Donor-recommended Grants

Any expendable or endowed fund started by a donor (known as a Donor Advised Fund or Donor Advised Foundation) can recommend grants to their preferred charitable causes, with approval by Community Foundation staff and Board of Directors. Many of our Donor Advised Funds know the projects they want to support, and some don’t. All are curious about the impact the nonprofit sector is having in Napa County. Our donors and other donors in the Napa Valley learn about projects from the Community Link newsletter sent to them via email throughout the year. They also hear about projects directly from Community Foundation program staff, who spend significant time researching needs around Napa Valley and the groups working to fill those needs. After we vet these groups, we inform our Donor Advised Funds about how their support could be of benefit.

Who is eligible for a donor-recommended grant:

• 501(c)3 public charities
• Charitable projects operating under the fiscal sponsorship of the above
• Educational institutions (public or private schools)
• Public agencies (e.g., the Area Agency on Aging)
• Churches and other religious institutions

Who is not eligible:

• 501(c)3 private non-operating foundations
• Political parties or candidates
• Individuals
• Groups not complying with IRS filing requirements
• Groups or projects that confer goods and services, or other benefits, to the donor advisor in exchange for a grant