Since 2008, the Tustin Community Foundation has been committed to building philanthropic resources that support Tustin area nonprofit organizations and schools to help them meet current and emerging community needs.  Foundation Grants have supported a breadth of issues such as hunger, housing, youth activities, senior services, arts, cultural heritage, environmental sustainability and outreach programs to the local underserved and disadvantaged.
The funding for our annual grants is raised through individual donations and community fundraisers held throughout the year.
2023 Community Grant Applications will be available September 1 to September 30, 2023

Application & Guidelines
Providing grants to nonprofit organizations is the primary way the Tustin Community Foundation makes an impact in our community. Over the past 15 years TCF has awarded 296 grants.  Click HERE to see the annual recipients.  2023 TCF Community Grants will be awarded at the Tustin Thanksgiving Breakfast (Thursday, November 16, 2023).

TCF Grant Applications 

Contributions Policy

  • The Tustin Community Foundation (TCF) supports nonprofits and/or non governmental organizations along with accredited public and private schools in the greater Tustin area. To qualify for consideration, such organizations must strive to maintain or improve the quality of life in the community and address specific community needs.
  • The Tustin Community Foundation does not assist individuals or organizations espousing specific causes, including political organizations or candidates, veteran organizations, fraternal orders, labor groups, commercial for profit enterprises, religious or sectarian organizations, or any group whose activities are not in the best interest of the TCF.
  • The Tustin Community Foundation’s Grants Committee oversees all grant making, subject to approval of the Board of Directors. Agencies receiving TCF grants must serve the greater Tustin area and its residents without discrimination based on race, religion, gender, age, disability, national origin or sexual orientation. All grants are considered according to established best practices.

Fields of Interest
The TCF strives to achieve its giving mission by making contributions to support programs in five primary Fields of Interest:
• Expanding Educational Opportunity
• Athletics, Arts and Cultural Resources
• Outreach programs to the Underserved or Disadvantaged
• Youth and Senior Activities
• Health and Human Services

2023 Grant Application Requirements
In order to support more organizations, the Tustin Community Foundation Board of Directors has determined that all 2023 grant requests must be for $2,500 or less.
** Grant Applications must be received by the Foundation office no later than 5:00 PM September 30, 2023.

ALL GRANT APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED ONLINE.

Applications are available at www.tustincommunityfoundation.org

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the application timeline?
2023 Grant Applications MUST BE COMPLETED ONLINE.
• Grant Applications may be submitted on the Tustin Community Foundation website www.tustincommunityfoundation.org
• The deadline for application submission is 5:00 PM September 30, 2023. Incomplete or late applications will not be accepted.

How do we apply for a Tustin Community Foundation Grant?
In order to support more organizations, the Tustin Community Foundation Board of Directors has determined that all 2023 grant requests must be for $2,500 or less.
Submit a proposal online at www.tustincommunityfoundation.org following these grant guidelines:

Grant Request $2,500 or less
• Grant Application, completed online.
• AGAIN THIS YEAR:  Applications will only be accepted from organizations with annual revenues under $1.5 million.
• Evidence of 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status (if applicable).  May be scanned and e-mailed or faxed to TCF if it is not currently on file with TCF because of prior applications.

Who is eligible to apply for a Tustin Community Foundation Grant?    

To be eligible for a grant from the Tustin Community Foundation, organizations must provide services in the greater Tustin area. Organizations should have tax-exempt status but this is not mandatory. An organization may serve as a fiscal sponsor for a charitable organization that does not have tax-exempt status if a cooperative relationship between the two can be clearly demonstrated. The fiscal sponsor must be willing to administer the grant if awarded.

What areas of interest do Tustin Community Foundation Grants fund?
The Tustin Community strives to achieve its giving mission by making contributions to support programs in five primary Fields of Interest:
• Expanding Educational Opportunity
• Athletics, Arts and Cultural Resources
• Outreach programs to the Underserved or Disadvantaged
• Youth Activities and Senior Services
• Health and Human Services

What will the Tustin Community Foundation not fund?
Generally, the Tustin Community Foundation will not fund grants for:

  • Annual campaigns and fundraising events
  • Conferences
  • For-profit organizations and individuals unaffiliated with a qualified fiscal sponsor
  • Projects that promote religious or political doctrine
  • Research (medical or otherwise)
  • Existing obligations/debt

What is the grant period?
Generally, grants are made for one year and should be used within one year of receiving a TCF grant.

What reporting is required?
The Tustin Community Foundation requires periodic reporting and site visits, the details for which will be specified in the Grant Award Letter.

When will the 2023 Grants be awarded?
2023 Grant recipients will be notified in early November and will receive their checks at the Tustin Mayor’s Thanksgiving Breakfast on Thursday morning, November 16, 2023, at the Salvation Army Tustin Ranch Church or virtually, pending COVID restrictions. All Grant applicants are invited to attend.

Who can I contact if I have any questions?
If you have any questions, please contact Erin Nielsen at erin@tustincommunityfoundation.org or 714-393-8506.

Additional Notes:
The awarded funds can be used only by grant recipients to fund a project that will benefit the greater Tustin community and the funds must be used to finance the approved project outlined in the Grant Application. If the project or program is canceled before the grant is spent, the organization must contact the Tustin Community Foundation immediately.
Funds CANNOT be used for the personal gain of any member of an organization.