The Foundation of Ventura County Credit Union (VCCU) administers a grantmaking program designed to provide financial support and educational assistance to nonprofit organizations operating within Ventura and Santa Barbara counties in California. VCCU is a full-service, Southern California-based credit union with multiple branches throughout the region. The foundation focuses its philanthropic activities through three core pillars: supporting underserved communities, promoting health and well-being, and fostering the beautification or preservation of the local environment.
This grant opportunity provides financial assistance to eligible nonprofit organizations in the form of program, capital, or operational support. Funding is intended to address needs that align with the Foundation's three focus areas, and organizations are expected to apply for grants within the specified funding range. Each year, the Foundation opens a grant application cycle to consider new requests for support from organizations serving the designated counties.
To be eligible for consideration, applicants must be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and must not be classified as private foundations. Additionally, applicants must be based in and serve either Ventura or Santa Barbara counties. Organizations that deny services based on discriminatory criteria or fall into excluded categories such as religious institutions, individual schools, athletic programs, political entities, or content production efforts are not eligible for funding. Some secular community service programs sponsored by religious groups may qualify for consideration.
Interested applicants must submit an online grant application no later than 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, August 31, 2025. Only one application may be submitted per organization per year. The funding request, which must range between $2,500 and $10,000, must be clearly indicated both in the application and the cover letter, and the submitted budget must match the total amount requested.
No pre-application steps such as letters of intent or concept papers are required. Applications will be evaluated based on alignment with the Foundation’s core focus areas and the organization's service to the designated geographic region. While the guidelines do not specify a particular set of evaluation metrics or a timeline for awards notification, organizations are encouraged to reach out with questions as needed.
All inquiries regarding the grant program should be directed to the Foundation of VCCU via email at foundation@vccuonline.net. Additional community engagement or event support inquiries should be addressed separately to the Community Development department at cd@vccuonline.net.
