The JUSTIN Community Grants program, launched in 2013, is designed to support local organizations dedicated to improving the quality of life in rural North County communities. The program has funded over 258 projects and supported more than 150 teachers and 39 schools, amounting to over $1.6 million in contributions. In 2025, the program will allocate $350,000 in grants to local schools and non-profits focused on enhancing community welfare.
The primary goal of the JUSTIN Community Grants program is to assist organizations committed to making North County a more equitable place to live, work, and play. This funding initiative aims to empower local schools, non-profits, government agencies, and 501(c)(3) organizations. For individual teachers or classroom-specific projects, grants of up to $2,000 are available through a partnership with DonorsChoose. The program encourages initiatives in areas such as health and wellness, recreation, environmental education, art, social services, and youth enrichment. Successful projects are expected to meet clear community needs and produce tangible, visible results.
Eligible applicants for the program must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, a local government agency, a school, or a hospital. Teachers seeking individual classroom grants can apply through DonorsChoose for grants up to $2,000. The geographic scope of the program is focused on North County, and projects must either be located in or exclusively benefit this region. While organizations outside the region can apply, their proposed projects must directly support North County communities.
The grant amounts range from $1,000 to $50,000, and the total funding for the program is set at $350,000 for 2025. These funds can be used for program development, expansion, small-scale capital improvements, technology, and equipment. However, general support for organizations will not be funded. Specific areas of focus include health, wellness, recreation, environmental education, art, social services, and youth enrichment. Successful applicants will be those that demonstrate the most pressing community need and the ability to generate measurable, positive outcomes.
The application process for the 2025 grants opens on January 13, 2025, at midnight PST and will close on February 28, 2025, at midnight PST. The program offers an information session on January 13, 2025, at 3 pm PST. Award decisions will be announced in April 2025. Interested applicants are encouraged to read the FAQ section and to reach out via email for further questions.
For further details or questions, applicants can contact the JUSTIN Community Grants program at communitygrants@justinwine.com.
