Community Foundation Santa Cruz County
Community Foundation Santa Cruz County is a public charity based in Aptos, California. Founded in 1982, it brings together donors, ideas, and resources to support organizations and community needs in an individual recipient County and beyond.
Community Foundation Santa Cruz County at a glance
In short: Community Foundation Santa Cruz County gave $20.7M across 303 grants in 2024 (avg $68K), mostly in California. 18% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $20,690,367
- -16.8% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 303
- -10.9% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $68,285
- -6.6% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $252,472,451
- +13.0% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 18% first-time grantees (54 of 301, 2024)
- Primary geography
- California (77% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Community Foundation Santa Cruz County
- Contact
Mailing address: 7807 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA 95003
Phone: (831) 662-2000
Website: https://cfscc.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
12 open opportunities from Community Foundation Santa Cruz County
Barbara J. Thompson Scholarship Grant
Community Foundation Santa Cruz County
Amount
Up to US $1,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
CFSCC Community Grants
Community Foundation Santa Cruz County
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Community Foundation Santa Cruz County: Environmental Scholarship Grant
Community Foundation Santa Cruz County
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Community Foundation Santa Cruz County funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was American Online Giving Foundation Inc ($2.8M). Together the top 10 received $8.8M.
Organizations only. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($28,503), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
1,506 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 1,084 grants of 1,506 (72%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s stated vision centers on an individual recipient County. Its 2024 filing says grants go to organizations in the county and beyond. In 2024, 77% of grant dollars went to California recipients; the filing also reports awards to recipients in Delaware, Florida, Texas, and Washington, D.C.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 303 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Community Foundation Santa Cruz County open to new grantees?
18%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 54 of 301 grantees (18%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $36K; repeat grants $76K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $23K repeat.
- 72% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2021 to 2024 (−10%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $11.9M (2019) to $31.9M (2022). In 2024 it made 303 grants totaling $20.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| American Online Giving Foundation Inc Newark, DE | General Operating Support, Recognition of Employee Service Hours | $2,808,979 |
| Land Trust of Santa Cruz County Santa Cruz, CA | General operating support, beach ranch project, circle p ranch | $1,260,876 |
| Catholic Charities Diocese of Monterey Seaside, CA | General Operating Support, CZU Support & Case Management | $1,063,000 |
| The 418 Project Santa Cruz, CA | General Operating Support, Secret Santa, Rise Together Investment | $937,047 |
| Pajaro Valley Healthcare District Project (DBA Watsonville Community Hospit Watsonville, CA | General Operating Support | $554,500 |
| Cal Poly Foundation San Luis Obispo, CA | Thomas mackin fund, cal poly farm store, center for innovation and entrepreneurship | $505,000 |
| Cabrillo College Foundation Aptos, CA | General operating support, wes, emergency fund, cap, & more | $457,993 |
| Santa Cruz Shakespeare Santa Cruz, CA | General Operating Support, Capital Campaign | $430,595 |
| Uc Santa Cruz Foundation Santa Cruz, CA | General Operating, Humanities Institute, Arboretum, Seymour Marine Center | $400,000 |
| Santa Cruz Community Health Santa Cruz, CA | General Operating Support, Adolescent Opioid Use Disorder | $367,673 |
Ready to take the next step with Community Foundation Santa Cruz County?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $252,472,451 | $46,923,526 | $26,928,132 | $20,690,367 | 303 | $9,904,754 |
| 2023 | $223,502,260 | $50,381,031 | $28,633,788 | $24,869,923 | 340 | $5,363,749 |
| 2022 | $185,548,177 | $40,392,988 | $36,616,478 | $31,870,699 | 310 | $2,531,136 |
| 2021 | $201,628,792 | $52,106,005 | $28,345,501 | $22,910,960 | 287 | $6,995,910 |
| 2020 | $166,657,786 | $38,636,181 | $24,905,321 | $20,007,661 | 266 | $3,691,736 |
| 2019 | $147,953,324 | $24,151,336 | $15,388,344 | $11,867,155 | 234 | $4,652,853 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is to bring together people, ideas, and resources to inspire philanthropy and accomplish great things. Its vision is for an individual recipient County to thrive for everyone who calls it home, now and in the future.
Its 2024 filing identifies six core grantmaking fields: arts, history and culture; community development; education and youth services; environment; health; and human services. The filing says its donor-advised and discretionary funds support tax-exempt nonprofits, charitable organizations, and public-sector service agencies in an individual recipient County and beyond.
Examples of grantees illustrate the range of organizations supported. The Land Trust of an individual recipient County describes its mission as protecting, caring for, and connecting people to natural and working lands. The 418 Project says it supports emerging artists and communities to create a world with more belonging. Cabrillo College Foundation says it supports scholarships, emergency student aid, mentoring, youth access to college, and academic programs and facilities.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 303 grants totaling $20,690,367. Grant amounts ranged from $5,179 to $2,808,979, with a median of $20,000. Its website reported that it awarded $31.7 million in grants and scholarships in 2025, with 68% of grant funds staying local. In a separate announcement, the foundation said it awarded $2.1 million in 2026 Community Grants to 103 nonprofit organizations.
Among the largest 2024 grants were $1,260,876 to the Land Trust of an individual recipient County for general operating support and projects; $1,063,000 to Catholic Charities Diocese of Monterey for general operating support and CZU support and case management; and $937,047 to The 418 Project for general operating support and other purposes. Other large awards included $554,500 to an individual recipient Healthcare District Project, $505,000 to Cal Poly Foundation, and $457,993 to Cabrillo College Foundation.
The foundation’s Community Grants program describes a commitment to multiple-year, unrestricted awards in priority funding areas. Its program information says requests are invited from organizations where funding is available, and encourages organizations that have not received an invitation but believe their work aligns with priorities to contact the foundation. The program listing describing $1.2 million for youth education, seniors, and human services was updated in May 2025; it should not be treated as a current application cycle. The Opioid Settlement Funds Round 2 program described $810,000 for work in prevention, early intervention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery in an individual recipient County, with distribution planned for spring 2026; that date has passed.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Jim Weisenstein as president, Trevor Strudley as vice president, Kirk Schmidt as treasurer, and Chris Murphy as secretary. It also lists Rob Allen, Audries Blake, Gina Castaneda, Liliana “Lili” Diaz, Lawrence “Larry” Donatoni, and Doug Fischer as board members.
Community Foundation Santa Cruz County is led by Susan True, Chief Executive Officer since 2024 (on filings since 2019); 5 of 21 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Susan True
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Executive Officer → CEO, 2021
CEO → Chief Executive Officer, 2024
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$219K (2019) → $292K (2024)
Jim Weisenstein
President
Director → Treasurer, 2020
Treasurer → President, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tim Carson
Program Director
Program Director - Rwmf → Program Director, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
$131K (2019) → $165K (2024)
Hilary Shuman-Bryant
Donor Services Director
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$166K (2024)
Alexandra Urbick
Controller
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$146K (2023) → $162K (2024)
Sabine Dukes
Chief Operating & Finance Officer
Chief Operating & Financial Officer → Chief Operating, Financial Officer & Treasurer, 2023
Chief Operating, Financial Officer & Treasurer → Chief Operating & Finance Officer, 2024
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$98K (2022) → $225K (2024)
Kirk Schmidt
Treasurer
Director → Board Member, 2021
Board Member → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Liliana 'lili' Diaz
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2021
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rogelio Ponce Jr.
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2021
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sandy Skees
Board Member
Director → Board Member, 2021
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Trevor Strudley
Vice President
Director → Board Member, 2021
Board Member → Vice President, 2022
On filings since 2019
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chris Murphy
Secretary
Director → Board Member, 2021
Board Member → Secretary, 2022
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Gina Castaneda
Board Member
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Doug Fischer
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lawrence 'larry' Donatoni
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Maria Elena De La Garza
Board Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Audries Blake
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Fraser
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Rob Allen
Board Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ed Newman
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Samuel Pun
Board Member
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (26)
- Former: David Doolin (2019–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Julie Haff (2019–2023) — President
- Former: James C. Thompson (2022–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Kevin Heuer (2022–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Lisa Lurie (2022–2023) — Secretary
- Former: Sierra Ryan (2022–2023) — Board Member
- Former: Heidi Luckenbach (2023) — Board Member
- Former: Robert Swartz (2023) — Employee
- Former: Sam Leask (2019–2022) — Philanthropic Services Director
- Former: Susan Farrar (2019–2022) — Chief Operating & Financial Officer
- Former: Piret Harmon (2022) — Secretary
- Former: Shuman-Bryant Hilary (2022) — Donor Services Director
- Former: Emily J. Buchbinder Esq. (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Freny Cooper (2019–2021) — Vice President
- Former: Janet Heien (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Judy Franich (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Tonee Picard (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Donna Ziel (2021) — Chair
- Former: Jim Brown (2021) — Chair
- Former: Jim Thompson (2021) — Chair
- Former: Lawrence 'lary'donatoni (2021) — Board Member
- Former: Fred Keeley (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Larry Donatoni (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Marilyn Calciano (2019–2020) — Immediate Past President
- Former: Carlos J. Palacios (2019) — Director
- Former: Darcelle Pruitt (2019) — Senior Planner
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $292K, to Susan True (Chief Executive Officer). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Community Foundation Santa Cruz County
How much does Community Foundation Santa Cruz County give each year?
Community Foundation Santa Cruz County gave $20.7M across 303 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $24.9M across 340 grants.
What is Community Foundation Santa Cruz County's typical grant size?
Community Foundation Santa Cruz County's median grant in 2024 was $20,000, and its average grant was $68,285, across 303 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Community Foundation Santa Cruz County that year got $36K on average.
Where does Community Foundation Santa Cruz County give grants?
Community Foundation Santa Cruz County gives mostly in California: 77% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Delaware (14%). The most frequent recipient cities were Santa Cruz, CA (85 grants), Watsonville, CA (40 grants), San Francisco, CA (13 grants) and Washington, DC (11 grants).
Does Community Foundation Santa Cruz County give general operating support?
Yes: 75% of Community Foundation Santa Cruz County's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (227 of 303) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Who are Community Foundation Santa Cruz County's largest grantees?
Community Foundation Santa Cruz County's largest 2024 grantees include American Online Giving Foundation Inc ($2,808,979), Land Trust of Santa Cruz County ($1,260,876) and Catholic Charities Diocese of Monterey ($1,063,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. It also paid 2 grants to individuals ($28,503), which are not listed by name. Together they received 25% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Community Foundation Santa Cruz County?
Community Foundation Santa Cruz County reported $252.5M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $46.9M.
What does Community Foundation Santa Cruz County fund?
The foundation’s mission is to bring together people, ideas, and resources to inspire philanthropy and accomplish great things. Its vision is for an individual recipient County to thrive for everyone who calls it home, now and in the future. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Community Foundation Santa Cruz County?
Community Foundation Santa Cruz County has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check cfscc.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Community Foundation Santa Cruz County's EIN?
Community Foundation Santa Cruz County's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-2808039. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS December 15, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work Community Foundation Santa Cruz County funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Community Foundation Santa Cruz County's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Community Foundation Santa Cruz County funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/community-foundation-santa-cruz-county-morg_2578c19c07514499847a475b35321aa5
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_942808039_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Community Foundation Santa Cruz County funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/community-foundation-santa-cruz-county-morg_2578c19c07514499847a475b35321aa5},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-20. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Community Foundation Santa Cruz County's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Community Foundation Santa Cruz County down — hundreds of funders to go?