$1.8 million was raised for Fund-the-Future.
We Are Passionate About Giving Back, Serving and Being There for the Sonoma County Community
Sonoma County Vintners Foundation (SCVF) is an accredited 501c(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1988. Its purpose is to consistently support local nonprofit organizations that address issues within the Sonoma County community. The Sonoma County Vintners Foundation cultivates a vibrant and diverse Sonoma County by elevating lives through charitable events and philanthropic giving. Our fundraising efforts have a direct impact in the areas of literacy, education, health & human services, the environment and arts & culture. With the Foundation’s many initiatives including the Community Grants, Fund-the-Future, Fund-A-Need and Emergency Relief Fund, we have the ability to impact all needs, ranging from the immediate to the long term.
If you would like to support the Sonoma County Vintners Foundation, please consider making a tax-deductible charitable contribution today to the following funds:
Sonoma County Wine Auction
Our signature fundraising event, the Sonoma County Wine Auction, has raised over $37 million to date and has been recognized as one of Wine Spectator’s Top Charity Wine Auctions in the United States. Through the Auction, Community Grants, Fund-the-Future and Fund-A-Need are made possible by contributions from our vintners, donors and members of the community for their extraordinary generosity and support of our vision and goals. Learn more about the Sonoma County Wine Auction here.
We would like to extend our appreciation and gratitude to our wine community for their support and partnership in the Sonoma County Wine Auction.
We are honored to have had the following members of the wine community as our Honorary Chairs:
- 2017: Barbara Banke, Jackson Family Wines
- 2018: George Hamel, Hamel Family Wines
- 2019: Christopher Jackson, Jackson Family Wines & Gina Gallo, E. & J. Gallo Winery
- 2020: Clay Mauritson, Mauritson Wines, Jake Bilbro, Limerick Lane Cellars & Mark McWilliams, Arista Winery
Community Grants
The Community Grants program through the Sonoma County Vintners Foundation are broadly accessible, responsive grants that address the most pressing needs in Sonoma County. In the past four years grants have been distributed to over 156 Sonoma County non-profit organizations focusing on arts & culture, education, health & human services and the environment.
Philanthropic Partner: Community Foundation Sonoma County
The Community Foundation Sonoma County, aids the Sonoma County Vintners Foundation in the grant application process and more, providing a valuable service to the community as a liaison for nonprofits.
Established in 1983, the Community Foundation Sonoma County helps individuals, families, business and nonprofit organizations create charitable funds. Since its inception, the Community Foundation Sonoma County and their donors have awarded $225 million in grants. It is their mission to connect people, ideas and resources to benefit all who live in Sonoma County. Community Foundation Sonoma County is a 501(c)(3) non-profit.
grants support
arts & culture
Arts & Culture
Focuses on providing arts education and foster a love of learning and creativity for both youth and adults.
grants support
education
Education
Focuses on literacy, providing opportunities for workplace, career and post-secondary learning for youth, and supporting the well-being of youth impacted by trauma-related events through education-focused organizations.
grants support
the environment
Environment
Focuses on conservation and restoration of environmentally significant land, waterways and wildlife habitats.
Fund-the-Future
Fund the Future generates funds to support programs that improve literacy and educational skills among children in Sonoma County, with a main focus to support third grade literacy. These funds have enabled integration of 23 high-quality literacy programs in Sonoma County schools. Within Sonoma County, 56% of public schools received support from beneficiary organizations of the Fund the Future initiative.
Percentage of students in the third grade who met or exceeded grade-level standards in English Language Arts/Literacy in Sonoma County:
(Source: California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress)
2015
2016
2017
2018
Fund-A-Need
As a result of the Tubbs Fire in October 2017, Sonoma County faced one of its most challenging times. Our county needed support and funding more than ever and the Sonoma County Vintners Foundation initiated this fund to address the needs of the community.
In 2018, $2,494,600 was raised for Fund-A-Need focusing on Fire Relief and affordable housing. In 2019, the Fund-A-Need was dedicated to the Boys & Girls Club Capital Campaign and raised $1,592,000. In 2020 Sonoma County Vintners Foundation continued to help aid in bridging the gap for education needs in our county, while also addressing new educational challenges it faces, like the digital divide that has become a stark reality. Additionally, a unique Fund-A-Need was created to support those impacted by the fires in our community.
Sonoma County Vintners Emergency Relief Fund
The Sonoma County Vintners Foundation Emergency Relief Fund was established in 2017 to address the immediate needs of our local community impacted by a natural disaster and other emergencies in a timely manner. This Emergency Relief Fund was created to adapt to the needs of the Sonoma County community as unfortunate situations arise. Please consider making a tax-deductible charitable contribution today.