Sacramento Countywide Nonprofit Partnership Initiative

The Sacramento Countywide Nonprofit Partnership Initiative is a collaborative capacity-building grant program administered by the Sacramento Region Community Foundation in partnership with the County of Sacramento. Designed to address some of the region's most critical social challenges—namely housing insecurity, homelessness, and food access—the initiative aims to empower mid-sized, community-based nonprofits by enhancing their internal operations, governance, and sustainability. Eligible organizations are those that operate as 501(c)(3) nonprofits and have served Sacramento County for at least five years. These organizations must focus primarily on either homelessness or food access. In the area of homelessness, services may include outreach, engagement, supportive services, prevention and diversion, or stabilization and housing efforts. For food access, eligible organizations should work in areas such as outreach and navigation, distribution of nutritious food, and connecting residents to both short- and long-term solutions. Applicants are also expected to show a moderate level of operational maturity, typically with annual operating budgets between $500,000 and $2 million, multiple paid staff, and structured leadership and governance. Organizations with budgets slightly outside the specified range may still apply if they can demonstrate alignment with the program's goals. This 20-month initiative runs from May 2026 through December 2027 and will include ten selected nonprofit organizations. Each participant will receive $80,000 in flexible grant funding delivered over four semi-annual installments. These funds are intended to support participation in the program, including covering staff time, implementing operational improvements, and investing in infrastructure. Additional support includes a comprehensive organizational analysis, expert-led technical assistance, mentoring, and a range of peer-learning opportunities. Training topics span a wide array of nonprofit operational needs, such as executive leadership, governance, staff development, financial administration, grants management, community engagement, and sustainability planning. Participation requirements are comprehensive. Organizations must engage in a baseline organizational assessment, complete approximately 8–10 structured training modules, and attend three networking events. A designated primary representative must commit to full participation and help integrate learned improvements into their organization. The estimated time commitment over the 20 months is about 200 hours. Full grant disbursement is contingent on fulfilling these participation obligations. Applications must be submitted online through the Foundation’s grant portal no later than Wednesday, April 8, 2026. The portal allows for collaborative access by multiple staff members from each organization. Interested applicants can access the full eligibility requirements and program details via the Foundation's website. For additional support, applicants are encouraged to contact Monica Haulman, Director of Community Impact at the Sacramento Region Community Foundation, via email. This initiative is not a one-time program; it represents an ongoing commitment to strengthen local nonprofits and deepen the region’s collective impact in addressing homelessness and food insecurity. By investing in the internal capabilities of these essential organizations, the program aspires to build long-term community resilience and equity.

Full funding is contingent on full participation; priority given to organizations with primary missions in homelessness or food access.