FAQ: Guidelines & Eligibility
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.
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.
Zip codes include 94010, 94011, 94030, 94066, 94401, 94402, 94403, 94404, 94497.
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.
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.
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.
Grants are made in the range of $15,000 – $70,000.
Grant funding is for direct program costs and indirect costs up to 12%.
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.
Copy of your organization's 2025 audited financial statement or 2025 IRS form 990 is required.
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.
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.
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.
Prompts for the progress report and final report will be available one month before the due date and found in the online portal (Zengine).
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.

