A commitment to social justice, opportunity, and inclusion

Diversity Partnership Fund

All Funds

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 permanently endowed fund has reached the $1 million mark 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 $1 million in grants have been awarded since 1997, including $33,000 in 2019.

2019 Diversity Partnership Grants

Advocacy, Inc.
Big Brothers Big Sisters
O'Neill Sea Odyssey
Queer Youth Task Force of Santa Cruz County (Diversity Center)
Alianza Charter School
Aptos High School
Branciforte Middle School
Branciforte Small Schools
Cesar E. Chavez Middle School
Delta Charter High School
Lakeview Middle School
Pacific Collegiate School
Pajaro Middle School
Rolling Hills Middle School
Santa Cruz High School
Soquel High School
Watsonville Charter School of the Arts
Watsonville High School

LGBTQ+ Grants Available

All nonprofit organizations and fiscally-sponsored groups can apply for a grant to support programs and activities that strengthen alliances, promote respect, and enhance services for the LGBTQ+ community throughout the county. Our next grant cycle will award approximately $48,000 in the fall of 2019 with applications due Sep. 13.

Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth

We are pleased to announce that for a second year, the Diversity Partnership Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) Grants are available to school GSA clubs to create a safe and welcoming place for LGBTQ+ youth. The grants range from $250 to $500 and are a non-competitive funding opportunity to support youth. In 2019, a total of $7,000 was awarded to 14 local GSA alliances and clubs.

Meet Our Diversity Partnership Advisory Committee:

Pictured Left to Right: Jim Brown, chair; Sandy Skees, Chris Weir, Rabbi Paula Marcus, Erica Murphy, Ami Ebright, Mitch Medina, Damian Maldonado.

"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

Contribute to the Diversity Partnership.

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