Community Funding Grant Program

The City of Cupertino offers the Community Funding Grant Program to support local nonprofit organizations contributing to the wellbeing of Cupertino residents. This grant program is managed through the City's Parks and Recreation Department and is funded via General Fund allocations approved by the Cupertino City Council. It aims to support programs that address social services, fine arts, and other initiatives serving the general public. Grants are awarded annually based on a structured evaluation process and available municipal funding. Nonprofit organizations applying for funding must be a 501(c)(3) and demonstrate the ability to effectively implement the proposed program, project, or event. Projects must directly benefit the Cupertino community, must not be ongoing operational or endowment funding, and over 75% of requested funds must go toward direct service costs. Participation in any event or program funded through this grant must be free of charge. Additionally, the same event cannot simultaneously receive Festival Fee waivers and Community Funding Grant support. The application process opens annually on January 1 and closes on February 1. After submission, City Staff reviews applications for completeness and eligibility. Eligible applications are forwarded to the Parks and Recreation Commission, which may request clarifying information before evaluating proposals. The commission reviews applications and categorizes them by applicant type (new or returning) and funding tier based on requested amounts. Funding tiers are broken down into four brackets: under $1,000; $1,000–$4,999.99; $5,000–$9,999.99; and $10,000–$20,000. Grant proposals are evaluated using various criteria, including impact on the Cupertino community, reach, community need, alignment with the City’s General Plan, program uniqueness, and the applicant’s qualifications. Efforts to secure additional funding and past performance also play a role. The Parks and Recreation Commission makes recommendations in April, which are reviewed by the City Council in May during the Budget Study Session. Final funding decisions are made during budget adoption in June. Successful applicants receive funds in July and are required to submit a final report by July 15 of the following year. This report must detail how funds were used, how many individuals were served, and overall program outcomes. Failure to submit a timely report may jeopardize future eligibility and may require the return of unused funds. Grantees must acknowledge City contributions in all promotional materials, and any use of the City’s logo requires pre-approval by the Communications Officer. Applicants are encouraged to attend both the Parks and Recreation Commission meeting and the City Council meeting where their applications will be discussed. Contact for the grant is available through the Parks and Recreation Department, primarily via email at communityfunding@cupertino.gov or by phone at 408-777-3200. Updates and information about future funding cycles are provided through email subscription services.