$2 Million in Grants to Support our Resilient Community

Through our annual Community Grants program, the Foundation has awarded $2 million to 100 local nonprofits. This funding will help nonprofits respond to growing pressures as organizations are adapting to shifting budgets and new federal policies while also facing an increased need for services. Grants are supporting the health and well-being of youth, seniors, immigrants, and families, contributors to our arts and culture ecosystem, and partners working toward a sustainable and resilient Santa Cruz County where the land and people can thrive.

Kevin Heuer, Director of Engagement and Impact, said, “The charitable funds that families have established here serve as our community’s permanent resource for strengthening the civic fabric that makes Santa Cruz County resilient. It’s a time of fiscal uncertainty for many nonprofits, but we’re proud to be able to offer steady, reliable funding to our trusted partners so they can continue their vital work caring for our community’s needs.”

Flexible Funding to Meet Needs in Real Time

Community grants offer flexible, unrestricted funding that empowers nonprofits to direct resources where they’re needed most—enabling timely, responsive action to meet the changing needs of the community.

Mark Silberstein, Executive Director of Elkhorn Slough Foundation says, “Unrestricted grant support is absolutely vital to us as continued federal grant funding becomes increasingly uncertain. Conservation is expensive and happens on long timelines, so flexible resources are particularly impactful in meeting our mission and protecting Elkhorn Slough long into the future.”

Laura Marcus, CEO of Dientes says, “With potential policy changes in the healthcare landscape, this flexible funding allows us to respond dynamically to community needs, helping to ensure that the 15,000+ people we serve can access quality dental care.”

Ashley Bridges, Executive Director of Pajaro Valley Loaves and Fishes says, “Support from the Community Grants program will help us respond to rising food costs and reduced USDA support by ensuring we can continue providing nutritious meals and groceries to low-income families in our community. These funds are critical to meeting the growing need we anticipate in the year ahead.”

Isai Pazos, Executive Director of Senderos, recently had their Challenge American grant through the National Endowment for the Arts grant cancelled due to the new federal administration. He says, “These funds will support access to our cultural arts and education programs, directly addressing community needs for youth engagement, family connection, and cultural preservation.”

Protecting the People and Places We Love

Annual grants are made possible thanks to the generosity and foresight of dozens of families—including the extraordinary legacy of the Borina Family—who entrusted the Community Foundation with their charitable visions, or locals who made recent gifts to the Greatest Needs Fund.

• Community grants are supporting safety net providers of food, shelter, and healthcare, including Community Bridges, Housing Matters, Pajaro Valley Shelter Services, Santa Cruz Community Health, and Second Harvest Food Bank.
• Grant funding to support the essential needs and legal aid for the immigrant community is going to Watsonville Law Center, Community Action Board, Catholic Charities Diocese of Monterey, and Salud Para La Gente.
• Funding to Hospice, Grey Bears, Community Bridges, Senior Legal Services, and Senior Network Services is helping seniors and their caretakers connect to social services, healthcare, meals, day services, caregiver resources, and end-of-life support.
• Grants are also supporting youth development and education, environmental organizations working on conservation, access to the outdoors, and climate adaptations, and the LGBTQ+ community.

Header Photo: Community Grantee Esperanza Community Farms promotes healthy eating and economic justice in the Pajaro Valley.