CFMC: Community Support Grant Program

The Community Support Grant Program by the Community Foundation of Mendocino County offers funding ranging from $500 to $1,000 for local educational opportunities and public events that benefit the community. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, tribes, and schools that serve Mendocino County residents. Grants are awarded based on alignment with the foundation's mission, community impact, planning quality, and outreach scope. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis, emphasizing the need for early submission.

NOTE: Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis as funding is available. Please apply at least four weeks in advance of the event.
The Community Foundation of Mendocino County supports local educational opportunities open to the public, and public events with broad community impact, that align with the Community Foundation’s strategic plan. Nonprofits, tribes, schools, special districts and organizations with a fiscal sponsor are eligible to apply for these small grants.
Each request is evaluated on:

• The alignment with the Community Foundation’s mission, vision, strategic plan, and current priorities.
• The impact the event will have on meeting immediate needs in Mendocino County.
• The quality of the planning.
• The scope of outreach in the broader community.
• Funding
• $500-$1,000

Eligibility

Applicant organizations must:serve residents of Mendocino County. Applicants not headquartered in Mendocino County must ensure that all grant dollars requested are spent within the County;be legally chartered in California and in possession of determination letter from the IRS declaring the organization a public charity that is exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3); or be a school district, tribe, or special district (e.g. community services, recreation, fire protection); or have an aligned mission with a fiscal sponsor; and,conduct business without discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, or religious affiliationOrganizations may receive no more than one community support grant per fiscal year.

Ineligibility

Applicants may not use grants for:political contributions or to support political campaigns or lobbying;influencing the outcome of or participate in any public election or to carry on, directly or indirectly, any voter registration drive;purposes other than those which are charitable, scientific, literary, or educational within the meaning of Section 170 (c)(2)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code;events that support a single beneficiary or organization, for which fundraising is the primary goal, or are for religious purposes; and,purposes other than those stated in the grant award.