City of St. Helena Nonprofit Community Enrichment Grant Program

The City of St. Helena’s Nonprofit Community Enrichment Program for fiscal year 2026–2027 invites nonprofit organizations that serve the local community to apply for financial support. This annual grant initiative is rooted in the city’s mission to support activities that directly benefit the residents of St. Helena, with a specific focus on arts, culture, education, and initiatives that support youth and family health and well-being. Projects must align with either the city’s mission statement or one of the current three-year goals established by the City Council. Applicants must ensure that proposed projects are planned for completion within the fiscal year starting July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027. The program prioritizes initiatives that demonstrate innovation and a plan for achieving self-sufficiency within 24 months. A critical element of the City’s funding philosophy is encouraging grantees to actively pursue stable private funding sources, ensuring sustainability beyond municipal support. It is important to note that submission of a complete application does not guarantee funding, and past recipients are not given preferential treatment in the current cycle. The City also encourages projects that foster inclusion, belonging, and social justice within the community. Funding is available for programmatic expenses only, which must conform to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) as operating costs. The program explicitly prohibits the use of grant funds for purchasing, maintaining, or repairing capital assets. Applicants may request between $1,000 and $20,000 per proposal, with an expected total funding pool of approximately $75,000 for the fiscal year. Only one application per agency per category will be accepted each cycle, and the agency must be a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in good standing, operational for at least one year as of December 31, 2025. Applications are exclusively accepted through electronic submission via the City of St. Helena’s website. The application forms are divided into two categories based on funding request amounts: one for requests of $5,000 and under, and another for requests above $5,001. The application portal opens on January 2, 2026, and the final submission deadline is February 20, 2026, at 5:00 PM Pacific Time. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. After the deadline, applications will undergo a review process, and it is anticipated that the City Council will make funding decisions in April 2026. Organizations awarded grants will be required to enter into a grant agreement with the City and comply with insurance requirements, which may include naming the City as an additionally insured party. In addition, if awarded a different amount than requested, the organization must submit revised goals, activities, and budget documentation. A final program and financial report is mandatory and must be submitted within 30 days of the project end date, including receipts, sign-in sheets, invoices, and photos as supporting documentation. For assistance, organizations are encouraged to contact the City’s Finance Department prior to application submission to clarify eligibility or request support in developing their application. Inquiries can be directed to [email protected] or by calling (707) 968-2750. Further details, including guidelines and policy documents, are accessible via the City of St. Helena’s official website.