Goleta City Grant Program

The Goleta City Grant Program, administered by the City of Goleta’s Neighborhood Services Department, provides annual funding to support civic services, community projects, and public services that benefit residents of Goleta, California. Guided by the policy established under NS-001, the program aligns with the city's objectives to foster inclusive community development and enrich the cultural, recreational, educational, and social fabric of the city. Originally adopted in 2013 and most recently revised on December 16, 2025, the program operates under guidelines approved by the City Council and is managed by the Neighborhood Services Director. The program offers grants to eligible nonprofit organizations and governmental or quasi-governmental agencies. Fiscal sponsorship is permitted, provided the fiscal sponsor assumes full financial and reporting responsibilities and signs the grant agreement. The grant supports a wide range of eligible activities, including but not limited to civic and cultural projects, music, arts, and dance programs, recreational and outdoor activities, educational programming, environmental and wildlife initiatives, health and wellness programs, food security efforts, and other services that demonstrate a clear public benefit for Goleta residents. Eligibility is strictly defined. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit entities or public sector organizations that have a current operational presence within Santa Barbara County. Organizations that are for-profit, individual applicants, politically affiliated entities, or those lacking local operational presence are ineligible. Applications that include religious worship or instruction, capital improvements, fundraising or endowment activities, and political advocacy are also disallowed under the grant’s funding restrictions. Each funding cycle is formally launched through a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA), which outlines key details including total available funds, award limits, timeline, eligibility parameters, and specific application instructions. For the Fiscal Year 2026–27 cycle, applications for the Goleta City Grant Program will open on January 5, 2026, and close on February 6, 2026, at 5:00 PM. The application process is managed through the online Submittable platform, which will also host required forms and submission materials. The City will also offer a non-mandatory technical assistance webinar on January 8, 2026, to review guideline updates and answer applicant questions regarding eligibility, evaluation criteria, and documentation. Applicants must adhere to the instructions and deadlines published in the NOFA. Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered. The application must include evidence of nonprofit status or fiscal sponsorship, program budgets, and other documentation as specified. All recipients are required to sign a grant agreement and fulfill obligations such as end-of-year reporting, acknowledging city support in public materials, and ensuring that funded activities comply with applicable laws including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The City reserves audit rights and may withhold or recover funds in cases of misuse or non-compliance. The program is not recurring in nature but is issued annually subject to funding availability. For the FY 2026–27 cycle, the city has indicated that it will not accept applications for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) public service activities. Awarded applicants must use funds only for approved purposes. They may be required to present outcomes to the City Council or a related committee. The City also enforces strict conflict-of-interest disclosures during the application process to ensure transparency and public trust.

Ensure programs comply with ADA and show public benefit; complete applications on time.