How to Apply:

Grants for 2022 have already been awarded.  No new applications are being accepted at this time.  Check back in July of 2022 for more information.

Background & Process:


The Avila Beach Community Foundation was created to manage an endowment established as part of the UNOCAL beach clean-up settlement.  Funds from the endowment may be made available each year for grant-making purposes in a total amount to be determined annually by the Foundation's Board of Trustees.

The Foundation accepts applications for the funding of grants each year from July through September for projects to take place during the ensuing calendar year.  The Board of Trustees review grant requests and determine recipients each fall. Funding of smaller projects may occur other times throughout the year outside of the grant-making process and calendar.  Such requests may be acted on by the Foundation's Board of Trustees or Executive Committee in accordance with our by-laws.

Description of the Grant Process:
In the summer of each calendar year, organizations in Avila Beach and interested parties are invited to submit requests for the funding of projects to enhance the community of Avila Beach to be accomplished during the following calendar year.  The Board also reviews and acts on other grant requests during the year.  All requests are acted on by the Board of Trustees of the Foundation or the Executive Committee of the Foundation in accordance with our by-laws.

The goal of the Foundation is to finance enhancement projects of minor amounts, major amounts, or co-sponsored projects with other organizations. 

Important: 
The “Foundation” will continue its recent practice of helping organizations and projects further develop and strengthen their sustainable donor bases by offering a financial incentive.  Thus, only new, one-time, or seed money requests may be fully funded without a matching gifts requirement.   Previous grant recipients who have been funded for at least three years may receive only 75% of any grant awarded, or up to 125% if recipient donors match the remaining 25%.  For example, if a $10,000 grant is awarded under the 75% scenario, the first $7,500 does not require a match.  If the grantee secures $1,250 in matching contributions, the Foundation award rises to $8,750 on top of the $1,250 match provided, bringing the total amount received to $10,000.  If grantee secures $2,500 in matching contributions, the Foundation award rises to $10,000 on top of the $2,500 match generated, bringing the total amount received to $12,500 – a 25% bonus! 
 
Matching contributions guidelines: 
​Grant recipients wishing to take advantage of the matching component are encouraged to reach out to new donors, or to existing donors  who increase amounts given in prior years (only increased amount counts toward the match) who may be enticed by the prospect of seeing their contribution(s) doubled in value.  A list of the names of matching donor(s) and amount(s) given must be provided to the Avila Beach Community Foundation before grantee is issued the grant award.  Matching donations can be applied to the grant anytime during the first nine months of the grant project year – in this case between January 1 and September 30.  In lieu of seeking individual matching contributions, the recipient agency may choose instead to hold a special event designed to raise the match total, but should first confer with the “Foundation".

Questions about the grant matching contributions requirements should be directed to Foundation Executive Director, Rick Cohen.

Criteria for Consideration of Project Funding and Support:
The Board of Trustees will give favorable consideration to projects that meet all or most of the following criteria in some measure:
  • Improvements in the physical, cultural and social well being of the residents and visitors of the Avila Beach Community.
  • Enhancements beyond the services normally expected to be provided by government and private agencies.
  • Reflect the history and culture of the Avila Beach Community
  • Have the support of a cross-section of Avila Beach residents and visitors
  • Provide for permanent improvements
  • Pre-existence of all elements of a successful project (e.g. leadership, responsibility, expertise, commitment, organization, etc.)
  • Pre-existence of any governmental support essential to the project
  • Ability and authority to satisfy any conditions established by the Foundation
  • Ability to fully accomplish the project within the proposed funding without expectation of additional funding