Search Through Monterey County Grants for Nonprofits in California

About The Foundation

The Peggy and Jack Baskin Foundation was founded in 2008 to center the margin, creating and supporting strategies to reach gender and racial equity. The Foundation believes that intersectional feminism is an essential principle in our work and we intentionally prioritize women, girls, and gender-expansive individuals of color throughout our programming.

The Peggy and Jack Baskin Foundation awards grants to nonprofit organizations primarily in Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties (the tribal lands of the Amah Mutsun, Ohlone, Chalon, Awaswas, and Esselen nations), occasionally in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area, and organizations and programs with statewide impact across California or national impact across the US. Grants are restricted to the United States. We do not accept unsolicited applications.

The Peggy and Jack Baskin Foundation is a registered 501c3 non-profit.

Funding Priorities

The Peggy and Jack Baskin Foundation awards grants to nonprofit organizations that serve people and communities in Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties (the tribal lands of the Amah Mutsun, Ohlone, Chalon, Awaswas, and Esselen nations), occasionally in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area, and organizations and programs with statewide impact across California or national impact across the US. The Peggy and Jack Baskin Foundation believes that intersectional feminism is an essential principle in our grantmaking. We fund solutions to address the impact of racist and patriarchal structures facing women of color and gender-expansive individuals of color. 

Current Grant Opportunities/Funding Priorities

• Feminist / Gender / Women’s Studies
• Reproductive Rights and Justice
• Legal Advocacy for Immigrant Women
• Activist Fund
• Indigenous Women and Girls
• Girls in Engineering
• Women in Public Policy
• Transitional Housing for Survivors of Relationship Abuse
• Legal Services for Survivors of Relationship Abuse
• Women Re-Entering the Workforce
• Media Literacy
• Gender Economic Justice
• Environmental Gender Justice
• Farming: Gender and Racial Justice

Community Grants

State Farm is committed to helping build safer, stronger and better-educated communities.

• ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​We are committed to auto and home safety programs and activities that help people manage the risks of everyday life.
• We invest in education, economic empowerment and community development projects, programs and services that help people realize their dreams.
• We help maintain the vibrancy of our communities by assisting nonprofits that support community revitalization.

Good Neighbor Citizenship company grants focus on safety, community development and education.

Focus Areas

Safety Grants

We strive to keep our customers and communities safe. That's why our funding is directed toward:

• Auto safety — improving driver, passenger, vehicle or roadway safety
• Home safety — shielding homes from fires, crime or natural disasters
• Disaster preparedness and mitigation
• Disaster recovery

Community Development

We support nonprofits that invest and develop stronger neighborhoods. That's why our funding is directed toward:

• Affordable housing — home construction and repair
• Commercial/small business development
• Job training
• Neighborhood revitalization
• Financial literacy
• Sustainable housing and transportation
• Food insecurity

Education

Our education funding is directed toward initiatives that support the following programs:

• Higher education
• K-12 academic performance
• K-12 STEM
• Pathways for college and career success

MPRPD Transportation Grants

Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District (MPRPD) established the Transportation Grant Fund of the Community Foundation for Monterey County to increase recreational, environmental, and cultural education access to the Park District’s natural areas, open spaces, museums, working landscapes, and cultural sites while supporting the MPRPD mission and values to have accessible open space for education and recreation enjoyment and protection of natural and cultural resources, native habitat and wildlife.

Description

To increase recreational, environmental, and cultural education access to the Park District’s parks and reserves.

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.

Mission

Driven by a philanthropic calling to support marginalized communities throughout the world, the Semnani Family Foundation partners with on-the-ground organizations and leverages its resources in a cost-effective and efficient manner that delivers the maximum benefit.

History

Guided by his grandmother Maliheh’s example and teachings, Khosrow Semnani and his wife Ghazaleh established the Semnani Family Foundation in 1993. The foundation’s first grant was issued through CARE International to an orphanage in Romania that cared for newborns affected by HIV. Over the last few decades, the foundation has continued to build upon its mission to empower the disaffected, partnering with a variety of organizations in different countries who can make the greatest impact.

In addition to its global influence, the Semnani Family Foundation established roots within the state of Utah with the founding of Maliheh Free Clinic in 2005 to provide free healthcare to thousands of uninsured people in the Salt Lake City area.

Where We Work

The Semnani Family Foundation focuses primarily on promoting health, education, and disaster relief for marginalized communities all around the world. Driven by a clear mission to adapt and serve at the global level, we have leveraged our resources to make a meaningful impact in the following countries so far:

• Afghanistan
• Bosnia
• Colombia
• England
• Ethiopia
• Ghana
• Guatemala
• India
• Iran
• Kenya
• Madagascar
• Mali
• Mexico
• Pakistan
• Philippines
• Romania
• Somalia
• South Africa
• Tanzania
• Tonga
• Uganda
• United States
• Yemen

At the heart of the Foundation lies a fervent commitment to human welfare, always prioritizing health and the needs of society’s most vulnerable.

We have strong partnerships with nonprofit organizations across the country that are working to advance economic mobility and social progress in low- and moderate-income communities. Our focus areas include basic needs like food and housing, workforce development and education, and community development. In addition to our philanthropic investments, we also encourage our employees to make a difference by offering robust employee giving and volunteering programs, including the opportunity to direct funds to organizations they support through volunteer efforts, and a matching gifts program that doubles their individual giving to causes they care about. Last year, we invested $350 million in the communities we serve, and employees contributed more than 1 million volunteer hours and directed $65 million through individual giving and matching gifts to support nonprofits.Through our regional U.S. sponsorships, we support the economic, social and cultural life of the places we live and work. We provide an extensive program of arts and sports sponsorships to help maintain vibrant, healthy communities.Sponsorships supporting communitiesBank of America welcomes your sponsorship proposal for opportunities that make our communities a better place to live and work. We are particularly interested in providing support to address needs vital to the health of our communities through a focus on:

• preserving neighborhoods;
• educating the workforce for 21st century jobs;
• addressing critical needs such as hunger and emergency shelter;
• arts and culture;
• the environment; and
• diversity and inclusion programs.

Grants are made at the Foundation’s discretion based on our current funding strategies focused on housing, jobs and hunger. 

The Foundation will consider grants in the following seven focus areas: Children, Youth, & Families, Senior Citizens, General, Health, Agricultural Education, Animal Welfare and Environment, and Arts & Culture.

The Foundation seeks to support nonprofit organizations that will achieve all or some of the following objectives:

• Improve the well-being of young people
• Strengthen the family
• Develop individual self-reliance and health
• Prevent inappropriate institutionalization of individuals
• Improve the quality of life through cultural activities
• Encourage more humane treatment of animals
• Eliminate duplication and improve coordination of social and community services

The Foundation provides both general support and project support to a broad range of nonprofits working in the Foundation’s focus areas. The Foundation will consider proposals for one-time capital grants, special projects, and operating support.

Our Mission

The Dunspaugh-Dalton Foundation, Inc. is an independent foundation dedicated to managing and distributing funds through grants that support charitable, religious, scientific, literacy and educational purposes with a primary focus on benefiting the communities in Miami-Dade County, Florida and Monterey County, California.   

The Dunspaugh-Dalton Foundation, Inc. is particularly interested in making an impact by supporting projects in the areas of education, youth activities, heath care, cultural, civic and community services.

What We Fund

Our areas of concentration include cultural, educational, health and human services, and youth activities.

The Foundation may make grants to qualified agencies that engage in activities that DDF determines will improve some aspect of the community. DDF may choose the states and communities in which it provides grants. 

Arts & Culture

Music, voice, dance, arts, museums and educational programs.

Education

Supporting excellence in education.

Human & Health Services

Supporting access to quality healthcare, research, and improving wellbeing.

Community

Supporting programs that provide benefit to the community

Funding Priorities

The Dunspaugh Dalton Foundation primarily focuses on supporting programmatic grants, with occasional consideration given to capital grants. We prioritize projects and programs that demonstrate clearly defined and targeted outcomes, as outlined in the nonprofit’s grant proposal.

What We Fund:

• Arts
• Civic
• Community Services
• Cultural
• Educational
• Health & Human Services or Healthcare
• Youth Activities

Please see FAQs for additional guidelines.

Background

Jean FIttonThe Jean P. Fitton Fund was established in 2017 as an endowed field of interest fund. Its purpose is to award grants to nonprofit organizations, public schools and public school foundations in support of 

• Programs that benefit public elementary, middle and high school teachers; 
• Nonathletic scholastic and arts programs for teacher professional development and enrichment; and 
• Necessary equipment and facility acquisition and improvements. 

Grant Amount: $5,000 – $25,000/year. 

Grant Awards: Approximately $33,000 will be available to grant each year from the Jean P. Fitton Fund to support professional development and enrichment activities for teachers in Monterey County. Grants will be awarded for an 11-month grant period (December through October). We expect to grant up to $67,000. 

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.

CFMC’s small Opportunity grants program address a wide spectrum of needs.

Applications are accepted year round for grants to support emerging organizations and ventures, urgent needs and other time-sensitive efforts where a small amount of money will make a difference. Opportunity grants typically range between $1,000 and $5,000. While larger grants (up to $10,000) may be considered, they are the exception.

Scope and Characteristics 

• New projects or pilot programs to serve an important community need
• Urgent or time-sensitive projects that need to be addressed before the next budget cycle
• Ongoing program expenses

About

Opportunity grants are part of the Community Foundation Monterey County (CFMC)’s competitive grants program, which allows nonprofits serving Monterey County to receive assistance when an urgent, unexpected situation arises or when a small grant is needed to test an innovative idea or capture a promising opportunity. These grants can be an entry point for emerging organizations and new ventures that have not received CFMC funding in the past. Prospective grant applicants are encouraged to call and speak with a staff person regarding questions and/or proposal ideas.

Funding Interests and Priorities

Opportunity grants address critical issues and community needs that advance the CFMC’s mission and vision for Monterey County. Based on data of local needs, aspirations and assets/CFMC’s fund restrictions, we invite proposals exemplifying the following.

• Effective strategies that focus on opportunity / achievement gaps to increase equity and expand access to services and programs, as requested and informed by local residents.
• Provide access for services to more Monterey County residents by reducing barriers and obstacles.
• Upstream, preventive approaches that address underlying causes.
• Embrace and advance diversity, equity, inclusion through lived experience and informed data.

Opportunity grants will continue to consider time-sensitive needs in addition to ongoing, recurring expenses.

Our Approach

Monterey Peninsula Foundation operates a place-based, responsive grantmaking strategy that spans a broad range of ages and community needs. The community focus is our primary strategy to strengthen the web of services, programs, and supports that contribute to healthy vibrant communities. We fund organizations over the longer-term, however, we work to minimize dependence on annual support grants whenever appropriate and prudent. Our policies requiring board giving and external financial oversight are designed to help organizations capitalize on best practices in the field.

We view funding as a partnership. We acknowledge that each community served has different strengths and challenges, and we work to tailor our support accordingly. We aim to be flexible. We realize that there are gaps that exist and we care about filling the need in all the communities we serve.

What We Support

Since its inception, Monterey Peninsula Foundation has given millions of dollars to support local nonprofits and schools in the tri-county area we serve. In 2022, the Foundation reached the charitable milestone of $200 million in lifetime giving.

Focus Areas

Monterey Peninsula Foundation awards grants to nonprofit organizations that benefit the community in the focus areas of arts & culture, community & environment, education, health & human services, and youth.

Monterey Peninsula Foundation places a higher priority on applications that offer creative responses to the community’s most pressing, unmet needs and show promise of building ongoing local support for needed services.

Organizations seeking funding should have a broad base of funding support, management capacity to effectively execute the project, a clear plan for project evaluation, outcome measurement, and collaboration among other service providers. Organizations seeking funding for a specific program should showcase a significant funding gap or critical opportunity, a long-term impact, preventive intervention and education, and produce measurable results.

Arts & Culture

Grants in the Arts & Culture focus area foster the creative environment and inspire curiosity, imagination, and appreciation of the arts.

Community & Environment

In the Community & Environment focus area, grants leverage collaboration and partnership for increased impact. We look for opportunities to increase equity and to build healthy, thriving communities appropriate to the needs of the counties we serve. We seek to protect, conserve, and nurture our environmental, natural, and agricultural resources.

Education

In the Education focus area, grants build skills and knowledge for students that carry the capacity to change lives. We support efforts to ensure equitable access to quality education for all, from early childhood to career and beyond.

Health & Human Services

Grants in the Health & Human Services focus area seek to improve health and wellness for body, mind, and spirit. We look for opportunities that ensure individuals, families, and children have what they need to be safe, healthy, and to thrive.

Youth

In the Youth focus area, we look to support organizations that help young people grow into their individual potentials, building resiliency along the way.

Types of Support

Operating Support

Across our focus areas, we offer trusted partners the opportunity to receive operating support, providing the greatest degree of flexibility for delivering quality services and programs. Unrestricted funds are an important tool in community funding strategies aimed at building a resilient sector and consistent service. We see operating support as a key way to strengthen the web of organizations supporting the spectrum of needs in communities we serve.

Program Support

Program support provides specific funding to achieve a small set of goals. For this restricted support, we require a specific budget that outlines the program or project. Reports provided give Monterey Peninsula Foundation the ability to compare projected costs with actual expenditures. Strategically, program support ensures that communities have access to important services and experiences that enrich lives.

Capital Support

We support a wide range of capital efforts each year. We look for opportunities to contribute toward important community resources in each of our focus areas, supporting infrastructure for whole communities. Grant applications should show strong and realistic financial planning that includes a variety of income streams. The Foundation may make matching or challenge grants to help organizations attract wider support.

We understand that multiple phases are sometimes necessary to accomplish a big vision, and we’ll work to right-size our support in light of context and need.

Grant Size

Monterey Peninsula Foundation receives approximately 225 grant applications a year for local support, and the Grant Committee awards about 175 grants annually that range widely from $1,000 to $500,000. The amount requested from the Monterey Peninsula Foundation should be proportional to the budget, and should include income from other sources. While there are no restrictions for the maximum grant amount applicants may request (other than for public K-12 schools), Monterey Peninsula Foundation will take into consideration the applicant’s track record in implementing projects of a similar size and scope.

About Us

The Community Foundation for Monterey County works with individuals, families and businesses to design customized giving plans to make an impact now and in the future. The Foundation makes grants to create healthy, safe, vibrant communities in Monterey County and beyond.

Mission

To inspire philanthropy and be a catalyst for strengthening communities throughout Monterey County

Vision

Healthy, safe, vibrant communities

Board Empowerment Program

CFMC’S Center for Nonprofit Excellence will pilot the Board Empowerment Program in 2025 with support from The David and Lucile Packard Foundation. The purpose is to strengthen the organizational impact of vital Monterey County nonprofits through effective and empowered board leadership. This innovative opportunity combines a $5,000 unrestricted grant with focused consulting, accountability and a cohort of other local nonprofits working on similar board projects.

Description

Support to make meaningful changes in board structure, policy, or practices for a more effective, empowered board of directors. Includes: Unrestricted operating grant to support the organization's participation (team of Executive Director & Board Chair), 9 months of focused guidance and coaching with Dr. Lydia Hughes-Evans of Pure Momentum Consulting, 3 cohort convenings (in person).

About Teichert

We are a construction company operating in California since 1887. Over the years, Teichert has grown into a diverse mix of businesses, most notably Teichert Construction and Teichert Materials. With our commitment to our family of employees, high quality of work, strong customer satisfaction, and giving back to the community, Teichert will continue to flourish in the 21st century and beyond.

Teichert Foundation

Teichert Foundation expresses the company’s commitment to build and preserve a healthy and prosperous region.

We make grants to organizations that create beauty, foster culture, nurture children, provide access to food and housing for those in need, preserve nature, increase awareness of our environment, build an educated citizenry and a well-prepared workforce, and strive to provide better health for all.

Teichert Foundation will consider grant requests in the following categories:

• Civic improvement and historical restoration
• Community and social services
• Culture and the arts
• Education and workforce development
• Environmental sustainability
• Rehabilitation and health service
• Youth and elderly

The Foundation directors may also, from time to time, identify areas for special emphasis when emerging needs require extraordinary attention.

While deciding how much to grant to whom, the Foundation will give careful consideration to:

• The number of people that will benefit from the project
• The number of local volunteers supporting the organization and the project
• The extent to which the applicant complements the services of other community organizations
• The extent to which the program addresses underlying causes, rather than just symptoms of specific problems
• The outcomes of monitoring and evaluating the organizations projects
• The commitment and composition of the organization’s Board of Directors or Board of Trustees
• The current budget and the prior year actuals to show the organization’s fiscal responsibility and management qualifications; and
• The ability of the organization to provide ongoing funding after the term of the grant

Grants are generally made for one year only.

Mission

Our goal is to help young people achieve their full potential. We do this by making substantial annual grants to Crivitz Youth, Inc. in Wisconsin, which was the original purpose of our founder; and by supporting organizations whose mission is to provide ongoing education, enrichment and/or health benefits to children and youth located in Monterey County. We may also fund significant youth-oriented projects of other Monterey County organizations.

The Community Foundation for Monterey County’s strategic plan embraces a countywide vision of Healthy, Safe and Vibrant Communities. Community Impact Grants address critical issues and opportunities in five program areas that advance this vision.

Community Impact Grants

These grants typically fund programs larger in scope and scale. Successful applicants will demonstrate a track record of effectiveness and the capacity to articulate and measure impact. The CFMC expects to fund larger Community Impact grants with the average grant award of $25,000. These applications are reviewed by volunteer grant committees composed of CFMC Board members and community volunteers who represent a range of perspective and expertise. 

Children & Youth

We support programs that help children and youth reach their full potential.

Funding Priorities:

• Early childhood education and family literacy projects that optimize the development of children (ages 0-5) so they enter school ready to learn (e.g., family reading programs and early childhood enrichment);
• Integrated academic supports to help youth (grades k-12) graduate from high school prepared for success (e.g., tutoring and homework support, in-school supplemental programs, academic mentors, college preparation); 
• Programs that promote character-building, leadership and life skills development and that empower and support youth to make constructive use of time outside the school environment (e.g., afterschool enrichment programs, youth recreation, leadership skills development, service-learning projects); or 
• Parent education and engagement efforts to promote healthy family environments, nurture positive youth development, and involve parents in their children’s education (e.g., parent/child communication programs, parenting classes, parental involvement with schools).

Health & Human Services

We invest in prevention and early intervention services that improve the physical and mental health of individuals and families, support programs that promote independent living and efforts that ensure that the basic living needs of Monterey County’s most vulnerable and underserved individuals and families are met. The Community Foundation uses the common public health definition of primary prevention as approaches that occur before illness or injury, and early intervention as responses after symptoms or risk of illness or injury occur.

Funding Priorities

• Community health promotion and prevention programs that keep people healthy and delay or eliminate the necessity for treatment (e.g., programs that promote healthy lifestyles, nutrition, exercise, family planning, substance abuse education, family violence prevention); 
• Case management and other programs that teach self-advocacy skills and/or provide guidance in navigating the health and human services system to secure needed resources for people who have limited access to services (e.g., access to public benefit programs, resources and referrals); 
• Independent living resources for older adults, people living with disabilities or chronic illness, foster youth, and other special needs populations (e.g., senior meal and social programs that support aging in place, caregiver and support groups); or 
• Expanded or improved basic needs services to meet growing trends or changing issues. Funding will focus on services that address the basic living needs (food and shelter) of Monterey County’s most vulnerable and underserved individuals and families (e.g., adding services or hours of service or implementing new business practices that contribute to positive client outcomes).

Types of Support

Program - The CFMC considers all expense needs associated with implementing services to produce meaningful results and in carrying out a nonprofit’s mission. Applications requesting program support estimate how grant funds would be used in a program budget. Funding is provided for ongoing and expanded programs that show the promise of efficacy and sustainability. Strong applications include Evaluation Plans with a few measurable goals which will demonstrate progress towards the program’s broader outcomes

Operating Support - The CFMC provides unrestricted operating grants to organizations that have a proven grants record of community benefit in Monterey County. Organizations must be based in Monterey County and have a positive and stable history with CFMC. Approximately 30% of the Community Impact annual grantmaking is budgeted for operating grants.

Organizational Development - Proposals are welcome for major organizational development efforts (non-recurring activities intended to develop the internal capacity and infrastructure of organizations). Organizations proposing a capacitybuilding grant should address how the project strengthens the organization and how it will enhance its mission and benefit the community served.

Capital Support - The CFMC supports capital costs (buildings and facilities) when those capital improvements have the potential to advance greater social benefit. Capital support will be considered for predevelopment expenses and/or construction costs. Preference will be given to requests that have raised at least half of the total project costs.

The Community Foundation for Monterey County’s strategic plan embraces a countywide vision of Healthy, Safe and Vibrant Communities. Community Impact Grants address critical issues and opportunities in five program areas that advance this vision.

Community Impact Grants

These grants typically fund programs larger in scope and scale. Successful applicants will demonstrate a track record of effectiveness and the capacity to articulate and measure impact. The CFMC expects to fund larger Community Impact grants with the average grant award of $25,000. These applications are reviewed by volunteer grant committees composed of CFMC Board members and community volunteers who represent a range of perspective and expertise. The grant committees review requests and recommend grants to the CFMC Board of Directors, which has final authority in all grantmaking decisions.

Community Development

We support community-building activities that engage individuals and communities to lead efforts that create opportunities for local problem solving. We support strategies to enhance community environments so that all residents have safe, welcoming and accessible places and spaces to live, work and play; and we invest in activities that increase opportunities for the economic security and advancement of young adults and low-income residents.

Funding Priorities:

• Community organizing and leadership development that engages people in addressing issues of mutual concern and leading positive change in their community (e.g., organize residents to address neighborhood concerns, training for emerging leaders)
• Community revitalization to make public spaces accessible, family-friendly and safe (e.g., community gardens, development of bike/walking trails, community emergency preparedness, collaboration and joint use agreements with schools and other public buildings/spaces, etc.)
• Immigrant and basic adult literacy services to help people access information they need to fully participate in their communities, workplace and 21st-century commerce (e.g., citizenship classes, language acquisition, family financial management, digital literacy, etc.)
• Employment readiness, skills training and other employment resources that increase access to living-wage jobs (e.g., summer jobs for youth, career counseling, job search and interviewing skills)

Arts & Culture

We foster activities and programs that broaden, diversify and deepen participation in quality artistic experiences, especially among youth, multicultural and other new audiences.

Funding Priorities:

• Access to art education and cultural experiences that nurture development for youth (e.g., art appreciation programs, youth mentorship, artistic training and performance opportunities
• Efforts to reach new and underserved audiences with relevant, high-quality, artistic experiences (e.g., targeted marketing and outreach efforts, strategic initiatives for audience development, programming to attract new audiences, development of bilingual and bicultural programs)
• Community-building programs that use the arts to promote cultural expression, build community pride and bridge cultural divides (e.g., community art projects, multicultural programming)

Historic Preservation

We fund activities that preserve and celebrate Monterey County’s rich and diverse history.

Funding Priorities:

• Efforts to preserve, restore and interpret historic places, structures and artifacts that are significant to Monterey County’s history (e.g., interpretation plans, structural assessments, archival enhancements)
• Educational programs that cultivate interest, understanding and pride in the history and cultures of our region (e.g., historic curriculum enhancements, school field trip destinations)

Environment & Animal Welfare

We support programs that educate and involve local residents in protecting and preserving our natural resources and sustaining healthy ecosystems; and we invest in animal welfare programs that promote the responsible and humane treatment of companion animals.

Funding Priorities: 

• Environmental education and hands-on experiences for youth that inspire responsible stewardship of our natural resources (e.g., food systems, watershed, energy use, biodiversity and inter-dependence, climate change, etc.);
• Activities that help sustain healthy ecosystems and other efforts to ensure a healthy Monterey County for current and future generations (e.g., habitat restoration, efficient energy use, recycling, park/beach clean-ups, etc.); 
• Prevention programs that address pet overpopulation, abuse, neglect and homelessness;
• Programs that support vulnerable people (e.g., seniors, disabled) in keeping their companion animals at home.

Types of Support

Program - The CFMC considers all expense needs associated with implementing services to produce meaningful results and in carrying out a nonprofit’s mission. Applications requesting program support estimate how grant funds would be used in a program budget. Funding is provided for ongoing and expanded programs that show the promise of efficacy and sustainability. Strong applications include Evaluation Plans with a few measurable goals which will demonstrate progress towards the program’s broader outcomes

Operating Support - The CFMC provides unrestricted operating grants to organizations that have a proven grants record of community benefit in Monterey County. Organizations must be based in Monterey County and have a positive and stable history with CFMC. Approximately 30% of the Community Impact annual grantmaking is budgeted for operating grants.

Organizational Development - Proposals are welcome for major organizational development efforts (non-recurring activities intended to develop the internal capacity and infrastructure of organizations). Organizations proposing a capacitybuilding grant should address how the project strengthens the organization and how it will enhance its mission and benefit the community served.

Capital Support - The CFMC supports capital costs (buildings and facilities) when those capital improvements have the potential to advance greater social benefit. Capital support will be considered for predevelopment expenses and/or construction costs. Preference will be given to requests that have raised at least half of the total project costs.

Creative Work Fund Grants

The Creative Work Fund invites artists and organizations to create new art works through collaborations. It celebrates the role of artists as problem solvers and making of art as a profound contribution to we-making and artistic innovation that strengthens communities. Artists are encouraged to collaborate with organizations of all kind: nonprofits, fiscally-sponsored collectives, schools, and public agencies.

In June 2024, the Fund will award approximately $775,000 in grants to organizations and collaborating artists. Grants will range from $25,000 to $50,000 and be paid to the nonprofit partner in the collaboration. Grantees receive the maximum amount of funds requested. Projects are expected to be completed within two or three years, but those of longer duration are considered.

We Seek Projects Where

• the creation of an artwork is central
• the artist functions primarily as an artist, not as a teacher, an art therapist, or in another capacity
• an active, authentic working partnership between the artist or artists and the organization is central to the work’s development
• the organization’s constituents are engaged in the artist’s work
• artists’ creativity and problem-solving abilities are central to the collaboration
• the making of art can strengthen a community, draw attention to an important issue, or engage audiences in new ways
• artistic imagination and organizational thinking are challenged
• final presentations take place in Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Solano, or Sonoma County
• at least two-thirds of the grant funds are paid to the principal artists and their direct expenses for creating the work

2024 Invitation: All Disciplines

Artists from all artistic disciplines are welcome to apply in collaboration with a nonprofit organization. Lead artists will be asked to identify primary and secondary artistic disciplines in which they have strong track records of accomplishment.

Projects may culminate in any form. Artists and organizations should plan projects and prepare and authorize their letters of inquiry together. If a project will use a fiscal sponsor, that sponsor also must review and sign off on the letter. Read the list of disciplines and their short definitions.

The In-N-Out Burger Foundation’s mission is to assist children and youth who have been victims of child abuse and neglect, and to prevent others from suffering a similar fate. The Foundation will only consider requests from organizations that closely align with our mission and that serve communities where In-N-Out Burger does business.

The In-N-Out Burger Foundation is happy to consider the following types of grants:

Traditional Grants: Grant awards range from $5,000 - $25,000.

Program: Restricted funding to support the development, expansion, or enhancement of programs within an existing organization.

General Operating Support: Unrestricted funding to support the overall operations and sustainability of your nonprofit. Applicants must present a strong case on how this funding will help sustain the organization’s mission and provide benefits to the children in their care. *Please note that all of your organization’s programs must align with our mission to be considered for this type of support.

Capital Grants: Grant awards range from $5,000 - $50,000.

Capital Campaign: Restricted funding for the construction of new facilities, renovations or upgrades to existing buildings, and other special projects that will enhance the organization’s mission.

Capital Purchase: Restricted funding to purchase equipment, furnishings, or any other major material purchases that will enhance the organization’s mission.

Capital grants are awarded on a very limited basis each year. The Foundation will only consider requests from organizations that meet all other funding criteria and who already have an established long-term funding relationship with the Foundation (minimum of 2 years).

Please carefully review the Capital Grant Guidelines above to ensure that your organization meets the requirements to apply. Capital Grants are invitation-only. Please contact us to set a 30-minute meeting to discuss your project and be prepared to send a draft summary of the project for review beforehand. 

Community Ties Giving Program

As part of the Community Ties Giving Program, Local Grants help us achieve our mission by providing small and medium-sized grants within our priority cause areas to local organizations spread widely across Union Pacific's footprint.

Funding Priorities & Objectives

Throughout its existence, the success of Union Pacific's business has been inextricably linked to the economic and community wellbeing of cities and towns across the nation. We take pride in the role we have played in helping communities thrive and believe the impact we can have on local communities is greatest when it is authentic to our history and reflective of the diverse company we are today.

As such, we have carefully aligned our Local Grants cause areas to our company's unique heritage, strengths, and assets. Specifically, we prioritize funding for direct services and efforts that build the capacity of organizations focused on the following causes within our local operating communities. Within each focus area, we aim to support programs and organizations working to advance the diversity, equity and inclusion of underrepresented populations within the local context and issue areas addressed. Find more information about our commitment to DEI in our FAQs.

Safety

In order for communities to thrive, all residents must feel safe. Just as the safety of our employees and community members is paramount to how we operate, Union Pacific is committed to helping communities prevent and prepare for incidents and emergencies, and helping residents get home safely at the end of each day. As such, we prioritize funding for projects and programs that seek to: 

• Encourage safe behaviors and prevent incidents through education and awareness, particularly projects which focus on rail, driver, bike, and pedestrian safety, and ensure outreach efforts reach underserved populations.
• Eliminate risks and improve safe and equitable access to community spaces through infrastructure improvements, such as signage, proper lighting, and public trail improvements.
• Prepare and equip residents and emergency responders* to effectively respond to incidents and emergencies if or when they occur.
  • *Union Pacific supports publicly funded emergency responders through a variety of corporate programs; only independent nonprofit, 501(c)(3) emergency response organizations, such as volunteer departments, are eligible for funding through this grant program
• Prevent crime and violent incidents and support survivors of domestic violence through efforts that address the root causes of these issues and seek to mitigate their occurrence.
• Build the capacity of safety-focused organizations to integrate practices that improve upon the diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts of the organization. This can take the form of internal capacity building or the creation/expansion of culturally relevant programming and services that seek to impact a broad and diverse audience. 

Workforce Development

For more than 160 years, Union Pacific has helped stimulate economic growth in cities and towns throughout the nation by training and providing employment to millions of workers. More than ever, we are committed to helping underrepresented residents in our communities achieve family-supporting careers like those offered by Union Pacific. As such, we prioritize funding for programs that seek to:

• Put youth on the right track by creating awareness of and pathways toward employment opportunities; building foundational skills, especially in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM); establishing necessary technical skills and life skills; and providing mentorship and positive role models for the future.
• Raise awareness of, educate and prepare young adults for middle skills jobs like those Union Pacific offers, for instance through community colleges, vocational and career training programs, workforce readiness initiatives, and programs that assist with job placement and/or on-the-job experience.
  • Programs that develop proficiency in areas relevant to Union Pacific operations such as welding, electrical work, machine operations, and civil and electrical engineering are given priority.
• "Up-skill" the existing workforce by providing training and resources that enable them to reach the next level of their career.
  • Programs that develop proficiency in areas of relevance to Union Pacific operations are given priority.
• Resolve barriers to employment such as transportation, childcare, acquiring necessary equipment for work, and second chance employment programs.
• Build the capacity of workforce development-focused organizations to integrate practices that improve upon the diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts of the organization. This can take the form of internal capacity building or the creation/expansion of culturally relevant programming and services that seek to impact a broad and diverse audience. 

Community Vitality

Union Pacific Railroad is committed to establishing vibrant, healthy and inclusive communities for employees, customers and residents to work, visit and call home. Just as the railroad opened avenues for economic development and opportunity more than 160 years ago, we maintain this tradition by cultivating unique cultural and recreational experiences and equipping community members with opportunities to live healthy, vital lives. As such, we prioritize funding for projects and programs that seek to:

• Create, sustain or expand artistic and cultural experiences offered to a broad and diverse audience (e.g., museums, theaters, zoos, cultural and local heritage, visual and performing arts, etc.)
• Provide recreational opportunities that foster wellbeing, enrichment and/or an appreciation for our natural environment (e.g., parks, libraries, senior centers, recreation centers, learning centers, etc.).
• Revive neighborhoods and main street areas, especially in historically underinvested neighborhoods, to improve livability, promote commerce and attract more residents, businesses and visitors to town.
• Ensure residents’ basic needs are met and barriers are overcome (e.g., safe shelter and homelessness prevention, hunger relief, mental health and community health needs, etc.).
• Offer youth development and educational opportunities to ensure young people can thrive into healthy and productive community members (e.g., mentoring, leadership development, tutoring, services for youth in foster care, etc.).
• Build the capacity of community vitality-focused organizations to integrate practices that improve upon the diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts of the organization. This can take the form of internal capacity building or the creation/expansion of culturally relevant programming and services that seek to impact a broad and diverse audience. 

Environmental Sustainability

The future of our business, communities and planet depends on bold, collective action to reduce and slow the impacts of climate change while building a more sustainable economy for the next generation. Union Pacific is taking deliberate steps to reduce our environmental impact and helping our partners improve their own. Extending this commitment to our community investments, we seek to support leading environmental nonprofits and community-based organizations to advance the health of our environment. As such, we prioritize funding for projects and programs that seek to:

• Preserve and restore nature, including programs focused on natural habitats, ecosystems, and biodiversity.
• Protect and enhance water, soil and air quality through innovative and proactive solutions such as water conservation, carbon sequestration and emission reduction programs.
• Reduce waste through initiatives focused on promoting recycling and circularity throughout the community, including recycling and composting programs and other efforts that reduce waste.
• Develop environmental stewards through youth programs focused on fostering environmental appreciation, responsibility, and leadership.
• Advance a sustainable economy by helping communities accelerate their transition to environmental jobs and renewable energy, as well as helping nonprofits and small businesses build their own capacity to operate more sustainably.
• Promote environmental justice through initiatives that ensure access to clean air, water, and land and protect underserved populations from disproportionate and adverse environmental effects.
• Build the capacity of sustainability-focused organizations to integrate practices that improve upon the diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts of the organization. This can take the form of internal capacity building or the creation/expansion of culturally relevant programming and services that seek to impact a broad and diverse audience.

Background

Virginia Stanton left a bequest to establish this fund in her name and her husband’s. The fund was established in 1994 as the Robert and Virginia Stanton Endowment. Mrs. Stanton named some favorite agencies or types of projects for annual consideration in order of priority (see below). Others may also be funded at the discretion of the CFMC Board and the Stanton Committee. 

Stanton Endowment Priorities

This fund gives priority to the agencies and programs of special interest to Virginia and Robert Stanton. These include:

• The Stanton Center (formerly known as the Allen Knight Maritime Museum)
• The repair, maintenance and capital improvements of public buildings designed by Robert Stanton, especially the King City High School Auditorium and the Monterey County Court House in Salinas
• The Monterey History and Art Association
• The Monterey County Symphony Association
• The Monterey Museum of Art
• The American Red Cross of the Central Coast (formerly known as the Carmel Chapter of the American Red Cross)
• The Salvation Army – Monterey Peninsula Corps

The Stanton Endowment Grant Committee generally gives priority to one-time special or capital projects, rather than funding ongoing operating support. The CFMC supports capital costs (buildings and facilities) when those capital improvements have the potential to advance greater social benefit.

Capital support will be considered for predevelopment expenses and/or for construction costs after the agency has raised at least half of the goal. Applicants are eligible for two capital-related grants:

• one for predevelopment expenses and
• one for construction costs.

The Stanton Endowment Grant Committee will consider the public benefits likely to occur as a result of the proposed activities, as well as other details of the proposals such as cost effectiveness, past record of achievement, and fit with the general guidelines and purposes of the Community Foundation and the Stanton Endowment.

The Community Fund for Carmel Valley (CFCV) was created to serve residents, businesses and organizations, all having an opportunity to contribute to the greater good of others. The fund is governed by a local advisory board consisting of longstanding volunteer community members. Its role is to provide oversight, raise funds, define grantmaking priorities and award grants. It is an affiliate of the Community Foundation for Monterey County, which provides administrative, investment and grantmaking expertise. CFCV seeks to improve the lives of our fellow community members, both now and in the future.

The CFCV provides grants to nonprofit organizations that benefit the following communities: Carmel Valley from Highway 1 to Cahoon Grade, Cachagua and Jamesburg.

The CFCV seeks to support nonprofit organizations that have the leadership and capacity to provide important community resources and services in the Carmel Valley area. Funding will be considered for the following types of requests within these three key priorities:

• Community Development: Build community, improve infrastructure and meet local needs
• Youth & Seniors: Expand youth and/or senior programming and services
• Resident Programs: Support education, cultural and historical programs

Founded in 2020, the Weston Call Fund for Big Sur is a special purpose fund of the Community Foundation for Monterey County.

Each year, the Weston Call Fund Advisory Board determines where its available grant dollars can be placed for greatest impact on their communities’ highest priority needs. The Advisory Board, made up of community volunteers, will carefully review applications and award grants based on the published criteria.

The Weston Call Fund seeks to support nonprofit organizations that have the leadership and capacity to provide important community resources and services in Big Sur.

Its priorities are Health, Safety, Education, Arts, Culture and Community Stewardship, and to:

• Create additional funding for health, fire and safety needs through Big Sur nonprofits
• Support educational, cultural and historical programs
• Aid sustainable tourism and destination stewardship efforts
• Create and enhance community partnerships
• Support nonprofits providing services in Big Sur

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 sustainability
• Operating Support: unrestricted grants to organizations that have a proven track record of community support in Big Sur
• Capital Support: for cost associated with buildings and/or facilities located in Big Sur
• Organizational Development: to strengthen or enhance the internal capacity and infrastructure of organizations that have a proven track record of community benefit in Big Sur

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 sustainability
• Operating Support: unrestricted grants to organizations
• Capital Support: for cost associated with buildings and/or facilities

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

The Siembra Latinos Fund is focused on making an impact on Economic Mobility. For this reason, the fund seeks proposals in the areas of:

• 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.

Southern Monterey County Foundation Grants

Founded in 2014, the Southern Monterey County Foundation (SMCF) is an affiliate fund of the Community Foundation for Monterey County. Our mission is to inspire philanthropy and be a catalyst for strengthening communities throughout Southern Monterey County.

The SMCF provides grants to organizations that benefit the communities of Southern Monterey County, which in this case is defined as King City and all points south, excluding the coastal region.

The SMCF seeks to support nonprofit organizations that have the leadership and capacity to provide important community resources and services in Southern Monterey County communities. In 2020, priority is given to the following types of requests:

• Specific projects or one-time costs that will result in measurable impact on an identified community need
• To establish or expand community programs that address a high-priority community issue or need

What Grant Funds May Support

• Pre-development or construction costs for facility construction or renovation
• Matching grants to leverage other funding
• Developmental costs for new programs
• Personnel expenses that relate to specific program goals
• Equipment, materials and/or facilities expenses that directly benefit participants or are an identifiable part of project

Our Mission

The Hansen Family Foundation provides opportunities to domestic, international, secular, and non-secular organizations that support the American way of life, which is defined by the principles of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” 

Causes

Children

The Hansen Family Foundation supports causes dedicated to helping children both home as well as abroad. Learn More

Education

The Hansen Family Foundation believes that a decent education should be made available to everyone, young or old, the world over. Learn More

Animals

The Hansen Family Foundation believes in helping those who cannot speak on their own behalf. Learn More

Environmental

The Hansen Family Foundation is dedicated to preserving the world we all share. Learn More

Humanitarian

The Hansen Family Foundation views the plight of our fellow man as an opportunity to actively engage and effect change. Learn More

Arts & Culture

The Hansen Family Foundation supports all forms of artistic and cultural endeavors. Learn More