Big Sur Fund

The Big Sur Fund (BSF), established in 2020 in memory of Weston Call, is a community-driven philanthropic initiative that supports vital needs and opportunities in the Big Sur region of California. Managed in partnership with the Community Foundation for Monterey County (CFMC), the BSF channels contributions from residents, visitors, and local businesses toward impactful projects that benefit Big Sur. The fund also operates the Big Sur Disaster Relief Fund, which addresses emergencies affecting the region. Each year, a volunteer Advisory Council drawn from the community evaluates proposals and recommends funding awards to the CFMC board, which holds final decision-making authority. For the 2025 funding cycle, BSF will distribute a total of $30,000 in grant awards, with individual grant sizes ranging from $1,000 to $5,000. The grantmaking priorities for 2025 include: (1) Health, Fire & Safety, to support critical health services and emergency preparedness; (2) Education, Arts & Culture, to fund programs that promote learning, cultural enrichment, and historical preservation; (3) Community Stewardship & Sustainable Tourism, to encourage responsible tourism and environmental care; and (4) Partnerships & Services, aimed at strengthening collaboration and direct service delivery by nonprofit organizations in Big Sur. Eligible use of funds includes program support for existing or new initiatives with clear impact and sustainability, operating support for established organizations serving Big Sur, and capital support for facility-related costs. Additional eligible expenses encompass pre-development or construction costs, matching funds to leverage additional resources, developmental costs for new programs, and purchase of equipment or materials that directly support the proposed project. Grant recipients are required to utilize all awarded funds and submit a written evaluation within 12 months of receiving the grant. Eligibility is restricted to organizations or programs that directly serve communities from Mal Paso Creek south to the Monterey County line. Applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits, public programs like school-based initiatives outside standard curricula, or unincorporated groups with an agreement in place with a fiscal sponsor—a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization responsible for financial oversight. Each organization may submit only one application; however, fiscal sponsors may also apply on behalf of a separate collaborative or project. Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on August 1, 2025. Funding decisions will be announced in October. Interested applicants must submit their proposals online through the CFMC’s website. While there is no prohibition against using artificial intelligence tools to assist in proposal writing, CFMC advises applicants to ensure that the final submission reflects their organization’s authentic voice and includes relevant local data where appropriate. For more information or questions regarding the application process, applicants may contact Daniela Cervantes, Community Impact and Equity Officer at CFMC, at 831-375-9712 x133 or via email at danielac@cfmco.org. Additional resources and application guidance can be accessed through cfmco.org/BigSurGrants.

CFMC recommends proofreading, incorporating your organization’s voice, and including local data when using AI-generated content.