Participation in Monterey County Gives! is open to 501(c)3 organizations serving Monterey County. To be eligible organizations must respond to the RFP and meet all of the criteria listed below.
Not all applying organizations meeting the eligibility requirements will be accepted into the program—the selection committee will make its final determination on the final number of participants.
Inclusion in Monterey County Gives! is limited to one project per non-profit organization.
Eligibility
- The organization is a nonprofit in good standing with the IRS and State of California.
- The organization has programming/projects in Monterey County that directly impact Monterey County residents.
- If the nonprofit has participated in previous Monterey County Gives! campaigns, you must have raised at least $5,000 in one of its last two Monterey County Gives! or you will not be eligible for one year.
Other considerations:
- Monterey County Gives! seeks representation of organizations that directly impact the residents of Monterey County. Monterey County Gives! may limit the number of organizations that provide the same or similar services, so articulate your impact as best you can.
- While as a general practice we do not accept Fiscally Sponsored programs/organizations, organizations are welcome to submit an application and explain why they only can exist as a fiscally sponsored group (plus show demonstration of community impact).
- Organizations must have a governance structure that adheres to best practices. Organizations with boards of directors of three or less (or five or less that have multiple family members) will not be eligible. Locally based organizations whose boards are largely populated by people from out of the area may be excluded from Monterey County Gives!.
- Organizations must be able to demonstrate clear impact. Organizations may be asked to provide additional data to support their applications.
Exclusions:
Monterey County Gives! grants cannot be used for the following types of activities:
- Activities that are non-secular or promote a religious doctrine.
- Academic research.
- Expenses for fundraising campaigns or fundraising events.
- Funding to K-12 schools and public agencies that would supplant tax-supported, mandated services or for the acquisition or renovation of equipment and facilities.
- Payment of debt or legal settlements.
- Political or partisan purposes.
- Any expenses incurred prior to the commencement of the Monterey County Gives! campaign.
Monterey County Gives! does not support organizations that discriminate in their employment practices, volunteer opportunities, or delivery of programs and services on the basis of race, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.