To: Board of Supervisors of County of Sonoma
Department or Agency Name(s): County Executive’s Office
Staff Name and Phone Number: David Guhin and Jennifer Solito (707-565-4592)
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Agreement with Community Foundation Sonoma County for Community Grants Program Management
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Authorize the County Executive Officer, or designee, to execute a $500,0000 agreement with the Community Foundation Sonoma County’s - Resilient Organization program for the period ending on December 31, 2027, subject to review and approval by County Counsel.
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Executive Summary:
During the June Budget Hearings for the Fiscal Year 26-27 budget, the Board approved an allocation of $500,000 to continue support for community grantmaking through Community Foundation Sonoma County’s (CFSC) Resilient Organizations program <https://www.sonomacf.org/resilient-organizations-program/>.
CFSC’s Resilient Organizations program aligns with the Board’s interest in supporting our community’s CBO partners and it is focused on encouraging sustainable infrastructure and operations as well as collaboration to strengthen collective impact across the nonprofit ecosystem.
The recommended agreement will include CFSC continuing to offer a competitive grant process funded with the $500,000 of General Fund County discretionary funds and intended to support CBOs who are trying to ensure continuity of services in sectors that have seen significant reductions in state and federal funding. The standard 15% indirect rate would apply to the County’s award but would be matched by a minimum of $100,000 by CFSC, resulting in a total of $525,000 released in the initial grant opportunity, and would have the potential to leverage additional funding from other donors and funders.
Discussion:
During the FY 25-26 Budget Hearings, the Board of Supervisors approved a $500,000 allocation in support of the Community Grants process. On August 26, 2025, the Board approved a partnership with Community Foundation Sonoma County (CFSC) to pilot a County-specific grant opportunity under the Resilient Organizations Program. Fiscal changes coming from the federal government and the State of California’s budget projections have created an increasingly challenging environment for community based organizations, resulting in threats to critical community services. Working with CFSC’s Resilient Organization program will support the sector more widely than the investment of $500,000 could do otherwise through leveraging a public/private funding opportunity with a focus on enhancing resiliency as well as providing CBOs’ leadership training and collaboration support.
CFSC’s mission is “At Community Foundation Sonoma County, we believe in the power of connecting people, ideas, and resources to benefit all who live here.” Further, the Resilient Organizations program <https://www.sonomacf.org/resilient-organizations-program/> provides development services that include:
• Diversifying Fundraising for Sustainable Growth
• Board Governance: Leadership
• Board Governance: Committees, Assessment, & Development
The pilot program proved successful, with awards totaling $525,000 to 10 organizations making strategic adaptations in the face of urgent funding and policy changes. The Resilient Organizations grant program is a significant show of support for and recognition of nonprofits as they address operational concerns brought on by ongoing changes in funding and policy. A mid-term report on the program is available in Attachment 1.
Based on the success of the pilot program, staff recommend a continued partnership with CFSC and the Board approved $500,000 in the FY 26/27 budget to continue this grant program.
Strategic Plan:
This item directly supports the County’s Five-year Strategic Plan and is aligned with the following pillar, goal, and objective.
Pillar: Organizational Excellence
Goal: Goal 1: Strengthen operational effectiveness, fiscal reliability, and accountability
Objective: Objective 5: Align procurement and grant guidelines with strategic priorities and racial equity principles.
Racial Equity:
Was this item identified as an opportunity to apply the Racial Equity Toolkit?
No
Prior Board Actions:
8/26/25 - The Board authorized the County Executive Officer, or designee, to execute a $500,0000 agreement with the Community Foundation Sonoma County’s - Resilient Organization program for period ending on December 31, 2026.
6/10/2025 - The Board adopted the FY25-26 Budget, which included an allocation of $500,000 for a “New Community Organization Funding Process.”
10/17/2023 - The Board received the consultant’s recommendations from a review of the County’s procurement function and directed staff to develop implementation plans and resource requirements for the Board’s consideration.
Fiscal Summary
|
Expenditures |
FY26-27 Adopted |
FY27-28 Projected |
FY28-29 Projected |
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Budgeted Expenses |
$500,000 |
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Additional Appropriation Requested |
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Total Expenditures |
$500,000 |
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|
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Funding Sources |
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General Fund/WA GF |
$500,000 |
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|
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State/Federal |
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|
|
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Fees/Other |
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|
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Use of Fund Balance |
|
|
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General Fund Contingencies |
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Total Sources |
$500,000 |
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Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
During the FY26-27 Budget Hearings on June 12, 2026, the Board approved an allocation of $500,000 to support the Community Grants process.
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
N/A
Attachments:
Attachment 1 - Mid-Year Resilient Organizations Report
Attachment 2 - Funding Agreement
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
N/A