How to Apply for a Grant

Community Foundation Silicon Valley’s competitive grants programs serve nonprofits in the Silicon Valley region.  New grant programs, which take effect with the 2006 fiscal year, are outlined here.  More detailed information and application forms are on the Community Foundation’s website at www.cfsv.org.

Community Investment Program

CFSV’s cash grants program includes three programs designed to provide financial support and technical assistance to exemplary community organizations. In our work, we also strive to develop stories about the work of nonprofits to share with our donor advisors and broader community.

Community Investment Grants: One-year general support grant awards of up to $20,000 will be awarded to nonprofits working in one or more of the following areas: Arts and Cultural Participation, Education and Lifelong Learning, Civic Engagement, and Self-Reliant Individuals and Families. There are four quarterly grant application deadlines for Community Investment grants.

Organizational Effectiveness Grants: Part of our commitment to the health of the nonprofit sector is to provide technical assistance grants of up to $5,000 to help organizations move toward ever-increasing levels of excellence. Applications for this program are accepted throughout the year.

Neighborhood Grants Program: This once-yearly program provides grants of up to $5,000 and technical assistance to help resident-based groups conduct activities that improve neighborhood conditions or address issues important to their quality of life.

Community Catalyst Program

These multi-year initiatives, created and led by CFSV in collaboration with others, create systemic community change through targeted grantmaking, advocacy, collaboration, and/or technical assistance. Our current initiatives are Advancing the Arts Initiative, Young Readers – Future Leaders Early Literacy Initiative, and the HP Nonprofit Leadership Initiative.

Collaborative Funding Program

Often other foundations and organizations invite CFSV to participate in partnerships that pool local funds. Each opportunity is judged on its ability to create systemic change and leverage CFSV’s investment. Grants from these collaborative programs will most frequently be made by another foundation or funding agency.