Community Grant Program - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Announcing the Fall 2025 Community Grant Round

The Community Foundation of San Carlos envisions a place where all can thrive and all feel like they belong. We do this by supporting nonprofits in our area that meet the needs of the people who live, work, learn or play in San Carlos.

PRIORITIES

The 2025 Grant Round will focus on funding local organizations that improve the quality of life for those in our community. Applications will be evaluated based on the impact of their work.

ELIGIBILITY

We encourage nonprofit organizations whose operating budgets were less than $1.5 million in the most recently completed fiscal year to apply. Financial and tax statements are required in the application.

The Applicant’s impact on our community is a critical factor, and applicants will be asked to share how they benefit our community.

INELIGIBLE

The Foundation will not fund the following:

  • Organizations whose annual operating budget exceeds $1.5 million;

  • Organizations whose main activity is fundraising;

  • Private Foundations;

  • Fundraising events;

  • Political or religious activities;

  • Deficit funding or cash reserves;

  • Basic research

Purpose of Grants

Nonprofits know best how to use their funds, thus we support general operating expenses. You will be asked to state how you intend to use grant monies and to provide a report on the extent to which funds helped you reach your goals.

Grant Size

Grants range from $2,000-$15,000. We may fully or partially fund an application based on available funds and an assessment of your application. Requests exceed available funds so please apply for what you feel is critical.

Where Does Funding Come From?

The Board funds its Grants Program based on money from three sources:

1) market returns from the original Endowment investment;
2) donations to the Foundation;
3) funds from government grants, business sponsorships and other foundations.

Duration

We have an annual grants cycle, which lasts from late July when an Intent to Apply Form is posted through December when successful applicants receive funds.

Grant applications are assessed in September, the Board reviews them in October and vote on awards in November.

Expectations

The Foundation expects that your organization will spend granted funds by June 30, 2026. We will contact you in May 2026 to ask you to fill out a short assessment form to document how funds were expended and how you met your objectives.

In order to be considered for future grants, your organization, must submit an assessment form.

IMPORTANT 2025-26 DATES

  • July 21: Submit an Intent to Apply Form

  • August 4: Intent to Apply form Due from Applicants

  • August 11: Grant Application posted and open

  • September 15: Grant Applications Due

  • September 17 - October 20: Application assessment

  • November 3: Grants Committee submits recommendations to Executive Committee

  • November 12: Full Board receives Grant Packet

  • December 10: Board awards Grants

  • December: Grant Awards made to successful applicants

The Community Foundation Grants Committee may reach out with follow-up questions during the review process.

Still Have Questions?

If you still have questions about the Grants program or application process, please contact grants@sancarloscf.org.

 
 

Join Us In Supporting
Great Local Area Nonprofits

If you are interested in joining the team of grant readers, please fill out the Application Form or send an email to grants@sancarloscf.org. Team members are required to attend a training session in late summer, read and score 5-10 applications against a common set of criteria, and provide your input at a second session in October. If you have approximately 12-15 hours in September/October 2026 and have a passion to support San Carlos through the power of our local nonprofits, consider joining us as a Grant Reader.