In an effort to address Vallejo's educational needs, Solano Community Foundation will award $5,000 in grants to nonprofit organizations, the foundation has announced.
Applications will be accepted starting Monday and must be received before 5 p.m. Feb. 24.
The grants will be of varying amounts to different organizations, said foundation Director of Communications Andrea Garcia.
"We are trying to get more funds so that we can offer more money," Garcia said.
The grants stem from the foundation's 2009 aim to focus on Vallejo's social needs, foundation president and CEO Stephanie Wolf said. The city's educational needs rose to the top of the list during a private meeting held Oct. 14 among select community leaders and foundation's Nonprofit Partnership Program members, according to the foundation.
Though not open to the public, organizers called the meeting a "Community Conversation," and held the event at the John F. Kennedy Library, Wolf said.
The event was not open to the public so that foundation partnership program members and invited guests could focus on the issue of how the organization can help Vallejo.
To help improve education in Vallejo, participants cited a need for an increase in community engagement, volunteerism, and greater parent engagement and responsibility, Wolf said.
The foundation also solicited input on Vallejo's social needs via a survey posted on the foundation Web site and sent out via e-mail.
About 70 people responded to the survey, according to a summary report prepared by Rochelle Sherlock, consultant, facilitator and Senior Coalition of Solano County coordinator.
To obtain more information about the grants and to apply go to www.solanocf.org and click on "Non-Profit Partnership Program" and then go to the "Request for Proposal" section. Other details can be obtained by calling (707) 399-3846.