Sonoma Rotary Clubs make $100,000 available to Sonoma Valley businesses

Under a new initiative to boost the Covid-ravaged economy, the Sonoma Valley Rotary Foundation will award up to $100,000 in small grants to small local businesses.

The foundation distribute up to $100,000 in total grants, with $50,000 raised by Rotary Club of Sonoma Valley and Rotary Club of Sonoma Sunrise, and a $50,000 contribution from the recently formed Sonoma Valley Catalyst Fund.

“These are clearly extraordinary times for individuals and for businesses,” said Dub Hay, Rotarian and development co-chair of Sonoma Valley Catalyst Fund. “It’s a  temporary effort of people in Sonoma who saw a need to raise and distribute money to do things like  this—help the community in ways government agencies and philanthropic organizations just can’t.” 

The goal is to help Valley businesses get through the financial and operational challenges they face because of Covid-19, Hay said. The grants start at $500. 

The model was established in the aftermath of the 2017 wildfires. “In 2017, our two Rotary clubs stepped up to help the valley recover by providing residents and first responders with about $1,000,000 in money, food, and goods,” said Jon Parker, a Rotary of Sonoma Valley past president. “Seeing the pandemic’s effect on all of us, a group of Rotarians explored a wide range of ways to help our neighbors who are struggling.”

Parker said the process is again designed to be as simple and quick as possible for grant applicants. To request a financial or consulting services grant, businesses can download and complete a simple one-page form from either Rotary club website,  SonomaValleyRotary.org or RotarySonomaSunrise.org.

Businesses can complete the application, and submit it along with a copy of their current business license to [email protected]. “We’ll review grant requests as we get them and respond promptly. Our committee is designed to be nimble and responsive.”

The requests are reviewed being reviewed now, with the goal of awarding all the funds by Christmas.

Businesses with 20 or fewer employees are eligible, including retailers, restaurants, laundry services, hotels, auto repair companies, tasting rooms, elder care facilities, service companies, car wash services, barbers and hairdressers, workout facilities, and commercial drivers from Schellville to Kenwood.

“We encourage recipients to apply the grants to Covid-related business challenges,” Hay added, “but they won’t be obligated to us to do that. We simply believe every little bit that helps them stay in business means a handful or more jobs may be saved. The Catalyst Fund is working with both Rotary clubs to try  to help the valley recover more quickly and, in the process, reimagine and remake what our community will look like when this crisis ends.”