5 Nonprofits To Get Behind In The Napa Valley Area

NAPA VALLEY, CA — Nonprofit groups are keystone community organizations in the Napa Valley area. Fortunately, there is no shortage of organizations to volunteer for or get behind financially— and that need your help.

Here are five outstanding nonprofit groups you should know about in the Napa Valley area:

1. Cope Family Resource Center in downtown Napa empowers parents with the education, resources and support they need to raise children who thrive. The nonprofit organization's goal is to help parents manage stressful situations and challenging life events so they can give their children brighter futures. In the 51 years Cope has been serving the Napa Valley, it has supported over 80,000 families with crisis support, emergency assistance, parent education, and family strengthening services. In 2022, Cope’s Family Resource Center distributed 6,800 diapers and gave over $30,000 in emergency aid to more than 600 families. Over the course of the year, Cope served more than 1,200 parents and caregivers of more than 1,800 children across their programs. By helping families through challenging times, Cope reduces the stress and trauma that can have lasting effects on children, including lifelong physical and mental health issues.

• How To Help: Cope is currently in need of diapers, primarily larger sizes (5 and 6), and gift cards for families to grocery stores or general retail stores. People can also join the volunteer list to hear about upcoming opportunities. Visit Copefamilycenter.org/getinvolved.

2. Napa Firewise was formed in 2004 by a group of fire professionals and concerned community leaders in response to the clear danger presented by a build-up of volatile fire fuels across Napa County. In 2005, with a grant from the U.S. Forest Service and the Napa County Fire Department, Napa Firewise launched an aggressive identity-building program using free chipping services and defensible space inspections, plus community workshops and public relations media as the all-important links to the community. In 2007, to allow more direct access to grant funding and tax incentives for supporters, Napa Firewise was incorporated as a 501c3 nonprofit as the Napa Communities Firewise Foundation (NCFF). Its core program continues today with a philosophy to create an atmosphere of sustained, shared responsibility helping the community help itself.

• How To Help: Today, it organizes and supports local community Fire Safe Councils so that neighbors know neighbors and neighborhoods can mobilize for their own local mitigation and safety efforts. All its work is funded by grants and/or public contributions.

3. Napa Humane (the Humane Society of Napa County & SPCA) is a nonprofit organization incorporated in 1973 that began, in part, by offering a spay/neuter referral service. It was the first of its kind in Napa County and was seen as the first step toward controlling pet overpopulation. The organization flourished and added lost and found services, humane education and a small adoption center next to the Napa County Animal Shelter. In 1990, the society acquired a fully-equipped veterinary clinic on California Boulevard in Napa and converted into a high-volume, affordable spay/neuter clinic. In 2001, the Napa River Flood Control Project required that the County and Napa Humane’s shelters be razed. Because Napa Humane did not own the property that was taken, the compensation it received for the shelter was not enough to relocate. This forced a re-examination of its goals, programs and strategies. It chose to refocus its resources on bigger-picture solutions that help keep pets out of shelters in the first place. Since 2002, when it refocused on prevention, there has been a steady decrease in the number of companion animals surrendered at the Napa County Animal Shelter.

• How To Help: Napa Humane is supported 100 percent by donations, grants and fundraising events. It does not receive money from national animal organizations such as the Humane Society of the United States or the ASPCA, and it does not receive government funds. There are many ways to help. In addition to a monetary donation, one can fundraise, donate items on the wish list, donate a vehicle, shop to support or become a volunteer.

4. Napa Valley Vine Trail Coalition began in 2008 as a grass-roots nonprofit with a vision to build a walking/biking trail system to connect the entire Napa Valley — physically, artistically, and culturally. It continues working to design, fund, construct and maintain 47 miles of level, paved, family-friendly, dog-friendly, free-access trail from the Vallejo Ferry to Calistoga.

• How To Help: There are many ways to help support this mission. Community members can purchase a membership, buy a footprint, become a sponsor or even purchase the 10-bottle vintner collection. Volunteers are sought for trail clean-up, tree planting, habitat restoration, and a number of other duties.

5. Napa Valley Support Services helps people with intellectual, physical and developmental disabilities achieve their goals and live meaningful lives. The 501c3 nonprofit has been serving the Napa area since 1972. Its core values of collaboration, innovation, respect and empowerment are at the heart of its vision — that people with disabilities are valued and feel valued by society.

• How To Help: Napa Valley Support Services has immediate job openings in its supported employment and adult day services programs. Retirees, stay-at-home moms, students and anyone looking to make a difference in the lives of others are encouraged to apply. Monetary donations are tax-deductible and increase the opportunities available to people with developmental disabilities. Napa Valley Support Services also has an Amazon wish list of household items and other things needed.

RELATED: Read about five Napa Valley nonprofits previously featured by Patch as part of this series.

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