Impact100 Sonoma will continue Covid-response strategy for next grant cycle

Impact100 Sonoma, the member organization that has granted almost $3 million to Sonoma Valley nonprofits since 2009, will continue to use the “Impetus Grants” model adopted for the 2021 grants cycle.

The change from an emphasis on large grants was adapted to help more nonprofits deal with the pandemic response. So, the Impetus Grants will again provide funding of up to $25,000 related to strengthening the core missions of Sonoma Valley nonprofit organizations. 

Last year,  year awarded a total of $300,000 in grant funding to 13 Sonoma Valley nonprofits. As always with the annual disbursement, the recipients were selected by a vote of the entire 300-plus Impact100 Sonoma membership.

The grantmaking strategy, as well as an expedited grant review process, will continue to provide the best response to the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Nancy Wever, co-chair.

Applicants will be required to use the grant funds to help fulfill their mission, build long-term sustainability, have a plan to demonstrate the impact of the grant funds, show financial stability, and explain their continuing response to the pandemic.

Impact100 Sonoma is committed to reducing the burden on applicants, allowing grantees to adjust their objectives as conditions change, and trusting the Valley’s nonprofits to decide what they need and how to best serve the community, Wever said.  

Please check our website for updates this fall. See impact100sonoma.org.

Grant applications for the 2022 grants cycle will be available by November 1, 2021, and applications will be due on January 27, 2022. Impact100 Sonoma expects that its members will vote on and award the grants by the end of April 2022. 

Impact100 Sonoma is a women’s collective giving organization that pools its funds to support nonprofits in Sonoma Valley, from Schellville to Kenwood. Its mission is to empower Valley women to invest in a more sustainable nonprofit community through collective giving and responsible stewardship, while emphasizing diversity, equity and inclusion within the organization and its philanthropy. The amount of funds that Impact100 can put toward grants depends on the number of members who join each year.