Credit: The Diversity Center of Santa Cruz County

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 $800,000 in grants have been awarded since 1997, including over $39,000 in 2024.

Learn more about our grantmaking from the Diversity Partnership Fund.

Current Grantees

Birds of a Feather
Diversity Center
Pajaro Valley Pride
Queer Youth Task Force
Santa Cruz Pride
In 2024, the following Gender Sexuality Alliance, Pride, Rainbow school clubs received awards:
Alternative Family Education
Aptos Junior High School
Branciforte Middle School
Cypress High School
Delta Charter High School at Cabrillo College
Gault Elementary
Mission Hill middle school
Mount Madonna School
Pacific Collegiate School
Rolling Hills Middle School
Santa Cruz High School
Soquel Elementary 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

Contribute to the Diversity Partnership Fund

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