Request for Proposals (RFP) to the William A. and Theresa N. Boughn Fund
Napa Valley Community Foundation (NVCF) is pleased to invite proposals for the inaugural grant cycle of the William A. and Theresa N. Boughn Fund, established to improve the lives of Napa County residents with developmental disabilities.
The Fund was created through a generous bequest from the Boughn family in honor of their daughter, Melissa Ann Boughn, who lived with developmental disabilities and spent nearly four decades as a resident of Vine Village. Through this legacy, the family entrusted NVCF with supporting charitable organizations that provide residential care, assistance, and related services to individuals with developmental disabilities in Napa County.
The Foundation seeks proposals by September 30, 2026, from nonprofit organizations providing direct services that improve the quality of life, independence, health, safety, and inclusion of Napa County residents with developmental disabilities. In keeping with the Boughn family’s wishes, the Foundation will invest in organizations that help Napa County residents with developmental disabilities lead safe, healthy, self-determined, and meaningful lives. We believe that transformative impact comes through consistent, long-term support that honors the dignity, potential, and unique needs of every individual.
Grant Amounts and Types
- Organizations with annual operating budgets of $1 million or more may request up to $50,000.
- Organizations with budgets under $1 million may request up to $25,000.
Awards are based on organizational size, demonstrated need, proposal strength, and funds available.
Grant requests may not exceed 20% of an organization’s total annual operating budget (for example, an organization with $50,000 in annual operating expenses may request up to $10,000).
NVCF welcomes both unrestricted general operating support requests and program-specific proposals. We recognize that strong organizations are essential to achieving lasting community impact.
Eligibility differs by type of request: General operating support is intended for organizations for which serving people with developmental disabilities is a primary purpose and a substantial part of their ongoing work. Organizations with a broader mission may apply for support of a specific program that is substantially dedicated to serving people with developmental disabilities. See eligibility requirements below.
Applicants must:
- Be a 501(c)(3) public charity, have a qualified 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor (letter required), or be a public agency/governmental entity under IRC Section 170(c)(1).
- Serve Napa County residents with developmental disabilities in Napa County.
- Provide direct services or supports to Napa County residents with developmental disabilities, including residential care, supportive services, community-based or therapeutic services, independent living or employment supports, family supports, recreation, transportation, or other services that improve their quality of life, independence, health, safety, or inclusion.
- Meet the eligibility requirements below for the type of support requested.
- Meet NVCF’s general grant eligibility requirements found on our website.
General Operating Support
General operating support is intended for organizations for which serving people with developmental disabilities is a primary purpose and a substantial part of the organization’s ongoing work.
NVCF will consider the organization’s mission, core programs and services, and population served in making this determination. As a general guideline, organizations seeking general operating support should demonstrate that approximately 60% or more of the people they serve annually are people with developmental disabilities.
Program-Specific Support
Organizations whose broader mission or services are not primarily focused on people with developmental disabilities may apply for support of a specific program or service that is substantially dedicated to serving people with developmental disabilities.
To be eligible:
- People with developmental disabilities must be the primary intended beneficiaries of the proposed program or service and, as a general guideline, should represent at least 75% of the individuals served by the program.
- The program must serve a meaningful number of Napa County residents with developmental disabilities and demonstrate a clear benefit to this population.
- Grant funds must be used specifically for the eligible program or service.
Programs intentionally designed to promote inclusion by bringing people with and without developmental disabilities together may also be considered, provided that serving people with developmental disabilities is a central purpose of the program, rather than incidental to a program serving the general population.
Priority may be given to organizations that:
- Provide person-centered services that promote dignity, self-determination, independence, meaningful relationships, and opportunities to participate and contribute in community life.
- Provide residential care, housing supports, or independent living services.
- Increase access to healthcare, behavioral health, employment, recreation, transportation, or daily living supports.
- Support families and caregivers.
- Address unmet or emerging community needs.
- Demonstrate strong organizational effectiveness, collaboration, and long-term sustainability.
- Requests exceeding the maximum and/or requests representing more than 20% of the organization’s annual operating budget.
- Capital campaigns.
- Multi-year grant requests.
- Scholarships or direct financial assistance to individuals.
- Regranting organizations.
- Research studies or research-focused projects. While research may be considered in future grant cycles, however in this first year the Fund is focused solely on direct services and supports that benefit Napa County residents with developmental disabilities and their families.
Application Process
Submit a proposal narrative addressing the questions in the proposal narrative, along with required attachments, by September 30, 2026 to GrantsTeam@napavalleycf.org .
We aim to be accessible — reach out before submitting to discuss eligibility and project fit: Julia DeNatale, Chief Impact Officer, julia@napavalleycf.org, 707-254-9565 x16.
Funding Decisions
We may request additional information, a site visit, or a phone interview, and may contact partner agencies. Funding decisions will be communicated no later than November 14, 2026. Recommendations are informed by an Ad Hoc Advisory Committee with expertise in developmental disabilities and approved through NVCF’s Community Programs & Grants Committee.
Grant Reporting Requirements
Grantees submit a brief final report (due approximately one year after the award; exact date and report guidelines specified in the grant letter) covering: how funds were used, number of Napa County residents served, outcomes achieved, and lessons learned/future plans.