The Sonoma County Community Foundation is one of nearly 600 community foundations in the United States. Community foundations, in addition to being knowledgeable about local needs, provide an array of services to donors who wish to establish endowed funds without incurring the administrative and legal costs of starting and operating a private foundation.
Endowment defines charitable gifts permanently invested for current and future needs.
A percentage of the endowment fund balance is distributed each year for charitable purposes. As the endowment grows, more funds are available for the community. The 187 component funds of the Community Foundation are combined into an investment pool for both economy of management and for access to the best possible management and investment expertise available. Local professional volunteers comprise the Investment Advisory Committee, which meets regularly to guide our investment policies and monitor the performance of professional firms selected to manage our investments. Applicants for competitive grants submit letters of intent describing the project or program they wish to be funded.