Community Grants Fund

Program Status: DISCONTINUED - The San Bruno Community Foundation has discontinued the Community Grants Fund and will not be offering the program in 2025-2026.

Previous Program Description:

• Responsive grantmaking program created in 2016
• Allowed local community groups to apply for grants of up to $25,000
• Supported new or existing programs benefiting San Bruno community

Funding Source:

• Funded by restitution funds from City of San Bruno's settlement with Pacific Gas & Electric Company following the 2010 gas pipeline explosion that devastated San Bruno's Crestmoor neighborhood

Most Recent Cycle (2024-2025):

• Award Amount: Multiple grants totaling $300,000
• Funding Period: 2025 calendar year
• Supporter: $100,000 grant from YouTube and Google.org
• Timeline: Application opened July 2024; deadline September 18, 2024; awards announced December 2024

Geographic Scope: San Bruno, CA

• Inclusive definition of "community" includes those who live, work, attend school, and utilize community and commercial resources in San Bruno

Eligible Applicants:

• 501(c)(3) public charities
• 501(c)(4), 501(c)(5), and 501(c)(6) organizations meeting public support tests per IRC 509(a)(2)
• Governmental units described in IRC 170(b)(1)(A)

Ineligible Organizations:

• 509(a)(3) supporting organizations
• 509(a)(4) organizations (testing for public safety)
• Political organizations
• Religious institutions and private schools
• Organizations that unlawfully discriminate
• Individuals

Funding Priorities - Focus Areas:

• Publicly owned community facilities
• Community health and safety
• Sports and recreation
• Education
• Youth activities
• Public spaces, parks, and open space
• Community building
• Human and social services for all
• Economic vitality
• Intra-San Bruno transit
• Healthy, stable, and affordable housing

Activities Eligible for Funding:

• Programmatic Support: One-time projects, ongoing programs, or capital projects
• Capacity-Building Support: To assist organizations in carrying out their mission more effectively

Activities NOT Funded:

• Existing deficits
• Direct contributions to restricted endowments
• Lobbying or political activity
• Religious activity that government agencies are legally prohibited from funding

Grant Terms:

• Grant Size: Up to $25,000 per grant per cycle; Foundation retains discretion
• Single organization may apply for multiple programs (separate application required for each)
• Single organization unlikely to receive funding for more than one program in given grant cycle
• Grants to be used within one-year period
• Organizations may apply for same program for up to three consecutive years
• After three years of consecutive funding, organization must wait at least one year before reapplying for that program
• After three-year cycle, organization may apply for different program in fourth year

Grant Conditions:

• Within 60 days of grant conclusion, provide year-end report documenting fund use and programmatic accomplishments
• Acknowledge The San Bruno Community Foundation on all printed materials and publicity
• Immediately notify Foundation of: (1) changes in tax-exempt status; (2) inability to expend grant for specified purposes; (3) expenditures for unintended purposes
• Provide requested documentation including financials or tax-exempt status evidence
• Within 60 days, report major changes in personnel/volunteers affecting program delivery

Contact Information:

• Email: grants@sbcf.org
• Phone: (650) 763-0775
• Address: 901 Sneath Lane, Ste. 209, San Bruno, CA 94066

Application Process (2024-2025 Cycle - Now Closed)

Note: This program has been discontinued and will not be offered in 2025-2026.

Previous Application Timeline:

• July 2024: Application period opens
• August 15 and September 3, 2024: Grant Workshops
• September 18, 2024, 5:00 p.m.: Application deadline
• December 2024: Award notifications
• 2025: Funding period

Application Steps:

1. Attend Optional Workshop
   • Grant workshops provided instruction on completing applications
   • Slides and materials available for download
2. Complete Online Application Form
   • Must be submitted through online form; paper submissions not accepted
   • Separate application required for each program

Required Application Materials:

• One-Page Information Sheet (available in English and Spanish)
• Application Guide (step-by-step instructions)
• Sample Application (printable checklist and questions)
• Completed online application form
• Program budget substantiating requested grant amount

Application Content:

• Organization information
• Program description
• Community benefit explanation
• Alignment with Foundation focus areas
• Program methodology
• Detailed budget
• Organization track record, stability, and financial health documentation

Evaluation Criteria:

• Benefits of proposed program to San Bruno community
• Proposal's alignment with Foundation focus areas
• Program methodology and budget
• Requested grant amount in relation to anticipated community benefit
• Organization's track record, stability, and financial health

Resources Available:

• Application Guide
• Sample Application
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• Grant Workshop presentation slides
• One-Page Information Sheet (English and Spanish)