The Syar Foundation (Susan L. Syar, director) appears to focus on early childhood and family supports at the local/county level, demonstrated by a single large grant to First 5 Solano (managed by Child Start, Inc.). Their giving suggests an interest in preventive, community-based services that support young children and parents. The foundation’s profile indicates targeted, place-based philanthropy rather than broad national funding.
Concentrated, large one-time gifts to local service providers; appears to fund a small number of high-impact, place-based initiatives rather than many small grants.
A $1,000,000 grant to First 5 Solano (Child Start Inc) stands out in the Syar Foundation Susan L Syar Director’s recent giving and points to a clear emphasis on early childhood and family support in Solano County. The foundation’s recent grants also show steady support for local organizations serving children, parents, and community-based services across Napa and nearby counties. Recipients include Access Adventure, a program-oriented grantee in Fairfield, and the Vacaville Boys & Girls Club, which received support in multiple years. The pattern is place-based and relationship-driven. Many grants are renewed rather than one-time awards, with continued support appearing across organizations such as Share the Care Napa Valley, Mentis Napa, and Cope Family Center. The foundation also backs organizations connected to family advocacy, domestic violence services, and health-related community support, including Parentscan Parent - Napa Valley Child Advocacy Network Incorporated, Napa Emergency Women's Services (news), and Touro University California. Several awards are sized at the $25,000 to $50,000 range, alongside a small number of larger commitments. Overall, the giving profile centers on nonprofits rooted in Napa, Solano, Sonoma, and nearby communities.
Early childhood development is central to the foundation’s recent grantmaking. The largest award in the dataset was $1,000,000 to First 5 Solano (Child Start Inc) for continued support, aligning with a focus on preschool readiness and county-level early services. Family support also appears repeatedly. The foundation gave $30,000 to Parentscan Parent - Napa Valley Child Advocacy Network Incorporated for continued support and $25,000 to Cope Family Center for continued support. Health and safety-related community services are another visible thread. Napa Emergency Women's Services (news) received $25,000 for continued support, while YWCA - Sonoma County Domestic Violence Services also received $25,000 for continued support. The foundation further supported hospitals and medical partners, including Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital and Touro University California. In the education and youth-development space, the Vacaville Boys & Girls Club received repeated support over several years.
$1.8M
$7M
$760K
$1.9M
Most grants fall between $10K and $25K, with a median of $20K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$20K
75th Percentile
$25K
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Notable grantees: FIRST 5 SOLANO (Child Start, Inc.)
Typical grants cluster in the mid-five-figure range, with a p25 of $10,000, median of $20,000, and p75 of $25,000. The recent record shows repeated support to the same organizations across years, including the Vacaville Boys & Girls Club, Share the Care Napa Valley, Access Adventure, and Mentis Napa, which suggests ongoing relationships rather than isolated awards. Most grants are described as continued support, with some program-specific and project-specific funding mixed in. The foundation is a private family foundation-style grantmaker led by Susan L. Syar, and it funds organizations rather than individuals.
Giving is concentrated in California, with 100% of grants to recipients in the HQ state. Napa appears often, with grants to First 5 Solano (Child Start Inc), Napa Casa, Share the Care Napa Valley, Parentscan Parent - Napa Valley Child Advocacy Network Incorporated, Mentis Napa, and Cope Family Center. Other frequent recipient locations include Fairfield, Vacaville, Santa Rosa, and Vallejo. The footprint also reaches Benicia, American Canyon, Sonoma, and Healdsburg, but remains local rather than multi-state.
The foundation supports nonprofits serving children, families, and community needs. Recent grants include First 5 Solano (Child Start Inc) for continued support, Parentscan Parent - Napa Valley Child Advocacy Network Incorporated for continued support, and YWCA - Sonoma County Domestic Violence Services for continued support.
Many awards are recurring. The data shows continued support to the same organizations across multiple years, including Vacaville Boys & Girls Club, Share the Care Napa Valley, Access Adventure, and Mentis Napa.
The grant-size distribution is centered in the mid-five-figure range: p25 is $10,000, median is $20,000, and p75 is $25,000. Several awards fall in the $25,000 to $50,000 range, with a larger $1,000,000 grant to First 5 Solano (Child Start Inc).
Its giving is local and entirely in California. The recipient geography includes Napa, Fairfield, Vacaville, Santa Rosa, Vallejo, Sonoma, Benicia, American Canyon, and Healdsburg, with 100% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIRST 5 SOLANO (CHILD START INC) | NAPA, CA | $1,000,000 | 2025 | DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT |
| ACCESS ADVENTURE | FAIRFIELD, CA | $82,500 | 2025 | DONATION TO A SPECIFIC PROGRAM |
| VACAVILLE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB | VACAVILLE, CA | $50,000 | 2025 | DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT |
| CANINE COMPANIONS FOR INDEPENDENCE | SANTA ROSA, CA | $45,000 | 2025 | DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT |
| NAPA CASA | NAPA, CA | $40,000 | 2025 | DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT |
| VIA HEART PROJECT (NAPA POLICE DEPARTMENT) | SAN FRANCISCO, CA | $37,650 | 2025 | DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT |
| SHARE THE CARE NAPA VALLEY | NAPA, CA | $35,000 | 2025 | DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT |
| PARENTSCAN PARENT - NAPA VALLEY CHILD ADVOCACY NETWORK INCORPORATED | NAPA, CA | $30,000 | 2025 | DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT |
| LA LUZ CENTER | SONOMA, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT |
| VOENA | BENICIA, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT |
| SPIRITHORSE RIDING CENTER | AMERICAN CANYON, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT |
| NAPA EMERGENCY WOMEN'S SERVICES (NEWS) | NAPA, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT |
| UP VALLEY FAMILY CENTERS OF NAPA COUNTY | NAPA, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT |
| COPE FAMILY CENTER | NAPA, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT |
| YWCA - SONOMA COUNTY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICES | SANTA ROSA, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT |
| MENTIS NAPA | NAPA, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT. |
| TOURO UNIVERSITY CALIFORNIA | VALLEJO, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT |
| HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION NORTHERN SONOMA | HEALDSBURG, CA | $25,000 | 2025 | DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT |
| THE TIM & JEANNIE HAMANN FOUNDATION | BENICIA, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT |
| SUTTER SANTA ROSA REGIONAL HOSPITAL | SANTA ROSA, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT |
| HEALTHY VALLEJO COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES INC | VALLEJO, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT |
| MEALS ON WHEELS (SOLANO COUNTY) | FAIRFIELD, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT |
| YOLO COUNTY CASA (COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES) | WOODLAND, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT |
| CORAZON HEALDSBURG | HEALDSBURG, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT |
| CHILDREN'S NETWORK OF SOLANO COUNTY | FAIRFIELD, CA | $20,000 | 2025 | DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT |
| VALLEJO POLICE DEPARTMENT | VALLEJO, CA | $16,000 | 2025 | DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT |
| FAIRFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES FOUNDATION | FAIRFIELD, CA | $15,000 | 2025 | DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT |
| GEYSERVILLE EDUCATION FOUNDATION | GEYSERVILLE, CA | $11,409 | 2025 | DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT |
| HANDS ACROSS THE VALLEY | NAPA, CA | $11,000 | 2025 | DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT |
| NAPA VALLEY SUPPORT SERVICES | NAPA, CA | $10,125 | 2025 | DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT |
| FORGET ME NOT FARM CHILDREN'S SERVICE | SANTA ROSA, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT |
| SONOMA COUNTY PLUMFIELD ACADEMY | SEBASTOPOL, CA | $10,000 | 2025 | DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT |
| CENTER FOR VOLUNTEER & NONPROFIT LEADERS | SAN RAFAEL, CA | $8,000 | 2025 | DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT |
| FLORENCE DOUGLAS SENIOR CENTER | VALLEJO, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT |
| NAPA WILDLIFE RESUCE | NAPA, CA | $5,000 | 2025 | DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT |
| WEST SIDE UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT (WE ARE WESTSIDE) | HEALDSBURG, CA | $3,000 | 2025 | DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT |
| NAPA VALLEY BASEBALL ASSOCIATION | NAPA, CA | $1,540 | 2025 | DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT |
| NAPA HUMANE | NAPA, CA | $1,000 | 2025 | DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT |
| YOLO FOOD BANK | WOODLAND, CA | $75,000 | 2024 | DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT |
| VACAVILLE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB | VACAVILLE, CA | $50,000 | 2024 | DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT |
| ACCESS ADVENTURE | FAIRFIELD, CA | $50,000 | 2024 | DONATION TO A SPECIFIC PROGRAM |
| SUTTER SANTA ROSA REGIONAL HOSPITAL | SANTA ROSA, CA | $30,000 | 2024 | DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT |
| MENTIS NAPA | NAPA, CA | $26,000 | 2024 | DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT. |
| BAY AREA COMMUNITY RESOURCES | EL CERRITO, CA | $23,760 | 2024 | DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT |
| FLORENCE DOUGLAS SENIOR CENTER | VALLEJO, CA | $21,200 | 2024 | DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT |
| PARENTSCAN PARENT - NAPA VALLEY CHILD ADVOCACY NETWORK INCORPORATED | NAPA, CA | $20,000 | 2024 | DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT |
| SPIRITHORSE RIDING CENTER | AMERICAN CANYON, CA | $20,000 | 2024 | DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT |
| COMMUNITY RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN | NAPA, CA | $20,000 | 2024 | DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT |
| WOODLAND FOOD CLOSET | WOODLAND, CA | $20,000 | 2024 | DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT |
| HEALTHY VALLEJO COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES INC | VALLEJO, CA | $20,000 | 2024 | DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT |
FIRST 5 SOLANO (CHILD START INC)
$1,000,000DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT
ACCESS ADVENTURE
$82,500DONATION TO A SPECIFIC PROGRAM
VACAVILLE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB
$50,000DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT
NAPA CASA
$40,000DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT
VIA HEART PROJECT (NAPA POLICE DEPARTMENT)
$37,650DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT
SHARE THE CARE NAPA VALLEY
$35,000DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT
PARENTSCAN PARENT - NAPA VALLEY CHILD ADVOCACY NETWORK INCORPORATED
$30,000DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT
VOENA
$25,000DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT
SPIRITHORSE RIDING CENTER
$25,000DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT
DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT
TOURO UNIVERSITY CALIFORNIA
$25,000DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT
THE TIM & JEANNIE HAMANN FOUNDATION
$20,000DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT
SUTTER SANTA ROSA REGIONAL HOSPITAL
$20,000DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT
HEALTHY VALLEJO COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES INC
$20,000DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT
MEALS ON WHEELS (SOLANO COUNTY)
$20,000DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT
YOLO COUNTY CASA (COURT APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES)
$20,000DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT
CORAZON HEALDSBURG
$20,000DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT
VALLEJO POLICE DEPARTMENT
$16,000DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT
FAIRFIELD COMMUNITY SERVICES FOUNDATION
$15,000DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT
GEYSERVILLE EDUCATION FOUNDATION
$11,409DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT
HANDS ACROSS THE VALLEY
$11,000DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT
NAPA VALLEY SUPPORT SERVICES
$10,125DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT
FORGET ME NOT FARM CHILDREN'S SERVICE
$10,000DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT
SONOMA COUNTY PLUMFIELD ACADEMY
$10,000DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT
FLORENCE DOUGLAS SENIOR CENTER
$5,000DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT
NAPA WILDLIFE RESUCE
$5,000DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT
WEST SIDE UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT (WE ARE WESTSIDE)
$3,000DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT
NAPA VALLEY BASEBALL ASSOCIATION
$1,540DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT
NAPA HUMANE
$1,000DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT
VACAVILLE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB
$50,000DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT
ACCESS ADVENTURE
$50,000DONATION TO A SPECIFIC PROGRAM
SUTTER SANTA ROSA REGIONAL HOSPITAL
$30,000DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT
FLORENCE DOUGLAS SENIOR CENTER
$21,200DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT
PARENTSCAN PARENT - NAPA VALLEY CHILD ADVOCACY NETWORK INCORPORATED
$20,000DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT
SPIRITHORSE RIDING CENTER
$20,000DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT
WOODLAND FOOD CLOSET
$20,000DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT
HEALTHY VALLEJO COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES INC
$20,000DONATION FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT