Best Santa Cruz County Grants for Nonprofits in California

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 Krishnan-Shah Family Scholarship, established by Ajay Shah and Lata Krishnan, aims to support financially needy students with strong academic potential and community involvement. This scholarship is open to graduating high school seniors and current community college students from the Silicon Valley region, particularly first-generation college students. It provides essential financial aid to help students successfully complete their undergraduate degrees, fostering educational opportunities and community growth.

The Latinos in Technology Scholarship, funded by the Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley, aims to empower Latino students pursuing STEM careers. Awardees receive up to $6,000 annually for their undergraduate education, with professional development opportunities, mentorship, and internship access. This initiative not only addresses the underrepresentation of Latinos in STEM but also fosters a supportive community to help students transition successfully into the workforce.

The HAF: Native Cultures Fund Grant supports California Indian culture through initiatives led by Native peoples, fostering the transmission of knowledge, art, and traditions across generations. This partnership includes the Humboldt Area Foundation and aims to preserve and revitalize Indigenous cultures, arts, and languages. Grants are available for projects that reflect California Indian values and practices, ensuring cultural continuity and community engagement.

The S. H. Cowell Foundation Grant focuses on supporting public and nonprofit organizations in Northern and Central California that address acute poverty and promote racial equity. The foundation prioritizes place-based strategies to fund initiatives that foster child development, family empowerment, and youth leadership. By building on community strengths, it aims to create equitable access to essential services and enhance the overall well-being of families and children, ensuring their voices are integral to program design and implementation.

The Touchpoint Foundation Grant is dedicated to improving health, social, and independent-living services for older adults in Northern California. By empowering these individuals, the foundation aims to enrich their lives and promote their active participation in the community. Additionally, the foundation supports various social services that benefit Bay Area residents and beyond. Eligible applicants include qualified tax-exempt charitable organizations, with a limit of one grant every 18 months.

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 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 Division of Boating and Waterways offers the Sewage Management Education and Outreach Grant Program to educate Californians about proper boat sewage disposal. Established under the Clean Vessel Act of 1992, this program funds pumpout stations and promotes public awareness in targeted regions including the San Francisco Bay Delta and Southern California Coastal Counties. Grants will support education, outreach, and monitoring efforts to ensure safe and environmentally friendly boating practices.

Artist-led visual arts collectives and small groups in Santa Cruz County, California can receive up to US $5,000 to present public, multi-artist visual art projects. Focused on artist-centered, public-facing work, Southern Exposure invites Bay Area groups to propose exhibitions, publications, events, performances with visual components, and other community art initiatives.

The Hesed Foundation Grant supports charitable initiatives that promote social justice through Tzedakah and gemilut hasadim, which emphasize justice and loving kindness. This private foundation focuses on enhancing the welfare of underrepresented communities, particularly in the Boston area, NYC, and Northern California. Grants are awarded to nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, and the foundation prioritizes projects related to youth, education, health, and community building.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations advancing early childhood education or economic and community development can apply for PNC Foundation’s Foundation Grant; awards support programs in PNC service areas. Santa Cruz County, California nonprofits may be eligible if proposed activities occur where PNC has a significant presence and meet the foundation’s guidelines for education or low- to moderate-income communities.

The ACSCC: Develop Grants program offers funding up to $1,500 for professional development activities that enhance artistic skills or expand business capacities for artists and arts organizations in Santa Cruz County. The grants are designed to support the creation of artistically excellent work, increase accessibility to the arts, and engage new audiences without requiring a public exhibition. Eligibility is limited to local residents and organizations, with specific restrictions on previous grant recipients.

The NRA Foundation: California – North CAN Grants provides funding to organizations that promote charitable purposes related to firearms and shooting sports as defined by the IRS. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) entities, governmental bodies, and recognized nonprofits. The Foundation supports educational programs and activities that enhance firearms safety and marksmanship, while certain projects, such as commercial ventures and fundraising activities, are ineligible for funding. Applications must align with the Foundation's mission and requirements.

Nonprofit organizations and public institutions running food access and nutrition education programs can apply for Bayer Fund’s Food & Nutrition Grant, which supports behavior-change and food security efforts. Santa Cruz County, California nonprofits may be eligible if they serve underserved or rural communities or families with young children and are located in an eligible legacy-Monsanto community.

Local and regional governments in Santa Cruz County, California can seek funding for sea level rise adaptation planning and data collection efforts. Focused on climate change resilience and coastal conservation, the California Ocean Protection Council offers US $200,000 - US $1,500,000 for pre-planning and planning projects that build consistent, long-term shoreline resilience.

The PLTW Launch - New Program initiative, sponsored by Burns & McDonnell, aims to enhance STEM education by providing grants to eligible schools within specific U.S. counties. Schools must implement PLTW modules over two academic years, ensuring access to real-world learning experiences for students, particularly those from low-income backgrounds. This program emphasizes the importance of empowering educators and fostering student engagement in STEM fields to prepare them for future careers.

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.

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.

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 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 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.

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.

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.

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.