Community Foundation Santa Cruz County

How it makes and monitors grants (Schedule I, Part IV)

The foundation conducts a thorough due diligence process in reviewing and monitoring all grants approved and awarded by the foundation's board of directors. staff reviews all requests to first ensure the applicant organization is eligible to receive a grant from the foundation under the irs guidelines for charities and nonprofits. during this initial screening, the applicant's financial information, governance and programs are reviewed, and a determination is made if the proposal is consistent with the foundation's interest areas and strategic priorities. a board-appointed program committee, composed of board members and other community volunteers, reviews eligible requests and recommends awards based on available funds after selected in-person site visits and a more thorough review of each organization's eligibility and proposed use of funds. these grant recommendations are then reviewed and voted on by the full board. grants recommended by donor-advisors from their funds held at the foundation similarly receive the same due diligence in the initial screening, but do not go to the program committee for review. they are, however, reviewed and approved by the board. in monitoring the use of grant funds, the foundation requires periodic written or oral reports and/or a final report (including a financial accounting of how the grant was spent) from all grantees, with the exception of donor advised grants unless specifically requested by the donor. foundation staff also maintains