Grantmaking

Investing in sustainable communities

Through the generous support of our donors, Placer Community Foundation distributes grants to nonprofit organizations that build sustainable communities and enhance the quality of life for residents of Placer County. To date, we've granted over $2 million to create local impact with lasting value.

We continuously monitor our community to understand the nature of local needs, forces of change, availability of resources and capacity for growth. Placer Community Foundation invests in many areas of community life: arts and culture, education, environment, health and human services. We also administer scholarships.

All grants are made possible by the contributions of individual donors and charitable funds managed by the Foundation. Some are driven by the charitable interests of local philanthropists, while others come from unrestricted funds that allow us invest in changing needs, advance long-term strategic goals, and take on key leadership roles in the region.

Supporting vibrant community life

The Foundation's annual grant process seeks proposals from nonprofits, public service, religious organizations and groups in the following programs:

• Placer Community Foundation is proud to lead a comprehensive arts initiative, designed to enhance and sustain the arts in Placer County. To view a report of grants made from this program, contact us for a copy or download: Arts Build Community (5.39 MB PDF)
• The collaborative Nonprofit Technical Assistance Program (TAP) provides organizational and technical assistance for nonprofits serving residents along the western slope of Placer County. To view a report highlighting the impact TAP is making in the local community, contact us for a copy or download: TAP Independent Analysis (1.24 MB PDF)
• Competitive grants from Placer Community Foundation Community Life funds (unrestricted and field of interest) support changing and targeted community needs.
• Placer Community Foundation manages the funds of many scholarships that are awarded to graduating seniors from Placer County area schools each year.
• The Foundation offers youth a great experience in philanthropy and civic engagement through the Grants Advisory Board for Youth.

Apply for a grant

• Learn which grants are open for proposals.
• Learn about guidelines and policies for applying for funding from Placer Community Foundation.

Interested in investing in our community? Give online to one of our initiatives or contact us to learn how to support grantmaking that meets community needs throughout Placer County.