December 14, 2012 – There will be changes in our 2012 grantmaking.
 | | "We want to give you an update on the outlook for grantmaking in 2012." — Executive Director Lance Linares & Program Director Christina Cuevas |
A focus on safety net programs Like many communities, Santa Cruz County is faced with having fewer resources to meet the growing demand for basic needs.
We will continue our support to current grantees that provide ongoing services such as shelter, food, physical safety and health care.
This was the decision made by our board of directors at its December meeting, to allocate the majority of the Foundation's limited grant funds to thse safety net programs.
We're planning on how best to make those grants through a simplified process we will detail early next year.
No application session or general call for proposals In 2012, for our discretionary grants, there will be no grant application sessions at the start of the year, nor a call for proposals.
Current eligible grantees working in the Foundation's 2012 area of focus will be contacted early next year on how to proceed.
We'll also be working with our local and regional funding partners throughout the year to try and help other nonprofits, such as those in the arts and environment, hopefully later in the year.
Donor-advised grants can continue to support a wide range of causes The Foundation's focus in 2012 on safety net programs does not apply to our donor-advised grants.
Our donors can continue to recommend grants to the causes they care about based on their available fund balances.
These donor-advised grants have historically made up the majority (approximately 80%) of the Foundation's total annual grantmaking.
Down market caused changes We've not been exempt from the continued volatility in the financial markets.
The board's decision to focus on basic services next year is the result of lengthy discussions on how best to serve the county with fewer available grantmaking funds as the result of the down market. We expect our endowed funds to recover, as they did in 2002 and 2009.
As they grow again, we will return to our traditional grantmaking strategy that provides support to a wide array of programs and services, from the arts to education and from health care to the environment.
More information coming soon Additional details will be available on our website and through our eNews in the first part of 2012.
We'll update this information as soon as we have more details to share.
Email Program Director Christina Cuevas or call 831.662.2070. |