Guidelines & Eligibility
- Grants are open to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations (including universities, colleges, and charter and private schools), public K-12 schools, and public agencies serving residents of Monterey, Santa Cruz, or San Benito Counties.
- All requested funds must directly benefit residents of Monterey, Santa Cruz, or San Benito Counties.
- All applicants should be current on reporting obligations for any past grants.
- Only one grant per applicant will be considered annually, while exceptions are considered in response to an emergency or for a one-time significant, community-wide benefit.
All applicants must select a Home Cycle before applying. Home Cycles are a strategic choice made by the agency and we ask that agencies take the time to think through their selection to ensure it is a good fit.
IMPORTANT – Grant Cycles have been updated, please note the following dates:
Spring Cycle (formerly Winter Cycle)*
– December 1 application deadline for April 2024 review
– Grant period for a single year grant is April 1-November 30 (8 months)
– Reports due December 1
*K-12 schools (public, private and charter) and school districts must apply in the Spring Cycle. We ask that you contact the Philanthropy Office at [email protected] in advance of applying to discuss your funding request.
Fall Cycle
– June 1 application deadline for October review
– Grant period for a single year grant is October 1-May 31 (8 months)
– Reports due June 1
Please note: These application and report dates will remain the same for each cycle in future years.
Only completed applications from eligible organizations will be considered for funding during their specific home cycle timeline. Applicants that miss reporting and application deadlines will be asked to wait a year before applying. Strict adherence to these deadlines is critical to ensure the agency can apply for support annually.
Applicants should make every effort to ensure their application includes all financial, budget, and other attachments required in our online application process. If an application is received incomplete, it may be denied.
We do not allow agencies to switch cycles once they have made their strategic choice. If there are issues with the cycle choice, please contact the Philanthropy Office at [email protected] or 831-649-1533.
Grant funds will not be considered for the following:
- Activities that solely promote a religious doctrine
- Academic research
- Creation of, or addition to, an endowment fund
- Expenses incurred before the grant award date
- Fundraising campaigns or events
- Organizations classified as private foundations
- Organizations that discriminate in its 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
- Organizations that do not have 100% board financial giving (except for public K-12 schools and public agencies)
- Organizations that have been in operation less than three years
- Payment of debt or legal settlements
- Political or partisan purposes
- Staff salaries for school or public agency employees
The following guidelines explain our current requirements.
- Organizations requesting more than $25,000 are required to submit a financial review completed by a third party for the most recently completed fiscal year. However, a full audit is encouraged.
- Financial Compilations do not meet this requirement
- Organizations requesting more than $75,000 are required to submit a full financial audit.
- Groups that are covered under a Group Ruling MUST submit a letter of good standing from the parent organization that covers the year of application. If you have questions, contact the Philanthropy office at [email protected] or 831.649.1533, before applying.
- Groups or programs under a fiscal agent should contact our Philanthropy Office at [email protected] or 831.649.1533, before applying.
- Government or other public agencies are recommended to contact our Philanthropy Office at [email protected] or 831.649.1533, before applying.
- Requests for technology will be considered with preference given to requests containing: a plan to sustain upgrades/maintenance from a variety of strong funding sources.
- Requests for scholarships are considered by invitation only.
- Exceptions may be made to the above exclusions in response to an emergency, or for a one-time significant, community-wide benefit.
Organizations should be aware that there are many components of determining grant size. If your organization has been historically limited by an audit requirement, please contact our Philanthropy Office at [email protected] or 831.649.1533 to discuss the size of your next request. Please note that this change does not imply that funding will increase.
We believe that ongoing support is a critical element of community grantmaking. At the same time, expectations of similar funding each year can create dependency and limit the development of diverse funding streams. We may begin to ask organizations that have received more than five years of consistent support to take a break from funding for a one year period. Whenever possible, the break will take place after a multi-year award, providing advance notice for planning and to generate other support. We hope that this tool will help build resiliency and strength for our nonprofit partners.
The following guidelines explain additional requirements for Public Schools (K-12), Private Schools, School Districts, Charter Schools, Public/Private Universities, Community Colleges, and other education institutions:
- Individual public K-12 schools are limited to requesting no more than $50,000 per year. Only public K-12 schools may use the Public K-12 School grant application. Use of incorrect application may result in the delay of review. See guidelines for school districts, charter schools, and private schools below.
- School districts are limited to requesting no more than $400,000 per year for projects critical to a district-wide strategy. Monterey Peninsula Foundation may ask the district to take a year or two off from application after a significant grant has been committed. School districts must apply using the general grant application, and are subject to the same requirements as nonprofit organizations.
- Charter schools, private schools, public/private universities, community colleges, and other education institutions must have 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and apply using the general grant application and are subject to the same requirements as nonprofit organizations. The Foundation request, that prior to applying, charter schools reach out to our Philanthropy Office at [email protected] or 831.649.1533.
- Requests for technology will be considered with preference given to requests containing: a plan to sustain upgrades/maintenance from a variety of strong funding sources.
- Requests for scholarships are considered by invitation only.
For questions about eligibility, please contact our Philanthropy Office at [email protected] or 831.649.1533.
For high schools or 501(c)(3) nonprofit groups (i.e. PTA, Booster Club) requesting funds for sober grad events, a grant application is no longer required – visit Sponsorships for details.
In most instances the grant term is 8 months. Multi-year support is considered on a case-by-case basis. We consider a variety of factors to determine the term of the award, including good standing with recent grants awarded, reducing burden, organizational capacity, and more. Public K-12 schools are not eligible for multi-year support.
Check your award letter for specific information on the term of the grant. Grant terms are calculated based on reporting deadlines.
For questions about multi-year support, please contact Nancy Enterline at [email protected] or 831-649-1533.
Impact of Application Timelines on Duration of Grants
Each Grant Cycle has a consistent reporting deadline each year: Spring Cycle – December 1 and Fall Cycle – June 1. Grant terms are calculated based on reporting deadlines. Please plan accordingly.
Note that your application MUST fall within the Home Cycle you have elected. Home Cycles are a strategic choice made by the agency applying. We rarely allow agencies to switch cycles once they have made their strategic choice.
Please contact Ambry Capistrano at [email protected] if there is a problem with the current cycle or reporting deadlines.
