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FRESNO REGIONAL FOUNDATION

Fresno Regional Foundation

Contact information:
5250 North Palm Avenue, Suite 424
Fresno, CA 93704
Phone: 559-226-5600
Fax: 559-230-2078

Website: http://www.fresnoregfoundation.org/

Type of foundation: Community

Types of grants: Project, general support, equipment, capacity-building

Description: The foundation serves the Central San Joaquin Valley of California, specifically the counties of Fresno, Madera, Tulare, Merced, Mariposa and Kings. Many grants are donor-advised, but the foundation does make discretionary grants in the areas of:

  • Arts and Culture, with a special interest in arts and cultural activities that incorporate the diversity of the region and that address the region’s educational needs.
  • Youth, with special interests in STEM education, educational efforts to prevent gang activity, and civic engagement among young people (especially low-income youth and youth of color).
  • Human Services, with a special interest in building nonprofits’ organizational capacity and leadership, and a special interest in teen pregnancy prevention.
  • Environment, including educational outreach on environmental issues.

In October 2011, the foundation announced that it had received a gift of $3 million from the James Irvine Foundation to support organizations working on critical social, environmental and economic needs in the San Joaquin Valley. The Fresno Regional Foundation will establish a new fund, The Fund for the San Joaquin Valley, and will distribute the funds over the next three years in grants of $100,000 – $300,000. Applications will open in early 2012. The foundation would like to grow the new Fund through additional donor contributions.

Sample grants:

  • $100,000 to Latino Commission for a health promotion program that empowers Latina youth to become community health educators and mentors (2010).
  • $45,000 in three grants to Valley Public Television (2009).
  • $32,500 in two grants to White Ash Broadcasting (2009).
  • $25,000 to Radio Bilingue (2009).
  • $20,000 to Californians for Pesticide Reform (2009).

Fit for public broadcasting: The foundation has a history of support for public media. In particular, there are potential opportunities for media to propose projects that engage youth, advance public education about environmental issues or promote the arts. The new $3 million grant to the Fresno Regional Foundation may offer grant opportunities for public media, especially in the area of driving education and awareness around critical issues in the region. There may also be opportunities to work with the foundation to approach the Knight Community Information Challenge with a project that would focus on local information needs. Finally, the foundation has expressed an interest in generating new contributions to its new Fund for the San Joaquin Valley. Public media is very well positioned to raise the visibility of the new Fund.

Eligibility: Applicants must demonstrate basic financial health and must have at least five board members. The foundation will not provide support for previously incurred expenses or endowments.

Deadline: The foundation sets deadlines for specific funding areas. There is typically a deadline to complete the Organizational Profile Form and another deadline to submit a complete application. Applications for the new Fund for the San Joaquin Valley will be accepted in early 2012.

How to apply: To begin an initial application, organizations must complete an Organizational Profile Form (OPF) online. The foundation offers “Bidders’ Meetings” as informational opportunities for interested applicants.

Giving range: The size of discretionary grants varies by program, but most are under $30,000.

Assets: Approximately $50 million (2011)

Total giving: Approximately $7 million annually

View 2010 Annual Report here.