Community Fund for Carmel Valley Grant Program

The Community Fund for Carmel Valley (CFCV) is a philanthropic affiliate of the Community Foundation for Monterey County, established in 2016 to address local needs and improve the quality of life for residents of the Carmel Valley region. CFCV was specifically created to act as a conduit for philanthropic support and strategic investment in initiatives that promote community vitality in Carmel Valley, including the areas from Highway 1 to Cahoon Grade, and extending to Cachagua and Jamesburg. CFCV’s 2025 grantmaking cycle aims to allocate up to $30,000 in total funding, with individual grants expected to reach a maximum of $4,000. Grant decisions are guided by the CFCV Advisory Council and finalized by the Community Foundation for Monterey County’s board. The grants are designed to support nonprofit organizations with the leadership and operational capacity to provide significant benefits to Carmel Valley residents. Funding may be directed toward program support, operating costs for established nonprofits with proven community benefit, or organizational development efforts aimed at strengthening internal capacity. Priority areas for the 2025 cycle include community development projects that enhance infrastructure or meet local needs, expanded programming for youth and seniors, and initiatives supporting education and cultural or historical programs. Special attention will be given to applications that serve the basic needs of Carmel Valley and Cachagua residents, including food and housing security. Additionally, projects related to fire and disaster prevention or response are encouraged and may include neighborhood organizing and disaster preparedness education. Applicants must serve the geographic area defined as Carmel Valley from Highway 1 to Cahoon Grade, including Cachagua and Jamesburg. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, public programs (e.g., schools and parks), faith-based organizations with secular community impact, and unincorporated collaboratives with a qualified fiscal sponsor. Fiscal sponsors must be 501(c)(3) organizations that assume financial oversight for the project. An organization may only submit one application; however, if it is acting as a fiscal sponsor for another entity, it may also apply on its own behalf. Allowable expenditures under this grant program include costs related to program implementation, personnel, and materials directly benefiting participants. Developmental expenses for new programs expected to yield community benefit within the grant period may also be funded. Matching grants to leverage additional funding are permissible. In contrast, ineligible uses include sectarian religious activities, political campaigns, debt repayment, individual scholarships, research, fundraising event costs, and capital improvements that cannot be completed within six months of the grant award. The deadline to apply for the 2025 grant cycle is August 1, 2025, at 5:00 PM. Funding decisions will be announced in October. All awarded funds must be used within 12 months of the grant date, with a final written evaluation required. Inquiries about the program, including questions about fire relief grant eligibility, should be directed to Daniela Cervantes, Community Impact and Equity Officer at the Community Foundation for Monterey County, via phone at 831.375.9712 x133 or email at danielac@cfmco.org.

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