Volunteer Centers of Santa Cruz County
Based in Santa Cruz, California, Volunteer Centers of Santa Cruz County is a Form 990 public charity that connects people with opportunities to serve and operates community programs and partnerships. Its 2025 filing reports 56 grants totaling $1,443,247, with all reported grant dollars going to California recipients.
Volunteer Centers of Santa Cruz County at a glance
In short: Volunteer Centers of Santa Cruz County gave $1.4M across 56 grants in 2025 (avg $26K), mostly in California. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,443,247
- Grants made (2025)
- 56
- Average grant
- $25,772
- Median grant
- $16,947
- Total assets
- $1,679,535
- -20.3% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- California (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Volunteer Centers of Santa Cruz County
- Contact
Mailing address: 1740 17Th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Phone: (831) 427-5070
Website: https://scvolunteercenter.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Volunteer Centers of Santa Cruz County funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Dientes Community Dental Care ($91K). Together the top 10 received $676K.
Grant Size Distribution
56 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 48 grants of 56 (86%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
All grant dollars reported for 2025 went to California recipients; the reported state distribution also lists Minnesota at 0%. The organization’s website describes its service and community partnerships in Santa Cruz County.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 56 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
In 2025 it made 56 grants totaling $1.4M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Dientes Community Dental Care Santa Cruz, CA | General Support | $90,531 |
| Amah Mutsun Land Trust Santa Cruz, CA | General Support | $77,446 |
| Santa Cruz Welcoming Network Santa Cruz, CA | General Support | $75,097 |
| Coastal Watershed Council Santa Cruz, CA | General Support | $72,945 |
| Farm Discovery Watsonville, CA | General Support | $71,698 |
| Shared Adventures Santa Cruz, CA | General Support | $71,380 |
| Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Cruz County Santa Cruz, CA | General Support | $67,070 |
| Santa Cruz Children's Museum of Discovery Capitola, CA | General Support | $56,122 |
| Pajaro Valley Loaves and Fishes Inc Watsonville, CA | General Support | $49,115 |
| Theatre 831 Santa Cruz, CA | General Support | $44,392 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $1,679,535 | $6,480,291 | $6,486,416 | $1,443,247 | 56 | $79,009 |
| 2024 | $2,108,621 | $5,885,326 | $6,041,593 | — | — | $49,935 |
| 2023 | $1,749,488 | $5,156,052 | $5,085,372 | — | — | $875 |
| 2022 | $1,553,531 | $4,574,710 | $4,577,516 | — | — | $41,200 |
| 2021 | $1,597,747 | $4,311,993 | $4,255,343 | — | — | $49,975 |
| 2020 | $1,589,396 | $4,858,304 | $4,358,483 | — | — | $31,353 |
| 2019 | $1,267,077 | $4,109,884 | $4,155,145 | — | — | $70,449 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is to connect people for good, based on its view that meaningful service strengthens community and supports healthy lives. Its website describes work to inspire community participation, connect people with causes, and provide programs and partnerships that address community service gaps. Its 2024 filing describes centralized volunteer-program administration and counseling and employment skills for people with mental disabilities.
The 2025 grant list includes organizations whose work spans several areas. For example, Dientes Community Dental Care describes its mission as creating lasting oral health for low-income children, adults, and seniors. Coastal Watershed Council says it works to protect coastal watersheds, with a focus on the lower San Lorenzo River. Shared Adventures describes its work as improving quality of life for people with disabilities through recreation and access to the outdoors. Pajaro Valley Loaves and Fishes says it provides free food to people in need, including homeless, elderly, and disabled individuals and low-income families.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the organization reported 56 grants totaling $1,443,247. Grant amounts ranged from $5,215 to $90,531, with a median of $16,946. Listed recipients and amounts included Dientes Community Dental Care ($90,531), Amah Mutsun Land Trust ($77,446), Santa Cruz Welcoming Network ($75,097), Coastal Watershed Council ($72,945), Farm Discovery ($71,698), Shared Adventures ($71,380), and Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Cruz County ($67,070). The filing lists the purpose of these grants as general support.
The organization’s website identifies it as fiscal sponsor of Santa Cruz Gives, a campaign supporting multiple local nonprofits. Its 2024 filing states that Santa Cruz Gives donations are processed by the organization and that the grants reported on Schedule I represent pass-through donations. The available materials do not specify an application process, required materials, or a deadline for grant requests.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Karen Delaney as executive director; Tom Eagle and Rodney Sellers as co-presidents; Crystal Perez and Rick Zinman as co-vice presidents; Tori Nahnsen and Gisele Sasso as co-secretaries; Angela Cline as treasurer; Shawn Peterson as director of operations; and John Mizell as finance director.
Volunteer Centers of Santa Cruz County is led by Karen Delaney, Executive Director on every filing since 2019; 3 of 14 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Karen Delaney
Executive Director
On filings since 2019
36 hrs/week
$92K (2019) → $119K (2025)
Tom Eagle
Co-President
Director → Treasurer, 2023
Treasurer → Co-President, 2025
On filings since 2022
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rodney Sellers
Co-President
New on the 2025 filing
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Mizell
Finance Director
On filings since 2024
36 hrs/week
$21K (2024) → $79K (2025)
Shawn Peterson
Director of Operations
New on the 2025 filing
36 hrs/week
$125K (2025)
Daniel Moncino
Director
On filings since 2022
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amy Ivey
Director
New on the 2025 filing
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Katie Denbo
Director
New on the 2025 filing
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Angela Cline
Treasurer
Director → President, 2022
President → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tori Nahnsen
Co-Secretary
Director → Co-Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2019
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Crystal Perez
Co-Vice President
Director → Co-Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2022
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Maria Sanchez
Staff Representative
Director → Staff Representative, 2023
On filings since 2022
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gisele Sasso
Co-Secretary
New on the 2025 filing
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rick Zinman
Co-Vice President
New on the 2025 filing
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (15)
- Former: Ivey Amy (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Josh Stringari (2022–2024) — Director
- Former: Rachel Graham (2022–2024) — Secretary
- Former: Margaret Baron (2023–2024) — Finance Director
- Former: Paula Miller-Maxfield (2022–2023) — Vice President
- Former: Rachel Ostrander (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Richard Davis (2019–2022) — Secretary
- Former: Kathryn Sanchez (2021–2022) — Director of Finance
- Former: Barbara Bautz (2019–2021) — President
- Former: Jessyka Soto (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Melody Sharp (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Susan Cabrera (2019–2021) — Secretary
- Former: Trea Robinson (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Deb De La Luz (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Forrest Robinson (2019–2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $125K, to Shawn Peterson (Director of Operations). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Volunteer Centers of Santa Cruz County
How much does Volunteer Centers of Santa Cruz County give each year?
Volunteer Centers of Santa Cruz County gave $1.4M across 56 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990.
What is Volunteer Centers of Santa Cruz County's typical grant size?
Volunteer Centers of Santa Cruz County's median grant in 2025 was $16,947, and its average grant was $25,772, across 56 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Volunteer Centers of Santa Cruz County give grants?
Volunteer Centers of Santa Cruz County gives mostly in California: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Santa Cruz, CA (32 grants), Watsonville, CA (12 grants), Freedom, CA (2 grants) and Soquel, CA (2 grants).
Does Volunteer Centers of Santa Cruz County give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Volunteer Centers of Santa Cruz County's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (56 of 56) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Who are Volunteer Centers of Santa Cruz County's largest grantees?
Volunteer Centers of Santa Cruz County's largest 2025 grantees include Dientes Community Dental Care ($90,531), Amah Mutsun Land Trust ($77,446) and Santa Cruz Welcoming Network ($75,097), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 17% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Volunteer Centers of Santa Cruz County?
Volunteer Centers of Santa Cruz County reported $1.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $6.5M.
What does Volunteer Centers of Santa Cruz County fund?
The organization’s stated mission is to connect people for good, based on its view that meaningful service strengthens community and supports healthy lives. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Volunteer Centers of Santa Cruz County?
Volunteer Centers of Santa Cruz County has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check scvolunteercenter.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Volunteer Centers of Santa Cruz County's EIN?
Volunteer Centers of Santa Cruz County's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 94-1702678. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS May 15, 2020)
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Volunteer Centers of Santa Cruz County funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 18, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/volunteer-centers-of-santa-cruz-county-morg_64ff4e5c7aaa4bc1ad97b964d6b8fa0b
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_941702678_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Volunteer Centers of Santa Cruz County funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/volunteer-centers-of-santa-cruz-county-morg_64ff4e5c7aaa4bc1ad97b964d6b8fa0b},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-18. 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 Volunteer Centers of 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.
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