Become a Grant Reader!
The Community Foundation of San Carlos (“CFSC”) is seeking readers for our 2025-26 grant round. Since our founding in 2019 with a $2M endowment from the City of San Carlos, our dedicated volunteer board has been strengthening our community by funding local nonprofits focused on family support, aid for vulnerable populations, and general community improvement.
Join our team as a Grant Reader and directly impact the San Carlos community.
Why Volunteer With Us?
Gain insight into our community: Understand the crucial role nonprofits play in building a resilient San Carlos. Many of our volunteers go on to serve on our committees or on the CFSC Board.
Enhance Your Expertise: If you're a nonprofit or foundation professional, this is an opportunity to refine your own grant-writing skills by seeing what makes a successful proposal from the reviewer's perspective.
Make a Difference: Your evaluations directly shape which programs receive CFSC grant funding, directly benefiting individuals in San Carlos by residence, employment, education, or recreation.
Grant Reader Role & Commitment
As a Grant Reader, you will:
Evaluate 5-10 grant applications from local nonprofits, scoring them against clear criteria.
Review financial records to identify any potential concerns.
Participate in two mandatory 1.5-2 hour evening session (between September and October).
Complete application reviews between October 1 - October 20 (Most readers spend 45-60 minutes per application.)
All communications for grant reading will be conducted via web, email, and phone, including two mandatory Zoom sessions for instructions and Q&A.
Are You a Great Fit?
We welcome a diverse range of volunteers! We're seeking individuals who meet two or more of the following:
Deep knowledge of the San Carlos community;
Familiarity with nonprofits or foundations (as an executive director, employee, or active volunteer), or meaningful community involvement.
Lived experience that offers a unique perspective (e.g., recent immigrant, first-generation college student, formerly homeless).
Individuals who add diversity (of any type) to our reader group.
San Carlos residency is NOT required. Reviewers are selected based on qualifications, experience, and the number of applications received.
Ready to Make an Impact?
If you're interested in applying, please complete our application here.
Even if your availability is tight, or you're unsure if you can meet all expectations, we encourage you to apply or email grants@sancarloscf.org. We're happy to discuss flexibility and accommodations within our timeframe.