scope & type of grants

Areas of Focus

The Foundation’s focus areas are: Arts & Culture, Community & Environment, Education, Health & Human Services, and Youth. The Foundation’s Youth Fund is a separate grant fund that awards grants to selected youth-oriented organizations in Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties. Nonprofit organizations can submit one grant application per twelve-month period to either the Monterey Peninsula Foundation or the Youth Fund, with the exception of colleges and universities, which may apply separately to the Monterey Peninsula Foundation and the Youth Fund.

Types of Grants

The Foundation will consider grant applications for capital projects, programs, and operating support. Grants range from $10,000 – $100,000, and may be higher for major or capital projects. The Foundation occasionally makes multi-year grants. Grant applications should show strong and realistic financial planning. The Foundation may make matching or challenge grants to help organizations attract wider support.

Geographic Funding Areas

Priority is given to organizations located in Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties in Central California, with limited grants to organizations in Northern California.

The Foundation does not fund:

• Organizations without 501(c)(3) status, except schools or public agencies
• Organizations classified as private foundations
• Organizations that have been in operation less than 3 years
• Organizations that discriminate on the basis of race, culture, gender, sexual orientation, religion or age
• Individuals
• Political parties, candidates, or partisan political organizations or activities
• Organizations whose activities are located outside of the United States
• Emergency operating funds or requests to reduce debt or past operating deficits
• Annual meetings, annual fund appeals, advertising, contests, fundraising events, ceremonies, conferences, travel, memorials or testimonials
• Endowments
• Academic or scientific research
• Development or production of books, films or video projects
• Salaries for teachers or school employees
• Organizations with a limited constituency, such as labor organizations or fraternal organizations
• Nonprofit organizations that spend more than 25% of their revenue on management overhead and/or fundraising costs