"We Are Proud to Make this Investment"
Napa Valley Vintners Recognize Cope's Impact
For over 15 years, Cope has been one of the nonprofit recipients of the funds raised at the Napa Valley Vintners’ (NVV) annual Auction Napa Valley. Becky Peterson, NVV’s Member and Community Relations Director, explained, “The event raises enough money to grant about $9 million dollars into the community every year. We provide funding to about 25 different nonprofits. They are all strong and Cope is one of the strongest. Cope has had consistently good management, foresight and strategic thinking. We’ve always been happy with the results and the impact in the community.”
"When I first learned about what Cope was doing, I was really excited to be a part of it."
Becky recognizes the importance of Cope’s work from both a personal and professional perspective. “When I first learned about what Cope was doing, I was really excited to be a part of it. My stepfather was an alcoholic and I was abused as a child. All through elementary school, it was a frightful and horrible time. My mother had to pack up and leave in the middle of the night to leave that abusive situation. I was able to overcome these experiences with a lot of love and support from many people. I know from personal experience that the work that Cope is doing in the community warrants a donation on a purely human level. No one should have to live like that.”
“On an investment level, the impact Cope has on our community is huge. They look at what the real needs are and address them. They make sure that what they are doing has great impact and if not, they change the program and find another way to fill the need. That’s the kind of people you want working with money you’ve invested to make a difference in the community.”
Becky explained the importance of working with trusted nonprofits like Cope. “Since 2012, we have been granting unrestricted funds. Research has shown that is the way to really affect nonprofits. We look at what the need is in the community, whose mission serves that need and who best is fulfilling that mission. Rather than restricting funds for specific purposes, we trust the grantees to fulfill their mission and have the greatest impact they can. To ensure that happens, we have strict requirements about to whom we give money to.”
Because of Cope’s transparency, innovation and demonstrated impact, Cope has earned the trust of the NVV. “We started a multiyear grant program three years ago,” Becky said. “Cope was one of the first to receive that. We knew they had a plan for the next three years of how they were going to invest that money and we trusted them to do it.”
Because of Cope's transparency, innovation and demonstrated impact, Cope has earned the trust of the Napa Valley Vintners.
In addition to supporting our work of serving families who come through our doors today, NVV is committed to helping us engage the community in advocacy efforts to help create long-term positive change for families. “Cope has really been a leader for other nonprofits to see how to best affect the long-term needs of their clients. You can serve your clients right now but in the long run, you want to be able to affect systemic change.”
With NVV’s support, Cope is leading a variety of community education campaigns, including advocacy training for nonprofit professionals. “Teaching others how to be advocates for legislative change is hugely important because many voices are louder than just one. We trust Cope to do that because they have demonstrated they can be leaders in this field. We are proud to make this investment.”
We are grateful to Becky and to the entire NVV staff and Board for their commitment to building a strong community and are proud to be an recipient of their generosity. Together, we will continue helping families today and for generations to come.
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This story is featured in our 2017 Impact Report. You can view the full digital report to learn more about Cope's impact and read more featured stories like this one.