Support Local Efforts
Discover how your generosity can support ongoing progress in Santa Cruz County.
Supporting your community is one of the most fulfilling and personal experiences you can have. Donate any amount to help grow grantmaking funds that support the arts, education, the environment, human services, health and community development, women and girls, the LGBTQ community, and children, youth, and young children in Santa Cruz County. You may also direct your gifts to a nonprofit of your choice.
Popular Ways To Give
Our Funds
Friends of the Foundation Fund
Each year, our donors support more than 800 different causes and charities in Santa Cruz County and beyond. We offer wise investment strategies, local expertise about community issues, and first-class donor services. This fund supports our ability to be the local hub of philanthropy and generosity.
Community Investment Revolving Fund
Our local impact investments pursue opportunities that return both financial and social gains—right here at home. In 2015, we began making low-interest loans. Funds are loaned to nonprofits and businesses solving social challenges and spurring economic growth in key issues in our community. Unlike traditional philanthropy, which typically relies on grants, our impact investments are structured as flexible, cost-effective loans that are expected to be paid back, thus recycling the dollars to consistently fund new initiatives into the future.
Fund for Women and Girls
An Endowed Fund to Power the Future: When a woman thrives, a family thrives. When a family thrives, a community thrives.
Fund for Human Services
Help individuals and families to obtain basic services and reach self-reliance.
Fund for the Great Outdoors
Support environmental activity from land, forest, and wetland preservation, air quality improvement, education, and more.
Fund for Health
Promote wellness, decrease disparities in health status, increase access to care, and encourage coordinated, community-oriented approaches to care.
Funds for Arts, Culture & Historic Preservation
Promote our community's vibrant artistic life and education, cultural activities, and colorful history.
Fund for Education & Youth
This endowed fund works to level the educational playing field through big investments in the Santa Cruz County College Commitment’s work to lift math skills through improving instruction, early childhood education, after school programs, and efforts to stop the summer learning slide.
Fund for Community Development
Organizations working for a stronger and more equitable future such as: El Pájaro Community Development Corporation (aka El Pájaro CDC), Opportunity Fund, Digital Nest, Community Ventures, Monterey Bay Economic Partnership, and others have all received grants from the fund.
Diversity Partnership Fund
The Diversity Partnership Fund strengthens alliances, promotes respect, and enhances services for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender community in Santa Cruz County. The Partnerships efforts are vital to creating a more open, welcoming, and diverse county.
Let’s Chat
We take your generosity personally.
Sam Leask, our philanthropic services director, is happy to help you determine how best to transform your compassion and contributions into benefits for Santa Cruz County that are meaningful to you.