A commitment to social justice, opportunity, and inclusion

Diversity Partnership Fund

Strengthening alliances, promoting respect and enhancing services for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community in Santa Cruz County is vital to creating a more open, welcoming, and diverse county.

About the Fund

In 1997, we became one of the first community foundations in the U.S. to establish a social justice grantmaking and leadership program for LGBTQ+ people. In 2005, we launched a campaign to build a permanent endowment to advance the goals of the partnership.

This endowed fund with $1 million in permanent resources, is thanks to the collective effort of many community partners and donors. We are grateful for the impact that generosity has made on Santa Cruz County. As a member of Funders for LGBTQ Issues, more than $845,000 in grants have been awarded since 1997, including over $45,000 in 2024.

Learn more about our grantmaking from the Diversity Partnership Fund.

Current Grantees

The Diversity Center of Santa Cruz County
Birds of a Feather
Queer Youth Task Force
Santa Cruz Pride
In 2025, we partnered with the County of Santa Cruz Health Services Agency to offer larger awards to these 24 local Gender Sexuality Alliance, Pride, and Rainbow school clubs:
Santa Cruz Gardens Elementary School
Main Street Elementary School
Gault Elementary School
Soquel Elementary School
Harbor High School
Cypress High School
Santa Cruz High School
Scotts Valley High School
Delta Charter High School
Watsonville High School
Georgiana Bruce Kirby Preparatory School
Raíces y Cariño Family Center
Pacific Collegiate School
Cesar Chavez Middle School
E.A. Hall Middle School
Rolling Hills Middle School
Aptos Junior High School
Lakeview Middle School
New Brighton Middle School
Pájaro Middle School
Mission Hill Middle School
Shoreline Middle School
Branciforte Middle School
San Lorenzo Valley Middle School

"Know that your grant support (for our GSA) will serve a wonderful group of students and their efforts in creating a school community that is inclusive and that celebrates diversity. We are thankful to the Community Foundation and its board of directors for offering us this opportunity and supporting students in our community."

- Dr. Rosa G. Hernández, Principal, Lakeview Middle School

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