Impact100 Sonoma, a women’s giving collective, announced the 2024 grant recipients including the inaugural Encore Grant awardee, Sonoma Immigrant Services, which will receive two consecutive years of $25,000 grant funding.|
Impact100 Sonoma announced selected grant recipients for 2024 during the annual Sonoma Awards Celebration on May 4. Thirteen nonprofits serving the valley were chosen to receive a total of $350,000 in funding.
This year, the women’s philanthropic collective raised a record-breaking total to be awarded to nonprofits in service of the Sonoma Valley. In its 15th year of service, Impact100 Sonoma launched its first Encore Grant, where one nonprofit is selected to receive a second consecutive year of funding.
Thirteen valley-serving organizations were awarded $25,000 Impetus Grants and one recipient, Sonoma Immigrant Services, will receive the multi-year Encore Grant of $25,000 two years in a row.
The annual celebration was held at the Hanna Center in Sonoma. The 2024 grant recipients represented a range of nonprofits serving residents of all ages and needs.
Impact100 Grants Oversight co-Chair Dana Simpson-Stokes said, “Sonoma Immigrant Services is a prime example of an organization that can most benefit from the Encore Grant. As a small nonprofit, it might not be eligible for very large grants, yet its work is essential. Receiving a smaller grant two years in a row can be a game changer in fulfilling its mission.”
Sonoma Immigrant Services (SIS) was founded in 2019 to help residents navigate the complex immigration system. The organization, along with two other awarded nonprofits, is a first-time full grant recipient.
“Access to legal services and the cost of immigration applications are barriers to many in our community seeking legal status,” SIS founding attorney Vicki Handron said.
The federal filing fee for citizenship applications recently increased to $760. The Impetus Grant will allow SIS to help more residents gain U.S. citizenship and offset costs of providing resources such as citizenship classes and legal representation, Handron said.
“The second year of funding will enable us to expand our fee assistance to applications for DACA, work authorization and permanent resident status, all prerequisites to citizenship.”
The $25,000 Impetus Grant recipients are Art Escape, Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley, Ceres Community Project, Community Matters, Kid Scoop News, La Luz Center, North Bay Children’s Center, Sonoma County Regional Parks Foundation, Sonoma Overnight Support, Sonoma Valley Education Foundation, Valley Vibes Youth Orchestra and Vintage House.
Since its launch in 2009, Impact100 has supported the community by funding valley-serving nonprofits and has awarded a cumulative total of $4,025,485 since 2010. Each year, the organization’s members embrace new possibilities for funding by meeting with nonprofit applicants and conducting site visits.
Grants Oversight co-Chair Kathy Bloch said Impact100’s total funding of over $4 million over 15 years, to help strengthen more than 60 nonprofits, is an impressive achievement.
“Especially for a community our size. It’s a testament to the philanthropic spirit of the valley,” Bloch said.
This year’s Impact100’s record-breaking funds were donated by around 330 members of the women’s collective. Each member annually donates a fully tax-deductible minimum of $1,200 or $600 for a shared membership, and $1,000 of the donation goes toward grants.
Applicants for the 2024 grant year submitted proposals in January to be reviewed by the Impact100 volunteer committees. Volunteers made site visits and selected finalists to present proposals to the entire membership team at the Sebastiani Theatre on April 20. Members then voted online for the 2024 grant recipients.
For the fourth year in a row, Impact100 awarded multiple Impetus Grants of up to $25,000 to serve more organizations, rather than its former model of awarding $100,000 to one nonprofit.
Art Escape was awarded $25,000 to support a salary for the program director. The director oversees the design and implementation of creative education programs.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma Valley was awarded $25,000 to expand its free mental health program, which provides individual and group therapy sessions at all seven locations.
Ceres Community Project received $25,000 to fulfill specific nutritional needs of individuals struggling with serious illness.
A grant of $25,000 to Community Matters will support the Safe Schools Ambassadors Program at Adele Harrison Middle School and a second high-need school.
Kid Scoop News received $25,000 to support the Parent Engagement Program, a literacy project engaging more than 600 predominantly Spanish-speaking families.
La Luz Center was awarded $25,000 to support the Uplift in Unity Project. The project will develop a cohort of Latinx community leaders to identify essential family needs and facilitate access to resources.
North Bay Children’s Center received $25,000 to fund the development of a new Infant and Toddler Center at Sassarini Elementary School, fostering whole-family connection campuswide.
Sonoma County Regional Parks Foundation was awarded $25,000 to upgrade facilities at Larson Park, a vital family gathering place in an underserved Springs neighborhood.
Sonoma Immigrant Services will be awarded $25,000 for two consecutive years to fund the citizenship program and access to legal services such as green cards, visas and work permits.
Sonoma Overnight Support was awarded $25,000 to provide meals and community connection for homeless and food-deprived residents.
Sonoma Valley Education Foundation received $25,000 to support the Empowerment Academy at Sonoma Valley High School, an after-school enrichment program provided by collaborating local nonprofits.
A grant of $25,000 was awarded to Valley Vibes Youth Orchestra to expand music education programs at El Verano Elementary School and Sonoma Valley High School.
Vintage House received $25,000 to support myRide transportation services that help non-driving seniors stay active and connected to the community.
“Once again, our grants are showcasing some smaller and even newer nonprofits serving Sonoma Valley,” co-President Debbe Noto said. “We are thrilled to award funding to them during our 15th anniversary year, and we hope our recognition generates additional donations, volunteers and other support for them.”
For more information, visit https://www.impact100sonoma.org/.
You can reach Staff Writer Emma Molloy at emma.molloy@sonomanews.com.