Apply for a Grant

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 Barbara Barnard Smith Fund for World Musics Application

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 $1,000. 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.

Proposal Deadline: No current Request for Proposals.
Please check back in October 2013 for the 2013 RFP.

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 grant cycle, founders and donors to the Fund review the needs of the community and vote to select issues of importance to Latinos in the County.

Proposal Deadline: No current Request for Proposals.
The 2013 RFP will be available May 20.

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The Douglas Roy III We Care Trust was initially established to support medical treatment for Douglas Roy III, who suffered severe burn injuries at the age of six. In 1995, remaining assets of the Trust were used to establish the Douglas Roy III We Care Trust Fund at the Ventura County Community Foundation. The purpose of the Fund is to support the provision of initial medical care, subsequent medical treatment and support services for severely burned persons, provide other aid to burn victims and their families, and to provide fire and burn education.

Proposal Deadline: No current Request for Proposals.

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The purpose of the Dr. Maxine Crossley Fund is to provide support for needed services for physically or mentally handicapped children in Ventura County. Schools and nonprofit organizations serving children and adolescents with special education needs are eligible to apply. Applications are accepted from 501(c)(3)-designated public charities, public schools and school districts.

History: The Dr. Maxine Crossley Fund was established in 1998 in honor of Dr. Maxine Crossley, and was originally established with the primary purpose of providing support to Dean Triggs School to carry out its mission in serving children and adolescents with various special education needs. In 1990, following the closure of Dean Triggs School, the fund purpose was modified to its current focus.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Please allow at least 3 months for processing and notification of decisions.

Please click here to download the application.

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.

Proposal Deadline: No current Request for Proposals.

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The mission of the Martin V. and Martha K. Smith Foundation is to enhance the quality of life for the residents of Ventura County, with a preference for serving the Oxnard Plains. We do this through focused grantmaking in the following areas of interest:

• Basic Needs/Safety Net Services such as food, shelter, clothing, access to health care, support for former foster youth (housing, job/life skills, education, etc.), veterans services, mental health services for homeless individuals/families & veterans, and information & referral services
• Practical Higher Education including business leadership, business education, entrepreneurship, and career & technical training (such as nonprofit trade schools, regional occupational programs and community college programs)
• Veterans Programs such as employment guidance and assistance, case management, education, life stability, mental health services, and other supportive services to veterans returning to Ventura County and their families.

In order to apply, please submit a letter of inquiry by the deadline, using the LOI form below. Those organizations invited for full proposals will be notified by March 1st. Organization invited for full proposals will be notified of final funding decisions in late May 2013.

Letter of Inquiry Deadline: January 4, 2013, 5:00 p.m.

• Click here for the Martin V. & Martha K. Smith Foundation Grantmaking Guidelines
• Click here for the Martin V. & Martha K. Smith Foundation Letter of Inquiry Form.

Please note that you may only submit a full grant application if you have been invited to do so. Organizations invited for full proposals will be notified of final funding decisions by May 31st

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: Deadline: September 28, 2012.

Click Here to download the Smith-Hobson Foundation Fund application.

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.

Click here to download the current Request for Proposals

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.

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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.

Note: Organizations are only eligible to receive SUN Fund support once in any twelves month period.

Watch how the SUN Fund saved a community resource
Download SUN Fund Application

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.

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.

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.

Proposal Deadline: 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Visit Farmworker Housing Fund

The Ventura County Veterans Fund provides funding opportunities for organizations that offer services to veterans, particularly re-entering and returning combat veterans and their families throughout the county. Through funding a variety of programs, the Ventura County Community Foundation seeks to enhance the quality of life and assist the men and women that so valiantly committed their lives to protecting our country through all branches of the military.

A total of at least $75,000, with grants starting at $5,000, is available for this year’s three grantmaking priorities:

1. Basic Needs Services
2. Employment Training and Development
3. Mental Health Services

Proposal Deadline: Friday, May 3
Click here to download the Ventura County Veterans Fund application

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: No current Request for Proposals.
Please check back in March 2014 for the 2014 RFP.

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