The Neighborhood Grants Program (NGP) is the Community Foundations for Monterey County’s commitment to support community and volunteer-led groups at the grassroots level.
Donor Name: Community Foundations for Monterey County
State: California
County: Monterey County (CA)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline (mm/dd/yyyy): Ongoing
Size of the Grant: $1,000 to $4,000
Details:
The NGP is committed to providing financial and technical support to resident- and community-led groups for projects in their neighborhood or community that help improve the quality of life for its residents.
Funding Information
- A total of $50,000 is available to grant this year. In 2022, the Neighborhood Grants Program expects to award approximately 12-15 grants.
- Groups may apply for a grant ranging from $1,000 to $4,000 for a project or series of activities that improves the quality of life in their neighborhood.
Criteria
Projects must be carried out in the neighborhood or community where the members live. The NGP seeks groups that can carry out a vision of healthy, safe, vibrant communities in their respective neighborhoods or communities. Neighborhood Grant selections will be based on the following criteria.
- Need: Does the project fulfill a community need that is not being met?
- Leadership: Does the group demonstrate leadership and train its members to take on leadership roles?
- Involvement: Does the group involve other people in the project? Are decisions made collectively and not by one person?
- Impact: Will the group’s project achieve positive changes for their community?
Eligibility Criteria
Any resident- or community-led group in Monterey County is eligible to apply. To apply, the group must include at least five, unrelated volunteers. Priority is given to applicants from underserved and/or low-income areas in the county. Priority areas include Salinas Valley, South County, Salinas, North County, Seaside and Marina. Those interested in applying for a grant are highly encouraged to speak with staff regarding their questions and proposal ideas.
The following are examples of groups that have been funded in the past.
- Any resident- or community-led group working on a project or activity that will directly benefit their community.
- Advocacy groups focusing on neighborhood improvements such as: after-school programs, sidewalk improvements, streetlights, farmers’ markets, etc.
- Art groups organizing free art (painting, poetry, music, theater, dance, etc.) lessons, experiences, etc. in under-served communities or in communities where art programs and services are limited or non-existent.
- Neighborhood or apartment associations, neighborhood groups that develop resident leadership to identify and resolve neighborhood issues.
- Youth sports teams (baseball, basketball, soccer, etc.) that increase or improved parent participation, physical and mental health, life skills or similar youth developmental abilities.
- Support groups where none exist due to transportation or language barriers, or subject matter.
For more information, visit Neighborhood Grants Program.
