FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

We highly recommend that you read the eligibility requirements very carefully to be sure you meet all the Sebastopol West 100 (SW100) eligibility criteria. For instance:

  • Please be sure you are current in your IRS and California State Registry of Charitable Trust accounts (or that your Fiscal Sponsor is, if you are fiscally sponsored). 
  • Also, it’s very important that you clarify how the funds will be used to benefit those in our service area: Sebastopol, Graton, Forestville, Occidental, Hessel and/or Freestone.

 

Other questions that might arise:

Eligibility:

1If we are not based in the SW100 service Area, can we still apply?
Yes, as long as 100% of the SW100 grant funds received would be used to provide services in our service area.
2If we are applying for general funding, but our service area is larger than the SW100 service area, can we apply?
Yes, however you will need to describe how our funds will be spent to cover services only for our service area communities.
3If we are not officially a non-profit ourselves, but have a fiscal sponsor, can we apply?
Yes. We will need information about your Fiscal Sponsor and some documentation from them concerning your arrangement. More will be explained in the application.
4Can our fiscal sponsor be the 501(c)3 listed on more than one application?
No. While we realize fiscal sponsors may support more than one organization, and may want to apply themselves, we can only accept one application for each 501(c)3.
5If we are not a non-profit, but a government entity, can we apply?
Yes, but only if you partner with a 501(c)3 organization which needs to be the applicant submitting the grant. We encourage collaboration. We may need to ask to see documentation confirming the terms of your agreement to work together. We will reach out if we have questions.
6We received a grant from SW100 in a prior grant cycle, can we apply again?
Yes, you can, however, you are required to submit a report to SW100 prior to the closing of the current grant cycle’s application window. The report must confirm that all funds from the last grant have been spent, detail how the funds were used, and describe the impact the funds made. If we do not receive this report, your application will be denied.

Types of Activities Funded:

1What do you mean by “recreation”?
Leisure activities for any age group.
2Are animal welfare and environmental activities eligible?
Yes. These activities improve quality of life in our communities.

Application Software:

1Can I save my entries and return later to finish another day?
Yes. Until you hit the “Submit Application” button, your application as it is thus far is saved and can be revisited for further editing. It must be submitted by the deadline, however, August 10, 2026 at 5:00 pm.
2Can I change my application once it’s been submitted?
Not directly. As long as it’s before the deadline (5:00 pm Monday August 10, 2026), you can request that we reset the application to “Draft” mode. At that point, you can make your changes and then submit. Alternatively, you can open a new application and complete it anew. Just inform us which one you want to keep. The contact for software issues is grant@sw100.org.
3Can I get a list of application questions to review offline?
Yes. You can download the 2026 Question List as a pdf
4Can I turn in my application by email?
No. We are only accepting applications online through our grants portal.
5Where can I learn more about the software?
Further software FAQs are available through Community Foundation’s FAQ page.

Awarding the Grants:

1How do reviewers rate the applications for deciding which organizations are on the ballot?
Each application will be assessed for the significance of the need; how effective the proposal appears to be for addressing the need; how well-defined the activities are; how accurately the intended measures will reflect success; how qualified the team appears to be; how realistic the budget and timeline are; plus any other factors explained by the applicant that might help strengthen their proposal. There will be a review of applicant finances to assess their ability to manage the money well, within the understanding that these are tight economic times and non-profits are under fiscal duress. In addition to the above, the reviewers will assess the list of finalists for the ballot based on presenting a spectrum of options: making sure all of our communities are served, and that there is a wide range of beneficiaries across a wide range of activities. Applications that do not meet all the eligibility criteria, or that are incomplete, will not be considered for an award at this time.