Best Santa Cruz County Grants for Nonprofits in California

The US Community Grants Program, led by Western Digital Foundation, focuses on funding nonprofit organizations and public schools involved in education, hunger relief, environmental preservation, and veterans' programs. This initiative emphasizes support for under-represented youth in STEM, local hunger alleviation, and community projects that protect the environment. Eligible organizations must be tax-exempt and demonstrate responsible management and effective use of funds. The program is currently invite-only due to COVID-19 restrictions.

The Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation offers Local Impact Grants to nonprofit organizations in 11 markets, providing $225,000 to support local programs addressing community issues. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits with a revenue exceeding $100,000 and must operate in one of the specified television markets. The grants aim to empower youth through education, promote diverse storytelling, and enhance community engagement. This initiative underscores Comcast's commitment to fostering inclusion and equitable opportunities for underserved communities.

Friends of NRA

Friends of NRA is the National Rifle Association’s premier fundraising program, supporting the future of shooting sports. Since day one, Friends of NRA has been a 100% grassroots effort fueled by a united front to secure the Second Amendment and raise money for the shooting sports.

Committee volunteers are appointed to State Fund Committees to make recommendations for local grant funding in areas such as youth education, women-focused clinics, law enforcement training, hunter safety, range improvement, firearms and marksmanship training and safety. Recognizing the impact American youth has on the future of the shooting sports, State Fund Committees frequently recommend grants for youth programs, allocating the most significant portion of monies to this vital area.

Grant awards fund activities and support programs in the United States to promote firearms and hunting safety, to enhance marksmanship skills of those in the shooting sports, and to educate the public about firearms in their historic, technological and artistic context.

Friends of NRA State Fund Grant Program - California

The Friends of NRA State Fund Grant Program provides supplies, equipment, and financial support to a variety of qualified groups and programs at the local level; geared towards youth, women, law enforcement, veterans, the disabled, and the general public, including:

• General shooting programs
• Competitive shooting
• Education, training and safety
• Hunting and conservation
• Community outreach
• Historical education

Grant funding must be used to further a charitable purpose as defined by the Internal Revenue Code under section 501(c)(3) and accompanying rules, regulations, and other IRS law and materials.

Raley's Community Giving supports impactful community initiatives in areas such as child welfare, food access, and sustainability. They prioritize requests that align with these focus areas and require submissions to be made at least 90 days prior to the need date. Organizations must be located in cities with Raley's stores and can only receive support once per fiscal year. Notably, requests for individual sponsorships or third-party fundraising are not eligible.

The Boston Scientific Foundation aims to enhance health and educational opportunities for economically disadvantaged individuals, particularly in STEM fields. Their grant program focuses on K-12 students, requiring at least 50% of participants to be at or below 185% of the poverty line. The foundation seeks evidence-based proposals that can measure improvements in STEM learning, and it prioritizes applications serving communities near Boston Scientific locations, ensuring inclusivity and non-discrimination in service.

Nonprofit organizations serving youth in Santa Cruz County, California can apply for Sharks Foundation’s Community Assist Grants, awarding US $10,000 - US $40,000 for programs in wellness, education, environmental education, and hockey access. Bay Area 501(c)(3)s supporting youth through STEAM, literacy, healthy living, or inclusive hockey initiatives may be especially competitive.

Female students in engineering or computer science with ties to Santa Cruz County, California can access scholarship funding through the Society of Women Engineers Santa Clara Valley Section. Grants from Society of Women Engineers help eligible California students pursuing ABET- or CSAB-accredited BS or MS degrees, with approximately US $15,000 awarded annually across recipients.

The Bank of America Charitable Foundation focuses on supporting organizations that empower communities through basic needs, income creation, and stable housing. By investing in health and job opportunities, they aim to enhance economic mobility for low- and moderate-income families. Their partnerships target vulnerable populations, ensuring equitable access to resources that foster community vitality and resilience. This initiative emphasizes the importance of stable housing as a foundation for personal and communal growth.

The Community Foundation Santa Cruz County offers the Environmental Scholarship for undergraduate and graduate students in good standing at local colleges. This scholarship aims to support innovative individuals pursuing careers that promote a harmonious relationship with natural ecosystems. By investing in the next generation, the foundation fosters environmental stewardship and empowers students to contribute positively to their communities and the planet.

The Barbara J. Thompson Scholarship offers multiple one-time awards of $1,000 or more for high school graduates and current seniors from accredited schools within the Santa Cruz City Schools District. Eligible candidates must have a minimum GPA of 3.0, be U.S. citizens residing in Santa Cruz County for at least three of the past four years, and participate in activities such as employment, family care, community involvement, volunteer work, or sports.

The Burton Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation Santa Cruz County, provides multiple awards of up to $5,000 annually. This scholarship is aimed at graduates and current seniors from any high school in Santa Cruz County who have maintained a minimum 3.0 GPA for two consecutive years, demonstrate financial need, and are U.S. citizens. It promotes educational advancement and supports local students in achieving their academic goals.

The Emmett & Elsie Geiser Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation Santa Cruz County, provides multiple awards of up to $3,000 annually to graduating seniors from Watsonville, Pajaro Valley, and Aptos High Schools. Eligible students must have earned at least one letter in an athletic program. This scholarship aims to support local students and foster their educational pursuits, reflecting the foundation's commitment to community investment and leadership.

The Ernest V. Cowell Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation Santa Cruz County, provides a one-time award of up to $2,000 for graduating seniors or graduates from public high schools in the Santa Cruz City Schools District. This scholarship aims to support students demonstrating financial need who plan to attend a University of California campus. It reflects the foundation's commitment to investing in local youth and fostering educational opportunities.

The Giles Family Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation Santa Cruz County, provides multiple awards of up to $5,000 (renewable annually) for graduating seniors from any Santa Cruz County high school involved in art, craft, or music programs. Eligible students must be enrolled in Cabrillo College, San Jose State University, or the University of California at Santa Cruz, demonstrate financial need, and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0.

The Hank Garcia Jr. & Family Scholarship, funded by the Community Foundation Santa Cruz County, provides renewable awards of $2,000 for graduating seniors from selected high schools. Eligible students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5, demonstrate financial need, and be U.S. citizens. This scholarship aims to support local students and empower them to pursue their educational goals, fostering a brighter future for the community.

The Isabel Fowler Sewell Scholarship, offered by the Community Foundation Santa Cruz County, provides multiple one-time awards of $5,000 to graduating seniors from Pajaro Valley High School or any public high school in Santa Cruz County. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0, demonstrate financial need, and plan to attend college at Cabrillo or an accredited four-year institution full-time. This initiative aims to support local students in their pursuit of higher education.

The Judy Anton Woman of Valor/Lupita Loves to Read Project Scholarship, funded by the Community Foundation Santa Cruz County, offers $1,000 or more annually to Latina students from Santa Cruz County high schools or Cabrillo College. Applicants must reside in Live Oak or Watsonville and demonstrate financial need, supporting educational aspirations and community involvement. This scholarship aims to empower young women through education, fostering a brighter future and greater opportunities for success.

The HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) offers approximately $35 million in federal funding to support housing projects in non-entitlement jurisdictions in California. This initiative aims to assist low-income households by providing affordable housing options. Applications are due by May 22, 2025, while Native American entities can apply until September 24, 2025, or until funds are exhausted. Eligible activities must directly benefit low-income renters, homebuyers, or homeowners.

Nonprofit organizations, schools, and public agencies in Santa Cruz County, California can receive transportation funding to support recreational, environmental, and cultural education field trips to Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District sites. Community Foundation for Monterey County’s MPRPD Transportation Grants offer US $500 - US $5,000 for transportation-related expenses for group visits that align with MPRPD’s mission.

Background & Purpose

The California Arts Council (CAC) is a statewide agency committed to serving California artists, arts organizations, and communities of all sizes and needs. Guided by racial equity principles, the CAC continuously evaluates its grantmaking practices to ensure fair and inclusive funding opportunities that sustain a vibrant, safe, and resilient creative ecosystem across the state.

Through regionally based Administering Organizations (AOs), the Individual Artists Fellowship (IAF) program uplifts and celebrates California artists across all disciplines and traditions, highlights their excellence and acknowledges their leadership in shaping traditional and contemporary cultures. The program includes three fellowship tiers with a different award amount:

CAC Emerging Artist Fellows – $5,000

Emerging artists are those in the beginning stages of making their work public and engaging the larger community in their practice.

CAC Established Artist Fellows – $10,000

Artists in the Established tier regularly make their work public and engage the larger community in their practice.

CAC Legacy Artist Fellows – $50,000

Artists in the Legacy tier can point to a significant body of work, produced over a substantial period of time, that has engaged their communities and that has made significant social impact.

The CAC approved eight regional AOs for the fellowship in September 2025. Each of the AOs has information and  details regarding their Individual Artists Fellowship programs, including application deadlines. If you are an individual artist, apply to the statewide fellowship program through the Regional AO listed below that serves your county. Please note: Individual artists must live in the region they are applying to and may submit an application to only one region.

• Bay Area (Kala Art Institute) - Counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Sonoma

• Central Valley & Sierra (Kern Dance Alliance) - Counties: Amador, Calaveras, Fresno, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Mono, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tulare, Tuolumne

• Inland Empire & South Coast (ArtsOC) - Counties: Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange

• Far South (Commission for Arts and Culture / Cultural Affairs) - Counties: Imperial, San Diego

• Central Coast (Arts Council Santa Cruz County) - Counties: Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Ventura

• Capital (Teatro Nagual) - Counties: Yolo, Solano, Sacramento, El Dorado, Alpine

• Upstate (Nevada County Arts Council (NCArts)) - Counties: Del Norte, Siskiyou, Modoc, Humboldt, Trinity, Shasta, Lassen, Mendocino, Tehama, Butte, Plumas, Lake, Glenn, Sierra, Colusa, Sutter, Yuba, Nevada, Placer

• South (Los Angeles Performance Practice) - County: Los Angeles

Region 5: Central Coast Administered by Arts Council Santa Cruz County

The City of San Diego invites applications from eligible individual artists for the Individual Artist Fellowship (IAF), which provides unrestricted awards ranging from $5,000 to $50,000. The California Arts Council (CAC) has selected the City as an Administering Organization for this statewide initiative, supporting a two-year fellowship program for individual artists and culture bearers across all disciplines.

The Individual Artist Fellowship for Region 8 serves San Diego and Imperial Counties, an area spanning 9,008 square miles and home to 3.48 million residents. The program strengthens the regional arts workforce by investing directly in artists whose work contributes to the cultural vitality of their communities.

Spectrum Digital Education Grants support nonprofit organizations in educating communities about broadband benefits and usage. These grants aim to bridge the digital divide, particularly for seniors and those with disabilities or ethnically diverse backgrounds. Applicants must demonstrate community partnership, address specific needs, and provide measurable impact metrics. With a focus on financial feasibility and meaningful outcomes, this initiative ensures that underrepresented urban and rural communities gain access to essential digital resources, fostering long-term improvement in their lives.

The Society for Ecological Restoration Northwest Chapter offers Student Research Grants up to $3,000 to support research that enhances ecosystem restoration in the Cascadia bioregion. Eligible applicants include social or natural science graduate students and upper-level undergraduates. The grant can cover various project expenses, fostering innovative approaches to restore natural systems while promoting the diversity of life in the region.

The Pajaro Valley Community Health Trust Grant aims to foster health equity and wellness in the Pajaro Valley. With grants of $15,000 available, the Trust encourages organizations to collaborate and align with strategic focus areas such as building health equity and increasing wellness. The grant prioritizes impactful initiatives and supports nonprofits, school-based health programs, and those with a fiscal sponsor. This initiative reflects the Trust's commitment to enhancing quality of life for all residents.

The Firedoll Foundation, a private family foundation, focuses on five key areas: Community Development and Entrepreneurship, Immigrant Issues and Human Rights, Environmental Conservation, Middle East Peace, and support for Traumatic Brain Injury survivors. Emphasizing support for vulnerable populations in Alameda and Contra Costa counties, the foundation backs projects that promote social justice and environmental sustainability. With a commitment to providing alternatives to detention and legal aid for immigrants, it aims to empower communities while addressing urgent environmental concerns.

Sunlight Giving Grants aim to foster vibrant, diverse communities by ensuring all families have access to essential resources such as stable shelter, food security, and quality healthcare. By prioritizing organizations that support BIPOC, immigrants, and those living in poverty, Sunlight Giving focuses on creating joyful and safe environments for families with children aged 0-5. Their proactive funding approach identifies impactful nonprofits within the greater Silicon Valley area, dedicated to enhancing community well-being and opportunity.

The Ferguson Cares Grant is an essential aspect of Ferguson's Sustainability strategy, focusing on social challenges and community wellbeing. This grant supports nonprofit organizations in the U.S. dedicated to affordable housing, skilled trades workforce development, clean water access, and enhancing local economic quality of life. Ferguson aims to create lasting partnerships that drive positive impact within their operational regions, reflecting their commitment to social responsibility and community support.

The Bank of America Charitable Foundation focuses on improving economic mobility and social progress through partnerships with nonprofits. It prioritizes basic needs, income creation, stable housing, and community empowerment. By supporting vulnerable populations, the foundation aims to enable individuals to achieve their goals and contribute positively to their communities. The foundation emphasizes sustainable progress, ensuring that all community members have access to essential resources and opportunities for growth.