Community Foundation For Monterey County

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $44.4 million (2024)
• Total Assets: $420 million (2024)
• Grant Range: $1,000 - $50,000 (varies by programme)
• Geographic Focus: Monterey County, California
• Established: 1945 (tax-exempt status granted 1966)
• Cumulative Grantmaking: More than $382 million since 1982

Contact Details

Monterey Office
2354 Garden Road, Monterey, CA 93940
Phone: (831) 375-9712

Salinas Office
945 South Main Street, Suite 207, Salinas, CA 93901
Phone: (831) 754-5880

Website: www.cfmco.org

Key Grant Contacts:

• Janet Shing, Grantmaking Director: (831) 754-5880 ext. 137
• Laurel Lee-Alexander, VP Community Impact: (831) 375-9712 ext. 112

Overview

Founded in 1945 as "the Monterey Foundation" with a focus on historic adobe preservation, the Community Foundation for Monterey County has evolved into one of California's major community foundations. With $420 million in assets, CFMC distributed $44.4 million in grants and scholarships in 2024 through 3,091 grants—the highest in the foundation's history. Since 1982, the foundation has distributed more than $382 million to support Monterey County communities.

The foundation's mission is "to inspire philanthropy and be a catalyst for strengthening communities throughout Monterey County," focusing on creating healthy, safe, and vibrant communities. In 1984, the organisation adopted its current name to reflect its countywide scope. CFMC holds accreditation from the Council on Foundations and has been recognised as "Nonprofit of the Year" by the Greenfield Chamber of Commerce (2014). Beyond grantmaking, CFMC operates the Centre for Nonprofit Excellence, providing workshops, consulting, and the LEAD Institute to strengthen nonprofit capacity across the region.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Impact Grants - $10,000-$50,000
Annual competitive grants supporting initiatives in children & youth development, health services, arts & culture, community development, and environmental stewardship. Applications accepted through online portal with March deadline; awards announced in June. Approximately $2.6 million awarded annually.

Special Purpose Grants - $2,000-$50,000

• Fund for Homeless Women: Emergency and transitional housing programmes on the Monterey Peninsula (October deadline)
• Siembra Latinos Fund: Projects serving the Latino community (August deadline)
• Out Reach Fund: Supporting LGBTQ+ community initiatives
• Jean P. Fitton Fund: Blood bank support

Regional Grants - $1,000-$5,000
Geographic-specific funding through partner foundations:

• Big Sur Fund in Memory of Weston Call
• Community Fund for Carmel Valley
• Northern Monterey County Foundation
• Southern Monterey County Foundation

Year-Round Programmes:

• Organisational Development Grants: $5,000-$10,000 for capacity-building projects (rolling applications)
• Neighbourhood Grants: $3,000-$5,000 for community groups (rolling applications)
• Board Empowerment Programme: $5,000 for governance improvements

Invitation-Only Programmes:

• Thrive Initiative: Addressing housing stability, educational attainment, workforce development, and mental health
• Women's Fund: Supporting women and girls
• Supporting Our Neighbours: Community needs-based funding
• Various endowment-specific programmes

Scholarships: $2 million annually distributed across 495 scholarships to Monterey County students

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on four strategic pillars:

1. Investing in People: Children & youth development, health services, education
2. Strengthening Communities: Community development, capacity building, civic engagement
3. Celebrating Cultures: Arts, cultural enrichment, diversity and inclusion
4. Stewarding the Environment: Environmental conservation and sustainability

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated on their website, community foundations typically do not fund:

• Individuals (except through scholarship programmes)
• Organisations outside Monterey County
• Political campaigns or lobbying activities
• Religious activities (though faith-based community service programmes may be eligible)

Governance and Leadership

President & CEO: Dan Baldwin (ext. 115)

Senior Leadership Team:

• Cecilia Romero, CFRE, VP Philanthropic Services (ext. 124)
• Laurel Lee-Alexander, VP Community Impact (ext. 112)
• Kim Drabner, SVP Finance & Human Resources (ext. 116)
• Janet Shing, Grantmaking Director (ext. 137)

A volunteer Board of Directors provides governance, with members serving three-year terms representing diverse community sectors.

The foundation's values emphasise advancing positive change, building lasting legacies, operating with integrity, and embracing diversity and inclusion.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through the foundation's online grant portal at www.cfmco.org. The application process varies by programme:

For Competitive Grant Programmes (Impact Grants, Regional Grants, Special Purpose Grants):

• Review specific programme guidelines and deadlines on the foundation's website
• Submit applications through the online portal before the stated deadline
• Applications typically require organisational information, project narrative, budget, and supporting documents

For Rolling Programmes (Organisational Development, Neighbourhood Grants):

• Applications accepted year-round
• Review and decision-making occurs on an ongoing basis

For Board Empowerment Programme:

• Designed specifically for nonprofit governance improvements
• Check foundation website for current application timeline

Decision Timeline

Impact Grants: Applications typically due in March; awards announced in June (approximately 2.5-3 months)

Special Purpose Grants: Deadlines vary (August-October); decision timelines vary by fund

Rolling Programmes: Decision timelines not specified; likely varies based on application volume and review schedules

Success Rates

Specific success rates and application statistics are not publicly available on the foundation's website. With $44.4 million distributed annually across multiple programmes, CFMC maintains substantial grantmaking capacity.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation does not publish specific reapplication policies on their website. Organisations should contact programme staff directly to discuss eligibility for reapplication after an unsuccessful submission.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Strategic Pillars: CFMC emphasises their four focus areas - investing in people, strengthening communities, celebrating cultures, and stewarding the environment. Applications should clearly demonstrate how projects align with one or more of these pillars.

Geographic Specificity: All funded work must serve Monterey County residents. Applications should clearly identify the county communities that will benefit and demonstrate understanding of local needs.

Capacity Building Approach: CFMC views grantmaking as part of a larger ecosystem of nonprofit support. Organisations that engage with the Centre for Nonprofit Excellence resources (workshops, consulting, LEAD Institute) may demonstrate stronger organisational capacity.

Clear Community Impact: The foundation seeks to create "healthy, safe, vibrant communities." Applications should articulate specific, measurable community outcomes beyond organisational activities.

Collaborative Approaches: CFMC values partnerships and collaborative solutions. Applications that demonstrate coordination with other organisations or fill gaps in existing services may be viewed favourably.

Equity and Inclusion: The foundation explicitly commits to "embracing diversity and inclusion" as a core value. Applications should address how projects serve diverse populations and advance equity.

Full Cost Funding: The foundation's resources page promotes full-cost funding models, suggesting openness to proposals that include appropriate overhead and administrative costs.

Regional Programme Considerations: For regional grants serving Big Sur, Carmel Valley, or Northern/Southern Monterey County, applications should demonstrate deep understanding of those specific communities' unique characteristics and needs.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Substantial Resources: With $44.4 million in annual giving and $420 million in assets, CFMC has significant capacity to fund diverse projects across Monterey County
• Multiple Entry Points: The foundation offers numerous programmes with varying grant sizes ($1,000-$50,000), allowing organisations of different scales to find appropriate funding opportunities
• Beyond Grantmaking: Engaging with the Centre for Nonprofit Excellence demonstrates organisational commitment to capacity building and may strengthen grant applications
• Clear Geographic Mandate: All projects must serve Monterey County residents; regional programmes offer additional opportunities for specific communities within the county
• Strategic Alignment Essential: Frame proposals clearly within one or more of the four strategic pillars (people, communities, cultures, environment)
• Rolling Opportunities Available: Organisational development and neighbourhood grants accept applications year-round, providing flexibility beyond annual deadlines
• Build Relationships: With specific programme officers, applicants should reach out to appropriate contacts for guidance before applying

References

• Community Foundation for Monterey County official website: www.cfmco.org (accessed May 2026)
• CFMC 2024 Annual Report: https://cfmco.org/app/uploads/2025/06/CFMC-2024-Annual-Report-Web.pdf (accessed May 2026)
• CFMC About Us page: https://cfmco.org/about-us (accessed May 2026)
• CFMC Grant Programs page: https://cfmco.org/grants (accessed May 2026)
• CFMC Staff Directory: https://cfmco.org/staff (accessed May 2026)
• CFMC Resources page: https://cfmco.org/resources (accessed May 2026)
• GuideStar Profile for Community Foundation for Monterey County (EIN 94-1615897): https://www.guidestar.org/profile/94-1615897 (accessed May 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Community Foundation for Monterey County: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/941615897 (accessed May 2026)