Best Santa Cruz County Grants for Nonprofits in California

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 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.

Nonprofit organizations providing high-quality early childhood education and school-readiness programs can access funding through PNC Foundation’s Grow Up Great initiative. Grants support work in areas like vocabulary, social-emotional learning, math, science, and the arts for children from birth to age five, and may benefit eligible 501(c)(3)s serving Santa Cruz County, California.

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 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 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.

501(c)(3) nonprofits, schools, and public entities serving Santa Cruz County, California can seek funding for human services programs, operations, or time-limited projects that create meaningful local impact. Focus areas for the San Jose Mercury News Wish Book Fund include systemic racism, climate change, homelessness, food insecurity, community activism, and support for vulnerable populations and abuse survivors.

The Boston Scientific Foundation focuses on improving health and educational opportunities for economically disadvantaged individuals, particularly in communities where its employees reside. Its health programs target diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular conditions, emphasizing disease prevention, awareness, access, and quality of care. Organizations eligible for funding must be tax-exempt and serve specific geographic areas while adhering to non-discrimination policies. However, the foundation does not support certain areas, including dental health and political campaigns.

The Francis Grants, established by Catholic Extension, offer funding for significant events in poor mission dioceses, such as the ordination of new Bishops, anniversaries, or papal visits. These grants also support educational endeavors for Bishops. Named in honor of Francis Clement Kelly, Francis Cardinal George OMI, and Pope Francis, the program aims to strengthen the Catholic faith across the U.S. Since 1905, Catholic Extension has invested over $500 million to assist communities in need.

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.

Insperity's Corporate Contributions program emphasizes community involvement and corporate citizenship, providing philanthropic grants and event sponsorships to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Eligible organizations must engage Insperity employees or contribute to the communities where they operate. The program aims to support nonprofits in achieving their service goals and enhancing community welfare. Applications must be submitted 90 days prior to events, and funding requests can be made once a year.

The California Energy Commission (CEC) has allocated up to $59,484,345 for the GFO-24-603 program aimed at enhancing the reliability of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. This initiative will focus on repairing, replacing, and installing at least 1,302 non-operational charging ports statewide, ensuring they comply with the Federal Highway Administration's guidelines. The program is critical for facilitating broader EV adoption and improving access to charging stations throughout California.

The John S. Kiewit Memorial Foundation Grant aims to protect California's Central Coast and surrounding natural resources through conservation efforts. It supports projects like the Arroyo Hondo Preserve and collaborates with various land trusts, including the California Rangeland Trust and The Nature Conservancy. Grants are focused on preserving open space and agricultural character, emphasizing the importance of environmental stewardship in grant-making. However, proposals outside their mission or geographic area are not considered.

The Community Progress Makers Fund, an initiative by the Citi Foundation, aims to empower local organizations by providing $50 million in unrestricted funding. This program, established in 2015, will support 50 selected community organizations over three years with grants of $1 million each, alongside technical assistance and opportunities for collaboration. The fund prioritizes organizations with strong community ties and a proven impact in areas such as affordable housing, economic development, financial health, and workforce readiness.

The Frank Prevedelli Memorial Scholarship offers a $2,000 award for students pursuing a college education in agriculture. Eligible candidates must reside in Santa Cruz County or the Pajaro Valley Unified School District, or be members of the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau. This scholarship is awarded upon proof of enrollment, supporting students in their academic journeys and fostering future leaders in agricultural fields.

Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status advancing gender and racial equity for women, girls, and gender-expansive people of color in Santa Cruz County, California can access funding through the Peggy and Jack Baskin Foundation. Grants support work such as feminist education, reproductive rights, immigrant legal advocacy, economic and environmental gender justice, and services for survivors of relationship abuse.

Santa Cruz County, California 501(c)(3) nonprofits focused on economic mobility or affordable housing can access funding through Bank of America Charitable Foundation’s Neighborhood Builders Program to build organizational capacity. Awards include a two-year leadership development program for the CEO and an emerging leader, supporting income creation, workforce readiness, small business resilience, and stable housing initiatives.

The Smart & Final Charitable Foundation focuses on enhancing community well-being through strategic donations. Committed to Health & Wellness, Education, Hunger Relief, Team Sports & Youth Development, and Disaster Relief, the foundation supports local non-profits in California, Arizona, and Nevada. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)3 registered and aligned with the foundation's focus areas. While the foundation aims to assist various groups, it has specific exclusions, such as for-profit entities and political activities.

The Arts Leadership Residency, offered by Theatre Bay Area, provides a transformative opportunity for aspiring artistic and managing directors to gain hands-on experience in Bay Area theatres. Over a 12-16 week period, residents will work closely with established leaders, engage in significant projects, and enhance their skills in a supportive environment. This initiative emphasizes mentorship, professional growth, and fostering diversity within the arts community, ensuring that underrepresented voices have access to vital resources and opportunities.

The CA$H Theatre Grant - CA$H Sustains, offered by Theatre Bay Area, provides crucial financial support to individual artists and small theatre companies in the San Francisco Bay Area. This grant aims to cover general operating costs and is open once a year during the fall granting cycle. Founded in 1999, the program emphasizes equity and inclusion, supporting innovative projects and performances that enhance the cultural landscape and accessibility of the arts in the community.

The CA$H Theatre Grant, provided by Theatre Bay Area, supports fully-produced performances of artistic projects that are publicly accessible. This grant aims to empower individual artists and small theatre companies in the San Francisco Bay Area, promoting a diverse cultural landscape. Since its inception in 1999, CA$H has facilitated a range of projects, from traditional productions to innovative hybrid experiences, emphasizing the importance of equity and inclusion in the arts.

The CA$H Theatre Grant, provided by Theatre Bay Area, supports individual artists and small theatre companies in the San Francisco Bay Area. This grant program fosters the development of artistic and capacity-building projects, focusing on those not tied to fully-produced performances. With an emphasis on equity and inclusion, it aids in script development, workshops, and organizational improvement, ensuring a vibrant arts community where diverse voices can thrive.

The Will Glickman Award, presented by Theatre Bay Area, honors the best new play premiering in the San Francisco Bay Area each year. Established in 1984, this award celebrates excellence in playwriting, recognizing outstanding original works that enrich the local theatre community. It not only highlights the playwright's achievements but also encourages the development and production of new plays. Submissions are accepted year-round, emphasizing the commitment to fostering diverse and inclusive artistic voices.

The Brinker International Charitable Giving Program focuses on giving back to communities through support for kids, hunger, and education. Organizations eligible for funding must be 501c(3) non-profits and submit requests at least six weeks prior to events. The program does not support individuals, political or religious organizations, or explicit discrimination policies. Funding is provided through monetary donations or in-kind contributions like dining certificates.

The Rocky Mountain Power Foundation supports arts and culture organizations through grants typically ranging from $2,000 to $5,000, with a focus on enhancing community vitality. Eligible organizations include nonprofits dedicated to performing arts, visual arts, and historic preservation. The foundation operates on a quarterly grant cycle, ensuring careful review of applications. Grants are limited to tax-exempt organizations, and the foundation does not fund projects outside its service areas in Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, Oregon, and California.

Public and public charter schools expanding PLTW STEM programs in Santa Cruz County, California can use this US $5,000 grant for participation fees, required devices, equipment, supplies, and PLTW core training. Grants from Project Lead The Way help K–12 schools add Launch modules, reach more students, and train additional teachers for the 2027–2028 year.

Traditional public and public charter schools in Santa Cruz County, California can seek funding to launch or expand PLTW Gateway STEM programs, with awards of US $20,000 for curriculum, equipment, devices, fees, and teacher training. Grants from Project Lead The Way help eligible U.S. schools meet program requirements and report outcomes over two academic years.