About the Initiative
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Sacramento County’s ability to serve residents is deeply connected to the strength and stability of the nonprofit organizations that work alongside us every day.
Nonprofit organizations are often among the first to hear from residents when needs emerge and to respond when families and communities need support. They bring trusted relationships, cultural knowledge, local expertise, and the flexibility to respond to changing community needs. That makes nonprofits essential partners in building a healthy, resilient, and thriving Sacramento County.
The Sacramento Countywide Nonprofit Partnership Initiative was created to strengthen that partnership.
Listening First: Understanding the Nonprofit Experience
Sacramento County began this work by examining how nonprofit organizations experience working with county government. A comprehensive landscape study gathered input from both nonprofits and Sacramento County staff. It confirmed the essential role nonprofits play in serving Sacramento County residents, especially in communities with historically limited access to resources and services.
The study also identified key challenges, including:
- Inconsistent communication
- Complex or unclear funding and procurement processes
- Requirements that are difficult for smaller organizations to meet
- Delays in reimbursement and payment processes
- Heavy reporting and administrative requirements
- Short funding cycles that limit long-term planning
- Limited awareness of available Sacramento County funding and resources
Many nonprofits also reported never applying for Sacramento County funding due to uncertainty about eligibility, unclear entry points, or limited capacity to navigate application processes.
Taken together, these findings point to a clear opportunity: to make Sacramento County systems more transparent, accessible, and consistent for nonprofit partners. You can read the full landscape study and findings here
From Listening to Action
The landscape study directly informed the Sacramento Countywide Nonprofit Partnership Initiative, which focuses on reducing system barriers, strengthening trust, and improving how Sacramento County and nonprofits work together. Our work is organized into four key areas:
Procurement & Contracting Improvements
Sacramento County procurement and contracting is becoming more consistent, transparent, and accessible. This includes expanding use of the OpenGov online grant application platform, simplifying processes where possible, and helping smaller nonprofit organizations better navigate Sacramento County contracting requirements. The goal is simple: make it easier for qualified nonprofits to access and participate in Sacramento County opportunities.
Payment Process Improvements
Nonprofits need reliable payment processes to sustain services and operations. Issues like reimbursement delays and cash-flow challenges are being addressed by expanding advance payments, increasing electronic payments through PaymentWorks, offering fiscal compliance training, and improving overall payment processes.
Communication & Relationship Building
Two-way communication is strengthening between Sacramento County and nonprofit partners. This includes creating this website, sharing clearer information about opportunities and resources, expanding engagement and networking opportunities, coordinating outreach across departments, and improving follow-up with partners.
Capacity Building & Organizational Support
Nonprofits identified a need for stronger internal systems to support long-term sustainability. In response, Sacramento County is investing in capacity-building cohorts, technical assistance, mentoring, peer learning, and sustainability planning in areas such as governance, finance, leadership, strategy, and evaluation.
Building the Partnership Beyond County Government
Sacramento County recognizes that strengthening the nonprofit sector is a shared responsibility and works in partnership with organizations that bring additional expertise and community connection.
Information about the nonprofit capacity-building cohort program, led by Sacramento Region Community Foundation, can be found on their website. Access it here