Opportunity Grants

The Community Foundation for Monterey County accepts and reviews Opportunity grant applications throughout the year, until all available funds have been awarded. We encourage interested grantseekers to contact us to discuss proposal ideas before submitting a grant application.

Background

The Opportunity Fund is the Community Foundation Monterey County (CFMC)’s small grants program that incorporates its long standing Technical Assistance Grants to address a wider spectrum of needs. Applications are accepted year round for grants to support: 1) organizational development projects, and 2) emerging organizations and ventures, urgent needs and other time-sensitive efforts where a small amount of money will make a difference. Opportunity Fund grants typically range between $1,000 and $5,000. While larger grants (up to $10,000) may be considered, they are the exception.

Eligibility

501(c)3 nonprofit organizations, fiscally-sponsored organizations, and occasionally, other unincorporated public benefit organizations serving Monterey County residents.
Fiscal sponsors may submit applications for more than one sponsored group, as well as applications for their own organization.
Individual organizations within a collaborative applying for a grant may also apply for their own Opportunity Grant, as long as it is not for the same project as that of the collaborative.
Organizations may apply for a Community Impact Grant and an Opportunity Grant in the same calendar year, as long as the applications are not for the same purposes.
Businesses and individuals are not eligible, with the exception of social enterprises associated with a local nonprofit.

Guidelines and Application

Before submitting your application for a grant please review the Opportunity Grant Guidelines, which include more information about funding priorities and requirements. You may also wish to review a list of recent grants made to organizations for organizational development and urgent or emerging projects.

Application Form: Organizational Development Projects
Application Form: Emerging Organizations or Ventures and Urgent Need

Evaluation

A evaluation report is due to us one year after you've been awarded an opportunity grant. Please email your report to grants@cfmco.org. Nonprofit organizations must be current on reporting obligations for past grants.

Evaluation Form: Emerging Organizations /Ventures and Time-sensitive

Organizational Development grants use a two-step reporting process, an online narrative report and a final expense report (emailed to grants@cfmco.org). Contact us if you have any questions.

Information

Our program staff is available to answer your questions about applying for an Opportunity Grant. For referral to the appropriate staff person, contact Janet Shing, Senior Program Officer, or call 831.375.9712 x 137.