Monterey Peninsula Foundation General Grants

Application Process

Step 1: Pre-Application Preparation
1. Verify your organization's eligibility and that your request falls within foundation focus areas
2. Determine the right timeline for your organization to apply (Spring or Fall Cycle)
3. Schedule a brief meeting with staff to discuss your funding request:
- Contact: Ambry Capistrano at [email protected]
4. Review all application documents before starting:
- Grant Application Guide
- Applicable application template (General or Public K-12)

Step 2: Select Your Grant Cycle

All organizations must choose a "Home Cycle" before applying

Cycles are a strategic choice; consider which timeline best fits your organization

Adhere to respective dates for applications and reports for your chosen cycle

Step 3: Prepare Application Materials
Required documents and attachments:

Completed grant application (via online portal)

Financial documents (see budget requirements below)

All required attachments as specified in the online application

Organization budget and financial information

Program budgets and plans

Step 4: Submit Application
1. Access the Grant Portal at: https://montereypeninsulafoundation.org/grant-portal-login
2. Select the appropriate application type:
- Public K-12 Schools: Select "Public K-12 Application"
- All Other Organizations: Select "General Grant Application" (includes charter schools, private schools, school districts, nonprofits)
3. Complete all sections of the application
4. Attach all required financial and supporting documents
5. Submit before the deadline (December 1 for Spring; June 1 for Fall)
6. Important: Ensure application is complete before submission. Incomplete applications may be denied.

Step 5: Post-Submission

Add [email protected] to your approved emails list to prevent portal emails from going to spam

If you do not hear from staff within two months of submission, contact [email protected]

Application Review and Evaluation

Review Timeline:

Foundation staff review and evaluate applications as quickly as possible

Staff will contact you by email if additional materials or updates are needed

Decisions typically made within two months of deadline

Funding decision provided within one week of Grant Committee and Board approval or denial

Review Outcomes:
1. Approved for Grant Committee: Application moved forward for consideration
2. Declined Without Committee Review: Staff may decline applications that are very incomplete, not competitive, or ineligible (without Grant Committee review)
3. Site Visit: Foundation may conduct site visits to learn more about applicant organizations. Site visits do not guarantee funding.
4. Denial: Organizations that receive denial must wait one year before submitting a new application

Award Notification and Terms

If Approved:

Award email sent to primary contact within one week of funding decision

Email outlines terms and conditions of the grant

Funds must be used for the specific purpose outlined in the proposal and submitted budgets

Any requests for changes in use of funds must be submitted in writing (email preferred) and receive written Foundation approval

Funds not used as specified must be returned to the Foundation

If Denied:

Email sent to primary contact within one week of Board meeting

Staff available for follow-up call to discuss decision

Must wait one year before submitting new application

Grant Types and Budget Requirements

Three grant types available:
1. Program Grants: For specific programs or initiatives
- Budget to actual comparison required in final report
- Original request budget plus actual income and expenditures

2. Operating Support Grants: For general organizational operations
- Budget to actual comparison NOT required

3. Capital Grants: For capital improvements, equipment, facilities
- Budget to actual comparison required in final report

Matching or Multi-Year Grants:

Special reporting requirements noted on award email

Budget to Actual Format:

Must reflect original request (including all income and expenses)

Most common reporting error: failure to submit budget to actual based on original request

Sample Program Budget template available for reference (not required but recommended)

Reporting Requirements

Mandatory Reporting:

All grantees must complete grant reports for active (open) grants

Reports due on deadline specified in award email

Must complete report before new grant application will be considered

Missing deadline likely causes applicant to miss next Grant Cycle deadline

Incomplete reports may delay future application review or multi-year award payments

Report Components:
1. Narrative Section - Four Questions:
- What were the actual outcomes?
- What did your agency learn?
- How did your agency respond?
- How many constituents were served?

2. Financial Documents:
- For Program or Capital grants: Budget to actual comparison
- For Operating Support grants: Financial documents only (budget to actual not required)

Report Deadlines by Cycle:

Spring Cycle: December 1

Fall Cycle: June 1

Deadlines remain consistent each year

Extension Requests:

If not fully expended by report deadline, submit written request for extension via email

Extensions approved on case-by-case basis

Contact: Nancy Enterline, VP of Philanthropy - [email protected]

Cannot apply for new grant without completing previous grant report

Key Application Contacts

• Online Portal/Application Questions: [email protected] or 831.649.1533
• Eligibility Guidance: Ambry Capistrano - [email protected] or 831.649.1533
• Community Initiatives/Funding Strategies: Nancy Enterline - [email protected] or 831.649.1533
• Reporting Questions: Ambry Capistrano - [email protected] or 831.649.1533