Community Investment

We seek to empower local organizations by providing targeted financial support through three key avenues: community engagement sponsorships, capacity-focused mini-grants to sustain CBOs’ ongoing programs, and Community Catalyst funding for major county-wide initiatives.

Community Engagement Sponsorships

We offer sponsorship to organizations for community events and fundraisers, enhancing their visibility and impact.

Mini-Grants

UWMC mini-grants are aimed at supporting staffing needs within existing programs for small to mid-sized CBOs allowing organizations to maintain or expand their services effectively. The grants are part of a broader initiative to strengthen community impact by reducing administrative burdens and enhancing program delivery.

  • Mini-grants are designed to be between $2,500 - $10,000.

  • Currently all funding for Community Investment dollars are allocated. Check back in Winter of 2025.

  • To qualify, your program/organization must focus its energies on the areas of either health, education, or financial stability/income; it must also target and benefit Merced County residents. If you believe your program/organization falls into any of these categories, please apply!

  • Once our application window closes, each application is reviewed by the program coordinator, who then hands off the applications to a committee, composed of diverse members of the community, that discusses the program/organization and how it relates to our qualifications. Each member of the committee scores the application and the applications with the highest scores are the ones approved!

  • Programs that enable people to live healthier. Areas may include: healthy eating and physical activity, access to health care, healthy choices, safe home and community, healthy beginnings, etc.

  • Programs that help increase the number of students graduating from high school and preparing for employment. Areas may include: early childhood literacy, school readiness, early-grade reading proficiency, middle-grade success, high school graduation, post-secondary success, vocational education, or college graduation.

  • Programs that help individuals and families maintain and/or increase their income. Areas may include: workforce training, entrepreneurial program development, budgeting family and finances, public benefit awareness, and asset development.

Community Catalyst Grants

The purpose of the Community Catalyst Grants is to empower impactful initiatives identified through direct community feedback, 211 insights, or partner input. After identifying specific community needs, our staff and board pinpoint a critical project or goal. These grants typically necessitate convening diverse stakeholders to forge collaborative solutions. Whether it's addressing a broader issue through various partnerships, creating targeted programs for specific needs, or incubating a new nonprofit dedicated to these challenges, Catalyst funding aims to drive substantial change and address key community concerns effectively.

For the fiscal years 2023-2025, the Catalyst funding has been awarded to Cultiva Greatness for their pivotal work in asset mapping Merced County in relation to digital equity. This initiative aims to identify and address gaps in digital access and inclusion, ensuring that all community members can benefit from digital advancements.