Design Grant

The Creatives for Community Design Grant is offered by Waltz Creative as part of its broader mission to support and strengthen nonprofit organizations serving communities along California’s Central Coast. Waltz Creative is a creative agency that provides branding, design, and marketing services, and through this initiative, it contributes in-kind professional services to nonprofit organizations that may lack the resources to access high-quality design support. The program is specifically intended to inspire creativity and enhance the communications capacity of local nonprofits, thereby increasing their effectiveness and visibility within their communities. The primary purpose of the grant is to provide selected nonprofit organizations with up to 30 hours of donated creative services tailored to their specific project needs. These services are focused on design-related outputs rather than technical development or multimedia production. Eligible projects include items such as eBlasts, event invitations, logo design, print collateral, promotional materials, signage, social media graphics, and stationery. The grant explicitly excludes more resource-intensive or technical deliverables such as websites, mobile applications, video production, animation, podcasts, and digital audio projects. This ensures that the allocated time can be effectively managed within the scope of the program. Funding under this grant is delivered in the form of in-kind services rather than direct financial awards. If a selected project exceeds the allocated 30 hours, Waltz Creative will provide an estimate for additional work, which the nonprofit may choose to fund independently. The grant does not cover printing costs or print management services, though estimates for such services may be provided upon request. Waltz Creative retains the right to reproduce and showcase the final deliverables as part of its portfolio, and grant recipients are required to provide a letter of sponsorship upon completion of the project. Eligibility for the grant is limited to organizations that hold 501(c)(3) nonprofit status and serve communities within Monterey, San Benito, or Santa Cruz counties in California. The selection process emphasizes diversity in nonprofit missions and evaluates applications based on the viability of the proposed project concept and its potential impact on the organization and the population it serves. Applicants must demonstrate how the proposed design project aligns with their mission and how it will contribute to improved outcomes or engagement. The application process requires submission of a detailed proposal including organizational background, mission, and history, as well as a description of the community served. Applicants must also provide a comprehensive project overview, including intended deliverables, expected outcomes, and timelines. Additional required components include selection of the project category, description of final deliverables, anticipated start and completion dates, internal approval processes, and any supplementary information that may strengthen the application. Applications may be submitted via mail, email, or in person, and incomplete applications are automatically disqualified. The application window for this grant opens on April 1, 2026, and closes on May 15, 2026. All applications must be complete and submitted by the deadline to be considered. Selected projects must be completed within the agreed-upon schedule, with all work finalized by November 13, 2026. While specific award notification timelines are not stated, the structured project completion deadline indicates a defined implementation period following selection. For questions regarding eligibility, application requirements, or project ideas, applicants are encouraged to contact Megan Sandoval via email. This direct point of contact provides an opportunity for clarification and support during the application process. Overall, the Creatives for Community Design Grant represents a targeted effort to build nonprofit capacity through strategic design services, enhancing communication tools and supporting mission-driven impact across the Central Coast region.

Focus on clearly demonstrating project impact and feasibility; align design project with organizational mission; ensure application completeness to avoid disqualification