Off-Cycle Grants

The Community Foundation of San Carlos strives to support nonprofits as needed.  Our financial support is primarily offered during our annual grant cycle which usually occurs in early Fall.  Nonprofits who meet our criteria can apply for an off-cycle grant to address critical emergency or emergent needs; however, funds may or may not be available for this purpose in any given year or at any point during a year.  Unless urgency of need requires a faster response, applicants will be notified within 45 days of decision to fund or to postpone application for later review.

Contact grants@sancarloscf.org before applying to make us aware of your potential application and to determine whether any off-cycle grants will be considered at that time.  Please see the details below. If your organization needs non-financial support, please email us to explore how we might be of assistance.

Eligibility: 

Eligible organizations can only receive an off-cycle grant once every three years.  Off-cycle grants range in size from $500-$10,000.

  • Must be an emergency/emergent request for critical need

  • Must be a 501(c)3 or have a fiscal sponsor - political, religious, fundraising organizations are ineligible

  • Organization must help families, uplift the vulnerable or support / enhance community life in the San Carlos community which is defined as those who live, work, play, or learn in San Carlos

  • Rolling applications accepted throughout the year - but funds may or may not be available at any point in time so contact the grant chair/co-chairs at grants@sancarloscf.org before applying

Application Questions:

  • Why are these funds needed?  Share how you are going to use the money - be reasonably specific 

  • What created this emergency/emergent critical need?

  • Amount requested

  • When do you need the funds?  What’s the latest the funds can be granted to be useful for this purpose? (to help us understand how quickly we need to act)

  • How does this serve a basic need or enhance community life?  How many will it impact and in what way?

  • What other steps are you taking to fill this gap?

  • What are the potential negative consequences if funding isn’t obtained?  What will you do if you don’t receive this funding?