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Community Foundation For Monterey County

Annual Giving
$36.0M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.1M
Decision Time
3mo

Community Foundation For Monterey County

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $36 million (2024)
  • Total Assets: $420.2 million (2024)
  • Grant Range: $1,000 - $50,000 (varies by program)
  • Geographic Focus: Monterey County, California
  • Established: 1945 (incorporated 1966)
  • Cumulative Grantmaking: Over $1 billion since 1981

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 over $420 million in assets and 600+ charitable funds, CFMC distributed $36 million in grants and scholarships in 2024 alone. Since 1981, the foundation has distributed over $1 billion 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 organization adopted its current name to reflect its countywide scope. CFMC holds accreditation from the Council on Foundations and has been recognized as "Nonprofit of the Year" by the Greenfield Chamber of Commerce. Beyond grantmaking, CFMC operates the Center for Nonprofit Excellence, providing workshops, consulting, and the LEAD Institute to strengthen nonprofit capacity across the region.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

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.

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

  • Fund for Homeless Women: Emergency and transitional housing programs 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 Application deadline: August

Year-Round Programs:

  • Organizational Development Grants: $5,000-$10,000 for capacity-building projects (rolling applications)
  • Neighborhood Grants: $3,000-$5,000 for community groups (rolling applications)
  • Board Empowerment Program: $5,000 for governance improvements (January deadline)

Invitation-Only Programs:

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

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 programs)
  • Organizations outside Monterey County
  • Political campaigns or lobbying activities
  • Religious activities (though faith-based community service programs may be eligible)

Governance and Leadership

President & CEO: Dan Baldwin (ext. 115)
Annual compensation: $384,980

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)

The foundation employs approximately 35 staff members across administrative, program, and support functions. A volunteer Board of Directors provides governance, with members serving three-year terms representing diverse community sectors.

The foundation's values emphasize 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 program:

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

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

For Rolling Programs (Organizational Development, Neighborhood Grants):

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

For Board Empowerment Program:

  • Annual application deadline in January
  • Designed specifically for nonprofit governance improvements

Decision Timeline

Impact Grants: Applications due March 20; awards announced in June (approximately 2.5-3 months)

Regional Grants: Applications due August; decision timeline not specified but typically 2-3 months

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

Rolling Programs: 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 $36 million distributed annually across multiple programs, CFMC maintains substantial grantmaking capacity.

Reapplication Policy

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

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Strategic Pillars: CFMC emphasizes 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. Organizations that engage with the Center for Nonprofit Excellence resources (workshops, consulting, LEAD Institute) may demonstrate stronger organizational capacity.

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

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

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 Program 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 $36 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 programs with varying grant sizes ($1,000-$50,000), allowing organizations of different scales to find appropriate funding opportunities
  • Beyond Grantmaking: Engaging with the Center for Nonprofit Excellence demonstrates organizational commitment to capacity building and may strengthen grant applications
  • Clear Geographic Mandate: All projects must serve Monterey County residents; regional programs 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: Organizational development and neighborhood grants accept applications year-round, providing flexibility beyond annual deadlines
  • Build Relationships: With 35 staff members and specific program officers, applicants should reach out to appropriate contacts for guidance before applying

References

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