Grant Programs

What we fund, and how the money moves.

SVCED makes grants in three program areas. This page describes what each program funds, who is eligible, and how to apply. A public grantee directory — every grant, every year — will be published here once historical awards are verified against our financial records.

Looking for funding from other sources? Browse our free California grants directory →

Researching funders instead of open calls? Browse 500 California foundations with public IRS 990 figures →

Program Area

Youth & Workforce

Paid learning experiences that move young people from classroom to career.

What it funds

Summer and school-year stipends for apprenticeships, internships, and cohort programs
Curriculum and instructor costs for career-connected learning
Wraparound supports — transportation, meals, laptops — that keep students in the program

Who is eligible

501(c)(3) organizations, fiscally-sponsored projects, and school-district partners operating in Santa Clara or San Mateo counties.

How to apply →

Program Area

Small Business Technical Assistance

Coaching, licensing, and shared infrastructure for very small enterprises.

What it funds

Bilingual bookkeeping, tax preparation, and legal formation cohorts
Shared equipment, POS systems, and insurance pools for vendor co-ops
Marketing and digital-storefront support for storefront and home-based businesses

Who is eligible

Community-based organizations and CDFIs serving microenterprises with fewer than 10 employees. Direct-to-business grants are administered through partner intermediaries.

How to apply →

Program Area

Community Grants

Responsive, unrestricted-leaning grants for neighborhood work that doesn't fit anywhere else.

What it funds

Convenings and coalition tables on housing, public safety, and economic mobility
Wraparound employment services for justice-involved adults and reentry work
Health, food-access, and mutual-aid logistics for underserved zip codes

Who is eligible

501(c)(3) organizations and fiscally-sponsored projects rooted in the communities they serve. Preference for organizations with budgets under $2M.

How to apply →

A Note on Transparency

Why there isn't a grantee list here yet.

SVCED is committed to publishing every grant we make — the grantee, the amount, the purpose, and the program it belongs to. We are not willing to publish that list until each award is reconciled against our audited financials and Form 990 filings.

In the meantime, our Financials page holds annual reports and 990s as they become available, and our Impact page tells the story of the work in aggregate.

Foundations, journalists, or partners who need grant-level detail before the directory is public can contact us directly.