Receive
We link charitable causes with generous people who want to financially support them. When a match is made, the essential role of the Community Foundation shines through—supporting programs that enliven, protect, sustain and enrich Napa County and its residents.
Get a grant
There are two ways to get a grant from the Community Foundation:
- Donor-recommended grants: The Community Foundation stewards 100 donor advised funds and foundations, from which grants are awarded based on donor recommendations. We help connect these philanthropists with nonprofit organizations and programs doing work in Napa County.
- Competitive grants: The Community Foundation supports many aspects of life in Napa County, including education, youth, vulnerable populations, and nonprofit capacity building, through a variety of grant programs that are awarded on a competitive basis. Most of these competitive distributions come from our Community Impact Fund grants.
If your charitable organization is not already in conversation with us about a donor-recommended or competitive grant, please read the following eligibility criteria, and the process for contacting us.
Eligibility
To be eligible for a grant, your organization or project must have one of the following:
- 501(c)(3) public charity status
- Fiscal sponsorship of your project by a 501(c)(3) public charity
- Educational institution (public or private schools) status
- Public agency status (e.g., the Napa County Health & Human Services Agency)
- Religious institution status
Other eligibility requirements include:
- Benefits of your organization's or project's work must accrue significantly to Napa County residents
- A current budget for your organization and/or project
The Community Foundation will not consider grant requests for:
- Groups not complying with IRS filing requirements
- Political parties or candidates
- Individuals
- Scholarships or re-granting programs
- Events or fundraisers
- Fundraising by one agency on behalf of another
- Travel for conferences, workshops or performing arts events outside of Napa County
- Groups or projects that confer goods and services, or other benefits, to the donor advisor in exchange for a grant
Contacting us
If your request fits with the above eligibility criteria, please compose a brief letter (1-2 pages only) that describes your organization, and its scope of work or project. Include the Federal Tax Identification Number (EIN) for your organization or fiscal sponsor in the letter. Use this form to email us your letter. Community Foundation staff will review and respond to your letter within 90 days of receipt.
