Community Foundation of San Carlos Grant

The Community Foundation of San Carlos, established in 2019, aims to enhance the quality of life in San Carlos through community-driven initiatives. With a $2M endowment, it supports nonprofits focused on sustainable solutions for local needs. The 2025 Grant Round prioritizes organizations that directly improve community well-being. Eligible applicants should have operating budgets under $1.5 million and demonstrate their impact. The foundation emphasizes general operating support to empower nonprofits in fulfilling their missions.

The Community Foundation of San Carlos was established in November 2019 with a $2M endowment from the City of San Carlos. The foundation was formed to make San Carlos an even better place to live, work, study and play for current and future generations. We want to amplify the impact of nonprofits serving the community.
The Community Foundation of San Carlos serves as a connector for the community and local organizations by identifying community needs, disseminating information and sharing resources. The Community Foundation maintains a non-profit directory and community calendar, administers a grant program, and serves as a connector for volunteers and connector for organizations. We address identified community needs by bringing together local nonprofits, service organizations, community leaders and local philanthropists to contribute time, in-kind goods & services, and financial resources to create sustainable solutions.
Community Grant
The Community Foundation of San Carlos envisions a place where all can thrive and all feel like they belong. We do this by supporting nonprofits in our area that meet the needs of the people who live, work, learn or play in San Carlos.
Priorities
The 2025 Grant Round will focus on funding local organizations that improve the quality of life for those in our community.
Purpose of Grants
Nonprofits know best how to use their funds, thus we support general operating expenses. You will be asked to state how you intend to use grant monies and to provide a report on the extent to which funds helped you reach your goals.

Eligibility

We encourage nonprofit organizations whose operating budgets were less than $1.5 million in the most recently completed fiscal year to apply. Financial and tax statements are required in the application.
The Applicant’s impact on our community is a critical factor, and applicants will be asked to share how they benefit our community.

Ineligibility

The Foundation will not fund the following:

• Organizations whose annual operating budget exceeds $1.5 million;
• Organizations whose main activity is fundraising;
• Private Foundations;
• Fundraising events;
• Political or religious activities;
• Deficit funding or cash reserves;
• Basic research