Friday night’s Healdsburg Forever event at Appellation’s Grange Hall was a terrific success for donors and recipients, enriching the diversity and resilience of our community. As an endowed fund of the Community Foundation Sonoma County, Healdsburg Forever has served Healdsburg and Geyserville for 22 years. During that time it has awarded more than $3.7 million to 240 nonprofit organizations. Healdsburg Forever’s endowment has grown to over $2.7 million, providing a stable financial foundation that ensures it continues to meet evolving community needs for years to come.
The organization operates with an all-volunteer board led by Alan Preston. Under Preston’s leadership, supported by dedicated volunteers and with the professional back-office expertise of the Community Foundation Sonoma County under President Óscar Chávez, the organization’s efforts strengthened significantly. Healdsburg Forever now distributes $400,000 in grants annually, more than double what it granted five years ago, reflecting strong growth and growing community partnerships.
Former Healdsburg mayor Ozzy Jimenez, who has been on the board for seven years and chairs the Grants Committee, introduced three recipient organizations at the June 5 reception: Corazón Healdsburg, La Familia Sana and Legal Aid of Sonoma County. The trio highlighted a collaborative initiative encouraged by Healdsburg Forever to deliver “wrap-around” services.
Many nonprofits specialize in specific areas—there are over 3,000 nonprofits in Sonoma County—and people in need often face challenges requiring multiple forms of support that are difficult to find and navigate. Obtaining counseling, food assistance, legal aid, adult education and family support services can feel overwhelming. Fostering collaboration among trusted local providers reduces barriers to entry.
Jimenez captured the fund’s enduring value when he noted: “Through fires, floods, COVID and shifting political landscapes, community issues come up and Healdsburg Forever is there.” The organization’s flexibility allows it to adjust its giving priorities.
Jade Weymouth of La Familia Sana shared a powerful example stressing the collaborative effort of the panel. La Familia Sana held 27 “Know Your Rights” events last year. Through partnership with Legal Aid of Sonoma County and Corazón, organizations build trust locally which eases access challenges for specialized services.
The approachable luxury of the venue created by Charlie Palmer and Christopher Hunsberger at Appellation Healdsburg’s Grange Hall uplifted the celebratory spirit of the evening event.
To know more about creating community and engagement, check out Healdsburg Forever at healdsburgforever.org.
