Siembra Latinos Fund Grants

The Siembra Latinos Fund, initiated by local Latino leaders, aims to enhance the quality of life for the Latino community in Monterey County. The fund prioritizes economic mobility through leadership development, work experience, and educational support. Grants are available to 501(c)3 organizations and public agencies, promoting projects that foster community engagement and skills growth. Funded initiatives should align with the mission to create opportunities and improve livelihoods for Latino residents.

The Siembra Latinos Fund (SLF) was created by a group of local Latino leaders to inspire giving by and for Latinos and build on a culture of philanthropy. “Siembra” means “to sow” and the fund seeks to grow opportunity and improve the quality of life for the Latino Community in Monterey County.
Funding Priorities -2025
Leadership Development: Foster Latino leadership, community engagement that encourages participation in decision making, and create opportunities for Latinos.Work Experience: Gain an internship, grow professional networks, and increase core skills (problem solving, critical thinking, operation systems, data analysis and more).Education: English/Language Arts and Math on-grade proficiencies, especially at the 4th, 5th and 6th grade levels.
Types of Requests
Funding will be considered for the following types of requests:
Program support: for the expansion or refinement of existing programs, new programs that show the promise of impact and sustainability, and support for emergency or special circumstances. (e.g., wages, equipment)
Operating support: unrestricted grants to organizations that have a proven track record of community benefit.

Eligibility

Siembra Latinos grants are open to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations and public agencies serving Monterey County residents, predominantly Latino residents.All organizations applying for a grant must be current on reporting obligations for past CFMC grants.Only one application per grant cycle will be considered. Only one Siembra Latinos grant per organization will be awarded each calendar year.What grant funds may support:Pre-development or construction costs for facility construction or renovationMatching grants to leverage other fundingDevelopmental costs for new programsPersonnel expenses that relate to specific program goalsEquipment, materials and/or facilities expenses that directly benefit participants or are an identifiable part of a project

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