or infrastructure support   

Focus Area(s): 1. Ecology, Environment, and Animals  2. Education

Mission: The Sonoma Ecology Center (SEC) works with the community to identify and lead actions that achieve and sustain ecological health in Sonoma Valley.

Proposal Summary: SEC is launching the Environmental Education Outdoor Gear Lending Library at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park to ensure equitable access to outdoor education for K through 12 students in Sonoma Valley. Lack of camping gear is a significant barrier to immersive outdoor experiences. The library will provide durable equipment such as sleeping bags and tents, enabling all students, regardless of socio-economic background, to connect with nature.

Why this proposal?: Since 2002, SEC has brought environmental education into Sonoma Valley elementary schools. Each grade level follows a unique curriculum, and the program’s highlight is an overnight camping trip at Sugarloaf Ridge State Park. Every year, SEC hosts at least 600 local fifth- and sixth-graders for this experience. High costs of camping gear create financial barriers for schools and families, limiting participation. Currently, educators must rely on an Oakland-based gear library, which poses logistical challenges, delays, and limited availability. Establishing a local camping gear lending library at Sugarloaf will provide a sustainable, local solution that removes financial and logistical barriers to outdoor environmental learning and experiences.

Website: http://www.sonomaecologycenter.org/

Sonoma Valley Girls Softball Association

IMPETUS  

$25,000 for: Fastpitch to a Home Run 

To remove economic barriers and increase participation by supporting scholarships and ongoing operating and capital expenditures

Mission: Sonoma Valley Girls Softball Association seeks to instill ideals of good sportsmanship, honesty, loyalty, courage, and reverence so that participants may become finer, stronger, and happier children who will grow to be kind, good, and decent citizens.  

Type of Support: Programmatic and Project Needs

Focus Area(s): 1. Civic engagement  2. Health and Human Services

Proposal Summary: Funds will be used to extend the scholarship program to an additional 30 to 40 girls. Last year more than 300 girls participated in the programs. Any player who asks receives a scholarship ranging from $100- to $800, depending on the number of seasons of play. Credits also accrue for family volunteer participation. As the program grows, so does the need for field space, maintenance, and equipment. Additional funds will go toward other related requirements as they arise. 

Why this proposal?: Continuing increases in the cost of living have resulted in family economic strains, and as a result, the need for softball scholarships has increased year-over-year. Program operating costs, such as chalk, softballs, field equipment, and uniforms, similarly continue to increase. Removing economic barriers and expanding participation in the softball program helps young girls to develop character, strength, and an “I can do it” attitude, while learning teamwork and sportsmanship, enhancing friendships, and  creating a sense of accomplishment, belonging, and community.

Website: http://www.sonomagirslfastpitch.com/

Sonoma Valley Health and Recreation Association /Sonoma Splash

IMPETUS

$25,000 for: Low Cost Learn to Swim Program

To provide low-cost swim lessons for youth and adults who would otherwise not be able to afford participation

Type of Support: Programmatic or Project Needs          

Focus Area(s): 1. Health  2. Human and Social Services

Mission: The Sonoma Valley Health and Recreation Association (Sonoma Splash) is dedicated to providing all Sonoma Valley residents affordable access to aquatics education and safety, water recreation and fitness, physical therapy, and family fun in a sustainable, state-of-the-art aquatic and recreation facility.

Proposal Summary: The "Make A Splash" Learn to Swim Program will provide low-cost swim lessons for 96 youth and adults in Sonoma Valley who would otherwise be unable to afford to participate.  The Program will span eight weeks, and cover 75 to 90 percent of standard lesson fees. Sonoma Splash will offer reduced-cost Family or Individual Swim Passes to those who complete a full session of lessons to encourage families and individuals to practice and enjoy their newly developed aquatic skills. Sonoma Splash will market the program at La Luz Center, Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley, Vintage House, and other community organizations.

Why this proposal?: Offering low-cost swimming lessons in Sonoma Valley provides a critical life-saving skill to individuals of all ages, and learning to swim builds confidence both in and out of the water. By equipping Sonoma Valley youth and adults with the lifesaving skill of swimming, Sonoma Splash will be opening doors to a lifetime of water safety, fun, fitness, and employment opportunities. We live in an area with pools, lakes, creeks, and ocean access. The USA Swimming Foundation notes that one month of formal swimming lessons reduces the risk of drowning in children by 88 percent.  The goal at Sonoma Splash is to provide the opportunity for EVERY child and adult in Sonoma Valley to learn to swim, regardless of economic circumstances.   Additionally, the program creates employment opportunities for 30 Sonoma Valley High School students working as swim instructors and lifeguards. 

Website: http://sonomasplash.org/

Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance

IMPETUS 

$25,000 for: Enrichment Programming for Youth Mentees

To provide group enrichment activities, including a career component that will introduce mentees to local businesses and trade fields, and help them imagine and prepare for bright futures

Type of Support: Programmatic or Project Needs          

Focus Area(s): 1. Education, Arts, Culture, and Humanities

Mission: The Sonoma Valley Mentoring Alliance builds long-term mentor relationships between youth and caring adults. Mentors help their mentees visualize and work toward achieving their full potential. Mentors guide their mentees throughout their school years, introducing them to experiences and opportunities that specifically address their developmental needs. Upon graduating from high school, mentees have developed a plan for their young adult lives.

Proposal Summary: Each year, in addition to weekly mentoring sessions, the Mentoring Alliance hosts more than 75 diverse, enrichment activities for underserved students in grades K through12. These activities focus on mentees’ developmental needs, social and emotional well-being, and future planning. The Mentoring Alliance designs and funds these programs to ensure that a mentee’s participation is not dependent on their mentor’s financial status. The programming includes a wide range of activities, such as art and cooking classes, fitness experiences like bike rides and hiking, and large group outings such as mini-golf and bowling. A career component introduces high school students to local businesses, including Sonoma Valley Hospital, hotels such as the Fairmont and Marriott, and trades such as plumbing and construction.

Why this proposal?: The Mentoring Alliance serves 300 students annually from within the most underserved population in Sonoma Valley. Sixty percent live below the poverty line. The Mentoring Alliance envisions a community where all youth develop healthy, strong relationships and have access to experiences and opportunities that promote their growth, allowing them to reach their full potential. Grant funding will go directly to providing 75 life-changing group experiences that nurture confidence, spark curiosity, and cultivate leadership skills. Families are often invited to join enrichment activities, growing the overall impact to 800 people.

Website: http://www.sonomamentoring.org/

Sonoma Valley Youth Soccer 

IMPETUS  

$25,000 to: Scholarships and Equipment for Expanded Access

To expand access to Sonoma Valley Youth Soccer programs by providing financial aid and resources to low-income families

Mission: Sonoma Valley Youth Soccer (SVYS) provides opportunities for youths up to and including age 19 to play soccer in the Sonoma Valley area. SVYS strives to create safe, educational, and fun environments for players at all levels of competency and age, while encouraging the development of skills and enjoyment for the game.

Type of Support: Specific Operating Expenses

Focus Area(s): 1. Human & Social Services  2. Health

Proposal Summary: Participation in soccer league enhances a child’s self-esteem, sportsmanship, teamwork, community building, and personal development.SVYS currently provides scholarships, equipment, and enhanced programming to low-income families, fostering inclusivity and equitable opportunities. By partnering with La Luz Center, Sonoma Valley Community Health Center, Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley, and Hanna Center, SVYS has reached underserved populations and developed programs to keep kids engaged.Grant funds will grow these efforts, increase participation, and support more families through expanded financial aid and resources.  Currently10 percent of participants receive scholarships.   

Why this proposal?: More than 900 children (ages 3 through 19), as well as 100 coaches/assistant coaches in Sonoma Valley participate in the youth recreational and competitive soccer programs. The soccer program is the largest participatory sport in the valley and the only one that continues through high school. While most leagues are profit-driven, SVYS is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization. Its vision is that every child in Sonoma Valley, regardless of economic background, has the opportunity to play, grow, and thrive through soccer.

Website: https://sonomavalleyunited.org/

Valley of the Moon Observatory Association

IMPETUS

$25,000 for: Observatory Building Accessibility and Improvement Project

To ensure a safe and accessible environment for all visitors to experience the wonders of the night sky by rebuilding the decks, ramps and railings at the Robert Ferguson Observatory in Sugarloaf Ridge State Park

Type of Support: Capital expenditures    

Focus Area(s): 1. Education  2. Ecology, Environment, and Animals

Mission: The Valley of the Moon Observatory Association (VMOA) comprises volunteer amateur and professional astronomers plus a small supporting staff organized as a nonprofit association to provide educational programs about science and astronomy for students, the public, and in support of educators.

Proposal Summary: Each year Sonoma Valley children, students, and families attend educational programs and community events at the observatory. There is a critical need to rebuild the decks, ramps, and railings around it to ensure visitor safety, allow for space and comfortable entrance and egress, and ensure that people of all ages and abilities, including those in wheelchairs, have access to observatory events. This grant, together with other funds raised by VMOA, will enable upgrades designed to make the facility viable and safe for the next 30+ years. 

Why this proposal?: The observatory expansion project is a once-in-a-generation capital expense that will allow this Sonoma Valley treasure to vastly improve its community programs and offerings by renovating entryways and decks and increasing accessibility. It is the only publicly available observatory in all of Northern California. By exposing students from Sonoma Valley and elsewhere to astronomy and space, the observatory inspires youth to explore the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math. Its mission has inspired more than 200 volunteers to contribute more than 5,500 service hours per year and to maintain decades-long relationships with VMOA.

Website: http://www.rfo.org/