Guide for Grantseekers

HELP US HELP YOU! COMPLETE THIS SURVEY AND GET A FREE TRAINING!
The Health & Human Services Profile is an online database which provides a convenient gathering of health and human service data relevant to Ventura County. The profile became available online in 2003, so that it could be continuously updated with the most recent statistics available. We are conducting a survey to learn more about nonprofit usage of the Ventura County Health & Human Services Profile, and to determine what improvements, if any, are necessary to make the site more useful. In addition, respondents will be invited to attend a free training on a first-come, first-serve basis. Your responses will help us to determine how useful this resource is and how it can serve your organization better.

Click here to take survey

Respondents will be given the opportunity to attend a free training session on the Profile this spring or summer.

The Community Foundation offers a Nonprofit Resources eNewsletter to keep you up to date on the latest funding opportunities, workshops, and special events in Ventura County. Click Here to sign-up.

Each year, the Ventura County Community Foundation awards grants and scholarships totaling more than $2.5 million, providing grantmaking opportunities for all areas of community need. Grant dollars are derived from designated funds, donor advised funds, endowment funds, field-of-interest funds, special funds and greatest needs funds.

VCCF involves the community in all facets of its grantmaking. Each grants program has its own community Advisory Committee. Members of these committees research needs, recommend grant focuses, evaluate proposals and recommend grant recipients. The Program and Grants Committee, appointed by VCCF’s Board of Directors, makes all final grant approvals.

VCCF accepts proposals only in response to an open Request for Proposals (RFP).

Competitive Grant Cycles
Only certain funds are open to application. All requests for proposals (RFPs) are publicly announced and specifically describe the focus areas for which proposals are being sought. The Community Foundation looks for projects where a moderate amount of grant money can effect a significant result, and where there is a well-planned and/or new approach to solving community problems. We encourage proposals with cooperation and partnering among charitable organizations.

All competitive grants (except the SUN Fund) are made only in response to a formal RFP process that outlines specific areas of interest and information requested. DO NOT contact the Foundation for funding outside of an RFP process.

Nonprofit organizations may subscribe to our Resource Center for Nonprofit Management eNews Letter for RFP Anouncements and information on current VCCF grant activities. Please fill out the form found here with your contact information to start receiving our bi-weekly updates.

back to the top

The Community Response Fund
Supports programs that make an investment in the community and improve the lives of Ventura County residents. The CRF also funds proposals to strengthen the capacities of Ventura County's nonprofit organizations.

In fall of each year, priorities are selected for the following year. Please check back at a later date for 2007 program priorities.

Previous priorities have included:

Disaster Preparedness for Vulnerable Populations
Organizations in Transition
Mental Health Initiative
Capacity Building
Endowment Building
Strategic Planning
Service Delivery

back to the top

ArtsLIVE in Ventura County Initiative
$90,000 in Grants to Nonprofit Organizations

The purpose of the ArtsLIVE grants program is to highlight the depth and breadth of the arts produced in Ventura County, with an emphasis on art programming produced by- or for- youth, seniors, and traditionally underrepresented groups. Preference will be given to organizations that can demonstrate a plan for using the grant to raise the visibility of the proposed program and the organization’s work to leverage additional funds for the organization and its programs. The Grants to Nonprofit Organization Program will be administered in two years at $90,000 per year. The 2009 cycle will focus on Visual, Media and Literary Arts. The 2010 cycle will focus on Performing Arts and Folk & Traditional Arts.

The 2009 grant cycle has passed. Please check back in November/December for information on the 2010 grant cycle.

back to the top

Destino: The Hispanic Legacy Fund
The Ventura County Community Foundation’s Destino: The Hispanic Legacy Fund has established an endowed grantmaking fund to provide opportunities for the economic, educational, physical, emotional, social, artistic and personal growth of Latinos in Ventura County. Each year, founders and donors to the Fund review the needs of the community and vote to select issues of importance to Latinos in the County.

No RFP currently available.

back to the top

HERITAGE FUND
The Ventura County Community Foundation’s Heritage Fund was established as an endowed grantmaking fund to provide opportunities for local nonprofits to have the resources and time to study and document the County’s heritage, share who we are, and how our county has grown and prospered. The Heritage Fund celebrates Ventura County’s unique history beginning in the early times and will continue throughout the years in the future.

No RFP currently available.

back to the top

The Ventura County Fund for Farmworker Housing
Supports efforts that will preserve, enhance and increase the supply of decent, safe, sanitary and affordable housing for agricultural workers in Ventura County. This program was launched with a generous grant from Washington Mutual and contributions from other donors.

In 2007, the Ventura County Community Foundation received a challenge grant from the Farm-Worker Housing Task Force of the Ag Futures Alliance. The purpose of this grant and its matching funds are specifically to support the development of housing units. $92,000 is available for distribution for the following funding focus:

Funding Focus: INITIATE AND/OR ENABLE THE DEVELOPMENT OF FARMWORKER HOUSING. The Fund will support the early-stage predevelopment costs, including staffing and fees, of experienced affordable housing developers seeking to initiate housing developments. In addition, grant funding is available to enable housing development projects that are currently in-process to move forward through providing support for discrete activities and/or costs for which financing is not available. Also, grants provided for predevelopment purposes may be considered on a recoverable grant basis.

Please see the RFP for more information.

Application Deadline: 1:00 p.m. on Friday, August 14, 2009 in VCCF Office.

Download Grant Application
2009 Farmworker Housing Grant Application

back to the top

Smith-Hobson Foundation Fund
The Smith-Hobson Foundation, a small family foundation established in 1964, became a donor advised fund at the Ventura County Community Foundation in 1991. The Smith-Hobson Foundation focuses primarliy on arts and cultural projects and activities of locally based organizations in the cities of Ojai and Ventura.

Deadline: September 30, 2008

Click here to download the application
Smith-Hobson Foundation Fund Application

back to the top

Barbara Barnard Smith Fund for World Musics
The Barbara Barnard Smith Fund for World Musics was established in 1992 to enhance understanding of global intercultural and local multicultural environments through expanding acquaintance with artistic heritages beyond those of Euro-American concert traditions. The donor-advised fund will consider applications from schools and from organizations established to present concerts for the public to support performances of non-Western classical and folk musics by bearers of these traditions, and of contemporary compositions for traditional or Western instruments inspired by and incorporating elements of these musics.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Time from receipt of application to decision is approximately 2-3 months. If funding request is related to a specific event or concert, please submit your proposal at least 3 months before performance date.

Click here to download the application
Barbara Barnard Smith Fund for World Musics Application

back to the top

BOBBIE STEINDLER BEATTY ACADEMIC OPPORTUNITY FUND
The Bobbie Steindler Beatty Academic Opportunity Fund supports youth between the ages of 12-18 who reside in Oxnard, Port Hueneme and Camarillo, to further their academic progress. The minimum grant amount is $250 and the maximum is $750. Grants may benefit one or more students. Funds may be used for a variety of expenses such as books, school supplies, clothes, eyeglasses, or for expenses that, if not funded, could stand in the way of an education for students who are from low-income families. Non-profit organizations and public entities (such as schools and/or school districts) are eligible to apply (one application per organization with exception of fiscal sponsors.) Individuals are not eligible to apply.

Please check back in September 2009 for information on the 2010 grant cycle.

back to the top

Douglas Roy III We Care Trust Fund

Funds the provision of treatment and support services for burn victims and their families, and secondarily, to fund programs for fire and burn prevention.

A total of $28,000 is available for burn treatment centers located in Southern California. Grants in any amount up to $28,000 will be considered. Funding is available for the period September 2009 – September 2010.

RFP Due date: 1:00 p.m. on Friday, July 17th, 2009

Click here to download the Request for Proposals
Douglas Roy III We Care Trust Fund Application

back to the top

SOCIAL JUSTICE FUND OF VENTURA COUNTY

The Social Justice Fund for Ventura County seeks to strengthen social justice in Ventura County by providing financial grants and other support to grassroots efforts that address root causes of injustice and remove structural and institutional barriers to social, economic and environmental equity.

Deadline: 1:00 p.m. on Friday, July 24, 2009

Click here to download the Request for Proposals
Social Justice Fund of Ventura County Application

The Social Justice Fund is a grantmaking program created and guided by a “Giving Circle” of community donors and hosted by the Ventura County Community Foundation (VCCF). Other institutional partners are Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy (CAUSE) and the McCune Foundation.

back to the top

SUN Fund: Special and Urgent Needs Fund
Provides funds that respond quickly to urgent or emergency needs where a small investment will make a big difference.
This is accomplished by providing grants up to $5,000 to support immediate, one-time needs.

Applications accepted on an ongoing basis.

download
SUN Fund Application

back to the top

The Women's Legacy Fund
Provides grants to nonprofit organizations providing opportunities for the economic, educational, physical, emotional, social, artistic and personal growth of women and girls in Ventura County.

Proposal Deadline: has passed.

Check back in April of next year for 2010 RFP
Women's Legacy Fund Request for Proposals

Click here to download a list of all previous WLF grants
Women's Legacy Fund Grants History

In addition to these specialized grantmaking cycles, VCCF is the administrator for the Swift Memorial Health Care Foundation and the Martin V. and Martha K. Smith Foundation.

back to the top

Swift Memorial Health Care Foundation
The program philosophy of the Swift Memorial Health Care Foundation is to encourage the delivery of health care services to the residents of Ventura County.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR GRANT SEEKERS:

  • Grants are generally made only to nonprofit organizations that are tax exempt under Section 501 (c) (3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Services.
  • The Board of Directors of the Swift Foundation looks for projects that have the potential to continue beyond the Foundation’s funding and are likely to produce long-term multiplier effects.
  • Organizations must be located in Ventura County or the program must serve Ventura County residents in accordance with the purpose of the Swift Memorial Health Care Foundation.
  • The Foundation expects all applicant organizations to show substantial financial and voluntary support from internal and outside sources.
  • The Board prefers not to fund recurrent salaried positions.
  • Funds are not granted for organizational deficits, annual fund drives, general operating expenses, political activities, religious or sectarian activities, endowments, research or non-project related expenses.
  • Grant sizes typically range from $2,500 to $8,500, and are usually awarded to accomplish a definite purpose within a specified time period (normally not more than one year).
  • Swift Memorial Health Care Foundation requires a final grant evaluation report assessing the accomplishments of the grant’s objectives before considering any new proposal. Compliance with all reporting requirements is a condition for any future grants.
  • Swift Memorial Health Care Foundation accepts and processes applications for grants twice per year. The annual deadlines are April 15 and October 15. If the 15th falls on a weekend, agencies should submit their grant applications by 5:00 p.m. the Friday before.
  • No organization may receive more than one grant in any 12-month period. Grantees must keep their own calendars; reminders to apply or submit evaluation reports are not the responsibility of the Foundation.

Click here to download the official
Swift Memorial Health Care Foundation Request
for Assistance/Grant Application form.
Swift Foundation Application and Guidelines

Note: Swift Memorial Health Care Foundation scholarships are available for Ventura County students with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher who are pursuing a degree or certificate in the health care field. Students must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 units per semester/quarter at California State University, Channel Islands, Moorpark College, Oxnard College, Ventura College, Oxnard Adult School, the Regional Occupational Program, or Simi Valley Adult School. Inquiries regarding Swift’s scholarship program should be directed to the scholarship coordinator at one of the approved schools. All Swift Memorial Health Care Foundation Scholarships are one time awards only; Swift scholarships are non-renewable.

back to the top

Martin V. and Martha K. Smith Foundation
The foundation accepts proposals by invitation only. The foundation prioritizes its grantmaking in the following areas of interest:

  • Arts & Culture
  • Emergency Services (includes homeless services, food programs and other basic needs programs)
  • Senior Services
  • Youth Education & Recreation (with an emphasis on tutoring programs with a proven track record)

Special Community Development projects will be considered from time to time. Grants must serve residents of Ventura County, with a strong preference given to programs serving the Oxnard Plains region.

DEADLINES: Please note that the foundation is currently taking a hiatus from accepting proposals while we review our application guidelines and grants process. Therefore, we will not be accepting proposals in February 2009. Please check our website in September 2009 to review the new guidelines and application process.

No guidelines or application form currently available. Please check back in September 2009.

Grant Limitations

Grants will not be made for political or partisan purposes, religious activities, general operating short falls, endowment funds, annual fund drives, or budget deficits. We do not consider individuals for funding except through our scholarship program.

Although Donor Advised Funds may recommend grants anywhere in the world, the Ventura County Community Foundation competitive grants programs make grants only to nonprofit organizations that serve Ventura County.

last page update 05.18.09

VCCF has been certified in compliance with national standards of excellence for community foundations
by the Council on Foundations.
Member, League of California Community Foundations.