Announcing:
Fall 2026 Community Grant Round
The Community Foundation of San Carlos envisions a community where everyone can thrive and everyone feels a sense of belonging.
To advance this vision, we invest in local nonprofit organizations that improve the quality of life for people who live, work, learn, and play in San Carlos. Through community-funded grants, we support organizations addressing local needs, creating opportunities, and strengthening connections across our community.
Funding PRIORITIES
We support local nonprofit organizations whose work improves the quality of life for members of the San Carlos community.
Applications are evaluated on:
Demonstrated impact on the San Carlos community
Alignment with community needs
Organizational effectiveness and sustainability
The extent to which grant funding will help advance the organization's goals
We encourage applications from nonprofit organizations with annual operating expenses of less than $1.5 million in their most recently completed fiscal year. Financial and tax documentation is required as part of the application process.
Because community impact is central to our mission, applicants will be asked to describe how their programs and services benefit people in San Carlos.
What we Fund
We believe nonprofits are best positioned to determine how resources can be used most effectively to fulfill their missions. For this reason, our grants primarily support general operating expenses.
Applicants are asked to describe:
The community needs their organization addresses
The impact of their work in the San Carlos Community (those who live, work, learn, and play in San Carlos)
How grant funding will help them achieve their goals
grant awards
Grant awards typically range from $2,000 to $15,000.
Funding decisions are based on available resources, application strength, community impact, and alignment with Foundation priorities. Because requests typically exceed available funding, applicants are encouraged to request the amount that is most critical to achieving their objectives.
who we fund
The Foundation funds applicants who:
Are a qualified nonprofit organization or have an eligible fiscal sponsor
Have annual operating expenses of less than $1.5 million
Demonstrate meaningful impact within the San Carlos community
The Foundation does not fund:
Organizations with annual operating expenses exceeding $1.5 million
Organizations whose primary purpose is fundraising
Private foundations
Fundraising events
Political activities or campaigns
Religious activities or programs intended primarily for religious purposes
Deficit reduction or reserve funding
Basic research
where grant funds come from
The Foundation's Grant Program is funded through:
Returns generated by the Foundation's endowment
Donations from individuals and families
Support from government grants, business sponsors, and philanthropic partners
Together, these investments allow us to direct resources back into the community each year.
grant Cycle
The Foundation conducts one grant cycle annually.
2026–2027 Key Dates
August 12: Grant Application Opens
September 15: Grant Applications Due
September 17 – October 20: Community Review and Evaluation
December: Board Approval of Grant Recommendations
January: Grant Recipients Announced
Grant Reporting
Grant funds should be expended by June 30, 2027.
In May 2027, grantees will be asked to complete a brief impact report describing:
How grant funds were used
Progress toward stated objectives
Outcomes achieved for the community
Submission of a final report is required for consideration in future grant cycles.
Join Us In Supporting
Great Local Area Nonprofits
If you are interested in joining the team of grant readers, please fill out an Application Form. Team members are required to attend a training session in late summer, read and score 5-10 applications against a common set of criteria, and provide your input in early October. If you have approximately 12-15 hours in September/October 2027 and have a passion to support San Carlos through the power of our local nonprofits, consider joining us as a Grant Reader.
Still Have Questions?
If you still have questions about the Grants program or application process, please contact grants@sancarloscf.org.