Nonprofit Community Partners Program and Application Process

The County of Marin’s Nonprofit Community Partners program provides one-time funding allocations between $10,000 and $30,000 to local projects/programs that bring measurable benefit(s) to the community. Funding is awarded on a one-time basis to specific projects/programs that don’t clearly fit within the activities of a single County department.

The Nonprofit Community Partners program receives its funding from the County General Fund. A total of $650,000 is allocated for FY 2024-25. Funding is approved annually by the Board of Supervisors for the following fiscal year and is not intended to provide ongoing financial support for any project or program.

The application process for the Nonprofit Community Partners program aims to increase transparency regarding the selection and funding process of specified projects/programs. An overview of the application and funding process is presented below.

Overview of the Funding Process

• Applications will be accepted annually from December 1st through February 20th. An online application is required for ALL requests.
• Applications will be processed and screened according to the program’s selection criteria and guidelines. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
• All applications deemed complete and eligible will be accepted, reviewed and prioritized based on clarity of project benefits, equity measures, and the ability of the organization to deliver successful program outcomes. If appropriate,some applications may be referred for funding through other budgeted county programs (ex: Community Disaster Preparedness). 
• The Board of Supervisors will recieve initial recommendations and review requests as part of the annual Budget workshop which takes place in March. Applicants and members of the public are invited to attend and address the Board. Please visit the Board of Supervisors’ agenda for the date, and Budget Overview for more details on the Budget Calendar Cycle. Applicants will also be notified of the exact date by email.
• Based on staff review and feedback received by the Board of Supervisors at the March budget workshop, the County Administrator will recommend funding levels as part of the annual Proposed Budget, to be approved by the Board of Supervisors in June for the next fiscal year (July 1st to June 30th). Not all requests will be funded, and others may only receive partial funding.
• Approved projects or programs will be implemented as contracts between applicants and the County Administrator’s Office. All services are expected to be completed within the fiscal year.
• Any unallocated funds or funds that are not expended for the contracted services will be returned to the General Fund following the close of the fiscal year.

Program Overview

• The program is intended to support specific projects or programs that do not clearly fit within the activities of a single County department, but provide measurable benefit(s) to the community and residents of Marin County.
• Funding allocations will only be made for one fiscal year and does not indicate support for multiple year funding. If funded, each project or program will be required to complete its objectives and meet contract terms by the end of the fiscal year for which it received funding.
• Applicants must provide budget information for their request by filling out a table included within the application form. Organizations will be required to indicate other funding they receive from County Departments and other sources for the same program or projects. Priority may be given to requests that represent no more that 50% of the total project cost.
• The Nonprofit Community Partners’ requested portion of total project cost must range between $10,000 and $30,000.

Please review the Nonprofit Community Partners criteria for additional information.      *APPLY NOW*