San Marcos Community Foundation Grant

The San Marcos Community Foundation (SMCF) was established in 1987 by the San Marcos City Council to serve as a nonprofit public benefit corporation committed to enhancing the quality of life for residents of San Marcos, California. Originating from a $1 million endowment contributed by the developers of the North County Energy and Resource Recovery Center, the Foundation has since provided financial assistance to a broad spectrum of nonprofit organizations that serve the city and its residents. Since its inception, the Foundation has remained focused on strengthening the local community through targeted philanthropic efforts and support for mission-driven organizations. The purpose of the SMCF grant program is to provide funding to nonprofit organizations that operate within San Marcos or offer services directly benefiting the city's residents. Funding is made available to support a range of initiatives and services, including those related to arts and culture, children and youth programs, civic life, education, health and well-being, senior services, and wildlife conservation. The Foundation encourages the submission of applications that address local needs and propose actionable strategies to create meaningful, sustainable change in the community. The grants offered by SMCF are evaluated and awarded quarterly by the Foundation’s Board of Directors, which meets four times annually — in February, May, August, and November. Eligible organizations must hold current 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and demonstrate a clear connection to the San Marcos community, either through their location or through the beneficiaries of their programs and services. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis according to the open periods leading up to each quarterly review cycle. Submission of applications is managed through the San Marcos Community Foundation's online portal. Organizations are required to complete the designated application form linked on the Foundation’s website. The application should provide a detailed overview of the proposed project or program, its anticipated outcomes, and the population it seeks to serve. While there is no pre-application step explicitly required, all components of the final application must be submitted by the respective quarterly deadline for consideration in that cycle. While specific award amounts are not publicly detailed, applicants are encouraged to request reasonable funding aligned with the scope and impact of their proposed projects. The SMCF prioritizes programs that demonstrate measurable outcomes, a clear need within the community, and a capacity for execution. Final grant decisions are made by the board at each quarterly meeting, and awardees are notified shortly thereafter. For questions about the grant opportunity or eligibility, applicants are advised to contact the San Marcos Community Foundation directly. The Foundation is administered in collaboration with the Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego, which provides the Competitive Application Platform (CAP) used for submissions. Contact can also be made through the CAP system or by reaching out to Grants Officer Jessica Ludwig at 858-279-2740. The grant program includes both Mini Grants, which provide up to $1,500, and Regular Grants, which provide between $1,500 and $10,000. Applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations either located in or providing services to San Marcos residents. The foundation holds quarterly funding cycles with application deadlines falling at the end of December, March, June, and September. For 2025, the remaining application deadlines are June 30 and September 29. Grant funding is decided through a two-step process involving the Grant Funding Committee and the SMCF Board, both of which meet quarterly. Applications must be complete and received by 5:00 PM on the deadline date to be considered for that cycle. All committee and board meetings are open to the public and held at San Marcos City Hall. Grant application materials can be submitted electronically or in physical form. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. While no application question list is provided, applicants should be prepared to demonstrate community impact and financial need. For questions or more information, applicants can contact the San Marcos Community Foundation via email at cityclerk@san-marcos.net or by phone at 760-744-1050.

Incomplete applications will not be accepted; submit by 5:00 PM. All meetings are public and scheduled quarterly.