FOUNDATION HISTORY

1995

A group of committed community leaders had a vision for the future of Solano County. They were interested in maintaining quality of life and creating a vehicle for local philanthropy.

1999 - 2000

We received a two-year challenge grant from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, set up the Foundation, established the Founders’ Club, and awarded the first grants through our Education Plus! Program for public school teachers, K-12, throughout the County.

2001 - 2002

SCF established non-endowed (donor advised) and endowed funds, as well as non-permanent funds. United Way of the Bay Area set up a special health-related fund at SCF. We received $100,000 regranting funds from The California Endowment granted for community capacity building.

2003 - 2004

Stephanie Wolf was installed as President and CEO, the number and value of funds under management doubles; and $750,000 in grants are made through the Foundation. New partners support Education Plus! Program, granting 80 different projects.

2005 – 2006

The James Irvine Foundation awards SCF a $400,000 matching grant to enhance our growth, visibility, services, and grantmaking. We moved to Corporate Plaza, added Board members, and implemented a new accounting system to efficiently and effectively integrate all data. SCF was designated as a Cooperating Collection of the Foundation Center; we instituted an extensive training and workshop series, and hosted workshops by other funders. We added new staff, increased the number and volume of funds under management, and achieved “national standards of excellence for community foundations.” Assets reached $4.5M and grants totaling more than $1.1M were made.

2007

With additional matching funds from the Frank H. and Eva B. Buck Foundation for our Education Plus! Mini-Grant Program, we made a landmark number of grants, 84, totaling $37,195. We received the transfer of a $2.33M permanently endowed fund (Leslie and Virginia May Anderson Trust). Started the transfer of another permanently endowed fund valued at approximately $3M, resulting from the termination of a local private foundation. Hired a Director of Communications to raise the community’s awareness of the Foundation and foster the culture of philanthropy in Solano County.