Burney Regional Community Fund

The Burney Regional Community Fund is a community-advised fund managed by the Community Foundation of the North State. It was established to address a wide range of community needs within the geographic boundaries of the Fall River Joint Unified School District, which includes the communities of Burney, Cassel, Fall River Mills, Hat Creek, McArthur, and Old Station. The fund originated from a seed gift provided by Pattern Energy Group LLC, the developer of the Hatchet Ridge Wind Farm. The fund's mission is to foster a lasting philanthropic presence in the region and to strengthen the social and economic fabric of these rural Northern California communities. Grants from the Burney Regional Community Fund are intended for general support purposes, allowing applicants the flexibility to address needs specific to their communities and organizations. While the fund is open to a broad spectrum of community-driven projects and initiatives, certain uses are explicitly excluded from funding. These include grants to or for schools or organizations that directly serve schools, individuals, churches, land or building purchases, costs incurred before the grant contract is signed, and any organization with outstanding grant reports due to the Community Foundation. Eligible applicants include organizations holding a 501(c)(3) public charity status, public entities such as counties, special districts, or federally recognized tribes, and projects or programs that are fiscally sponsored by a qualifying nonprofit or public entity. All applicants must serve the greater Burney area as defined by the school district boundaries. Funding requests must fall within the range of $1,000 to $7,500. The application process is structured to ensure transparency and provide reviewers with a comprehensive understanding of the applicant's work. Required application components include an organizational summary, a detailed plan for how the grant funds will be used, financial statements such as an income and expense statement and balance sheet, a board member list, and a high-resolution photo that represents the organization's work. Applicants who are fiscally sponsored must also provide financial documentation for both their sponsor and the specific project. Applications for the Spring 2026 grant cycle will open in mid-January. Once submitted, the review process may take up to three months. If awarded, the grant performance period will run from approximately April 2026 through April 2027. It is important to note that expenses incurred prior to the beginning of the grant period are not eligible for reimbursement. Grant recipients are expected to use the funding during the stated performance period and comply with reporting requirements. Overall, the Burney Regional Community Fund represents a targeted effort to empower the residents and organizations of a specific rural region in Northern California. With an emphasis on flexibility, community relevance, and long-term impact, the fund offers critical support for grassroots efforts that aim to improve the quality of life across the six eligible communities.