Funding Amount

$2,000,000 total annual distribution

Deadline

May 31, 2026

53 days left

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Community Grant Program

Overview: Community Foundation Santa Cruz County awards approximately $2 million annually through their Community Grants cycle to support nonprofits addressing pressing local issues in Santa Cruz County.

Geographic Scope: Santa Cruz County, CA

Funding Priorities (2026):

  • 33% for Seniors, End-of-Life Care & Historic Preservation

  • 32% for Youth & Education

  • 13% for Environment

  • 7% for Women & Girls initiatives

  • 6% for Human Services

  • 3% for Arts, Culture & History

  • 3% for LGBTQ+ specific causes

  • 2% for Health

  • 1% for Community Development
  • Focus Areas: Education (including arts and environment), end-of-life care, historic preservation, human services

    Grantmaking Approach:

  • Flexible funding to support general operations of nonprofits

  • Preference for grants supporting general operations rather than specific projects

  • Consideration of alignment with funding areas, financial fit, organizational capacity for outcomes, and advancement of equity in Santa Cruz County

  • Active work to bridge donor interests with local nonprofit needs
  • Eligibility: By invitation. Invitations to participate are sent to selected organizations.

    Background: Since 1982, the Foundation has awarded nearly $300 million to community organizations. Funds come from endowed gifts given over four decades. The Foundation works with leaders of color to ensure funds address historic and current inequities.

    Contact: Kevin Heuer, Director of Engagement & Impact

  • Phone: 831.662.2030

  • Email: kheuer@cfscc.org

  • General: cfhelp@cfscc.org or 831.662.2000

  • Address: 7807 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA 95003

  • Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • How to Apply

    Application Process

    Invitation-Based: Invitations to participate in the Community Grants cycle are sent to selected organizations.

    Impact Profile Option: Organizations can complete an Impact Profile to share their organization's impact with the Foundation and its donors year-round.

    Impact Profile Requirements

    Eligibility:

  • Organization must be based in Santa Cruz County

  • Must have a minimum of one full year of demonstrated programmatic impact
  • Steps:
    1. Download the Impact Profile Instructional Worksheet
    2. Visit the online portal to access the Impact Profile form
    3. Sign up for portal login if you don't have one
    4. Complete and submit responses through the online form
    5. Responses are reviewed on a rolling basis and made available to donors

    Resources:

  • Impact Profile Instructional Worksheet available on website

  • Impact Profile FAQs available

  • Online portal for submission
  • Note: Completing an Impact Profile is not a grant request, but rather an opportunity to provide donors with information about your organization's impact.

    Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    nonprofitsseniorshospiceyouth-programseducationenvironmentwomenlgbtqhuman-servicesartscommunity-development

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