The Community Enrichment Grant Program is designed to provide funding to support projects and programs with a broad reach and impact and also to proactively address key issues in each region of the county.
Donor Name: Community Foundation of Mendocino County
State: California
County: Mendocino County (CA)
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 01/27/2025
Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000
Details:
Priorities
Priority will be given to projects that:
- Benefit the general public or a significant subgroup of the population –e.g. youth, seniors, Native or Latino community, or people with disabling conditions.
- Advance the applicant organization’s mission, vision, and long-term goals.
- Position the applicant organization to achieve the next level of operational, programmatic, financial, or organizational maturity, allowing it to fulfill its mission more effectively in the future.
- Develop stronger partnerships to catalyze growth and improve efficiency within the Mendocino County nonprofit sector.
Funding Types
- Program grants
- Strong proposals demonstrate that organizations are working in the context of the larger community and developing connections between diverse elements of the community. Proposals will be stronger if the program has a “multiplier” effect (e.g., funds that are used to improve education and also spur economic vitality of the community).
- Capacity-building projects/administrative grants
- Proposals must demonstrate how they will position the organization to more effectively and/or efficiently fulfill its programmatic goals in the future. Examples of eligible capacity-building activities include:
- Collaborating with other organizations to improve services or eliminate duplication.
- Strengthening governance, leadership, or staff expertise.
- Restructuring business models and accounting practices to improve financial stability.
- Building and diversifying revenue streams.
- Developing and implementing long-term strategic plans.
- Refining communications, marketing, and outreach.
- Improving volunteer recruitment, training, and engagement.
- Pursuing opportunities to share space, equipment, or other administrative costs.
- Proposals must demonstrate how they will position the organization to more effectively and/or efficiently fulfill its programmatic goals in the future. Examples of eligible capacity-building activities include:
- Capital grants
- Proposals are limited to assisting with the initial design/plans or with the final phases of fundraising for building and renovation. Non-specific requests for large capital projects will not be considered (proposals for specific portions of capital campaigns are welcome.
- Equipment and technology grants
- Proposals must demonstrate how the equipment will increase the organization’s ability to advance its mission. Software, apps, or website development costs are considered equipment projects.
Funding Information
- Total amount of funding available: Up to $135,000.
- Range of individual grant awards: $1,000 – $6,500.
Eligibility Criteria
All applicant organizations must:
- Serve residents of Mendocino County. Applicants not headquartered in Mendocino County must ensure that all grant dollars requested are spent within the County.
- Be legally chartered in California, currently registered with the California Attorney General’s charity registration, and in possession of a determination letter from the IRS declaring the organization a public charity that is exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3); or be a school district, tribe, or special district (e.g. community services, recreation, fire protection); or have an aligned mission with a fiscal sponsor (see Fiscal Sponsorship Guidelines).
- Demonstrate a full fiscal year of operational history with or without a fiscal sponsor.
- Serve residents of Mendocino County. Applicants not headquartered in Mendocino County must ensure that all grant dollars requested are spent within the County.
- Be legally chartered in California, currently registered with the California Attorney General’s charity registration, and in possession of a determination letter from the IRS declaring the organization a public charity that is exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3); or be a school district, tribe, or special district (e.g. community services, recreation, fire protection); or have an aligned mission with a fiscal sponsor.
- Demonstrate a full fiscal year of operational history with or without a fiscal sponsor.
- Conduct business without discrimination based on race, color, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, or religious affiliation.
For more information, visit CFMC.
