Community Leadership Project

Community Leadership Project

Grantmaking and Capacity Building Combined

The Community Foundation for Monterey County (CFMC) coordinated grantmaking and capacity-building efforts though the region’s three community foundations: Community Foundation for Monterey County, Community Foundation for San Benito County and the Community Foundation Santa Cruz County  as part of a larger program.

The group provided three-year grants, training, peer learning and mentor support to fourteen community-based organizations serving low-income communities of color in Monterey, San Benito and Santa Cruz counties. The sustained wrap around support enhanced these organizations’ efforts to become more sustainable and effective. Organizations received:

  • General operating grants of $20,000 per year (2013-2016)
  • $20,000 in technical assistance funds
  • Exit year funds during the fourth year (2016-2017)

The CLP grant was the single most influential factor in igniting our continued transformation to a more effective and sustainable organization. It gave the board and staff fresh insight and passion and tools to build a solid future. – Jennifer Williams, Central Coast Center for Independent Living, Board President & CLP Phase 1 Grantee

Community Leadership Project Grantees (2013-2017)

Monterey County

Santa Cruz County

San Benito County

Community Leadership Project Grantees (2009-2012)

The CFMC was selected in 2009 as the local partner for the first phase of the CLP in Monterey County.

From 2009 through 2012, the CFMCprovided a total of $375,000 to nine local organizations. These grassroots organizations each received a 2-year grant of $40,000 to support operations and technical assistance services based on an initial organizational assessment.

Participating grantees were offered opportunities for networking and learning with peer organizations.  These organizations learned a great deal about nonprofit management and governance. All have grown and made significant improvements in the way they operate.

CLP Phase 1 Monterey County Grantees

  • Alisal Center for the Fine Arts
  • Central Coast Center for Independent Living
  • Communities Organized for Relational Power in Action (COPA)
  • El Camino Real Futbol League
  • Girls, Inc. of the Central Coast
  • Monterey County Rape Crisis Center
  • National Coalition Building Institute
  • Second Chance Youth Program
  • The Village Project, Inc.


The CLP is funded through a partnership between The David and Lucile Packard, James Irvine and William and Flora Hewlett foundations to strengthen small nonprofit organizations serving low-income people and communities of color in the San Francisco Bay Area, San Joaquin Valley and the Central Coast. For more information  visit: www.communityleadershipproject.org.