Yountville foundation approves nine community grants for 2027
The Town of Yountville Community Foundation (TOYCF) approved nine grants on Nov. 6 through its 2027 Imagine Yountville Grant Program, which supports projects that improve quality of life and bring residents together.
The foundation received 14 applications, including six for small grants ranging from $250 to $2,500 and eight for large grants ranging from $2,500 to $20,000.
Board members evaluated all grant requests, considering how clearly applicants described their projects, whether the projects were feasible and sustainable and how they would benefit Yountville residents. Each member had one week to review and score each applicant.
Board chair Samantha Holland followed up with applicants to clarify details and compiled board members’ scores before the board met last week to discuss the proposals again and approve the awards. The program launched in 2025 after the town established a fund within the foundation to support projects that directly benefit the community.
2027 Grant Recipients
The Valley Players – $5,000
This request is for grant support to present the full-length play Moon Over Buffalo, a madcap comedy about aging actors set in Buffalo, New York, in the 1950s. The performances will most likely take place during the second, third and fourth weekends of October 2027, for a total of nine performances at the Yountville Community Center.
Hospitality Hounds – $5,800
Based on the idea that dogs make it easier for people to connect, local dogs serve as “dog ambassadors,” identified by their bright blue bandanas. Their owners share specially designed Hospitality Hounds trading cards with new friends.
This grant continues the existing program created by Cynthia Kapjian, welcoming new dog ambassadors, increasing participation and creating new connections among residents and visitors.
Intergenerational Farming, Optimist Club– $10,000
This program will once again pair 12 to 15 Yountville residents and seniors with 12 to 15 students from Willow Elementary and Redwood Middle School. Participants will explore Blue Zone cooking classes and attend various activities at the Oasis by Hoopes Animal Sanctuary and Coop by Hoopes.
The Little Village That Could – $2,000
This is a new program. Yountville residents George Rothwell and Ranndy Piña have been interviewing and recording stories from individuals who have played important roles in Yountville’s history. These historical videos highlight notable accomplishments that helped create the Yountville of today. The videos will be professionally edited, with a goal of making them available on the town website.
FarmStand Garden – $2,500
This grant will continue funding the existing flower and vegetable garden managed by Peter Jacobson and many volunteer gardeners. It will provide supplies and materials for the 2027 growing season.
Book Barrel – $2,500
The existing Book Barrel in Forrester Park was created several years ago with a Happiness Grant. Co-creator Carrie Hays has noted that it is showing its age and will be replacing it with an updated and more durable version that will also be ADA-compliant.
Yountville Blooms – $2,500
This continues a program created by Yountville resident Lisa Ferro who understands how much happiness a bouquet of flowers can bring. Through a nomination process, each month in 2027, fresh bouquets will be delivered to Yountville residents who could use a smile, including seniors living alone, neighbors recovering from illness or loss, caregivers and longtime residents who quietly give back to the community.
Steady Steps – $2,500
This is a new proposal focused on fall prevention that Share the Care will be launching in town. The program will begin with community outreach and offer two 90-minute workshops, one in the spring and one in the summer of next year.
Pollinator Garden – $2,500
Yountville resident Dee Heizer will be starting a new program to create a pollinator garden on the old school property. The hands-on garden will aim to educate the community about the importance of pollinators and methods for welcoming them into gardens throughout town.
Applicants whose grant requests were not approved can revise their proposals and reapply during the next application period. One large request was deemed inappropriate for funding and was pulled from consideration.
All grant recipients will be asked for financial updates after six months, and any unused funds are regularly returned to the fund at the end of a year.
Established in 2018, the TOYCF works to promote and raise funds for community-based programs and initiatives that benefit Yountville residents. The foundation supports a broad range of priorities, including youth recreation and education; community wellness and enrichment; senior recreation, leisure, education, and support services; parks and facility improvements; cultural arts programs; community volunteer initiatives and events; and partnerships with local organizations through fiscal sponsorship.
The foundation offers donors the opportunity to make gifts of cash and non-cash assets in a manner that benefits donors while protecting the fiscal and legal integrity of the TOYCF.
The TOYCF currently holds and manages funds for the following programs:
- Youth Subsidy Fund – Provides scholarships for low-income families to participate in Parks and Recreation programs.
- Senior Subsidy Fund – Provides scholarships for low-income seniors to participate in Parks and Recreation programs.
- Yountville Bocce Fund – Established to receive donations and bequests specifically for equipment and maintenance of the Yountville Veterans Memorial Park Bocce Courts.
- Yountville Arts Fund – Supports art-related activities.
- Community Thanksgiving Fund – Established to receive donations and bequests to support the annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner.
- Friends of the Yountville Library Fund – Assists the Friends of the Yountville Library in continuing their efforts to raise funds for literary programs and services in Yountville.
- Hospitality Hounds of Yountville Fund – Supports a happiness project that brings joy to visitors and residents alike. Local dogs are nominated as Hospitality Hounds and receive trading cards and a social media presence.
- YK Legacy Fund – Established when the local Kiwanis Club dissolved to continue providing annual educational scholarships to local college and trade school students.
- FarmStand Garden Fund – Established to support the volunteer-run Yountville FarmStand Garden, located on the old school property.
- Community Fund – Receives general donations and bequests to the TOYCF that are not designated for a specific area or project.
