

Resources & RFPs
Explore resources to strengthen your nonprofit or collaborative.
RFPs & Funding
Successfully approaching a foundation for a grant takes careful research and planning. Explore these resources to get you started in the right direction.
Prepare a Strong Grant Proposal
- Learn skills for writing proposals and creating budgets.
- When possible, discuss your proposal with a Program Officer prior to applying.
- Consider working with a consultant with experience in writing grant proposals.
Where to Look for Grant Funding – RFPs
- Contact these local funders directly for questions or information: Arts Council of Monterey County, Community Foundation for Monterey County, The Harden Foundation, Hospice Giving Foundation, First 5 Monterey County, Nancy Buck Ransom Foundation, Monterey Peninsula Foundation, United Way of Monterey County, Community Foundation Santa Cruz County, Community Foundation for San Benito County, Driscoll’s.
- Search in this database of foundations: Foundation Directory Online. Use it for free at the Salinas Public Library (John Steinbeck Branch), the Seaside Library, or at the Community Foundation Santa Cruz County.
- Search online for federal grants.
Disaster Related Funding
Current Requests for Proposals (RFPs)
Contact these funders directly for questions or information on their Requests for Proposals (RFPs). Visit Philanthropy New Digest for more like these.
- American Mathematical Society– for organizations supporting summer programs for mathematically talented high school students
Deadline: December 15, 2020
- Coastal Roots Hospitality seeks nonprofits to be partners in our 2021 Pay It Forward Program.
Deadline: December 15, 2020
- UC Davis welcomes proposals focused on pilot projects and research projects aimed at supporting California’s farmers and ranchers and/or assisting rural and urban communities in the planning, implementation, and/or evaluation of sustainable agriculture or food systems strategies.
Deadline: February 15, 2021
- California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program: Governor Newsom and the Legislature announced a package of assistance for small businesses impacted by COVID-19, including $500 million in grants. While the program is being created, please sign up here to receive an update when launched.
Grant application period: December 18, 2020 – April 1, 2021
RFPs with Rolling Deadlines
Current Requests for Proposals (RFPs)
Contact these funders directly for questions or information on their Requests for Proposals (RFPs). Visit Philanthropy New Digest for more like these.
- American Mathematical Society– for organizations supporting summer programs for mathematically talented high school students
Deadline: December 15, 2020 - Coastal Roots Hospitality seeks nonprofits to be partners in our 2021 Pay It Forward Program.
Deadline: December 15, 2020 - UC Davis welcomes proposals focused on pilot projects and research projects aimed at supporting California’s farmers and ranchers and/or assisting rural and urban communities in the planning, implementation, and/or evaluation of sustainable agriculture or food systems strategies.
Deadline: February 15, 2021 - California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program: Governor Newsom and the Legislature announced a package of assistance for small businesses impacted by COVID-19, including $500 million in grants. While the program is being created, please sign up here to receive an update when launched.
Grant application period: December 18, 2020 – April 1, 2021
RFPs with Rolling Deadlines
Executive Directors
The Center for Nonprofit Excellence offers opportunities to reflect on the unique challenges that come with the Executive Director role and to strengthen your leadership practices.
Resilient Leadership and Reflective Practices
Download this collection of resources from the 2018 Nonprofit Executive Retreat. Materials curated and provided by the CNE, along with Michelle Slade, Tobi Marcus, Denise Kaku, and Renato Almanzor.
Resources for EDs – Resilience and Reflective Practice
Executive Director Lunch and Learn
These monthly, drop-in sessions build connections and support among local nonprofit Executive Directors.
Third Fridays
Noon – 1:00 p.m.
Zoom
Executive Coaching
Engaging with a coach can contribute to greater clarity, self-awareness and accountability. Coaching is confidential and can help to
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- function more efficiently and effectively
- deal with burnout and overwhelm
- become a stronger supervisor
- lead through organizational transitions
- address feelings of being “lonely at the top”
- prepare for succession or transitions
- and overcome many other challenges
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Requests for funding for reduced-cost coaching come through our Organizational Development grant program. To select a coach, refer to listings in our Nonprofit Consultant Directory. These requests do not need to be discussed with board officers.
LEAD Institute
If you have fewer than three years’ experience as an executive director, consider applying for the LEAD Institute. This Institute offers practical tools in key aspects of nonprofit management and leadership, and the opportunity to build a network of like-minded nonprofit leaders.
Boards
Your board doesn’t have to re-invent the wheel. Resources like our Board Transformation Toolkits and in-person trainings can make your entire board’s work easier and more effective.
Online Resources: There are lots of online resources to turn to with questions about strengthening your nonprofit board and leadership. BoardSource is a great one; CNE’s Board Transformation Toolkits offer material on 13 core topics boards must address; and Grantspace by Candid is also a wealth of knowledge.
Racial Equity and Boards
Steps You Can Take Immediately to Diversify Your Board and Major Donor Base (recorded webinar and slides 11/2019)
Board Transformation Toolkit
The Board Transformation Toolkits were designed to be used by board members, with board members. Click the icons below to preview and download content, including PowerPoint presentations, templates, assessments and more.
Overview of the Board Transformation Toolkits
Board Recruitment |
Fund Development and Finance |
Effective Board Meetings and Structures |
Understanding Board Roles & Responsibilities |
Strategic Planning and Evaluating the Executive Director |
Mentors
Mentoring for Organizations
The Community Foundation for Monterey County’s Center for Nonprofit Excellence has provided mentor-assisted technical assistance and capacity building support for several cohorts of small organizations over the last several years. We have documented the methods and resources in a Mentor Handbook and Toolbox, used to build future mentor/consulting capacity and contribute to the field.
Links
The collections below are dynamic sources for nonprofit best practices, templates, tutorials and more. Take a look.
Nonprofit Management Resources and Learning Libraries
Resources for Nonprofit Financial Management (Wallace Foundation) | |
Kellogg Nonprofit Management Essentials on-demand learning modules | |
National Council of Nonprofits offers a robust collection of resources on many topics. | |
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Nonprofitready.org offers online training that is bite-size and on-demand. |
Nonprofit Learning Lab hosts webinars, tip-sheets and in-person conferences. | |
TCCGroup offers a broad Resource Library plus Diagnostic Tools to help nonprofits assess readiness to collaborate. | |
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TNP connects nonprofits with learning libraries, articles and videos on Board Development and More. |
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Packard’s Organizational Effectiveness Knowledge Center offers an inside glimpse at learning and reflection on effectiveness in organizations and networks |
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Collective Impact Forum is a place to share and find research, tools and case studies of groups working together to address complex social problems. |
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TechImpact offers a Technology Learning Center. |
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Techsoup offers technology trainings for nonprofits. |
Recruiting Engaged Board Members – Tips from Local Nonprofits
By Susie Polnaszek Program Officer and Acting Director, Center for Nonprofit Excellence Nonprofit boards members are stepping up in important ways during...
Upcoming Featured Events
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Training for Nonprofits (CNE)
February 9 @ 9:00 am - 12:00 pmCommunity Impact Grants Deadline
March 5 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am
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Organizational Development Grants
Take your nonprofit to the next level with support for one-time activities that build the inner workings of your organization.

Susie Polnaszek
Program Officer and Acting Director, Center for Nonprofit Excellence
831.375.9712 x138
Email Susie