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SV Rotary launches new grant cycle

Posted on September 10, 2021 by Sonoma Valley Sun

Therese Nugent, recently installed president of the Rotary Club of Sonoma Valley, announced the opening of the club’s Fall grant cycle for nonprofit community organizations. 

“Our club has a long history of awarding grants to charitable organizations throughout Sonoma Valley,” said Nugent. “Last winter, for example, we teamed with Sonoma Valley Catalyst Fund and the Sonoma Chamber of Commerce to award more than $200,000 in grants to small businesses trying to cope with Covid-related costs.”

Rotary has  made significant grants local nonprofits, Nugent said, such as the Springs Community Center to buy restaurant-quality equipment for a free meal program, and to the Boys & Girls Club of Sonoma for new flooring.

“We’ve also made small grants for things like reading supplies for Prestwood students, and to an Eagle scout to help him complete his final project.” 

Interested nonprofit groups can download the application and submission instructions, along with grant guidelines at www.SonomaValleyRotary.org, under Community Grant Application on the club’s home page.

Applications are due by October 31, 2021. The club’s grants committee will review all applications submitted and plans to announce the awards by mid-November. 

The ongoing grants program and and with one-time projects, our club focuses on making the community better every day,” added Nugent. 

 Rotary of Sonoma Valley isn’t only about raising money for groups who need the help, said Nugent. Members contribute volunteer hours to projects like a litter pick-up along Eighth Street East, and landscaping the Springs fire house.

Nugent is a Realtor with Sotheby’s International Realty. She has a  long history of community and business involvement in Sonoma Valley, including active board leadership with a wide range of community groups. For three decades Nugent has been involved significantly in fundraising and event organizing for nonprofits.

Nugent is a former Trustee of Sonoma’s Presentation School, where she and her husband, Mike Nugent, co-chaired the $10 million capital campaign to fund the new school campus. She is currently Trustee of Hanna Boys Center and chair of its youth services committee.

Nugent has also served on the boards of the Sonoma Valley Hospital Foundation, Sonoma International Film Festival, and the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art, and she is a founding board member of the Junior League of Napa-Sonoma.

In addition to her experience as a Realtor, Nugent has built a resume that includes culinary school chef and instructor, food writer and recipe developer, fitness instructor and trainer, motivational speaker, property manager and wine grape grower. 

Residents of Sonoma Valley for nearly 40 years, the Nugents raised their four children in Sonoma.

“My father was a Rotarian in Montana when he was raising our family,” said Nugent. “He loved his involvement with the club there as I do with our club here. Our club is celebrating its 75th year serving Sonoma Valley. I’m proud to head an organization with such a wonderful track record of service above self, and I’m excited to deliver the great things we’ve got planned for my year of club leadership.”



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