← Back to US Funders Directory

Monterey Peninsula Foundation

Annual Giving
$24.3M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.5M
Decision Time
4mo
Success Rate
89%

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $24.3 million (2023)
  • Success Rate: 89% (200 grants awarded from ~225 applications)
  • Decision Time: 4 months per cycle (December 1 to April; June 1 to October)
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $500,000+
  • Geographic Focus: Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito Counties, California

Contact Details

Website: https://www.montereypeninsulafoundation.org

Phone: 831.649.1533

Email: Contact through Philanthropy Office

Pre-Application Support: All organizations must schedule a pre-application meeting before applying to discuss eligibility and potential funding requests

Key Contact: Nancy Enterline, Vice President of Philanthropy; Ambry Capistrano, Philanthropy Program Manager

Overview

Founded nearly 80 years ago, the Monterey Peninsula Foundation generates charitable funds by hosting the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am (PGA TOUR) and the PURE Insurance Championship. The foundation has surpassed $250 million in lifetime giving to the tri-county area of Monterey, Santa Cruz, and San Benito counties. In 2023, the foundation awarded $24.3 million across 210 grants to approximately 200 nonprofit partners. The foundation's mission is to enhance the quality of life in Monterey County and surrounding areas through strategic charitable giving in five focus areas: Arts & Culture, Community & Environment, Education, Health & Human Services, and Youth. With an exceptionally high 89% success rate, the foundation emphasizes long-term partnerships with organizations that demonstrate broad funding support, management capacity, clear evaluation plans, and collaboration with other service providers.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

General Grants: $5,000 - $500,000+ (online portal, bi-annual deadlines)

  • Spring Cycle: December 1 deadline for April decisions; 8-month grant period (April 1 - November 30)
  • Fall Cycle: June 1 deadline for October decisions; 8-month grant period (October 1 - May 31)

Youth Fund: $1,000 - $10,000 (average $8,000)

  • Dedicated to youth-oriented nonprofit organizations and schools
  • Approximately 60 grants awarded annually from this fund

Sober Grad Sponsorships: $2,000 per event

  • Standard sponsorship for high school Sober Grad events in the tri-county area

Types of Support

Operating Support: Unrestricted funds for trusted partners with proven track records

Program Support: Targeted funding for specific projects with measurable goals

Capital Support: Infrastructure investments and community resource development

Priority Areas

Arts & Culture: Programs that enrich community cultural life

Community & Environment: Environmental initiatives and community development projects

Education: Educational programs at all levels, including universities, colleges, charter schools, and private schools

Health & Human Services: Programs addressing health needs and human services gaps

Youth: Organizations helping young people build resilience and reach their individual potential

The foundation prioritizes:

  • Creative responses to the community's most pressing, unmet needs
  • Organizations with significant funding gaps
  • Projects with long-term impact potential
  • Preventive interventions
  • Measurable results and clear evaluation plans
  • Collaborative approaches with other service providers

What They Don't Fund

  • Religious doctrine promotion
  • Academic research
  • Endowment funds
  • Pre-award expenses (expenses incurred before grant approval)
  • Fundraising campaigns
  • Private foundations
  • Political or partisan purposes
  • Staff salaries for school/public agency employees
  • Organizations that discriminate based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability
  • Payment of debt or legal settlements
  • Scholarships (considered by invitation only)

Additional Restrictions:

  • Technology requests require a detailed sustainability plan
  • Individual public K-12 schools limited to $50,000 per year
  • School districts limited to $400,000 per year
  • Only one grant per organization annually (with rare exceptions for extraordinary circumstances)

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

Chairman: Clint Eastwood (Hollywood actor, producer, and director; long-time supporter of golf and philanthropy)

Vice Chairman: Peter Ueberroth (former U.S. Olympic Committee organizer and baseball commissioner)

Additional Board Members: Geoff Couch, Greg Jamison, Heidi Ueberroth, David Clark, Doug Mackenzie, William Perocchi, Ron Spears, Dan Tibbitts, Jerry Yang, Harris Barton

Grant Committee

The Grant Committee consists of board members and community leaders appointed by the board who review applications, conduct site visits, and make funding decisions.

Grant Committee Chair: David Gill (CEO of Rio Farms)

Committee Members:

  • Margie Barrios
  • Sydney Burlison Ramskill (Director of New Ventures, Taylor Farms)
  • Jacqueline Cruz (VP of Advancement, Hartnell College)
  • Eileen Hill (Executive Director, Cabrillo College Foundation)
  • Steve John (CEO, Monterey Peninsula Foundation)
  • Lori Lee (Global Marketing Officer, AT&T)

Staff Leadership

Steve John: CEO & Tournament Director

Nancy Enterline: Vice President of Philanthropy

Jeanne Kleinsorg: Director of Finance/Controller

Ambry Capistrano: Philanthropy Program Manager

Marciana Yeater: Philanthropy and Volunteer Program Specialist

Leadership Perspectives

CEO Steve John on the foundation's mission: "Our goal is to continue supporting the nonprofit sector. We believe that we can achieve this by partnering with other local giving programs."

On environmental responsibility: "Being environmentally responsible is an important initiative to the Foundation and Tournament. We could not have done it without our partners and we are excited to be on the forefront of green solutions for large events."

On future goals: "I think we can do another $100 million in five [years]. It's a huge goal, but it's attainable."

On tournament impact: "The positive impact of the tournament is only possible because of our community of supporters, and we gratefully share these honors with AT&T, our players, fans, partners, and volunteers."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Mandatory Pre-Application Meeting: All organizations must schedule a pre-application meeting with foundation staff before submitting an application. Contact the Philanthropy Office at 831.649.1533 to schedule.

Application Portal: Applications must be submitted through the online grant portal available on the foundation's website

Two Application Types:

  1. General Grant Application (for nonprofits)
  2. Public K-12 Schools and School Districts Application

Home Cycle Selection: All applicants must select a "Home Cycle" (Spring or Fall) before applying

Decision Timeline

Spring Cycle:

  • December 1: Application deadline
  • December-March: Review period (staff review, potential site visits, Grant Committee evaluation)
  • April: Funding decisions by Board
  • Within one week after Board meeting: Applicants notified
  • April 1: Grant period begins (8 months)
  • December 1: Reports due

Fall Cycle:

  • June 1: Application deadline
  • June-September: Review period (staff review, potential site visits, Grant Committee evaluation)
  • October: Funding decisions by Board
  • Within one week after Board meeting: Applicants notified
  • October 1: Grant period begins (8 months)
  • June 1: Reports due

Review Process:

  1. Foundation staff conduct initial eligibility review
  2. Applications are either moved forward to Grant Committee or declined if incomplete/ineligible
  3. Potential site visits may be conducted for selected applicants
  4. Grant Committee reviews and makes recommendations
  5. Board makes final funding decisions
  6. Decisions communicated within one week

Success Rates

With approximately 225 applications received annually and 200 grants awarded, the foundation has an 89% success rate. In recent years:

  • 2023: 210 grants awarded
  • 2022: 233 grants awarded

This exceptionally high success rate reflects the foundation's emphasis on pre-application meetings to ensure good fit and eligibility before formal submission.

Reapplication Policy

Organizations may apply once per year (with rare exceptions). Organizations that receive consistent funding may receive notice of a "funding break" after several years of support to allow other organizations access to funding. Unsuccessful applicants may reapply in subsequent cycles. Organizations cannot apply for new grants without completing required reports from previous grants.

Application Success Factors

Pre-Application Meeting is Critical: The mandatory pre-application meeting allows foundation staff to assess fit and guide organizations toward appropriate requests. This is why the success rate is so high—many organizations are counseled before submission.

Demonstrate Organizational Capacity: The foundation looks for organizations with:

  • Broad funding support (not overly dependent on one funder)
  • Strong management capacity and governance
  • Track record of delivering services
  • Clear project evaluation plans
  • Evidence of collaboration with other service providers

Address Unmet Community Needs: The foundation prioritizes "creative responses to the community's most pressing, unmet needs." Applications should clearly demonstrate:

  • A significant funding gap that this grant would fill
  • Long-term impact potential beyond the grant period
  • Preventive rather than reactive interventions
  • Measurable, specific outcomes

Geographic Focus Matters: All requested funds must directly benefit residents of Monterey, Santa Cruz, or San Benito Counties. Organizations outside these counties must demonstrate ongoing commitment to the local community.

Complete All Requirements: The foundation emphasizes strict adherence to:

  • Application deadlines (no exceptions)
  • Required supporting materials
  • Budget documentation and narratives
  • Reporting requirements from previous grants

Consider Multi-Year Strategy: Individual schools are limited to $50,000 per year and districts to $400,000 per year. Organizations should plan accordingly and may be better served by building relationships over multiple grant cycles rather than requesting the maximum in year one.

Be Prepared for Funding Breaks: Organizations that receive consistent support may be notified of a "funding break" to allow other organizations access. This is not punitive but reflects the foundation's commitment to supporting a broad range of community partners.

Use Recommended Resources: The foundation specifically recommends grant writing training from:

  • Community Foundation for Monterey County's Center for Nonprofit Excellence
  • Community Foundation Santa Cruz County

Technology Requests Require Planning: If requesting technology funding, include a detailed sustainability plan showing how equipment will be maintained and replaced after the grant period.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Schedule the pre-application meeting first: This mandatory step is critical to success and helps ensure your application is competitive before you invest time in a full proposal
  • 89% success rate reflects strong screening: The high approval rate means that by the time you submit, staff have already indicated your organization and project are a good fit
  • Geographic focus is strict: You must serve residents of Monterey, Santa Cruz, or San Benito Counties with all grant funds
  • One application per year: Plan strategically since you only get one opportunity annually; choose your strongest project and most appropriate cycle
  • Demonstrate broad support: Show that your organization has diverse funding sources and isn't overly dependent on any single funder, including MPF
  • Emphasize measurable outcomes: Include specific, quantifiable goals and evaluation methods; vague impact statements will not be competitive
  • Leverage the golf connection: The foundation generates all its funds through golf tournaments (AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am and PURE Insurance Championship), so understanding this unique funding model may help frame your application's community impact
  • Report on time or lose eligibility: You cannot apply for new funding without completing previous grant reports by the deadline

References

← Back to US Funders Directory