Upcoming Webinar
Instrumentl Fall Launch: Grant Work, Leveled Up.
Thu, Oct 29 or Wed, Nov 4 @ 2PM ET

Skip to main content
Main content

Best Santa Cruz County Grants for Nonprofits in California

Discover active funding opportunities in Santa Cruz County Grants for Nonprofits. 37,000+ grants are available for a wide range of missions and programs with additional grants in Los Angeles County, San Diego County, and Orange County.

10,000+

Available grants

$3.54B

Total funding

$5K

Median grant

10,000+ grants
$3.54B total
$5K median

Skip the search. Get matched with grants that fit your non-profit.

Skip the search.

Get matched with grants that actually fit.

Smart recommendations based on your profile — in minutes.

Find me grants

Filters

9,681 Results based on applied filters

Research Initiatives at the Naval Postgraduate School

US DOD: Dept. of the Navy, Office of the Chief of Naval Research
Federal Government
United States
Unspecified amount

This FOA is intended for proposals related to basic and applied research in the STEM categories, and not related to the development of a specific system or hardware procurement.The proposal submission process has two stages:I. Applicants are encouraged to submit a white paper first to Grants@NPS.edu, ; andII. Applicants must submit a full proposal through Grants.gov (do not submit white papers through Grants.gov, only full proposals)Applicants are encouraged to submit a White Paper in advance of a Full Proposal to minimize the labor and other costs associated with the production of detailed full proposals that have little chance of being selected for funding. Based on an assessment of the white papers, the responsible Research Program Officer will provide informal feedback notification to the prospective awardees to encourage or discourage submission proposals. The Research Program Officer may also, on occasion, provide feedback encouraging re-work to strengthen a proposal. White Papers may be submitted at any time during the open period of this FOA. A separate White Paper is required for each research proposal.

Education Education - Higher Education STEM / STEAM Education +1 more

Williamson Pioneer Fund

Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties
Private
United States
Unspecified amount

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

Williamson Pioneer Fund

Must demonstrate community involvement and show financial need.

Education - Higher Education Career / College Preparation

Trimble Scholarship for Martin County Fund

Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties
Private
United States
Unspecified amount

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

Trimble Scholarship for Martin County Fund

  • Must participate in extracurricular activities.
  • Based on financial need.
Education - Higher Education Career / College Preparation

Thomas William Bennett Memorial Scholarship Fund

Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties
Private
United States
Unspecified amount

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

Thomas William Bennett Memorial Scholarship Fund

He believed that a person could do anything if they sat down and read how to do it. When WWII started, he was the first man from the state of South Carolina to enlist in the U.S. Army. He quickly rose to captain and spent most of the war in the Pacific (the Queen of Fiji considered him a friend). Later, Thomas had a long career at Harcourt Brace publishing.

Education Education - Higher Education Career / College Preparation

The Alcus Family Scholarship Fund

Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties
Private
United States
Unspecified amount

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

The Alcus Family Scholarship Fund

  • Demonstrate Financial Need.
  • Student must continue to meet the Foundation’s renewal requirements.
Education - Higher Education Career / College Preparation

Distinguished Service Award

American Fisheries Society
Association/Society
United States
Unspecified amount

The American Fisheries Society…

  • Includes 8,000+ members from around the world, including fisheries managers, biologists, professors, ecologists, aquaculturists, economists, engineers, geneticists, and social scientists
  • Promotes scientific research and sustainable management of fisheries resources
  • Publishes five of the world’s leading fish journals, and many renowned books
  • Organizes scientific meetings where new results are reported and discussed
  • Encourages comprehensive education and professional development for fisheries professionals

AFS Awards

Each year, AFS presents awards to its members and partners for unique contributions that directly or indirectly impact fisheries science. Each year there is a call for award nominations recognizing professional excellence and/or outstanding contributions to conservation, education, and service.

Distinguished Service Award

Recognizes outstanding contributions of time and energy for special projects or activities by AFS members. The number of recipients may vary. A single member, a group of members, and AFS staff are eligible candidates. Nominations should include description of the outstanding contributions by the candidate(s).

Fisheries

Thomas F. Kearney Memorial Scholarship Fund

Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties
Private
United States
Unspecified amount

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

Thomas F. Kearney Memorial Scholarship Fund

Not based on financial need.

Education - Higher Education Career / College Preparation

Carl R. Sullivan Fishery Conservation Award

American Fisheries Society
Association/Society
United States
Unspecified amount

The American Fisheries Society…

  • Includes 8,000+ members from around the world, including fisheries managers, biologists, professors, ecologists, aquaculturists, economists, engineers, geneticists, and social scientists
  • Promotes scientific research and sustainable management of fisheries resources
  • Publishes five of the world’s leading fish journals, and many renowned books
  • Organizes scientific meetings where new results are reported and discussed
  • Encourages comprehensive education and professional development for fisheries professionals

AFS Awards

Each year, AFS presents awards to its members and partners for unique contributions that directly or indirectly impact fisheries science. Each year there is a call for award nominations recognizing professional excellence and/or outstanding contributions to conservation, education, and service.

Carl R. Sullivan Fishery Conservation Award

Presented to an individual or organization for outstanding contributions to the conservation of fishery resources. Eligibility is not restricted to AFS members, and accomplishments can include political, legal, educational, scientific, and managerial successes. Nominations should include a synopsis of fishery conservation contributions; a description of the influence of those contributions on improved understanding, management, or use of fishery resources; and, at least, one additional supporting letter.

Fisheries Fish Conservation

Award of Excellence

American Fisheries Society
Association/Society
United States
Unspecified amount

The American Fisheries Society…

  • Includes 8,000+ members from around the world, including fisheries managers, biologists, professors, ecologists, aquaculturists, economists, engineers, geneticists, and social scientists
  • Promotes scientific research and sustainable management of fisheries resources
  • Publishes five of the world’s leading fish journals, and many renowned books
  • Organizes scientific meetings where new results are reported and discussed
  • Encourages comprehensive education and professional development for fisheries professionals

AFS Awards

Each year, AFS presents awards to its members and partners for unique contributions that directly or indirectly impact fisheries science. Each year there is a call for award nominations recognizing professional excellence and/or outstanding contributions to conservation, education, and service.

Award of Excellence

The Society’s highest award for scientific achievement is presented to a living AFS member for original and/or outstanding contributions to fisheries and aquatic biology. 

Fisheries

The Weitz Company Scholarship Fund

Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties
Private
United States
Unspecified amount

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

The Weitz Company Scholarship Fund

Can go to college or vocational school with a major or emphasis in one of the following fields of study:

  • Architecture
  • Civil Engineering
  • Construction Management
  • Interior Design
  • Other Construction-related fields (e.g., construction project management, mechanical/electrical engineering and trades).
Architecture Civil Engineering Electrical Engineering +3 more

Helping Justice-Involved Reenter Employment 2.0

California Workforce Development Board
State/Local Government
California
US $200,000 - US $400,000
The Helping Justice-Involved Reenter Employment 2.0 (HIRE 2.0) grant program, funded by the California Workforce Development Board, offers approximately $9.5 million to support employment opportunities for justice-involved individuals. This program focuses on training, reskilling, and supportive services to enhance job mobility. Exclusively available to existing HIRE 1.0 grantees and Network Spokes, it aims to improve workforce programming for the reentry population while fostering collaboration among local agencies and community organizations.
Workforce Preparation & Job Readiness

Raley's Extra Credit Grants

Raley's
Corporate
California, Nevada
Unspecified amount

At Raley’s, we believe that giving back is one of the most important things we do. We have re-aligned our giving strategy to ensure our community giving reflects our company’s vision of changing the way the world eats, one plate at a time.

Through our two corporate giving programs, Raley’s Purposeful Giving and Raley’s Extra Credit Grants, we are able to support thousands of organizations throughout our company footprint.

Raley's Extra Credit Grants

Raley’s proudly supports causes that make significant impacts in our schools and align with one or more of our Extra Credit pillars:

  • Nutrition Education
  • Food Literacy
  • Play

Through Extra Credit Grants, we also support:

  • School Shopping Days: Store fundraiser where 20% of store sales (up to $5,000) on a mutually agreed upon date will go back to the school.
  • Store Tours: Opportunities for students to learn how to shop healthy, read nutrition labels, and more!

Raley's offers 3 primary forms of support:

  • Monetary support for programs
  • Healthy Food and Snack Items
  • Raley's Gift Cards

Nutrition & Healthy Eating Recreation Food Safety

Morin Fellowship in Medical Physics

American College Of Radiology
Private
United States
More than US $500

About American College of Radiology

Founded in 1923, the American College of Radiology® (ACR®) is at the forefront of radiology evolution, representing more than 40,000 diagnostic and interventional radiologists, radiation oncologists, nuclear medicine physicians and medical physicists.

Richard L. Morin, PhD, Fellowship in Medical Physics

The American College of Radiology® (ACR®) is proud to support the development of young medical physicists through the Richard L. Morin, PhD, Fellowship. This fellowship provides one or two medical physics residents the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with the ACR.

Morin fellows interact with College staff, gain governance experience and receive fully funded attendance to the ACR Annual Meeting at the end of their Fellowship year.

In addition, the ACR will fully fund a one-week trip to ACR headquarters in Washington, DC, during the fall of their fellowship year, for the fellow(s) to meet College staff across departments and projects.

Fellows who publish an article or complete a project will earn a stipend of $500.

Biomedical Imaging

Homeless Education Technical Assistance Center (HETAC)

California Department of Education
State/Local Government
California
Up to US $1,500,000

California Department of Education

California will provide a world-class education for all students, from early childhood to adulthood. The Department of Education serves our state by innovating and collaborating with educators, schools, parents, and community partners. Together, as a team, we prepare students to live, work, and thrive in a multicultural, multilingual, and highly connected world.

Education for Homeless Children and Youth Technical Assistance Center

The CDE invites county offices of education (COEs) throughout the state to apply to become a HETAC. The HETAC(s) will provide regional support, resources, and expertise to homeless education liaisons throughout the state to ensure that local educational agencies (LEAs) meet all of the requirements specified in Section 11432(g)(3) of the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (42 United States Code [U.S.C.] Sec. 11301 et seq.) and additional homeless education provisions outlined in California Education Code (EC).

Education Homelessness Services Educational Access & Equity

The Sampson Scholarship Fund

Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties
Private
United States
Unspecified amount

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

The Sampson Scholarship Fund

This scholarship is for a Year 3 or Year 4 veterinary school student or resident committed to Zoological or Wildlife Medicine.

Zoology Invertebrate Zoology Vertebrate Zoology

The Reuter Scholarship Fund

Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties
Private
United States
Unspecified amount

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

The Reuter Scholarship Fund

  • Interested in pursuing a career in engineering, science or technology
  • Based on good moral character and student’s overall performance as to academic ability and standing, extracurricular activities, success in dealing with life’s challenges in individual circumstances and financial need
Engineering STEM / STEAM Education

Golden State Pathways Program - Implementation Funds for Planning Grant Pathways

California Department of Education
State/Local Government
California
Up to US $50,000,000

California Department of Education

California will provide a world-class education for all students, from early childhood to adulthood. The Department of Education serves our state by innovating and collaborating with educators, schools, parents, and community partners. Together, as a team, we prepare students to live, work, and thrive in a multicultural, multilingual, and highly connected world.

Golden State Pathways Program - Implementation Funds for Planning Grant Pathways

Funding Description

The purpose of the California Golden State Pathways Program is to provide local educational agencies with the resources to promote pathways in high-wage, high-skill, high-growth areas, including technology, health care, education, and climate-related fields that, among other things, allow pupils to advance seamlessly from high school to college and career and provide the workforce needed for economic growth.

Career / College Preparation Education - High School

Ingebord Crede Memorial Scholarship Fund

Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties
Private
United States
Unspecified amount

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

Ingebord Crede Memorial Scholarship Fund

  • Student must major in secondary education, English literature or history
  • Demonstrate financial need
Education - Higher Education

Inez Peppers Lovett and Charlie Ellington Scholarship Fund

Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties
Private
United States
Unspecified amount

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

Inez Peppers Lovett and Charlie Ellington Scholarship Fund

Founded by Inez Peppers Lovett and Charlie Lovett Ellington, this scholarship is available to African-American graduating senior from any Palm Beach County high school who will be pursuing a career in elementary education.

Education - K through 12 Black American Services

Ernest Frank Scholarship Fund Created in Memory of Arlene Fulton Hammond

Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties
Private
United States
Unspecified amount

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

Ernest Frank Scholarship Fund Created in Memory of Arlene Fulton Hammond

The Ernest Frank Scholarship Fund was established in memory of Arlene Fulton Hammond, a beloved neighbor and dear friend whose life embodied kindness, warmth and unwavering grace. Created by Ernest Frank, who considered Arlene a surrogate mother, the fund honors her legacy by supporting educational opportunities — something she deeply valued.

The scholarship fund serves as a lasting expression of love, respect and friendship, ensuring that Arlene’s spirit lives on by helping students pursue brighter futures — just as she would have wanted.

Education - Higher Education

Heather and Patrick Henry Scholarship Fund

Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties
Private
United States
Unspecified amount

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

Heather and Patrick Henry Scholarship Fund

  • Must demonstrate academic achievement or academic potential.
  • Must demonstrate financial need.
Education - Higher Education

H. David Faust Memorial Scholarship Fund

Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties
Private
United States
Unspecified amount

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

H. David Faust Memorial Scholarship Fund

A native of Philadelphia, David made his home in West Palm Beach for more than 20 years. He was the administrative partner of Steel, Hector, Davis, Burns & Middleton (now Steel Hector & Davis), as well as attorney for the towns of Ocean Ridge and South Palm Beach. Additionally, he taught law courses at Palm Beach Community College. David was extremely active in his church, and served as a board member of the Community Foundation for six years. He was instrumental in starting the scholarship program.

Dave always said that he was content with his life, that it had been a good and satisfying one, and it surely seems to have been – a successful career, a prestigious and challenging practice, a prominence in the community, the bar, his church and his firm, blessed with a healthy and accomplished family, with a wife whose love, strength and enormous depth have been demonstrated so magnificently over this past year – all these were David’s. And perhaps, most important of all to him, was his deep and abiding faith in God. David’s life is an exemplar to all of us – the perfect partner, the great counselor, the outstanding lawyer, the effortlessly skilled leader, the caring father and husband. While he was here, he set a course for all of us in our daily lives which we will be proud to point to and should hope to emulate.”

Education - Higher Education

Harry and Bertha Bronstein Memorial Scholarship Fund

Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties
Private
United States
Unspecified amount

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

Harry and Bertha Bronstein Memorial Scholarship Fund

For Students in Martin County.

Education - Higher Education

George and Arlene F. Lepeska Scholarship Fund

Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties
Private
United States
Unspecified amount

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

George and Arlene F. Lepeska Scholarship Fund

  • Student should demonstrate strong extracurricular activities, academic excellence.
  • Must show financial need.
Education - Higher Education

Harrington Scholarship Fund for Martin County

Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties
Private
United States
Unspecified amount

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

Harrington Scholarship Fund for Martin County

For Students in Martin County.

Education - Higher Education

Harman Family Scholarship Fund

Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties
Private
United States
Unspecified amount

Scholarships support aspiring college students who hold the promise of tomorrow’s progress.

Together, our competitive grants and scholarships help our region rise thanks to the vision and generosity of our donors.

Harman Family Scholarship Fund

Graduating high school senior residing in Palm Beach County or Martin County.

Education - Higher Education

Oren Pollak Memorial Research Fund

The Nature Conservancy
Private
California, Oregon
US $5,000 - US $15,000

The Nature Conservancy

The Nature Conservancy’s scientists in California are working to inform, influence, and inspire conservation in today’s human-dominated world, to build a future in which people and nature thrive together.

Oren Pollak Memorial Research Fund

The Oren Pollak Memorial Research Fund was established in 2000 in memory of Dr. Oren Pollak, a leading grassland ecologist and restoration pioneer, as well as an ardent champion and mentor for grassland ecology students. As The Nature Conservancy’s lead ecologist in California in the early 1990s, Dr. Pollak established the grassland research program that continues today. He later became Director of Science in the Conservancy’s Oregon Chapter. Since 2000, the Pollak Fund has granted more than $170,000 in grasslands research funding for student scientists. 

The Nature Conservancy will be granting up to $20,000 for assistance to two or three student grantees to conduct research on grasslands in California or Oregon. Preference will be given to projects explicitly focused on grasslands and relevant to TNC’s conservation efforts in California or Oregon.

Proposed projects may include, but are not restricted to, research on grassland management practices (e.g., restoration, grazing), habitat value for rare and threatened species, and community ecology. Studies conducted on TNC preserves and coordination with TNC preserve managers is desirable but not mandatory. 

Land / Habitat Conservation

Santa Cruz County Grants for Nonprofits Highlights

Looking for Santa Cruz County grants for nonprofits?


Read more about each grant below or start your 14-day free trial to see all Santa Cruz County grants recommended for your specific programs in California.

Last updated: October 5, 2026. Next update: November 1, 2026.

Grant Insights : Santa Cruz County Grants for Nonprofits

Grant Availability

How common are grants in this category?

Uncommon — grants in this category are less prevalent than in others.

100 Santa Cruz County grants for nonprofits grants for nonprofits in the United States, from private foundations to corporations seeking to fund grants for nonprofits.

22 Santa Cruz County grants for nonprofits over $25K in average grant size

14 Santa Cruz County grants for nonprofits over $50K in average grant size

17 Santa Cruz County grants for nonprofits supporting general operating expenses

66 Santa Cruz County grants for nonprofits supporting programs / projects

2,000+ Grants on Instrumentl focused on Career / College Preparation

2,000+ Grants on Instrumentl focused on Art & Culture

Grant Deadline Distribution

Over the past year, when are grant deadlines typically due for Santa Cruz County grants for Nonprofits?

Most grants are due in the first quarter.

Q1
35.4%
Q2
23.2%
Q3
17.5%
Q4
24.0%

Typical Funding Amounts

What's the typical grant amount funded for Santa Cruz County Grants for Nonprofits?

Grants are most commonly $7,250.

$500 $500 Min.
$7,250 $7.3 K Median
$123,663 $123.7 K Average
$2,300,000 $2.3 M Max.

Average Grant Size

What's the typical amount funded for California?

Grants are most commonly $145,539.

$145,539

Total Number of Grants

What's the total number of grants in Santa Cruz County Grants for Nonprofits year over year?

In 2024, funders in California awarded a total of 256,564 grants.

2022 237,186

2023 236,635

2024 256,564

Top Grant Focus Areas

Among all the Santa Cruz County Grants for Nonprofits given out in California, the most popular focus areas that receive funding are Education, Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Foundations, and Human Services.

1. Education

2. Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Foundations

3. Human Services

Funding Over Time

How is funding for Santa Cruz County Grants for Nonprofits changing over time?

Funding has increased by -1.38%.

2022 $34,364,756,699

2023 $37,770,770,141
9.91%

2024 $37,247,795,891
-1.38%

California Counties That Receive the Most Funding

How does grant funding vary by county?

Los Angeles County, San Francisco County, and San Mateo County receive the most funding.

County Total Grant Funding in 2024
Los Angeles County $10,841,756,858
San Francisco County $5,409,542,294
San Mateo County $5,358,878,304
Santa Clara County $3,811,026,208
Alameda County $3,749,322,182

Related Grants in California

Browse Grants by Cities within California

Browse Grants by Counties within California