Gilroy Assistance League Grant Program

The Gilroy Assistance League is a nonprofit organization led by female community leaders that has supported children and youth in South Santa Clara County since 1959. Through locally driven fundraising efforts, including its annual Home and Garden Tour, the organization raises funds to reinvest directly into the community through youth-focused grants. Since 1993, the Gilroy Assistance League has distributed more than $435,000 to organizations serving young people, reflecting a long-standing commitment to improving educational, social, and developmental outcomes for local youth. The Gilroy Assistance League Grant Application is an annual funding opportunity designed to support youth organizations, programs, and schools that serve South Santa Clara County. Eligible applicants include organizations operating in Gilroy, San Martin, and Morgan Hill whose primary purpose is to provide services to youth aged 18 years or under. The program prioritizes projects that deliver direct benefits to children and youth through educational, recreational, or supportive services. Individual applicants are not eligible, and applications must be submitted by a group, organization, or school. For the 2026 grant cycle, applications opened on January 5, 2026 and must be submitted no later than February 20, 2026. Grant requests are limited to a maximum of $5,000 per application. Applicants must be willing to accept partial funding if awarded and are limited to one application per department within an organization. Organizations may not apply for the same project after receiving funding for that project for three consecutive years. The Gilroy Assistance League does not require applicants to hold 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, expanding eligibility to a broad range of youth-serving organizations and schools. However, grants will not be awarded to individuals. All funded projects must serve youth within the specified geographic area and comply with the program’s financial stewardship requirements. Funds must be used within the calendar year, and any unspent amount over $100 as of December 31 must be returned unless an extension is approved by the Executive Board and Grants Committee. Grant funds awarded through the 2026 cycle are expected to be distributed in April 2026. Awarded organizations are required to submit a Final Report by December 31 of the award year, including receipts documenting expenditures of grant funds. Failure to submit the required report will render the organization ineligible to apply for funding in the following year. This reporting requirement underscores the Gilroy Assistance League’s emphasis on accountability and responsible use of community funds. This grant program is issued annually and represents a recurring opportunity for eligible youth-serving organizations in South Santa Clara County. By supporting local initiatives with flexible funding and inclusive eligibility criteria, the Gilroy Assistance League continues to play a vital role in strengthening services for children and youth across its service area.