Grants of up to $5,000 to California nonprofit organizations, special districts, tribes, and school districts for community and business development projects in eligible regions. The purpose of the program is to foster prosperity in local communities. Funding is intended to support projects in the areas of workforce development, and entrepreneurship and small business development. Funds must serve Mendocino County.
This fund was established by John and Sandra Mayfield to increase the prosperity of communities and individuals in Mendocino County through business and community development, education, and entrepreneurship support. Only nonprofits may apply.
The goal of the fund is to make grants to nonprofit organizations in two categories:
Category One: Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development in Mendocino County
Infrastructure and support resources for start-ups and small businesses.
Technical assistance for mission-driven earned income strategies for nonprofit organizations (i.e. guidance on how to test the feasibility of a business concept, how to gain the support of the board and general public for the effort, how to identify business savvy personnel to run it, and how to learn the basics of marketing, sales and customer service).
Internal capacity - building of local nonprofit community and economic development partners (EDFC, MPIC, West Center, and Workforce Alliance of the North Bay ) to align collaborations and implement best practices.
K- 16 Entrepreneurial curriculum/classes
Category Two: Workforce Development in Mendocino County
Collaborative projects between businesses and educational institutions focusing on job training and certification programs that are vocational and/or business-related.
Job training for employment in the agriculture, manufacturing, health care, natural resources, or tourism sectors of the county.
Certifications leading to employment in the agriculture, manufacturing, health care, natural resources, or tourism sectors of the county.
Work readiness programs for high school students interested in employment opportunities in local businesses
The Youth Fund is comprised of several funds, including the John and Sandra Mayfield Family Economic Development Fund.
City and county entities will be considered on a request-by-request basis. All other applicant organizations must:
• Serve residents of Mendocino County or applicants not headquartered in Mendocino County must ensure that all grant dollars requested are spent within the County.
• Be legally chartered in California and in possession of determination letter from the IRS declaring the organization a public charity that is exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3); or be a school district, tribe, or special district (e.g. community services, recreation, fire protection); or have an aligned mission with a fiscal sponsor.
• Have one year of operational history after receiving charitable status.
• Conduct business without discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, or religious affiliation.
The Community Foundation allows community groups to apply using a fiscal sponsor.
Ineligible
Only nonprofits may apply; for-profits must work through Economic Development Finance Corporation or the West Business Development Center.
Applicants may not use grants for:
• Political contributions or to support political campaigns or lobbying.
• Influencing the outcome of or participate in any public election or to carry on, directly or indirectly, any voter registration drive.
• Purposes other than those which are religious, charitable, scientific, literary, or educational within the meaning of Section 170 (c)(2)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code.
• Purposes other than those stated in the grant award.
Pre-Proposal Conference
The Program Team will be holding two technical assistance workshops on Zoom for those who would like more information about the online application process.
- Application Workshop with simultaneous Spanish translation:
August 10, 2023 from 12:00-1:00 PM
Please note that this workshop will be recorded and posted to thewebsite.
- Application Workshop for Native/Indigenous Communities:
August 11, 2023 from 12:00-1:00 PM
You may request the registration link by emailing Hayley Moore at hayley@communityfound.org.
This year the Community Foundation will also hold their Lunch and Learn Nonprofit Training Series. The first one will cover, “The How, When, and Why of Grant Seeking and Proposal Writing”
- On September 7, 2023 from 11:30 AM-1:30 PM at the Ukiah Valley Conference Center; and
- September 8, 2023 from 11:30 AM-1:30 PM at the Mendocino Coast Clinics
Other topics will include: Understanding nonprofit governance; soliciting major gifts; marketing, fundraising, and movement building; operations; human resources for small organizations; nonprofit finance and budgeting; diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI); unconscious bias and engaging with clients/ community; and strategic planning.
Pre-Application Information
The grant proposal submission deadline is 5:00 PM on September 18, 2023.
Grants recipients will be notified of an award by November 17, 2023.
Checks will be processed and mailed out by the new calendar year.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply at least five days in advance of the deadline to resolve any technical difficulties or unforeseen internet connectivity issues.
If an applicant would like to receive feedback on their draft application, they must request an appointment and have the draft application available by September 8th. Appointments can be made with Meredith DeLucia.
Grant proposals for $5,000 or more may have two stages of review: an initial review and a site visit. Site
visits may be made in-person, by phone, or virtually.
The Community Foundation Board of Directors would like to acknowledge and celebrate awardees at regional grantee celebrations in April and May 2024. Recipients are encouraged to have staff and board members attend the appropriate check reception for your region.
Estimated Size of Grant
Grant range: $1,000-$5,000
Term of Contract
Projects and/or activities supported by a field of interest grant should be concluded by November 1, 2024.
For questions about the guidelines or to receive feedback on individual proposals applicants may call Meredith DeLucia, Senior Program Officer, at (707) 468-9882 ext. 103 or email meredith@communityfound.org.
For technical assistance and application questions, contact Hayley Moore, Program Associate, at (707) 468-9882 ext. 110 or email hayley@communityfound.org.
Community Foundation of Mendocino County
204 South Oak Street
Ukiah, CA 95482
(707) 468-9882 info@communityfound.org
We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience on GrantWatch.com. By continuing to use our site, you consent to the use of cookies. Learn more by exploring our comprehensive Cookie Policy
