Elaine and Rick Jones
4/21/2025 - Saint Helena, CA - Napa Valley Community Foundation (NVCF) today announced the launch of the Elaine Jones Safety Net Fund, which aims to provide a lifeline and a compass to the social service nonprofits supporting working families and other vulnerable communities in Napa County. With substantial seed gifts from NVCF, Napa Valley Vintners, Zach Zachowski and Barbara Gabel and Elaine’s family members, the Fund honors the extraordinary legacy of Elaine Maria Jones (1953-2024), a devoted philanthropist and community leader who championed local nonprofits with unparalleled passion and dedication.
The Elaine Jones Safety Net Fund will offer two kinds of grants to qualified nonprofit applicants: grants to support general operating expenses and grants to pay for capacity-building or technical assistance projects.
General support grants of up to $100,000 are intended as a lifeline for core social services organizations navigating increased client need, reduced state funding and federal funding freezes or cuts. While Napa County has more than 600 nonprofits, only about 50 with annual budgets of more than $1 million focus on social services. A subset of these 50 provides essential “safety net” programs that help the most vulnerable people in our community meet their basic needs for food, housing, medical care, emergency aid and more. Most rely on government funding for 25-50% of their budgets, making recent funding cuts and uncertainty especially challenging.
Capacity-building grants of up to $50,000 are intended to serve as a compass to help safety net organizations move strategically and swiftly in the direction of greater efficiency and sustainability. Also known as technical assistance grants, capacity-building grants typically fund outside consultants or systems/software investments, both of which can help nonprofits strengthen their operations and programs. Examples of capacity-building include hiring a consultant to develop a strategic plan or improve Board governance, and purchasing software to better manage organizational finances or improve constituent relationship management.
With seed funding in hand, NVCF has a solid base from which to start its campaign to raise $2.5 million by June 30th, but additional contributions from area residents and businesses are needed to meet the Foundation’s goal.
“Our region’s safety net organizations are facing significant and sudden funding challenges at a time when demand for their services is increasing,” said Terence Mulligan, President & CEO of Napa Valley Community Foundation. “Elaine understood the vital role these nonprofits play in our community, and we are proud to carry forward her legacy by ensuring that essential services remain strong and sustainable.”
The Fund is designed to bolster charities that help people in Napa County get their most basic needs met. Examples include childcare assistance, food security, mental health support, legal services, healthcare access, economic stability and housing assistance. Eligible nonprofits must have a strong track record in Napa County and demonstrate financial need due to decreased government or philanthropic funding and/or increased client demand.
Rick Jones, Elaine’s husband, shared his thoughts on the Fund’s importance: “Elaine believed deeply in taking care of our neighbors in need. She dedicated her time, energy, and resources to strengthening the nonprofits that serve our most vulnerable residents. This Fund reflects her generous spirit and ensures that her impact continues for years to come.”
Napa Valley Vintners President & CEO Linda Reiff emphasized the significance of this collaboration: “The Napa Valley wine community has long been committed to supporting organizations that provide critical services. Partnering on this Fund allows us to invest in the well-being of our neighbors as well as the capacity of our local nonprofits while honoring Elaine’s incredible legacy of giving.”
NVCF and NVV have a deep history of philanthropic collaboration, including in 2014 when NVV made a $10 million lead gift to NVCF’s Disaster Relief Fund in the wake of the devastating South Napa Earthquake. This partnership continues with the Elaine Jones Safety Net Fund.
Applications to the Elaine Jones Safety Net Fund will be accepted starting in late May, with the first round of grants being issued in July/August. To download grant guidelines, please visit www.napavalleycf.org on or after May 20, 2025.
To donate to or learn more about the Elaine Jones Safety Net Fund, visit www.napavalleycf.org or contact Napa Valley Community Foundation at giving@napavalleycf.org or 707-254-9565.
About Napa Valley Vintners
The Napa Valley Vintners nonprofit trade association has been cultivating excellence since 1944 by inspiring its nearly 550 members to consistently produce wines of the highest quality, provide environmental leadership and care for the extraordinary place they call home. NVV has invested more than $230 million in community healthcare, youth development and the environment in Napa County, and is a champion of inclusivity in its community and industry. Learn more at napavintners.com.
About Napa Valley Community Foundation (NVCF)
Napa Valley Community Foundation works side-by-side with local donors and nonprofits
to tackle the most important challenges the Valley faces. Now celebrating 30 years of
service to the community, the Foundation has distributed more than $110 million in
grants to improve the quality of life for residents of the region and currently serves as
the philanthropic partner to thousands of individuals, families, nonprofit agencies and
corporations in Napa Valley and beyond. To learn more, visit napavalleycf.org.
About Elaine Jones
Elaine moved to Calistoga in the late 1990s and believed it was important to give back
to her adopted community and particularly its less fortunate members. She served on
the Board of the Calistoga Family Center and was instrumental in the merger with the
St Helena Family Center to form the UpValley Family Centers. During her long tenure
on the Board of the St Helena Hospital Foundation she served for many years as its
Secretary and Chair of its Fundraising Committee. More recently she was also a member
of the Grants Review Committee for Collective Napa Valley and the Marketing and
Outreach Committee of the Napa Valley Community Foundation. Elaine fought a valiant
12-year battle against pancreatic cancer and never gave up hope for a miracle.
Contact: Napa Valley Vintners, Media Relations - 707.963.3388, media@napavintners.com
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