Sonoma County Economic Development Board Foundation

“The board treasurer reviews the form 990 with the accountant who prepared it. The board is informed of the filing of the tax return and provided with access to the returns.”

“The governing documents, tax returns and financial information are kept in the organization's office. Copies of these documents are available upon request. In addition, the organization's tax return is available on the guidestar website.”

“OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 4: Spirit of Sonoma $2,289The annual Spirit of Sonoma County awards luncheon recognizes business leaders from major chambers and trade associations in the County. The 20th annual awards ceremony featured mini-ceremonies for honorees from 20 chambers and trade organizations chosen for their contributions to Sonoma County. In 2020-2021, the program celebrated its twentieth anniversary, having honored over 400 local business men and women and community leaders since its inception. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 5: State of the County $4,813The 2021 Economic Perspective presented a first look into Sonoma County's economic future and how the recent wildfires and continuing COVID-19 pandemic have changed the economic landscape. The event featured an Economic Forecast presentation from Dr. Jerry Nickelsburg from UCLA Anderson and a Chilldcare Impact Panel discussion with Ananda Sweet of Santa Rosa Metro Chamber, Angie Dillion-Shore of First 5 Sonoma County and Melanie Dodson of 4Cs of Sonoma County. There were 355 people in attendance at this virtual event. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 6: Covid Response $39,156This program helped fund the planning phase of the Sonoma County Economic Recovery Action Plan, which was completed in October 2020, and subsequently approved by the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. Actions undertaken since that time, and in alignment with the plan, included the provision, by the County of Sonoma, of $2.3 million in emergency stabilization grants to 543 businesses, direct support to businesses in industries that experienced the greatest impact from the COVID-19 pandemic, collaborative efforts with allied agencies that work to assist the community in recovery, and continued work to close the digital divide through the Sonoma County Economic Development Board's broadband development efforts. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 7: Research Initiatives - This program funded Business Development Tools to help local businesses recognize current industry trends, find new target markets and customer bases, and research site selection data. Sponsor-supported funding allows these reports to be offered free of charge to local businesses. In addition, the program funded staff costs to research and identify strategic opportunities and barriers that industries are facing in Sonoma County. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICES 8: Emergency Relief Funds - in collaboration with Tipping Point Community, $200,000 was provided as matching funds to a federal grant, aimed at providing loans to small business owners in underserved communities in Sonoma County impacted by the fires who do not qualify for traditional financing. The overall goal was to retain and create jobs. The loan program was administered by Economic Development and Financing Corporation, a not for profit financial agency.”