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 FAQ: Guidelines & Eligibility

Who is eligible? 

Grants are open to 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations or public agencies serving residents of San Bruno, Millbrae, Burlingame, Hillsborough, San Mateo, half of Foster City and/or the southeast corner of South San Francisco.

Will the District fund an organization located outside its boundaries? 

Yes, organizations located outside of the District’s boundaries can apply for a grant if the organization can demonstrate requested funds will directly benefit residents living within our boundaries.

Which zip codes are in the District's boundaries? 

Zip codes include 94010, 94011, 94030, 94066, 94401, 94402, 94403, 94404, 94497.

Are there programs or projects the grant will not support? 

The District’s Community Grants Program does not fund research projects, fundraising campaigns or events, or general operating support that does not identify metrics to increase or improve reach and impact.

May an organization apply for more than one grant? 

You may only have one active grant application for these three focus areas: Mental & Behavioral Health, Preventive Health, Healthy Aging Across the Lifespan.

Eligible organizations may have up to two active grant applications simultaneously only if the second application is in the Safety Net  Grants category.

Existing two-year grantees can also apply for a one-year Safety Net  Grant that differs from their existing grant.

For more information about the Safety Net Grants Category, visit this page.

Can I have two grants at the same time? 

Eligible organizations may have up to two active grant applications simultaneously only if the second application is in the Safety Net  Grants category.

Existing two-year grantees can also apply for a one-year Safety Net  Grant that differs from their existing grant.

For more information about the Safety Net Grants Category, visit this page.

What is the minimum and maximum ask for a grant? 

Grants are made in the range of $15,000 – $70,000.

Will the District cover indirect costs? 

Grant funding is for direct program costs and indirect costs up to 12%.

Are grants annual or may we request multi-year funding? 

Most organizations are eligible to apply for a one-year grant, unless a special invitation is made for a two-year grant, based on specific criteria, including 5 or more years of CGP funding and program impact.

For 2027, only one year grant applications will be considered.

Does an organization need to have audited financials to apply for a full grant? 

Copy of your organization's 2025 audited financial statement or 2025 IRS form 990 is required.

How do I apply for a grant? 

PHCD operates a two-step grant process that begins with a Letter of Interest. 

A link to the online grants' portal will be provided once an organization is invited to complete a full grant application.

What is the deadline for submitting a Letter of interest (LOI)? 

 Letter of Interest will be accepted online via the grants portal (Zengine) by Wednesday, August 26, 2026 at 11:59 pm. It is encouraged to submit the LOIs before the deadline. 

**Please be advised that at midnight on Thursday, August 27, the platform will close and we will not receive late applications.

What is the deadline for submitting a full grant application? 

If your organization is selected to advance to the full application phase, you will receive a notification and link to move to the next stage of this process.

The full application deadline is on Monday, October 26, 2026 by 11:59 pm. It is encouraged to submit the full application before the deadline. 

**Please be advised that at midnight on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, the platform will close and we will not receive late applications.

Where do I submit my progress report and final report? 

Prompts for the progress report and final report will be available one month before the due date and found in the online portal (Zengine).

What are the reporting requirements for grants? 

One-year grants require a mid-year progress report and a final report demonstrating program outcomes.

Mid-Year and Year-end Final reports must be submitted by the application deadlines.