relief funds

  • Join Us in Improving Local Emergency Readiness and Recovery

    WHAT’S THE EMERGENCY READINESS FUND?

    An integral part of United Way of the Wine Country’s mission to help families and individuals improve financial stability, donations made to the Emergency Readiness Fund are distributed as strategic grants to emergency readiness and response efforts across our five-county region.

    WHO’S ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE THESE GRANTS?

    Eligible applicants include organizations, agencies, and collaborative programs committed to preparing for emergencies and/or responding to their broader impact in Del Norte, Humboldt, Lake, Mendocino, and/or Sonoma counties.

    WHAT ACTIVITIES DOES THIS FUND SUPPORT?

    Grants are awarded primarily to nonprofits providing equitable access to information and resources including financial assistance before, during, or after an emergency. Emergencies range from fires, floods, wind events, power outages, and other natural and human-made disasters, including pandemics and industrial accidents along with associated economic impact.

    WHEN’S THE FUND OPEN FOR DONATIONS?

    Donations to the fund from individuals, businesses, and other community-minded partners are accepted year-round, but as we head into the dry season now is the time to begin growing this fund, so we can effectively plan, prepare, and respond.

    DONATE NOW

    For more information about how you or your organization can support the Emergency Readiness Fund, contact:

    (707) 528.4485

    UWWC.CustomerService@unitedwaywinecountry.org

  • MAPPING OUR COLLECTIVE FUTURE

    In the aftermath of the October 2017 firestorm, Community Foundation Sonoma County, along with support from the Hewlett Foundation, launched an exciting, collaborative, cross-sectional research and evaluation project called Map One Sonoma.

    In this multi-year process, with input from dozens of respected community leaders and practitioners, this innovative platform for the generative and inclusive examination of the ideal future state for Sonoma County produced a powerful “ecosystem map.” This clinically insightful tool and the collaborative, community-driven spirit it continues to elevate now serve to inform the grant-making of the United for Good Fund. To learn more, explore the 2020 Action Report and video.

    UNITED FOR GOOD FUND DONATIONS

    Through donations made to the United for Good Fund, United Way of the Wine Country awards annual grants for projects, programs, organizations, and coalitions that further the overall goal of fostering prosperous, resilient, inclusive, and sustainable communities throughout our five-county service area.

    In addition to helping local nonprofits fulfill their urgent missions, donations made to the United for Good Fund also support vital collaborative community initiatives, including the free community resources referral service 2-1-1 and Free Tax Support (Earn It! Keep It! $ave It!).

    COMMUNITY-FOCUSED. COMMUNITY-DRIVEN.

    The United for Good Fund awards grants to programs and projects that:
    • Advance racial, social, and economic equity
    • Support collaboration across public and private sectors
    • Engage marginalized communities at the decision-making level

    Foster systems change by positively impacting the following:
    • Worker Pay/Wages
    • Jobs/Job Skills Access
    • Housing Innovation’ Climate Adaptation
    • Sustainable Ecosystems
    • Hazard Mitigation
    • Affordable Childcare
    • Education Equity
    • and Social Services Access

    United Way of the Wine Country informs and elevates our planning, goal-setting, and grant processes using the following Social Progress References:
    • Latino Scorecard
    • Real Cost Measure
    • Social Progress Index

    CONGRATULATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING GRANTEES!

    Community Action Partnership Sonoma County – Sloan House Financial Stability Program provides case management, workshops, and referrals to Sonoma County homeless women with the goal of helping them move into permanent housing, obtain and/or retain employment, and increase income. (2021)

    Daily Acts Organization for a Coalition Model for Equitable Climate Change Action and Policy Development to increase civic empowerment within frontline communities and communities of color. (2020)

    Generation Housing for Youth Housing Advocacy Certificate Programs to inspire and prepare young people, ages 16-25, advocate for more affordable multi-family in-fill housing (2020)

    LandPaths for the LandPaths Equity Project to address individual, systemic, and institutional biases in our organization that directly impact the people, partnerships, and projects Landpaths supports. (2020)

    Latino Service Providers for Youth Promotores Verdes who are powerful ambassadors to help raise awareness about climate change and provide environmental education among Latinx community members. (2020)

    Los Cien Sonoma County for Los Cien Virtual Platform to engage the community relevant to topics regarding Map One Sonoma the Latino Community through a virtual platform and partnership with KBBF. (2020)

    North Bay Jobs with Justice for Sonoma County United in Crisis to ensure equitable response and recovery to Covid-19 by engaging local communities in decision-making and helping community organizations collaborate. (2020)

    Petaluma People Services Center which will expand program services for unemployed low-income mothers with financial assistance for childcare, financial education, and workforce development support. (2021)

    River to Coast Children’s Services Emergency Resources Program offers resources and wrap-around assistance to West Sonoma County families with young children in the home. (2021)

    Social Advocates for Youth for its Housing Youth Human Trafficking Victims Program which provides long-term supportive housing, and wraparound services for youth who have been sex trafficked or otherwise commercially exploited. (2021)

    Sonoma Land Trust for its Conservation Council, a youth development program for under-represented Sonoma County high school teens to learn about and participate in outdoor activities. (2020)

    YWCA Sonoma County for a Special Place Therapeutic Preschool and Counseling Services, a full-time year-round therapeutic preschool and childcare program for children impacted by trauma. (2020)

    YWCA Sonoma County for its Confidential Safe House Program and Encore Ongoing Advocacy Services which supports the financial stability of women recovering from domestic violence by providing financial education, job skills development, housing stabilization and benefits assistance; and advocacy to promote long-term economic well-being. (2021)