SVCF Community Action Grants Program 2025

The Silicon Valley Community Foundation (SVCF) is currently accepting applications for its 2025 Community Action Grants through Monday, March 31, 2025, at 11:59 AM PT. SVCF is dedicated to supporting strong and engaged communities with a focus on equity for residents of Silicon Valley. The foundation’s grantmaking efforts span various programs, including initiatives in early childhood development, financial stability, and housing, as well as community partnerships.

The Community Action Grants Program aims to support organizations across multiple issue areas to foster an equitable, economically secure, and vibrant Silicon Valley. This grant is open to nonprofits working in the following focus areas: Arts and Culture, Environment, Faith and Neighborhoods, Health, Local Journalism, and Movement- and Power-Building. Applicants may apply to multiple strategies within one application. However, there will be no open RFP opportunities for Capacity-Building & Leadership Investment funding in 2025.

Eligible applicants must serve San Mateo and/or Santa Clara counties. Organizations headquartered outside of these counties may apply if they demonstrate significant service to these areas or partner with a local organization. Eligible entities include nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, organizations with a fiscal sponsor that has a 501(c)(3) designation, public agencies, and collaborations between nonprofit and public agencies. Organizations with annual budgets under $3 million for FY 2025 or FY 2024-2025 are eligible. Certain entities, including fiscally sponsored projects created solely to support an individual and foundations that exist solely to raise funds for public entities, are not eligible.

Grant funding is primarily intended for general operating support. The program will not fund capital improvements, event sponsorships, fundraising activities, or emergency funding needs such as office vandalism or sudden leadership changes. Additionally, religious organizations may apply only if their proposed projects serve the broader community without regard to religious beliefs. SVCF enforces a strict non-discrimination policy for grant recipients.

The application process follows a structured timeline. The RFP opens on March 3, 2025, and closes on March 31, 2025, at 11:59 AM PT. Award decisions will be announced by mid-June 2025. Applicants must submit their applications via the ApplySVCF online portal. An information session and presentation slides are available to assist applicants. Technical support and application guidance can be scheduled with SVCF staff.

For additional inquiries or technical support, applicants can access FAQs or schedule time with staff through the provided links on the SVCF website. More information on SVCF's strategic initiatives, such as Early Childhood Development, Advancing Financial Stability, Housing, and Community Partnerships, is also available online. However, these initiatives accept applications by invitation only.