Prevention and Wellness Grant Program

The Prevention and Wellness Grant, administered by the City of Salinas, provides funding to support programs that improve the health, safety, and well-being of the Salinas community. With a total of $200,000 available in the current funding cycle, this opportunity is aimed at community-based organizations offering prevention and intervention services. The program aligns with the city’s broader strategy to reduce community violence and promote protective environments as outlined in the Comprehensive Strategic Work Plan led by the Community Alliance for Safety and Peace (CASP). The 2025 grant application opened on September 3, 2025, and proposals must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on September 30, 2025. Applications should be emailed to Vicky Sanchez at vickys@ci.salinas.ca.us. Grants awarded in past cycles ranged from $21,000 to $56,000, supporting both new programs and expanded services. The City encourages proposals that serve as evidence-based interventions and that are aligned with CASP’s prevention and wellness goals, such as reducing youth violence, supporting mental health, and enhancing access to safe environments. Eligible applicants include grassroots and community-based organizations that can demonstrate the use of proven methods in delivering prevention and intervention programming. While one-time events may apply, the program primarily supports long-term projects that create sustained impact. Organizations must also be able to provide supporting references or research for their proposed activities. There is no matching requirement for this grant. However, applicants must clearly demonstrate the program's effectiveness and capacity to address a defined community need. According to the FAQ guidance for the 2025–26 cycle, the City prefers initiatives that offer new or enhanced programming or expand service delivery capacity. A proposal template is provided to help applicants structure their submission in accordance with full criteria. The grant program is connected to the goals of CASP and the City’s long-term vision for a peaceful and thriving community achieved through equity. Applicants are encouraged to reference CASP’s strategic goals in their proposal development. There is no indication of recurring cycles, so future funding availability is uncertain. Interested organizations should contact Vicky Sanchez for assistance or further clarification.

Emphasize how the program enhances community safety or well-being. Include research references and alignment with CASP goals.