The Fund for Homeless Women Grant

The Fund for Homeless Women Grant aims to support programs and services for homeless women on the Monterey Peninsula, with a focus on emergency assistance and innovative housing solutions. Grants of up to $50,000 will address critical needs such as shelter, transportation, and personal care, while also promoting inter-agency collaborations. The initiative seeks to reduce the number of women in danger each night by enhancing access to safety and supportive services. Funding is available to 501(c)3 nonprofits and public agencies.

About the Fund for Homeless Women
The Fund for Homeless Women is a field of interest fund of the Community Foundation for Monterey County (CFMC) established to support programs and services for homeless women on the Monterey Peninsula.
The Fund for Homeless Women supports programs and services for homeless women on the Monterey Peninsula. In its initial years, the Fund supported both emergency assistance (e.g., temporary motel lodging, transportation expenses, laundry, etc.) and innovative ideas that expanded temporary and permanent housing options and case management services.
Homeless Women on the Monterey Peninsula
In 2016 the CFMC commissioned the Assessment of Homeless Women on the Monterey Peninsula on behalf of the Fund for Homeless Women to document the primary causes of homelessness for local women, their needs and challenges and existing services. Researchers found there are an estimated 400 homeless women on the Monterey Peninsula, whose challenges are complex and diverse. Read the Full Report or Key Findings to learn more.
What grant funds will support
Planning and start-up costs for new programs or expansion of existing programs to fill a gap or support a new approach. Consideration will be given to operating costs for existing programs where a small amount of funding can make a difference.Personnel expenses that relate to specific program goals; equipment, materials or facilities costs that directly benefit participants or are an identifiable part of the proposed project.For emergency assistance small grants to nonprofits, funding will support only direct assistance to homeless women, such as hotel vouchers or personal care expenses.
Grantmaking Priorities
The Fund’s grantmaking focuses on reducing the number of women on the Monterey Peninsula who are in danger of harm each night by increasing their access to shelter and safety.
The Fund for Homeless Women seeks proposals that address one or more of the following grantmaking priorities. Innovative strategies and inter-agency collaborations are strongly encouraged. Applicants may apply for grants in both categories within the same proposal.
Small grants for emergency assistance
The Fund for Homeless Women will consider awarding grants up to $5,000 per year to support emergency shelter (e.g., hotel/motel vouchers), transportation (e.g., bus passes, car repair) and personal care (e.g., laundry, showers, healthcare) for homeless women. Distribution sites could include: faith- and other community-based homeless service providers on the Monterey Peninsula. Funded organizations must have or put in place a process/mechanism to offer this assistance and monitor its use.
Support for innovative ideas that expand emergency/temporary shelter, permanent housing options and/or case management services.
The Fund for Homeless Women will consider awarding grants in the range of $10,000 to $50,000 per year for initiatives designed to provide emergency/temporary shelter, permanent housing, day program or case management services for homeless women. Examples include, but are not limited to:
Increased access to shelter (e.g., temporary, transitional and/or permanent) with client-focused services (e.g., access to case manager or system navigator who provides guidance in completing forms and alert them to services; build on women’s existing skills through peer education and leadership);Accessible services in Monterey or Seaside with knowledgeable, approachable staff as requested by clients in need, (e.g., shower, laundry, storage, safety, etc.);Collection, management and dissemination of data regarding homeless women on the Monterey Peninsula, for planning and advocacy purposes;Other related services that increase shelter options and support services, such as medical care, illness prevention, mental health services, legal services, financial education, job training and transportation support.

Eligibility

Eligibility Criteria:Grants are open to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations and public agencies.Only one grant application per organization will be considered. Fiscal sponsors may submit more than one application for different sponsored groups and one for their own organization.Only proposals serving homeless women on the Monterey Peninsula will be accepted.

Ineligibility

What grant funds CANNOT support:Religious organizations that exclude services based on religious beliefs or promote a religious doctrine.Funding to schools and public agencies that would supplant tax-supported, mandated services.Expenses incurred prior to the grant award dateThe fund does not provide direct assistance to individuals.