Community Social Services Grants

The Community Social Services Grant (CSSG) is an initiative by the City of Thousand Oaks aimed at supporting local non-profit organizations that deliver essential public and social services to low-income residents within the city. This grant represents the city’s continued commitment to community well-being and addresses pressing needs such as food insecurity, housing instability, health access, and caregiver support. Administered through the City Manager’s office, the CSSG is a competitive funding opportunity evaluated with oversight from the Community Funding Review Committee (CFRC), a body appointed by the City Council to ensure a fair and strategic allocation of resources. The grant specifically supports a wide range of activities that contribute to public welfare. Examples of eligible projects include the provision of meals through programs like Meals on Wheels, caregiver support services, the distribution of school supplies, emergency rental assistance, and the procurement of medical or dental supplies. These examples illustrate the grant’s flexibility in supporting diverse initiatives, provided they directly serve low-income individuals residing in Thousand Oaks. The funding is restricted to use within the city, and all beneficiaries must be local residents. The CSSG is open only to non-profit organizations and does not require matching funds, making it accessible to smaller or emerging service providers. Each grantee may request between $2,000 and $10,000, with the maximum allocation per organization capped at $10,000. While the application portal is currently closed, the next application window is scheduled to run from March 16 to April 16, 2026, with a strict submission deadline of 5:00 PM on the final day. Applications must be submitted electronically via email to [email protected], and applicants are required to confirm receipt of their submission during business hours. The evaluation process involves a review by the CFRC, which assesses eligibility and merit before forwarding funding recommendations to the City Council for final approval. Notifications to applicants are anticipated in mid-June 2026. Funded projects must be executed between July 1, 2026, and June 30, 2027. Grantees must ensure all expenditures occur within this performance period. Additionally, a final performance report is required within 30 days of completing the project or exhausting grant funds. The grant application process includes submission of a completed and signed application form along with required supporting documents. While specifics about the application components are not detailed on the main grant page, applicants are encouraged to email the grants office to request a Word version of the application form. The city also emphasizes timely and complete submissions; late applications will not be considered under any circumstances. For any questions or technical issues, applicants may contact the grants office directly at [email protected]. The city hall, located at 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks, CA 91362, is open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM, except alternating Fridays when it is closed. This grant operates on a recurring annual cycle, with future application windows expected to follow a similar March–April timeline.