Announcing the West Sacramento Endowed Fund for Nonprofits (formerly the West Sacramento Foundation Grant Fund)!
Past Funding: The West Sacramento Endowed Fund for Nonprofits previously awarded grants to a diverse group of local nonprofits, funding projects that fostered community engagement, supported youth, and enhanced neighborhood wellbeing. Some examples include:
- Arts and Culture: Support for local arts programming that brought residents together in celebration and learning.
- Youth Programs: Grants to afterschool enrichment, mentorship, and leadership building initiatives.
- Community Events: Sponsorship of neighborhood and cultural events that promoted inclusivity and connection.
- Basic Needs Support: Funding for projects providing food security and essential resources to families.
RFP Description:
The West Sacramento Endowed Fund for Nonprofits exists to support small but meaningful community projects that improve the quality of life for West Sacramento residents. The goal is to provide accessible funding that helps local nonprofits achieve the following:
- Launch or expand programs that directly benefit residents
- Enhance opportunities for youth, families, and seniors
- Strengthen neighborhood connections and civic pride
- Address pressing community needs in creative and sustainable ways
- Foster inclusion, equity, and belonging through local initiatives.
Eligibility Requirements and Criteria:
- Must be a registered 501c(3) nonprofit organization.
- Funding must be used to support West Sacramento residents directly; priority is given to organizations that are based in West Sacramento.
- Only one application per organization per year.
Application Process: Applicants that meet the eligibility criteria may fill out a short online proposal in order to apply
Scoring Criteria:
- Organization is located in West Sacramento or delivers services in West Sacramento.
- Project/service improves the quality of life for West Sacramento residents.
- Project/service has impact/reach in the community.
- Project/service partners with or will partner with other organizations to provide project/service.
- Project/service can be meaningfully delivered with grant and/or other funds.
- Project/service will be delivered or completed within one year of the award date.
Grant Amount: The total grantmaking pool is $20,500 for 2027. With this in mind, the West Sacramento Endowed Fund for Nonprofits will provide grants between $500- $2,000.
Timeline:
Grant Launch: October 21, 2026
Zoom Information Session: November 4, 12pm-1pm
Grant Close: November 20, 2026
Announcement: Week of December 14
Grant Contact: Carolina Valverde, Program Manager, Yolo Community Foundation –
Background: Since its founding in 1988, the West Sacramento Foundation provided hundreds of small grants to local nonprofits, helped launch and sustain community programs that might otherwise lack support, and fostered collaboration across organizations to maximize impact. In 2024, the West Sacramento Foundation board of directors created the independent West Sacramento Endowed Fund for Nonprofits with an initial investment of $500,000. This new endowed fund replaced the existing grants program and established an endowed grant program for West Sacramento that will exist in perpetuity. The West Sacramento Endowed Fund for Nonprofits is dedicated to strengthening our community by supporting local nonprofit organizations that make a direct impact on the lives of West Sacramento residents. Through annual grantmaking, the fund invests in projects that build connections, enrich quality of life, and address the needs of our diverse community.These smaller grants range from $500-$2,000 and make a powerful difference by fueling projects that connect neighbors, lift up youth, celebrate culture, and strengthen our shared community. The West Sacramento Endowed Fund for Nonprofits Grant prioritizes awarding a larger number of smaller grants in order to support a broad range of organizations and maximize community impact.