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Children's Community Chest: Emergency Funds - Sierra Nevada Children's Services
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Children's Community Chest: Emergency Funds - Sierra Nevada Children's Services

Phone number
530-272-8866
Category
Children
Auto tags
child
emergency funds
nonprofit
community support
Eligibility
Children 0-18 in Nevada or Sierra County, CA; request must come from a public or nonprofit agency on the family's behalf
Auto Summary
Last-resort emergency fund for kids 0-18 in Nevada and Sierra Counties, CA. Awards $40-$500 for things like rent, utilities, car repairs, medical bills, counseling, sports, or summer camp. Requests must be submitted by a public or nonprofit agency (not the family directly) to cccrequests@sncs.org with documentation. Run by Sierra Nevada Children's Services (SNCS), 530-272-8866.
Value
$40-$500
Espanol
Fondos de Emergencia del Children's Community Chest - Servicios para Niños de Sierra Nevada — Programa que proporciona fondos de emergencia para niños en los condados de Nevada y Sierra que enfrentan dificultades financieras. Cubre asistencia de alquiler, transporte, servicios públicos, reparaciones de auto, costos médicos y campamentos de verano. Las solicitudes deben ser enviadas por agencias públicas o sin fines de lucro.
URL
https://www.sncs.org/resources.html
Last verified 2026-05-17. Program is active.

What it is

The Children's Community Chest is a small emergency fund for kids ages 0-18 in Nevada County and Sierra County, California. It's run by Sierra Nevada Children's Services (SNCS), a local nonprofit in Grass Valley. It pays for things that directly help a child when the family has nowhere else to turn. Awards run $40 to $500 per request. [Source: sncs.org/PDFs/Forms/Community_Chest_Application.pdf (accessed 2026-05-17)]
This is a fund of last resort. Before you apply, you need to have tried at least three other sources of help and been turned down.

Who qualifies

  • A child, ages 0-18, who lives in Nevada County or Sierra County, CA
  • The family is in financial need
  • At least three other sources of help have already been tried and could not cover the need
  • Important: The family cannot apply on their own. The request has to come from a public agency or nonprofit (school, social worker, case manager, clinic, county program, etc.) on the family's behalf. [Source: sncs.org/PDFs/Forms/Community_Chest_Application.pdf (accessed 2026-05-17)]

What it pays for

Money can go toward anything that meets a child's physical or emotional needs, including:
  • Emergency rent
  • Utility bills (to avoid shut-off)
  • Car repairs or transportation
  • Medical bills and counseling
  • Summer camp
  • Sports, dance, or other activities that build confidence
  • Other one-time needs at SNCS's discretion
Payment usually goes straight to the vendor (landlord, utility, mechanic, camp). Sometimes it can go to the family with a receipt afterward. [Source: sncs.org/PDFs/Forms/Community_Chest_Application.pdf (accessed 2026-05-17)]

How to apply

  1. Find a referring agency. Talk to a school counselor, social worker, case manager, family resource center, or any nonprofit you already work with. They will fill out the request.
  1. Document the need. You'll need a bill, written quote, eviction notice, or similar proof of the exact cost.
  1. Show you've tried elsewhere. The form asks for the names of three other places you contacted that could not help.
  1. The agency submits the request by emailing cccrequests@sncs.org or faxing 530-272-1354. SNCS aims for same-day turnaround when possible. [Source: cde.211connectingpoint.org/resource/66409567 (accessed 2026-05-17)]

Common pitfalls

  • Self-referrals are not accepted. A parent or guardian cannot send in the form themselves. Find a partnering agency first.
  • No proof, no payment. Bring the bill, the quote, or the notice. Verbal requests don't move forward.
  • It's a small fund. Awards are capped at $500 and the program is funded by donations, so money can run out. Apply for the most urgent piece of the problem.
  • You must have already tried other resources. "I don't know who else to ask" is not enough — call 211 first to map out what else is available.

Where to get help

Sierra Nevada Children's Services (SNCS)
420 Sierra College Drive, Suite 100, Grass Valley, CA
Phone: 530-272-8866
Email for Community Chest requests: cccrequests@sncs.org
Website: sncs.org/resources.html
Application form (PDF): sncs.org/PDFs/Forms/Community_Chest_Application.pdf
If you don't have a referring agency yet, call 211 (free, 24/7, confidential). They can connect you with a Nevada County agency that can submit the request for you.

Sources