Wine Country Weekend offers nonprofit grants

Sonoma County nonprofit organizations are invited to submit applications for Community Grants from the proceeds of the 2014 Sonoma Wine Country Weekend.

Sonoma Wine Country Weekend is Sonoma County’s top charitable event, uniting the wine industry and raising over $5 million for the Sonoma County community through a combination of charitable giving, tourism programs, and supporting local business and jobs.

More than $1 million will be donated early next year to local charitable nonprofit organizations by the Sonoma County Vintners Foundation and the Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Foundation, the foundations associated with Sonoma Wine Country Weekend.

According to the grant guidelines of Sonoma Wine Country Weekend’s Community Grant program, grant amounts will range from of $2,000 to $15,000. New for 2014, the foundations are also making available a limited number of grants at both $25,000 and $50,000. Priority will be given where funds are earmarked to meet a particular need rather than a continuation of ongoing basic program services.

Letters of Intent, which are available at sonomawinecountryweekend.com, must be received by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 18, and the committee will notify all applicants of its decisions by Monday, Dec. 15.

To obtain a copy of the letter of intent and criteria, visit the website at sonomawinecountryweekend.com or email Community Grants Manager Michael Irvine at Michael@sonomawinecountryweekend.com.

Sonoma Wine Country Weekend is Sonoma County’s inimitable Labor Day Weekend event, Aug. 29-31, celebrating the region’s winegrowers, winemakers and chefs. Sonoma Wine Country Weekend brings America’s leading wine and food destination to life, while giving back to essential local charities.

To date, more than $16 million has been raised to support the future of Sonoma County. The event offers unique, elevated experiences interwoven with the region’s indie spirit.

Sonoma County Vintners (SCV) is the leading voice of Sonoma County wine, dedicated to raising awareness of Sonoma County as one of the world’s premier wine regions, noted for its heritage of artisan winemaking, distinct growing regions, and extraordinary quality. Founded in 1944, SCV represents more than 175 wineries of all sizes throughout the county. Learn more about SCV at sonomawine.com.

The Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Alliance (SVVGA) is a nonprofit trade organization serving more than 500 members who share a mission to promote awareness of Sonoma Valley’s grapes, wine, and history as the birthplace of the California wine industry. The Sonoma Valley Vintners and Growers Foundation is a nonprofit organization that has raised over $8 million for local Sonoma Valley charities. For more information on the SVVGA and SVVGF, visit sonomavalleywine.com.