STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES - $31 Million Granted

The CFMC plays an important role in strengthening communities through grantmaking. In 2022, the CFMC awarded more than $31 million through 2,277 grants in Monterey County and beyond. The 2021 Monterey County Gives! campaign funded $9.6 million of these grants and CFMC donor advisors directed more than $7 million. (See grant details page 29). CFMC discretionary grants were allocated through diverse grantmaking programs, each addressing different community needs.

The CFMC awards grants to nonprofits working in the areas of health and human services, children and youth development, arts and culture, historic preservation, community development, education, the environment, animal welfare and disaster relief.

The principles of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) continue to be a part of the CFMC’s values and grantmaking criteria. This includes the Community Impact (CI) grantmaking program – its guidelines are continuously updated to reinforce an emphasis on racial equity. In an effort to increase access and reduce barriers, the CFMC continues to focus on increasing unrestricted operating support grants, expanding multi-year grants and continuing the Small CI grantmaking program.

Community Impact grants respond to a variety of local needs. Thanks to generous donors who supported the Fund for Monterey County (see page 27), nonprofit organizations can request grants each year for operating and programmatic support, new efforts or capacity building improvements. The Fund for Monterey County grants more than $2 million each year.

The CFMC also carries out the wishes of donors who established field of interest funds to support a specific charitable cause or purpose. Examples include the Kathleen and Howard Marks Fund, which makes grants supporting seniors in need and animals, and the Ruth L. and Wilbur K. Amonette Fund, which supports the performing arts and education.

We are grateful to our donors, partners and nonprofit groups for their support through their commitment and ingenuity. This scale of impact is only made possible by the many people who have partnered with the CFMC over the years to help strengthen our communities.

Laurel Lee-Alexander Vice President of Community Impact