Humboldt Area Foundation’s Community Building Grant Program supports a broad spectrum of projects that help build strong communities on the North Coast.

The program funds projects that utilize a community’s assets and resources, improve the community’s ability to meet future challenges, and have a lasting beneficial impact.

Grant size:     Open

Deadlines: June 1st and December 1st
(postmarked or delivered)

If you plan to apply for a grant in excess of $10,000 please contact Heather Hostler, Program Officer at 707-442-2993 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Mail to:    Humboldt Area Foundation
              Community Building Grant Program
              373 Indianola Road
              Bayside, CA 95524



Grant Guidelines
Note: The majority of our discretionary funds focus on youth

The Foundation is looking for projects that do all of the following:

• Make use of existing community resources (local expertise & leadership, youth, partners, etc.) to strengthen community life,
• Improve the community’s ability to meet future challenges,
• Make a lasting impact or plan for sustainability after HAF grant funding is complete.

• Build collaborative relationships and partnerships,
• Integrate youth in ways that build their commitment to community and civic responsibility,
• Engage community members and stakeholders in planning, implementation and evaluation through an inclusive process,
• Develop community leadership,
• Leverage matching funding or resources for the organization,
• Come from frequently left out and marginalized peoples,
• Help respond to the current economic crisis.

• Applicants must be nonprofit charitable or public benefit (federal tax exempt) organizations, public schools, government agencies, Indian tribal governments or have a qualified fiscal sponsor.
• Projects must benefit the communities within Humboldt, Del Norte or Trinity Counties.  All organizations from outside this service area must demonstrate that they are working with a county based group to develop and implement the proposed project.
• Grants cannot be made for expenses outside the service area such as travel expenses of schools or groups for trips out of the area, cultural groups going on tour, “good will” ambassadors, or scholarships and fellowships to other countries.
• Grants cannot be made for the deferred maintenance or annual operating costs of public institutions, churches, services of special tax districts, government or cemeteries.
• Grants cannot be made for religious activities or projects that exclusively benefit the members of sectarian or religious organizations.
• Grants cannot pay for expenses that have already been incurred.

• Grant Application Form with Project Budget,
• Project Narrative (one page maximum),
• A copy of the applicant organization’s letter of tax exemption (501(c)3 letter),
• Signed Agreement to Grant Terms.

• who and how many will be served
• expected outcomes (how will the project make a difference in the community?)
• timeline
• community partners
• community support for this project

Download these guidelines and application:
  In Word   /    In PDF
(Download Acrobat Reader)