Siembra Latinos Fund

The Siembra Latinos Fund (SLF) is a special purpose fund housed within the Community Foundation for Monterey County (CFMC), established in 2017 with the mission to create positive change in Latino communities throughout Monterey County, California. Administered by a community-based Advisory Council, SLF seeks to address the most urgent and high-priority needs of local Latino populations through its annual grantmaking process. The Advisory Council reviews applications and recommends funding decisions to the CFMC board, which holds final approval authority. The fund is committed to increasing economic mobility within Latino communities and does so by supporting programs and initiatives in three specific areas: Leadership Development, Work Experience, and Education. The primary focus for the 2025 grant cycle is Economic Mobility. Grant proposals are encouraged that support Leadership Development through initiatives that foster Latino leadership, promote community engagement, and enhance participation in decision-making processes. Another key area of funding is Work Experience, where SLF aims to support internships, professional network growth, and the enhancement of core competencies such as problem solving, data analysis, and operational systems understanding. In Education, the fund prioritizes projects that improve English/Language Arts and Math proficiency, particularly at the 4th, 5th, and 6th grade levels. For the 2025 cycle, a total of $20,000 is available for grant distribution. Individual grants are expected to range between $2,500 and $5,000. Grant funds can be used for program support—such as the development or expansion of initiatives, responses to special or emergency circumstances, or for equipment and personnel costs—as well as for unrestricted operating support for organizations with a demonstrated history of community benefit. Recipients are expected to use the funds within 12 months and submit a written evaluation report upon project completion. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, public programs such as schools and health services, and unincorporated groups or collaboratives operating under a fiscal sponsor that is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. However, certain expenses and project types are ineligible for funding. These include discriminatory or political activities, religious services, debt repayment, endowment contributions, and funding for individuals, among others. Projects that would replace tax-supported services in schools or public agencies are also ineligible. The application deadline for the 2025 Siembra Latinos Fund grant cycle is 5:00 p.m. on August 1, 2025. Funding decisions will be announced in October. Interested applicants must submit their proposals online via the CFMC’s grants portal. There are no required pre-application deadlines, but applicants are advised to review all guidelines thoroughly and ensure alignment with the fund’s priorities. CFMC allows the use of AI tools for proposal development, provided that submissions are proofread, use the organization’s authentic voice, and include relevant local data. For questions or further assistance, applicants may contact Daniela Cervantes, Community Impact and Equity Officer, at danielac@cfmco.org or by phone at 831.375.9712 or 754.5880 x133.

CFMC encourages proofreading, use of authentic voice, and inclusion of local data when using AI tools.