About The Dawn Redwoods Trust
Values/ Mission
Through the incredible generosity of our Bohemian members, we provide a tax-deductible mechanism for our more fortunate members to provide assistance to members and communities in need. These vital lifelines ultimately help to preserve our unique arts-based institution.
History
The Dawn Redwoods Charitable Trust (DRT) was organized as a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization in 1983. Its purpose has always been to provide much-needed help to deserving Bohemians, their families, affiliated individuals, and nonprofit organizations primarily in the communities of San Francisco and Sonoma counties. Since its founding, the Trust has always operated as an entity independent of the Bohemian Club.
Governance
Board of Trustees – supports the mission of the DRT to preserve our unique Bohemian arts-based culture, typically by providing short-term support for those in need within our extended family (members, affiliated individuals and their families, as well as worthy charitable organizations in the greater San Francisco and Sonoma areas). The Trustees administer day-to-day activities of the DRT, including grant making, solicitation of contributions, stewardship of assets under management, and reporting on the DRT’s activities to the Bohemian community.
Trustees
David Hagerman, Chairman
Peter T. Allen, Charlie Baxter, Mike Bradley, Bill Dawson,
Dudley Fournier, Henry Hansel, Tom Montgomery, and Bob Stafford
Friends
Friends of the DRT – ambassadors for the DRT to the broader Bohemian community (members, affiliated individuals, and local charities) acting as the DRT’s eyes and ears with both donors and potential grantees.
Friends
Peter T. Allen, Chairman
Shelton Berg, Craig Collins, Jonathan Ferdon, Michael Friedman,
Richard Guggenhime, Joe Lerer, David Martin, Damian Marhefka, Josh Peckler,
Bill Prezant, Bruce Smith, Erich W. Stratmann, and Christian Valentine
Bohemians We've Helped
“Musical gigs dried up during the pandemic. None of us knew how long it would last. My income from performing suddenly ceased, so I started using my credit cards to cover living expenses. Next thing you know, I had upwards of $40,000 in debt and was paying exorbitant interest rates. The DRT assigned a case worker to me who helped me figure out how to pay down my credit card balances and reapportion some of my other assets, and mostly helped me to establish a budget that to this day has put me back above water. I am forever thankful for the DRT’s existence!”
Well known Bohemian musician
Grant Allocations
2023 Individual Grants
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Associate Members
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Other members
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Bohemian Families
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Affiliated Individuals
2023 Community Grants
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Arts-based - SF Bay Area
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Arts-based - Sonoma County
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Public Safety & Health Services – Sonoma County
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Local Charities - Monte Rio
Who we help
Individuals
Individual grants take many forms, but generally provide the grantee with monies to bridge them to a more financially-secure future. Grants are made quickly, often in a matter of days from the initial grant request, and are treated with the utmost confidentiality. The DRT has issued over 500 grants since its inception.
Individual grant examples:
- Tuition reimbursement
- Payment of unanticipated expenses (e.g., auto repair, hospital & doctor bills, home repair)
- Help in identifying possible solutions to cash flow issues
- Consulting regarding government assistance programs (e.g., MediCal, Social Security, VA housing, etc.)
- Supplemental short-term income to offset loss of job
- Bridge financing to anticipated future income
- Refinancing home and auto loan consulting
DRT grants CANNOT be used to pay Bohemian Club bills.
We're Here to Help
If you or someone you know has a need and may qualify for a DRT grant, please contact us here. Alternatively, please contact any of the DRT’s Trustees. Your inquiry will be kept in strict confidence. We provide emergency assistance for our Bohemian family both to benefit those in need, and by doing so, we also help to help preserve our Club’s unique culture.
Community Charities
The DRT also supports charitable organizations in the greater Bay Area and Sonoma County that align with Bohemia’s Four Pillars or provide our local communities with essential health, welfare, and human services. Ideally, we donate to organizations which support the arts and also involve Club members.
Community grant recipients (partial list)
