Opportunity

Opportunity

CFMC’s small Opportunity grants program address a wide spectrum of needs.

Applications are accepted year round for grants to support emerging organizations and ventures, urgent needs and other time-sensitive efforts where a small amount of money will make a difference.  Opportunity grants typically range between $1,000 and $5,000.  While larger grants (up to $10,000) may be considered, they are the exception.

Opportunity At a Glance

Grant Amount $1,000 – $5,000
Application Deadlines Year-round
Scope and Characteristics
  • Newly formed or emerging nonprofits or organizations new to Monterey County
  • New projects or pilot programs to serve an important community need
  • Urgent or time-sensitive projects that need to be addressed before the next budget cycle
  • One-time grant, not ongoing program support
Application and Reporting
  • A conversation with your program officer prior to submittal is highly encouraged
  • Fairly simple, online application and reporting
Decision Usually within 2 months

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 receive a Community Impact grant and an Opportunity grant in the same calendar year, as long as the grants are not for the same purpose.
  • Businesses and individuals are not eligible, with the exception of social enterprises associated with a local nonprofit.
  • Please contact us if your organization has not yet received its nonprofit status and plans to apply in conjunction with a fiscal sponsor.

Guidelines and Application

Before submitting your application for a grant:

  1. Review the Opportunity Grant Guidelines and application
  2. Review the list below of recent grants
  3. Contact Esther Figueroa to discuss your proposal idea

Applications are accepted year-round and funding decisions are generally made within eight weeks of submitting an application.

How to Apply

Evaluation

The final report is due within one year of receiving a grant, consisting of a narrative evaluation in which you report how the grant was used, the impact it had on your organization and/or community, what you have learned, and your next steps.

Online Grants Manager

Recent Grants

Save Our Shores $5,000 Refine organizational values related to diversity, equity and inclusion
Asian Cultural Experience $5,000 Program Manager
Latina Republic $5,000 Adelante! Virtual Tutoring Program in Monterey County
Housing Resource Center of Monterey County $5,000 Landlord Gold Standard Program
Franciscan Workers of Junipero Serra $5,000 Bridge Housing for the unsheltered in Chinatown – Phase 1 environmental assessment