Engine For Good
We work side-by-side with local donors and nonprofits to tackle the most important challenges our Valley faces.
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Every day, we gather generous hearts and bright minds to solve the problems that lie beneath the surface of this beautiful place we call home.
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We are proud to announce the launch of the Elaine Jones Safety Net Fund, which aims to provide both a lifeline and a compass to the social service nonprofits that support working families and other vulnerable communities in Napa County. With substantial seed gifts from NVCF, Napa Valley Vintners, Zach Zachowski and Barbara Gabel, and Elaine’s family members, the Fund honors the extraordinary legacy of Elaine Maria Jones (1953-2024), a devoted philanthropist and community leader who championed local nonprofits with unparalleled passion and dedication.
The Elaine Jones Safety Net Fund will offer two kinds of grants to qualified nonprofit applicants: grants to support general operating expenses, and grants to pay for capacity-building or technical assistance projects.
- General support grants of up to $100,000 are intended as a lifeline for core social services organizations navigating increased client need, reduced state funding, and federal funding freezes or cuts. While Napa County has more than 600 nonprofits, only about 50 with annual budgets of more than $1 million focus on social services. A subset of these 50 provide essential “safety net” programs that help the most vulnerable people in our community meet their basic needs for food, housing, medical care, emergency aid, and more. Most rely on government funding for 25-50% of their budgets, making recent funding cuts and uncertainty especially challenging.
- Capacity-building grants of up to $50,000 are intended to serve as a compass to help safety net organizations move strategically and swiftly in the direction of greater efficiency and sustainability. Also known as technical assistance grants, capacity-building grants typically fund outside consultants or systems/software investments, both of which can help nonprofits strengthen their operations and programs. Examples of capacity-building include hiring a consultant to develop a strategic plan or improve Board governance; and purchasing software to better manage organizational finances or improve constituent relationship management.
With seed funding in-hand, NVCF has a solid base from which to start its campaign to raise $2.5 million by June 30th, but additional contributions from area residents and businesses are needed to meet the Foundation’s goal.
Learn More about the Fund
Our 2023-24 Annual Report
Thirty years ago, a Sony Discman qualified as a technological marvel.
The Lion King was raking it in at the box office – decades before we would think to use the words “stream” and “media” in the same sentence.
Meanwhile, here in Napa, a group of civic leaders had the wisdom and the vision to ask: why doesn’t Napa Valley have a community foundation, and what would it take to start one?
This long-ago question not only led to our formation in 1994, but to nearly $106 million in grant distributions and scholarships over the past three decades.
Read our Annual Report
Reading the Tea Leaves: Napa’s Economic Outlook — Event Recap
What’s Next for Napa’s Economy?
In May, we gathered with an engaged crowd of more than 130 of our friends and neighbors at the Yountville Community Center for Reading the Tea Leaves: Napa’s Economic Outlook.
First, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Robert Eyler, Professor of Economics at Sonoma State University for an engaging and insightful presentation. Dr. Eyler’s ability to unpack complex economic trends and translate them into local relevance—with humor and (relative!) simplicity—is a rare gift, and our audience was eager to hear his perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing Napa County.
We are also deeply grateful to Jeri Hansen and Napa Chamber of Commerce for partnering with us to co-present this important community conversation. Their leadership in advancing economic development strategies will help shape the future we discussed last week.