The Community Foundation for Monterey County’s (CFMC) strategic plan embraces a countywide vision of Healthy, Safe and Vibrant Communities. Impact Grants address critical issues and opportunities that advance this vision.
CFMC seeks to support funding requests that address community challenges or opportunity/achievement gaps that increase equity and demonstrate impact and measurable results. Approximately $2.6 million will be awarded annually.
Below are related materials to our Grant Information Session, which reviews updates to our Impact (including Small Opportunity) and Organizational Development grant programs. Read the respective grant guidelines, watch the overview video and/or review the presentation slides below.
Impact grants, requesting up to $50,000, are due March 21, 2025 by 5:00 pm or earlier.
| Grant Amount | Decision | |
| Impact Grants | $20,001 - $50,000 | End of June |
| Small Grants | $10,000 - $20,000 | End of April, August and December |
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 grants with an average grant size of $45,000. These applications are reviewed by grant committees that carefully review proposals and recommend a slate of grants to the CFMC board, which has final authority in all grant decisions.
| Grant Amount | $20,001 - $50,000 |
| By 5 p.m. Due Date or Earlier | March 15, 2024 |
| Scope & Characteristics | - Countywide or larger scope - Impact on complex issues - Organizations with strong track record of effectiveness |
| Application & Reporting | Annual report required |
| Review | Committee review |
| Decisions | End of June |
While still following the Impact Guidelines, these smaller grants are intended for first-time Impact applicants, smaller organizations, or programs serving a specific population or geographic area. The Small Grants Program has a streamlined application and reporting process, and grants are reviewed and recommended by a group of senior foundation staff.
| Grant Amount | $10,000 - $20,000 |
| Due Dates | By the end of February, June and October |
| Scope & Characteristics | - Limited size & scope - Serve specific community - Smaller organizations - First-time Impact applicants |
| Application & Reporting | Annual report required |
| Review | Staff review |
| Decisions | By the end of April, August and December |
The CFMC receives far more requests than is possible to fund. Typically, the CFMC can only approve one third of requests and must decline many worthwhile proposals.
The CFMC seeks to fund proposals that:
Eligible Organizations:
Please contact us if your organization has not yet received its nonprofit status and plans to apply in conjunction with a fiscal sponsor.
*Organizations or collaborative projects that are not legally incorporated may partner with a tax-exempt, 501(c)3 organization which will serve as the fiscal sponsor for the proposed grant. The fiscal sponsor must agree to be accountable to the CFMC for the programmatic and financial outcomes of the grant and have a signed agreement with the sponsored group verifying the terms of the arrangement.
Grant funds cannot be used for the following types of activities:
The CFMC does not support organizations that discriminate in their employment practices, volunteer opportunities, or delivery of programs and services on the basis of race, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristics protected by law.
Capital Support We support 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.
Operating Support We may provide unrestricted operating grants to organizations that have a proven track record of community benefit in Monterey County. Organizations must have a base of operations in Monterey County and a positive and stable history.
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.
Impact grants typically cover a period of 12 months. Multi-year proposals may be considered for larger or nonprofit sector initiatives, but are the exception.
An evaluation report is due 12 months after you have been awarded an Impact Grant. Complete the report in our Online Grants Manager. The evaluation report describes how the grant was used, the impact it had on your organization and community, and what you have learned.
In 2024, we awarded $1,545,000 through the Community Impact grant program.
More information on the grants awarded can be found below by program area.
| Boys & Girls Club of Monterey County | $50,000 | Operating support (two-year grant) |
| Central Coast YMCA | $25,000 | Youth Fit for Life |
| Salinas Community Science Workshop | $25,000 | Operating support |
| Community Partnership for Youth | $40,000 | After-school Mentor/Tutor Program (two-year grant) |
| Epicenter of Monterey | $25,000 | Operating support |
| Girls Inc. of the Central Coast | $50,000 | South County after-school enrichment programs (two-year grant) |
| Partners for Peace | $20,000 | Operating support |
| Positive Discipline Community Resources | $15,000 | Strengthening Families through Positive Discipline: Connect, Grow, Nurture |
| Read to Me Project | $25,000 | Operating support |
| Restorative Justice Partners | $25,000 | Restorative Justice in the Schools |
| Alliance on Aging Inc. | $60,000 | Operating support (two-year grant) |
| Blind & Visually Impaired Center | $15,000 | Continuation of Salinas and South County Expansion |
| Brighter Bites | $25,000 | Brighter Bites Monterey County Produce Distribution and Nutrition Education Programs |
| Coalition of Homeless Services Providers | $25,000 | Lead Me Home Plan to Reduce Homelessness- Phase 3 |
| Community Human Services | $60,000 | Casa de Noche Buena-Emergency Shelter (two-year grant) |
| Community Water Center | $25,000 | Safe Drinking Water Access Now and Organizing for Long-Term Solutions in Monterey County |
| Eat Real | $25,000 | Eat Real Certification in two Monterey County Public School Districts |
| Gathering for Women – Monterey | $50,000 | Operating support (two-year grant) |
| Harmony At Home | $25,000 | Comprehensive Social & Emotional Supports Packages |
| Health Projects Center | $25,000 | Operating support for services in Monterey County |
| Independent Transportation Network Monterey County | $60,000 | Independent Transportation Network Monterey County |
| Interim, Inc | $25,000 | Marina Kai Apartments – A Permanent Supportive Housing Project |
| Meals on Wheels of the Monterey Peninsula | $20,000 | Food Support for Home Delivered Meals and Group Dining Programs |
| Meals on Wheels Salinas Valley | $20,000 | Delivering Meals and Nourishing Homebound Seniors |
| Monterey County Rape Crisis Center | $30,000 | Child Abuse Prevention Education Program |
| Planned Parenthood Mar Monte | $25,000 | Critical health care through Seaside and Salinas clinics |
| Rising International | $25,000 | Rising Safe & Sound: Human trafficking prevention program for middle and high school students in Monterey County |
| Sun Street Centers | $50,000 | Safe Teens Empowerment Project (two-year grant) |
| United Way Monterey County | $15,000 | 211 Monterey County Information and Referral |
| Big Sur Land Trust | $25,000 | Ensen Community Park Project Construction: Phase One |
| El Pajaro Community Development Corporation | $35,000 | Operating support for work in Monterey County |
| Radio Bilingue, Inc. / KHDC-FM | $30,000 | Know Your Rights & Take Action: Focus on the Triqui Community |
| Ventures | 30,000 | Familias con Mas Monterey County |
| Arts Council for Monterey County | $60,000 | Operating support (two-year grant) |
| Centro Binacional para el Desarrollo Indigena Oaxaqueño | $50,000 | Mixteco Summer School Cultural Curriculum (two-year grant) |
| Monterey County Pops | $25,000 | Salinas Valley Music Education Initiative |
| Monterey County Symphony Association | $40,000 | Operating support (two-year grant) |
| Sol Treasures | $30,000 | Operating support |
| Youth Orchestra Salinas (YOSAL) | $20,000 | Operating support |
| City of Monterey Museums and Cultural Arts | $50,000 | Colton Hall and Old Jail Historic Interpretation |
| Monterey County Agricultural & Rural Life Museum | $15,000 | Educational Programming |
| Monterey County Historical Society, Inc. | $30,000 | Monterey’s Pat Hathaway Collection: Preservation, Management, & Dissemination |
| Monterey History and Art Association | $50,000 | Doud House Refurbishment |
| Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation | $20,000 | Splash Zone Head Start Discovery Program: environmental education |
| Point Lobos Foundation | $60,000 | Operating support – Climate Change Mitigation & Education (two-year grant) |
| Ventana Wilderness Alliance | $20,000 | Youth in Wilderness program in Monterey County |
| Ventana Wildlife Society | $50,000 | Operating support (two-year grant) |
In 2024, we awarded $515,500 through the Opportunity grant program.
More information on the grants awarded can be found below.
| Organization | Purpose | Amount Awarded |
| Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association | Expanded Education, Support Groups and Outreach | $13,000 |
| ARIEL Theatrical | Youth Leadership Program | $15,000 |
| Artists Ink | Operating support | $15,000 |
| Black Leaders And Allies Collaborative | Expanded Race Relations Cohort | $15,000 |
| California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc | Income Stability through Public Benefits Advocacy | $19,500 |
| Carmel Cares | Carmel Beach Signage | $5,000 |
| CASA of Monterey County | Operating support | $20,000 |
| Center for Land-Based Learning | Monterey Bay FARMS Program | $15,000 |
| Central Coast VNA & Hospice | Operating support | $15,000 |
| Cesar Chavez Futbol Academy | Youth Development, Mentorship, Academics, Leadership and Soccer | $10,000 |
| Community Association of Big Sur | Big Sur Area "Broadband for All" Consultant | $10,000 |
| Community Bridges | North Monterey Cty Access to Adult Day Health Care (two-year grant) | $40,000 |
| Dentistry 4 Vets | Dental Care & Dental Hygiene for Veterans | $15,000 |
| Downtown Streets Team | Monterey County – Outreach and Engagement Initiative | $7,500 |
| Everyone's Harvest | Operating support | $17,500 |
| Fire Safe Council For Monterey County | Support collaborative educational and outreach | $6,000 |
| Hope Horses & Kids | Equine Assisted Wellness and Learning | $20,000 |
| Junior Achievement of Northern California, Inc. | Monterey Area Youth Economic Empowerment Initiative | $20,000 |
| Kidpower Teenpower Fullpower | Resilience Skill-Building for Monterey County residents | $20,000 |
| Mindful Life Project | Mental health support in Monterey County | $20,000 |
| Monterey State Historic Park Association | Title I School 4th grade CA education at Monterey State Historic Park | $15,000 |
| Monterey Waterkeeper | Central Coast Water Leaders | $20,000 |
| Salinas Regional Sports Authority | Operating support | $10,000 |
| Silicon Valley Education Foundation | Elevate Math Monterey County | $20,000 |
| The Equine Healing Collaborative | Equine Assisted Psychotherapy | $20,000 |
| The Parenting Connection of Monterey County | Operating support | $15,000 |
| UnChained | Canines Teaching Compassion program in Monterey County | $20,000 |
| Watsonville Wetlands Watch | Environmental education and stewardship in North Monterey County | $20,000 |
| Wildfarmers | Wildlife and habitat conservation in the Ancient Blue Oak Woodlands | $20,000 |
| Youth Arts Collective | After-school arts and mentorship program | $17,000 |
| YWCA of Monterey County | Therapy Department | $20,000 |
The goal of the Impact Grants Program is to increase impact and build strong relationships with our partners to help make a difference in our community. We have developed a thorough grant application review process to carefully consider each request.
The grant committee, composed of board members, reviews the larger grant proposals (requesting over $20,000) and makes recommendations. These dedicated volunteers have opened up the grantmaking process to be truly community-driven and allow us to leverage the expertise of a larger group.
Staff’s role focuses on assisting grant seekers, staying in touch with nonprofit organizations and community issues, screening applications for completeness, and facilitating information between the grant committees and applicants.
Deneen Guss, Romero Jalomo, Kathleen Lee, Adriana Melgoza, Rene Mendez, Colby Pereira, Francine M. Rodd
Funding for the Impact Grants Program comes from a variety of field of interest and unrestricted funds managed by the CFMC. These funds are all endowed, meaning that the amount of funding available for application-based grants is dependent on market performance in a given year.
Field of interest funds are established by donors who are interested in supporting a given area, such as education, health, culture, the environment, and or seniors. Donors also may limit grantmaking from their fund to a geographic area and/or client population.
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Community Foundation for Monterey County
Monterey Office
2354 Garden Road
Monterey, CA 93940
Salinas Office
945 South Main Street, Suite 207
Salinas, CA 93901
Home page background photos
courtesy of Chris Burnham
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