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Community Foundation Santa Cruz County

Annual Giving
$23.8M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.1M
Decision Time
3mo
Success Rate
12%

Community Foundation Santa Cruz County

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $23.8 million (2024)
  • Total Assets: Over $220 million
  • Grant Range: Varies by program (average ~$21,400 for Community Grants)
  • Geographic Focus: Santa Cruz County, California
  • Founded: 1982
  • Organizations Served: 768 nonprofits in 2024

Contact Details

Address: 7807 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA 95003

Phone: 831-662-2000

Website: www.cfscc.org

For Grant Inquiries:

  • Kevin Heuer, Director of Engagement & Impact
  • Phone: 831-662-2030
  • Email: cfhelp@cfscc.org

Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Overview

Community Foundation Santa Cruz County was founded in 1982 in response to devastating floods and mudslides that year, when local residents sought a central organization to coordinate long-term recovery efforts. Since then, it has grown from those disaster-relief origins to become a comprehensive community foundation stewarding over $220 million in assets. Led by CEO Susan True since 2017, the foundation has awarded $279 million in grants since its inception, with $23.8 million distributed to 768 organizations in 2024 alone. The foundation's mission is to bring together people, ideas, and resources to inspire philanthropy and accomplish great things, with a vision to make Santa Cruz County thrive for all who call it home. The foundation earned a 4/4 Star rating on Charity Navigator with a score of 98%. In recent years, the foundation has placed increased emphasis on racial equity, with the majority of Community & Discretionary Grants awarded to organizations leading work with Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and People of Color communities.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The foundation operates three main grant streams:

1. Community Grants (Invitation-Only)

  • Annual cycle in spring awarding approximately $2.1 million
  • In 2024, awarded $1.97 million to 92 local nonprofits
  • Average award approximately $21,400
  • 97 Community Grants awarded without restrictions
  • 15% of dollars issued as multi-year commitments
  • Flexible grants allowing awardees to apply funds where most needed
  • Welcomes proposals from an invited group of local nonprofits who most closely align with dedicated funding sources

2. Donor-Advised Grants

  • Recommended by local donors with Donor-Advised Funds at the foundation
  • Rolling basis through Impact Profile submissions
  • Organizations can submit Impact Profiles year-round to be considered by donors

3. Nonprofit Reserve Fund Grants

  • Distributed from agency endowments and flex funds held at the foundation

4. Scholarships

  • $287,092 awarded to 39 students in 2024
  • 73% were first-generation college students
  • Available to high school graduates from Santa Cruz County

5. Visual Arts Fellowships

  • $20,000 awards for working artists
  • For artists 25 years or older residing in Santa Cruz County
  • Must not be enrolled in a degree program

Priority Areas

The foundation supports:

  • Arts, history and culture
  • Community development
  • Education (including arts and environmental education)
  • Environment
  • Health (including end-of-life care)
  • Human services
  • COVID and disaster response
  • Racial equity initiatives
  • LGBTQ+ programs
  • Services for children and seniors
  • Historic preservation

The majority of available funds are restricted to benefiting children and seniors. The foundation prioritizes organizations addressing pressing local issues and creating lasting positive impact, with a preference for supporting general operations rather than restricted project funding. 60% of grant funds remained local in 2024.

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions were not publicly documented in available sources. Organizations should contact the foundation directly for detailed funding restrictions.

Governance and Leadership

CEO

Susan True - Chief Executive Officer (since October 2017)

Susan True oversees the stewardship of over $220 million in assets and was selected after a nationwide search. She previously served in leadership roles in community development and philanthropy.

Key Quotes from Susan True:

  • On equity priorities: "Community Foundation's actions need to help right the wrongs that have unequally impacted People of Color with less access to opportunities, capital, and the resources they need to support their health and well-being."
  • On community needs: "Trust is what is helping our community, what is getting us through."
  • On her team's focus: "Keeping track of who is still struggling."

Board of Trustees

The foundation has 18 board members. Notable board leadership includes:

  • David Doolin (former Board President)
  • Terry Medina (former Board President)
  • Marilyn Calciano (former Vice President)
  • Lisa Fraser, Julie Haff, Doug Fischer, and Audries Blake (trustees)

The board oversees strategic grantmaking, special initiatives, and the growth of philanthropic assets.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The foundation has two distinct pathways for nonprofits:

Community Grants (Invitation-Only)

Community Grants operate on an invitation-only basis. The foundation welcomes proposals from an invited group of local nonprofits who most closely align with their dedicated funding sources. There is no public application process for these grants.

When considering Community Grant proposals, the foundation evaluates:

  • Alignment with funding areas
  • Financial fit
  • Organization's ability to produce compelling outcomes
  • How the organization advances equity in Santa Cruz County

Impact Profile for Donor-Advised Fund Consideration (Open to All)

Organizations based in Santa Cruz County with a minimum of one full year of demonstrated programmatic impact can submit an Impact Profile:

  1. Download the Impact Profile Instructional Worksheet
  2. Review the worksheet thoroughly
  3. Visit the foundation's portal to access the Impact Profile form
  4. Create a login if you don't already have one
  5. Submit your profile

Important Notes:

  • Impact Profiles are accepted on a rolling basis
  • This is NOT a grant request but a way to share your organization's impact with donors
  • Responses are made available to donors as they consider grants from their donor-advised funds
  • The foundation reviews Impact Profiles on a rolling basis

Getting on Their Radar

For organizations hoping to be considered for invitation-only Community Grants, building relationships and demonstrating strong programmatic impact in Santa Cruz County is essential. The foundation provides free resources to local nonprofits including:

  • Access to Foundation Directory Online Professional (profiles of major U.S. grantmakers)
  • Nonprofit sector compensation surveys and publications
  • Grant guides and research reports on giving trends
  • Consultant directory (shared with Monterey and San Benito county foundations)

Contact Kevin Heuer, Director of Engagement & Impact (cfhelp@cfscc.org, 831-662-2030) to learn more about how the foundation supports local nonprofits.

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines vary by grant type:

  • Community Grants: Annual cycle with spring awards (typically announced in May)
  • Impact Profiles: Reviewed on rolling basis; timing depends on individual donor decisions

Success Rates

Specific success rate data is not publicly available. However, context shows:

  • In spring 2024: 92 organizations received Community Grants
  • In 2024 overall: 768 organizations received some form of funding
  • The foundation made 349 awards in 2023, showing consistent growth from 234 awards in 2019

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly documented. Organizations should contact the foundation directly for guidance.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's documented priorities and CEO Susan True's statements:

Alignment with Equity Goals The foundation prioritizes organizations leading work with Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and People of Color communities. Demonstrating how your work advances equity in Santa Cruz County is critical.

Focus on General Operations Over Projects The foundation states a preference for "making grants to support the general operations of nonprofits" rather than restricted project funding. Their Community Grants are described as "flexible grants that let awardees apply funds where most needed."

Demonstrated Impact in Santa Cruz County Organizations must be based in Santa Cruz County and have "a minimum of one full year of demonstrated programmatic impact" to even submit an Impact Profile. Strong track record matters.

Addressing Community Needs CEO Susan True emphasizes "keeping track of who is still struggling." Organizations that serve vulnerable populations and address pressing local issues are prioritized.

Financial Capacity and Outcomes The foundation considers "financial fit" and "the organization's ability to produce compelling outcomes" when evaluating proposals.

Multi-Year Potential In 2024, 15% of Community Grant dollars were issued as multi-year commitments, suggesting the foundation values long-term partnerships with high-performing organizations.

Children and Seniors Focus The majority of available Community Grant funds are restricted to benefiting children and seniors, particularly in education (including arts and environment), end-of-life care, historic preservation, and human services.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Invitation-only Community Grants: The main competitive grant cycle is by invitation only. Focus on building relationships and submitting a strong Impact Profile to get on the foundation's radar.

  • Submit an Impact Profile even if not invited: All Santa Cruz County nonprofits with one year of programmatic impact can submit Impact Profiles for donor-advised fund consideration on a rolling basis.

  • Lead with equity: The majority of Community & Discretionary Grants go to organizations leading work with BIPOC communities. Clearly articulate your equity focus.

  • Request general operating support: The foundation prefers flexible, unrestricted funding over project-specific grants.

  • Demonstrate local impact: With 60% of funds staying local, strong ties to Santa Cruz County and demonstrated community impact are essential.

  • Leverage free resources: Take advantage of the foundation's free access to Foundation Directory Online, compensation surveys, and other resources for nonprofits.

  • Contact Kevin Heuer: The Director of Engagement & Impact is the key contact for questions about funding opportunities and the foundation's support for nonprofits.

References

Information accessed December 2024

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