20 survey respondents
Location: 744 Empire Street No 240, Fairfield, 94533 CA
EIN: 68-0354961
100%
0%
8 hours
Median
100%
0%
98%
3%
2017 Deadlines:
Types of Grants Awarded:
Geographic Focus:
For Fiscal Year
Total Assets:
Total Grants:
Change in Assets FY :
Amount of Grants to Minnesota Nonprofits:
Largest Grant:
Smallest Grant:
Average Grant:
Reviewer 947 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2017
They approached me last year and this year
Positive leader in the field, Insightful, Friendly, Builds relationships, Likes site visits, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Responsive
California
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2017
Good
Go on line and read all the paperwork and turn in on time. They don't take very long at all.
Good
Promote education
Less than 5
Thank you we are grateful for your partnership with the Foundation. Together, we truly are making positive changes in the lives of Solano County residents.
Grant Applicant - applied in 2017
I would talk to them first so they can explain all their funding and were to look on their website for information. This is a great source for funding and the process is easy.
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Friendly, Builds relationships, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive
California
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2017
Good
Very easy to apply for funding on their website.
Good
This funder helps other non profit in the county in many ways,
workshops, resources, and funding.
5 to 10 hours
Thank you we are grateful for your partnership with the Foundation. Together, we truly are making positive changes in the lives of Solano County residents.
Reviewer 678 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2017
I found this grant to be a thoughtful and straightforward process. Read through the grant requirements carefully and spend a couple days thinking through your ideas.
Positive leader in the field, Culturally sensitive, Friendly, "Gets" nonprofits and issues
California
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2017
Good
Good
My only advice would be to double check the PDF that is used to fill out the grant. There was one spot where I needed to type my name, but it also started filling in the box that was supposed to be the title of my grant project. That was it though-everything else was straightforward.
Solano Community Foundation not only provides important grants to educators (and non-profits) throughout the US, but also globally.
2
Reviewer 225 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2015
I would tell them that they don't have to worry about anything, that the staff would do anything they can to help them. I would also tell them to make sure they take advantage of the courses that are being offered. That way they would know exactly what this funder is looking for.
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Risk taker, Culturally sensitive, Insightful, Friendly, Builds relationships, Likes site visits, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive
California
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2015
Good
These people are very accessible. You can walk in anytime. Their doors are always open. In addition to that, they email clients on a regular basis to keep them informed about grant money, workshops, trainings and major campaigns. They are excellent at communicating and are always pleasant to be around.
Good
I think this foundation is doing a great job at meeting its goals. Their desire was to fund education for children's programs and they have done that through their Education Plus! Another goal was to support nonprofits partners in pursuit of professional education by offering mini grants up to $2500. Not only did the organization meet its goal, but its staff continue to educate and equip nonprofit leaders through workshops, training, and campaigns on a monthly basis; and if that isn't enough, partners can request one-on-one assistance for whatever they need.
I would say to this funder keep up the good work. You are doing an amazing job! Without organizations like yours, we could not exist!
If you are looking for help with your nonprofit and don't know which way to turn, this is the place for you. This funder has worked hard to strengthen nonprofits all across the Solano County area. It has helped not only larger well established organizations, but has helped lay the foundation for many start-ups in this community as well.
As stated before, the organization's staff is very accessible. They are very professional and always ready to listen and help. Their knowledge base is limitless and they do not not mind sharing what they Know. I have been a partner with them for several years now and can honestly say that has never been a time when I stopped in and did not have my need met.
72
Grant Applicant - applied in 2017
Have clearly defined outcomes and state your case with examples of how the grant will impact the demographic you wish to address. Offer statistics or narratives of proven success that show your grant is realistic and will have impact.
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Risk taker, Culturally sensitive, Insightful, Friendly, Builds relationships, Likes site visits, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded, Responsive
California
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2017
Good
Good
Keep up the good job.
Invaluable resource for local nonprofits.
Works well with prospective organizations and individuals in defining grant opportunities. Offers a good array of resources and workshops.
8
Reviewer 343 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2017
None
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Insightful, Friendly, Builds relationships, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Responsive
California
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2017
Good
Good
Train nonprodts
5
Reviewer 365 - Professional in the field
Start with the SCF website (www.solanocf.org) - you can find pretty much everything you need to know there. You can also call their offices directly - the phone is staffed 5 days week by very knowledgeable and friendly professionals.
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Friendly, Builds relationships, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Responsive
California
Professional in the field
2017
Good
Accessibility is one of Solano Community Foundation's strong points - they have regular offices hours, a real person actually answers their phones! Their website is full of valuable information and they're active on social media like FaceBook and YouTube. Plus they welcome opportunities to meet in person as well.
Good
SCF strives to support education, health and the betterment of local non-profits. They award multiple scholarships annually, partner with health agencies and have a robust Nonprofit Partnership Program.
Look for additional ways to increase your visibility - maybe explore becoming part of websites like Go Fund Me or other online resources where people go when they are interested in making donations.
SCF is the only Community Foundation in Solano county - so donor gifts can truly have a county-wide impact. By the same token, SCF is a tremendous resource for grant seekers within Solano.
SCF is particularly good at keeping abreast of and responding to the needs of the local community in the funding areas in which they focus.
0
Grant Applicant - applied in 2016
Become the NPP member and get to know the team. They are helpful, professional and really interested in your success!
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Friendly, Builds relationships, "Gets" nonprofits and issues
California
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2016
Good
Average
Look at the future, stop funding the past. Develop inspiring, innovative programs and solutions for the entire community, for the good of the whole, that will attract progressive and thoughtful donors, donors with bigger vision.
Focusing on local nonprofits capacity building
Reviewer 398 - Grant Applicant - applied in 2016
Read the grant application instructions carefully and follow them. Be concise in writing your statements. Do not write a book; make everything fit into the box provided.
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Builds relationships, Likes site visits, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Openminded
California
Current or former grantee
Funded for amount requested
2016
Good
Very good. Everything one needs to apply is on the website, including information about past grantees and amounts funded.
Good
They have expanded the qualifications for receiving funding, added new opportunities, and increased the number of grants and scholarships they make.
Put more stories about grantees on the website to make it easier to relate to the work you do.
Can you please fund more arts organizations?
They have the only on-site workstations in Solano County with access to the Foundation Directory Online (FDO) from The Foundation Center. This is a marvelous resource and not enough people know about it. If you are looking for a grant, here's a place to start. I find it very useful.
They support nonprofits in Solano County by offering wonderful monthly workshops on topics of serious interest to the staff and board members of any size organization. The workshops disseminate knowledge that a lot of people in nonprofits organizations just don't have.
Professional in the field
Join their Nonprofit Partnership Program (NPP) program so that they know your organization is serious about building a relationship and not just asking for money.
Positive leader in the field, Gives more than money, Culturally sensitive, Insightful, Friendly, Builds relationships, Likes site visits, "Gets" nonprofits and issues, Responsive
California
Professional in the field
Funded for amount requested
2017
Good
Always someone there to answer the phones; email questions take a bit longer, like 2 to 3 days.
Good
It seems like SCF is committed to helping nonprofits serve the needs of their communities, by making small grants so more nonprofits have a funding source.
Offer some longer (multi-day, in depth) capacity building trainings for how to secure funding from a variety of sources.
Why is it that so few nonprofits (relative to the large number in Solano County) know that SCF exists, has programs, and makes grants?
They genuinely care about the wide variety of issues nonprofits face and offer terrific information and guidance!
Their NPP program and Ed Plus! program both offer grants and the award/funding turnaround time is pretty quick.
