Sonoma Fig Foundation Fund
 
The Sonoma FIG Foundation Fund is a donor advised fund, established in December, 2016 by Sondra Bernstein, proprietor of the girl & the fig restaurant in Sonoma, California.
​
At this time, the Fund is offering grants to nonprofit organizations which assist in funding for food, farming, art, community and education.
 
​Originally, the Fund offered grants to nonprofit organizations which assist in funding for start-up entrepreneurs in food, farming, food media, wine and spirits, restaurants, artisanal food production, or new projects for existing businesses.
 
As of 2023, Sondra has added art requests due to her current work.
​
​
WHY?
Sondra Bernstein created the Sonoma FIG Foundation Fund in 2016 for many reasons, but most of all to share the passion she has felt as an entrepreneur over the past twenty years. It all started with a dream and a goal.
 
She set her sights on a desire to feed, entertain, and make people happy by showing them a good time and serving them delicious food, prepared well, in a fun environment. What transpired over the following twenty seven years became something much larger; a company with over 200 employees, two restaurants, a catering company, a food truck, two books, a product line and a pop-up space.
 
These all started as ideas and there were many more; some worked, some didn't - but you must start somewhere. The Sonoma FIG Foundation Fund wants to help make that start possible.
​
25% of all proceeds from the purchase of art at the girl & the fig will be donated to the Sonoma FIG Foundation Fund. Just one artistic way you can show the love to the future of art and culinary innovation! 
​
If you feel Sondra's passion, you may be inclined to contribute to the Fund with or without purchasing her limited edition ART.
​
We won't say no, especially because of the personal impact we can help create together!
 
GRANT PROCESS
 
Request for Proposals
​
The Sonoma FIG Foundation Fund invites proposals throughout the year and awards grants to New Business Projects that have a complete business plan, are at least 75% funded, and will strengthen the culinary, agriculture, and viticulture communities through their endeavors. These are grants for future entrepreneurs.
​​
The Sonoma FIG Foundation Fund also invites proposals throughout the year and awards grants to Existing Businesses with New Project Ideas.
 
Eligible Requests
 
We support projects that have a focus in the culinary, agriculture, viticulture, art, photography and related fields.
 
Applicant must meet the following criteria:
 
Project must be related to culinary, agriculture, viticulture, but not limited to food production, education, invention, hospitality, restaurants, food trucks, brewing, distilleries, food media, farming, seed saving, art projects, public art, art education …
 
Application Contents for New Businesses
 
Your application must include:
 
Cover letter
Narrative with project description
Mission Statement
Full Business Plan
Key Staff
Five Year Profit & Loss Budgets
​
List of other current funding and sources
Description of how funding will be used
​
Support letters or endorsements (maximum of three)
​
​
Application Contents for Existing Businesses with New Project Idea
​
Cover letter
Narrative with project description
Goals and objectives