Northern Monterey County Foundation Grant

The Northern Monterey County Foundation Grant, established in 2016, aims to support nonprofit organizations addressing community needs in Northern Monterey County. Grants are available for program, operating, and capital support, with a focus on projects that demonstrate sustainability and impact. Eligible applicants include 501(c)3 nonprofits and public programs. The grant prioritizes initiatives benefiting local communities like Castroville and Pajaro, while excluding funding for political, religious, or individual efforts.

Northern Monterey County Foundation Grants
Founded in 2016, the Northern Monterey County Foundation (NMCF) is an affiliate fund of the Community Foundation for Monterey County.
Each year, the NMCF determines where its available grant dollars can be placed for greatest impact on our communities’ highest priority needs. Using these grantmaking guidelines, the NMCF Advisory Board, made up of community volunteers, will carefully review grant applications and recommend a slate of grants once a year to the CFMC board, which has final authority in grant decisions
Guidelines
The NMCF seeks to support nonprofit organizations that have the leadership and capacity to provide important community resources and services in Northern Monterey County communities. Funding will be considered for the following types of requests:
Program Support: for the expansion or refinement of existing programs, as well as new programs that show the promise of impact and sustainabilityOperating Support: unrestricted grants to organizationsCapital Support: for cost associated with buildings and/or facilities

Eligibility

Grants will only be considered for projects and programs serving the Northern Monterey County communities of Aromas, Bolsa Knolls, Boronda, Castroville, Elkhorn, Las Lomas, Moss Landing, Oak Hills, Pajaro, Prunedale, Royal Oaks or Santa Rita.501(c)3 nonprofit organizationsPublic programs, such as school activities and programs not included in normal curricula, parks, public health, etc.Church-sponsored activities with benefits to the entire community (e.g. a food pantry)Organizations and collaboratives that are not legally incorporated—for these, CFMC requires an agreement with a “Fiscal Sponsor” defined as a tax exempt 501(c)3 organization accountable for financial management of the grant.Organization may only submit one application. However, if an organization is serving as a fiscal sponsor for a collaborative or unincorporated group, they can also apply for a grant to benefit their organization.

Ineligibility

What Grant Funds Will Not Support:Projects that discriminate or with political or partisan purposesReligious activities or services that are non-secular and/or promote a religious doctrineFunding to schools and public agencies that would supplant tax-supported, mandated servicesIndividual sports teamsAnnual fundraising campaigns or eventsCreation of, or addition to, endowment fundsPayment of debt or legal settlementsExpenses incurred prior to the grant award dateAttendance at conferences for staff or volunteersResearch projectsGrants to provide college or other educational scholarships to individualsGrants to provide financial assistance directly to individuals