Together in Community Grant

The Together in Community grant program is an initiative of the Zellerbach Family Foundation designed to support inclusive, community-oriented public events in the San Francisco Bay Area. This program is part of the Foundation’s broader commitment to fostering safety, connection, and belonging across historically underserved populations. Through a simplified and expedited application process, Together in Community grants fund fairs, festivals, and other gatherings that intentionally bring people together to share space, engage with cultural expressions, and strengthen community ties. Grant awards are available in fixed amounts of $5,000 or $10,000 and are specifically intended to support one-time, community-centered events. These events must be located in Alameda, Contra Costa, or San Francisco counties and must align with Zellerbach Family Foundation’s strategic priorities. While the program is open to a broad range of cultural and community gatherings, it excludes a number of activity types, including events that serve as fundraisers, business expos, educational classes, conferences, private parties, or artist-curated festivals. Events must also be scheduled to occur within six months of the award notification date. Eligible applicants include nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations or those with a fiscal sponsor. While organizations may submit multiple applications throughout the year, each organization may only receive one Together in Community grant per calendar year. Current Zellerbach Family Foundation grantees are also eligible to apply, and receiving this grant does not affect eligibility for other foundation funding. Grants do not support general operations or ongoing programming. The application process is streamlined and designed to prioritize accessibility. Applicants must provide details such as event description, intended audience, cultural components, and outcomes they aim to achieve. Required supporting information includes organizational background, contact information, event title and date, budget, and amount requested. The Foundation also collects data on time spent completing the application for internal process improvement. Applications are reviewed and awarded on a rolling basis, subject to timing and alignment with Foundation priorities. The program emphasizes shared experiences, visibility of underrepresented groups, and cultural relevance. Successful proposals demonstrate clear community engagement, a defined cultural component, and thoughtful use of the grant toward producing a meaningful, public-facing event that contributes to the social cohesion and vibrancy of Bay Area neighborhoods.

Ensure your event is community-centered and culturally meaningful. Review the ineligible event list carefully before applying.