Measure Q Grants

The Measure Q Grant Program is an initiative of Santa Cruz County, California, created to promote community resilience, ecological stewardship, and equitable access to parks and natural spaces. Approved by county voters in November 2024, Measure Q provides a dedicated local funding source to support a range of projects that enhance environmental health and community infrastructure. The program prioritizes improvements in water quality, wildfire risk mitigation, habitat conservation, and expansion of public access to parks and natural environments. Funding decisions are guided by a detailed Measure Q Grant Guidelines document and a 5-Year Vision Plan, which together define the strategic objectives, eligible geographies, and preferred project outcomes for all grant cycles. The Measure Q Grant Program offers two main tiers of funding. Tier 1, known as Community Catalyst Grants, supports smaller-scale initiatives with awards ranging from $5,000 to $50,000. This tier is intended for emerging projects or grassroots efforts that build local capacity, foster environmental stewardship, or carry out small-scale planning or restoration activities. Tier 2, or Community Impact Grants, offers awards between $50,000 and $500,000 and supports complex, multi-benefit efforts such as major habitat restoration, fuel reduction projects at the urban-wildland interface, or capital improvements that facilitate community access to nature. In addition to the core grant tiers, specific allocations are designated for projects in the Pajaro Valley ($200,000 to $600,000) and San Vicente Redwoods ($600,000), aimed at supporting targeted, large-scale regional implementation. The 2026 application cycle for Measure Q Grants opens on Monday, January 26, 2026, and closes on Friday, March 6, 2026, at 11:59 PM. Interested applicants must first register within the grant portal system to begin their submission. Once registered, applicants must review the program guidelines and may then apply under either funding tier. Applications must align with the goals outlined in the Vision Plan, and should clearly articulate project scope, feasibility, and anticipated community benefits. Projects will be evaluated based on several weighted criteria. For Tier 1 grants, scoring prioritizes alignment with the Vision Plan (40 points), community benefit (30 points), feasibility (20 points), and innovation/capacity-building potential (10 points), with up to 5 bonus points for partnerships or leveraged resources. For Tier 2 grants, the evaluation includes alignment with priorities (25 points), community benefit and equity (20 points), wildlife/environmental benefit (15 points), project readiness (15 points), collaboration (10 points), budgeting (10 points), and long-term monitoring (5 points), with a similar bonus potential. Grant approvals follow a multi-phase process. After the application window closes, proposals will undergo eligibility screening and independent scoring during March and April 2026. In May 2026, the Citizens Oversight Advisory Board (COAB) will review recommended awards, with final approvals made by the County Board of Supervisors. Successful applicants can expect to execute grant agreements by June 2026. Reporting requirements include mid-year updates and annual reports, scheduled for February and August of 2027, ensuring that grantees remain accountable to community priorities and fiscal transparency. Applicants are encouraged to attend an informational webinar and consult additional documentation housed in the Measure Q Grant Library to prepare strong submissions. Questions can be directed to [email protected] for clarification or assistance. The program does not state that it recurs annually, so future rounds should not be assumed without further notice.

Clearly align with Vision Plan priorities; Ensure project feasibility and measurable outcomes; Leverage partnerships or resources if possible