Amador Community Foundation
/OVERVIEW: The Amador Community Foundation supports education, basic needs, health, community, arts and culture, environment and animal welfare in California.
FUNDING AREAS: Education, basic needs, health, community, arts and culture, environment, animal welfare
IP TAKE: This is a well-rounded community foundation that supports nearly any nonprofit need and has an accessible annual application process.
PROFILE: Established in 1999, the Amador Community Foundation (ACF) is a community foundation based in Jackson, California. A donation from Helen Fallis helped to create the foundation. Mrs. Fallis lived in Amador County and was an active volunteer here. ACF manages at least 128 funds and awards millions of dollars in grants each year. The foundation aims to "enhance the lives and future of the people in our unique community by connecting people who care deeply with causes that matter. ACF funds local efforts for education, basic needs, health, community, arts and culture, environment and animal welfare.
The Amador Community Foundation awards opportunity grants for urgent needs and emerging ventures. These are mini-grants of up to $1,000. ACF’s community impact grants are up to $10,000 and address issues in four primary areas: investing in people, strengthening community, celebrating culture and stewarding the environment. Education grants are focused on early childhood education, K-12 education, youth leadership and parent engagement. Basic needs grants provide food, shelter and safety, while wellness grants address both physical and mental health. Community engagement grants promote local problem-solving and nonprofit sector network-building. Other grants fund programs for nutritious food, community revitalization and emergency preparedness. Music, dance, theater and visual arts are all part of ACF’s cultural commitment, while historical preservation is also an interest. Environment and animal-related grants target hands-on experiences for youth, prevention programs, support for vulnerable people and preserving native wildlife. Donor-recommended grants come from advised funds and are not typically part of the competitive grant process. The funder also sponsors a Giving Tuesday campaign and offers matching grant opportunities.
Grants range between about $5,000 and $200,000. Learn more about this funder’s local giving on the prior grant awards page of the funder’s website. Grantmaking focuses on Amador County in California. Past local grantees include Hospice of Amador & Calaveras, Special Olympics Northern California and the Amador County Recreation Agency.
This foundation accepts unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits. ACF shares a link to its grant application on its website and accepts applications between January 1 and March 31 for its annual grant cycle. Direct general questions to the staff at 209-223-2148 or via online form.
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