News & Stories

Our 2024-2025 Annual Report: A Letter from our President & Chair


At moments like these, when our national civic life feels so frayed and volatile, it is deeply gratifying to be laser-focused on community. Our community. Napa Valley is an extraordinary place. We have a stockpile of strengths, a multitude of challenges, and a rich history of using the former to fix the latter. Time and…

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Supporting Those Who Serve: The First Responders Fund 


When troubles come to Napa County, our first responders show up without hesitation, giving everything they can to protect and support our community. Sometimes those troubles affect a single person or family, as is the case with a medical emergency or roadway accident; sometimes those troubles affect us all, which is true for natural disasters.…

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A Summer in Oxford, England Opens New Doors for Coppola Scholar Saniya Chandy


For as long as she can remember, 16-year-old Saniya Chandy has been drawn to medicine—especially the kind of human-centered care that helped her family through a difficult period. After her parent suffered a chronic injury, she realized, “I want to help families and everyday people who are going through struggles. This is my passion, helping…

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2026 Scholarships are OPEN


🎓ANNOUNCING 2026 SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES! We’re excited to announce that applications for NVCF’s 2026 Scholarships are officially open! Whether you’re pursuing higher education, vocational training, or professional development, there’s a scholarship opportunity for you. ✨ WHO IS ELIGIBLE? - Seniors Graduating from Napa County High Schools - Students at Napa Valley College - Napa County Nursing…

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We Were Ready: What Napa Valley Community Foundation Learned From a Near-Miss Food Security Emergency


In late October, almost 11,000 Napa County residents braced for the possibility of losing their November CalFresh benefits during the federal government shutdown. Children, seniors, and working families who rely on these food subsidies faced real fear and uncertainty. At Napa Valley Community Foundation, we hoped for the best but prepared for the worst—as we…

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Coming Soon: 2026 Scholarships in Napa Valley! | Próximamente: Becas 2026 en Napa Valley!


ANNOUNCING 2026 SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES! WHO IS ELIGIBLE? Seniors Graduating from Napa County High Schools Students at Napa Valley College Napa County Nursing Students Napa County Teachers/Educators Napa County Veterans Viticulture and Enology students Veterinary students Students learning trades like welding, machining, automotive tech and more Calistoga Jr./Sr. High School Students studying music And more! *View…

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Meet Kent Rasmussen and Celia Ramsay


In their 1885 Napa Victorian home, Kent Rasmussen and Celia Ramsay are surrounded by art, much of it collected at local charity auctions and events—including Nimbus Arts’ NIMBASH. A love of art is just one of the passions Kent and Celia have cultivated over their 40 years of marriage and entrepreneurship. Together, they built Rasmussen…

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One Napa Valley: A Decade of Citizenship and Beyond


Since launching our One Napa Valley Initiative (ONVI) in 2012, Napa Valley Community Foundation and the donors who stand with us have made a steadfast commitment to helping local immigrants thrive. What began as a bold effort to expand access to citizenship has grown into a powerful, long-term collaboration that adapts to the evolving needs…

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2024-25 Annual Report: Launching The Elaine Jones Safety Net Fund


Even before headlines announced State and Federal budget cuts, our staff and Board were already asking: How will we help when those cuts come? Most safety net nonprofits rely on government grants and contracts to cover 25-50% of their budgets, so when programs are suspended, downsized or eliminated, we feel the impacts here at home.…

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Leaving a Legacy: Colleen Clark


“I used to say you have a three-dog maximum,” recalls Mark Clark, thinking back on downtown Napa walks with his late sister Colleen. An outgoing lover of animals, Colleen was likely to stop to pet every dog she met along the way to dinner. Colleen passed away in July of 2024, leaving behind a legacy…

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Leaving a Legacy: Meet “Dr. Joe”


Dr. Joseph Carrillo, or “Dr. Joe” to the thousands of children and families he has cared for over the years, has built a career defined by compassion. As a pediatrician in Napa, he has been a trusted guide for generations of young people, and a beloved figure to their parents as well. A proud Mexican…

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