Board Empowerment Grant Program

The Board Empowerment Grant Program, piloted by the Community Foundation for Monterey County in partnership with The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, aims to enhance nonprofit board leadership in Monterey County. This program offers a $5,000 unrestricted grant along with nine months of focused consulting and coaching. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations committed to systemic change, with a requirement for board participation. The initiative seeks to empower boards to drive impactful changes in their organizations.

The Foundation makes grants to create healthy, safe, vibrant communities in Monterey County and beyond.
Board Empowerment Program
CFMC’S Center for Nonprofit Excellence will pilot the Board Empowerment Program in 2025 with support from The David and Lucile Packard Foundation. The purpose is to strengthen the organizational impact of vital Monterey County nonprofits through effective and empowered board leadership. This innovative opportunity combines a $5,000 unrestricted grant with focused consulting, accountability and a cohort of other local nonprofits working on similar board projects.
Description
Support to make meaningful changes in board structure, policy, or practices for a more effective, empowered board of directors. Includes: Unrestricted operating grant to support the organization's participation (team of Executive Director & Board Chair), 9 months of focused guidance and coaching with Dr. Lydia Hughes-Evans of Pure Momentum Consulting, 3 cohort convenings (in person).

Eligibility

501(c)3 nonprofit organizations with a mission of vital importance to the communities of Monterey County are encouraged to apply, including areas of the County that have been historically under-invested.Organizations must have had a Board of Directors in place for at least two years.The Board Chair and Executive Director can dedicate time to participate in the program together (roughly five hours per month).The Board of Directors must be open, ready and committed to systemic changes with time available to devote to the program.Applicants must demonstrate a significant agency-wide commitment to the success of their identified goals. Teams can expect to dedicate five hours per month to the program.Applicants may have a current or recent Organizational Development grant as long as it does not duplicate the type of support offered through the Board Empowerment Program.Organizations must be current on reporting obligations for past Community Foundation competitive grants of any type.

Ineligibility

Fiscally sponsored organizations are not eligible.Businesses and individuals are not eligible (except for social enterprises associated with a nonprofit).While schools, faith-based organizations (for secular programs) and public agencies are eligible to apply for a grant from the CFMC, grants are infrequently awarded to such organizations due to our limited funds.