A private 'giving circle' steps up as government steps back
Sebastopol West 100, a new local giving circle, launched yesterday
In this moment of dramatic cuts in federal support to nonprofits and shrinking state and municipal programs, a new giving circle called Sebastopol West 100 aims to make a tangible difference in the West County communities of Sebastopol, Graton, Forestville, Occidental, and Freestone.
The organization, which launched yesterday, March 28, offers Sebastopol and West County residents a powerful opportunity to counter these trends and directly shape the future by generating funding for the dedicated nonprofits working in the West County community.
“This is the most exciting new project in West County in recent memory,” said Sebastopol West 100 Co-President Craig Boblitt. “We’ve already raised significant commitments and are inviting other community leaders to join in. We anticipate significant grant distributions at our annual membership meeting in October.”
How it started
Like so many good things, Sebastopol West 100 started at Peacetown. “It started with Craig Litwin and I meeting at Peacetown last July, right after the city had pulled back all their funding for nonprofits in Sebastopol, and we just looked at each other and said, ‘Could we raise $200,000 to replace that money?’ So we started meeting,” Boblitt said.
They invited five other local movers and shakers to join them on the board, including former Sebastopol City Planner Kenyon Webster; former Senior Center Director Linda Civitello; longtime resident and educator Carlo Rossi; Citizen of the Year and Grange president Lawrence Jaffe; former Sebastopol City Councilmember Craig Litwin; and Former Sebastopol Mayor and former Community Center Director Diana Rich. They met throughout the fall of 2024, created a nonprofit and became a regional partner of the Community Foundation of Sonoma County, which agreed to be their fiscal sponsor.
“The Community Foundation of Sonoma County made the whole thing work,” Boblitt said. “They do all the background work. They take care of the taxes, 501(c)(3)—all that stuff is done by them, and we just fall under their umbrella.”
Sebastopol West 100 launched its website yesterday and are now ready to accept donations. They are having a big launch party on April 30th at Balletto Vineyards, where members can all meet each other. Supervisor Lynda Hopkins will be one of the guest speakers at this event. She will share her perspective on how Sebastopol West 100 can leverage its resources to make a difference.
How it works
Annual membership is $1,300 which can be contributed in one payment or spread out monthly. Members will have a direct say in where funds are awarded. Each member will have a vote in the crucial decision-making process of awarding grants. Despite the name, membership is NOT limited to 100 people.
You can also join with a higher financial contribution before June 15, 2025, and become a “Founding Member.” Founding members are encouraged to donate $5,000 to $100,000 to expand the reach of the organization. Business sponsorships start at $5,000 and have no limit. Sponsors receive special recognition at events and online.
The organization will solicit grant requests from local nonprofits, and then, according to Boblitt, there will be a members meeting in October and everyone will get to vote on which nonprofits should get a grant. (Every member, including Founding Members, gets one vote.)
“Our goal is to be able to have $200,000 to give away to four nonprofits by the fall,” Boblitt said. “We’ve set a date of Oct. 25 right now as our grant day, and that will be the election. The money should be available right after that.”
According to the group’s website, here are some of the things they’re interested in supporting:
Supporting the continuity of beneficial services by community-based 501c3 nonprofits operating (but not necessarily based in) the Sebastopol area. Grants to park improvement projects in the area may also be considered.
Supporting specific programs, equipment purchases, general operating expenses, and improvements to maintain and enhance social, cultural, arts, recreational and environmental aspects of the community.
Providing gap funding to leverage and enhance competitiveness of grant applications as well as help struggling nonprofits through down cycles.
Encouraging collaboration and cross-pollination among area nonprofits as well as enhance community awareness through effective communication such as a joint newsletter.
Co-President Kenyon Webster said that many people have asked him how much will be given out in grants: “We have already secured $125,000 in pledged donations and memberships,”—that number is higher now—“and we have multiple people champing at the bit to join,” he said. “The real answer to how much we can give is truly up to how deeply each individual is willing to contribute.”
To join Sebastopol West 100 or to RSVP for the April 30th launch event at Balletto Vineyards, go to SW100.org, email info@SW100.org or call Craig Litwin at 707-339-8805.
Great idea! Great team! Thank you.
Excited to join and support this project!