Dear Applicant,
Thank you for your interest in applying for the Tustin Community Support Grant, administered by the Tustin Community Foundation (“TCF”) in partnership with the City of Tustin.
The purpose of the Tustin Community Support Grant is to support nonprofit organizations and accredited public or private schools that provide programs and services benefiting residents of the greater Tustin area. The program seeks to enhance the quality of life in the Tustin community by funding initiatives that address specific community needs and foster community enrichment.
Applications will be reviewed by the TCF Grants Committee, which oversees the grantmaking process and provides recommendations to the TCF Board of Directors for final approval.
Grant Categories and Funding
The Tustin Community Support Grant program allocates funding across the following categories. The amounts listed below represent the total funding available within each category, not individual grant awards.
| Category | Total Allocated Amount |
|---|---|
| Business Assistance Nonprofits | $15,000 |
| Historical / Veteran Assistance Nonprofits | $15,000 |
| Youth / Family Assistance Services & Recreation Nonprofits | $20,000 |
Funds within each category may be distributed among one or more nonprofit organizations. Individual grant awards will represent a portion of the total category allocation and will be determined at the discretion of the TCF Grants Committee and Board of Directors to maximize overall community impact.
Grant recipients may receive less than the amount requested, and partial funding may be awarded.
Eligibility
Eligible applicants include:
- Nonprofit organizations recognized as State of California Nonprofit Corporations
- Organizations whose programs or services directly benefit residents of the City of Tustin
Priority consideration may be given to:
- Local nonprofits located within the City of Tustin offering programs to Tustin Residents/Businesses
- Regional nonprofits located in Orange County offering programs to Tustin Residents/Businesses
- California-based nonprofits offering programs to Tustin Residents/Businesses
Organizations not eligible for funding include:
- Individuals
- Organizations primarily political or commercial in nature
- Organizations that do not serve a significant number of Tustin residents
- Organizations that have failed to fulfill previous TCF grant obligations
- Programs that advance a mission without providing a broadly accessible community benefit
Use of Grant Funds
Grant funds may be used to support current or planned projects, including the purchase of equipment, supplies, materials, or clearly defined services that advance the applicant organization’s mission and programs.
Funding may be applied to programmatic needs that are identified but not yet funded at the time of application.
Grant funds may not be used for:
- Repayment of existing debts, loans, or operating deficits
- Reimbursement for expenses incurred prior to grant approval
All expenditure must be documented with invoices, receipts, or equivalent vendor documentation to ensure transparency and accountability.
Evaluation Criteria
Applications will be evaluated based on:
- Demonstrated benefit to Tustin residents
- Evidence of past service and impact in the Tustin community
- Responsible financial management and oversight
- Ability to address social issues or provide community enrichment
