Organizational Development (OD) Grants

The Community Foundation for Monterey County offers Organizational Development (OD) Grants to enhance the capacity of nonprofits in the region. These grants support strategic projects that address unique management challenges and improve internal operations. Eligible organizations include 501(c)3 nonprofits and fiscally-sponsored groups. Recent projects have demonstrated significant impacts, such as improved volunteer engagement and successful leadership transitions, highlighting the foundation's commitment to fostering healthy, vibrant communities in Monterey County.

NOTE: We require you to speak with our staff before submitting an Organizational Development grant application.
The Community Foundation for Monterey County (CFMC) embraces a countywide vision of Healthy, Safe and Vibrant communities. The CFMC’s grant programs focus on the people and places of Monterey County, California, highlighting impact and seeking measurable results. CFMC’s Organizational Development (OD) Grants can help organizations make progress in addressing unique, non-recurring management or leadership situations or to significantly strengthen their internal functioning and therefore ability to advance their mission.
Grant Awards
Organizational Development (OD) Grants support focused, strategic projects that strengthen a nonprofit’s ability to be resilient now and in the future.
Through a boost from an Organizational Development (OD) grant, Monterey County nonprofits can make progress on unique, non-recurring management or leadership situations.
Recent Examples of Successful Projects:
An established organization significantly grew volunteer and donor engagement by investing in CRM (Customer Relationship Management) improvements and staff training to implement the new system. Upgrading from manual to automated systems resulted in organizational efficiencies that allowed more time to accomplish its mission.
A growing organization with a history of community impact designed a comprehensive project with a professional consultant to guide its staff and board through a founder’s leadership transition. The consultant mentored incoming leaders and facilitated a program of transition for continuity and institutional knowledge.
An emerging organization received funding for a consultant to facilitate its first-ever strategic planning process. The board identified five priority areas and created work groups around them. As a result, members felt energized and more connected to each other and the mission and vision of the organization.
Characteristics- Proposals meet eligibility requirements and
Demonstrate a vision for organizational growth.Clearly describe what will be different about the organization as a result of the capacity building project and how success will be measured.
Include realistic budgets that demonstrate comprehensive support for the project’s success.
Detail a plan that makes sense with the necessary financial and human resources for implementation.
Leaders take an active role and are guided by assessment, feedback, learning and improvement.

Eligibility

501(c)3 nonprofit organizations, fiscally-sponsored organizations, and occasionally, other (unincorporated) public benefit organizations serving Monterey County residents.
Fiscal sponsors may submit applications for more than one sponsored group, as well as applications for their own organization.
Individual organizations within a collaborative applying for a grant may also apply for their own Organizational Development grant, as long as it is not for the same project as that of the collaborative.
Organizations may receive a Community Impact grant, Opportunity grant, and an Organizational Development grant in the same calendar year, as long as the grants are not for the same purpose.Businesses and individuals are not eligible, with the exception of social enterprises associated with a local nonprofit.

Ineligibility

Exclusions:Fees associated with incorporating as a new nonprofit organization.Expenses incurred prior to the grant award date.Routine operating or program expenses, including printing costs or programmatic staff time.Consulting or training that duplicates services offered through other CFMC activities.Fundraising campaigns or events. Note: fund development planning and feasibility studies are eligible.Creation of, or addition to, an endowment fund.Academic research. Note: applied research, needs assessment, etc. are eligible.Funding to K-12 schools and public agencies that would supplant tax-supported, mandated services or for the acquisition or renovation of facilities.Activities that are non-secular or promote a religious doctrine.Political or partisan purposes.Payment of debt or legal settlements.CFMC does not support organizations that discriminate in their employment practices, volunteer opportunities, or delivery of programs and services on the basis of race, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristics protected by law.Businesses and individuals are not eligible, with the exception of social enterprises associated with a local nonprofit.