CFMC: Community Enrichment Grant Program

The Community Enrichment Grant Program, established by the Community Foundation of Mendocino County, aims to support impactful projects within local communities. Since the early 2000s, it has provided annual grants targeting key issues across Mendocino County, prioritizing initiatives that benefit diverse populations and strengthen community partnerships. Eligible applicants include community groups with a shared mission and an advisory board, ensuring a collaborative approach to community development and enhancement.

Note: Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply at least 5days in advance of the deadline above  to resolve any technical difficulties or unforeseen internet connectivity issues.
Established in the early 2000s, the Community Enrichment Grant Program was established to make annual grants that support the enrichment of local communities in Mendocino County. The Community Enrichment Grant Program is funded by the Community Endowment Fund, a collection of permanent, undesignated endowment funds.
Purpose
The goal of the Community Enrichment Grant Program is to provide funding to support projects and programs with a broad reach and impact and also to proactively address key issues in each region of our county.
Priorities
Priority will be given to projects that:
Benefit the general public or a significant subgroup of the population –e.g. youth, seniors, Native or Latino community, or people with disabling conditions.Advance the applicant organization’s mission, vision, and long-term goals.Position the applicant organization to achieve the next level of operational, programmatic, financial, or organizational maturity, allowing it to fulfill its mission more effectively in the future.Develop stronger partnerships to catalyze growth and improve efficiency within the Mendocino County nonprofit sector.
Program grants
Strong proposals demonstrate that organizations are working in the context of the larger community and developing connections between diverse elements of the community. Proposals will be stronger if the program has a “multiplier” effect (e.g., funds that are used to improve education and also spur economic vitality of the community).
Applicants collaborating with other organizations to provide programs will need a letter of support from the partner group(s). For example, if offering an educational program in classrooms you will need a letter from the school and classroom teachers.
Capital grants
Proposals are limited to assisting with the initial design/plans or with the final phases of fundraising for building and renovation. Non-specific requests for large capital projects will not be considered (proposals for specific portions of capital campaigns are welcome.
Applicants must own the land/building and have investigated the necessary permits. The Community Foundation does not make grants to property not owned by applicant organization. A description and budget for the overall capital project are required in the application.
Equipment and technology grants
Proposals must demonstrate how the equipment will increase the organization’s ability to advance its mission. Software, apps, or website development costs are considered equipment projects.
Product specifications and cost estimates, as they are known at the time of the application, are required.

Eligibility

To be considered a community group eligible for grant programs at the Community Foundation, the community group must consist of at least three unrelated members (including volunteers) with a shared mission and vision for the group’s work. While under the auspices of the fiscal sponsor, the community group should have its own advisory board or steering committee of at least three unrelated community members that are reflective of the group’s mission and target population. Community groups that do not have an advisory board or steering committee are not eligible for Community Foundation grants.
The fiscal sponsor must meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the grant guidelines, including status as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit or other eligible legal entity.
The mission of the community group and the fiscal sponsor should be in alignment.The information provided for the organization in the application should be for the community group. This includes the community group’s financial information and list of advisory board and/or steering committee members.The Community Foundation will conduct due diligence on the community group and the fiscal sponsor. This may result in the Program Team requesting additional documents beyond those provided in the application if organizational information is not readily available on the fiscal sponsor’s website or GuideStar/ Candid profile. This can include information on finances, board of directors, programming, or mission for the fiscal sponsor.Grant projects may not personally benefit an individual or for-profit business.Grant projects funded through fiscal sponsors must have a clearly defined charitable purpose for community benefit. The Community Foundation will assess if the nature of the project is charitable and aligns with the grant program guidelines. Lack of clarity in charitable nature may result in the application being deemed ineligible.

Ineligibility

The following types of projects are typically not funded in the Community Enrichment Grant Program:
Religious organizations for purposes that only benefit their congregation or membership.Sports team travel, conference attendance, class trips (including college readiness programs), and similar expenses.Sponsorship of school assemblies and other one-day events (unless clear long-term impact) which may be eligible for funding under the Community Support Grant Program.Underwriting/sponsorship of performances or fundraising events. Funding for health and safety, alcohol and other drug prevention/intervention, mental healthcare services, or other basic day-to-day needs (food, housing, etc.) should apply to the Fund for Healthy and Inclusive Communities in the 2026 Field-of-Interest Grant Program
Applicants may not use grants for:
Purchases or activities that occur prior to grant decisions.Political contributions or to support political campaigns or lobbying.Influence over the outcome of or participation in any public election or to carry on, directly or indirectly, any voter registration drive.Purposes other than those which are religious, charitable, scientific, literary, or educational within the meaning of Section 170 (c)(2)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code.Federated appeals or organizations that collect funds for redistribution to other nonprofit groups.Projects designed to benefit an individual, including scholarships for individuals.Animal welfare projects.