California — Community Foundation of Mendocino County 2026–2027 Save-the-Day Emergency Grants (Up to $5,000; Rolling)

Mendocino County organizations facing unexpected urgent disruptions may seek $500–$5,000 under the 2026–2027 Save-the-Day rolling grant program, open through June 30, 2027 while funds remain; $35,000 is the overall pool.

Funding$500–$5,000 individual grant (program webpage); $35,000 is the entire 2026–2027 grant pool, not an applicant award. Official guidelines state up to $5,000 per applicant.

DeadlineRolling applications accepted August 5, 2026–June 30, 2027, while funds remain; no exact closing hour or time zone published.

Last verified2026-11-07

Required next actionOPEN — Review the controlling 2026–2027 Save-the-Day guidelines, confirm Mendocino County benefit and urgent need, verify legal/fiscal-sponsor eligibility and one-year operating history, discuss request with foundation staff as encouraged, and apply through the official Community Foundation grant portal before June 30, 2027 while funds remain.

Broad Eligibility

California 501(c)(3) public charities, school districts, Tribes, public agencies, special districts, and qualifying fiscally sponsored organizations serving Mendocino County; one year operating history or eligible sponsor, board/committee of at least three unrelated members, one award per fiscal year. Unexpected urgent organizational needs; no retroactive costs, individual scholarships, lobbying, fundraising events, or non-owned facility capital work.

Atlas Analysis

2026–2027 Save-the-Day Grant Program

The Community Foundation of Mendocino County offers competitive Save-the-Day grants of $500–$5,000 per eligible applicant to respond to unexpected urgent or emergency circumstances that impede an organization from serving its community. The $35,000 overall program allocation is not an individual award. Examples of possible responses include replacing unexpectedly failed equipment, addressing damage affecting facility access, urgent website recovery, or key-staff transition technical assistance.

Application window: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis from August 5, 2026 through June 30, 2027, while funding remains available; the funder does not publish a fixed closing hour. Applicants are encouraged to discuss appropriateness with foundation staff before submission. Decisions are ordinarily targeted within 14 business days of a complete request. Grant-supported activities should generally conclude within three months, with a brief report and receipts.

Eligibility: Organizations must serve Mendocino County residents, with the requested dollars spent in the county. Eligible entities include qualifying California 501(c)(3) public charities, school districts, Tribes, public agencies, special districts, or aligned fiscally sponsored groups. Applicants must have at least one year of operating history (or a qualifying fiscal sponsor), an independent board or advisory body of at least three unrelated people, and follow the funder’s nondiscrimination requirement. No more than one Save-the-Day grant may be awarded to an organization per fiscal year.

Restrictions and funding terms: The funder prohibits retroactive purchases or costs incurred before decisions; politics and lobbying; individual benefits and scholarships; fundraising events; religious-only activities; most sports or class trips; and capital improvements to property the applicant does not own. A fixed matching percentage is not stated; other community resources are considered in review. Fiscal sponsorship may require a written memorandum of understanding and supporting diligence.

How to apply: Use the official grant program page and its linked application portal, review the controlling 2026–2027 Save-the-Day Guidelines, document the unexpected urgent need, explain countywide benefit, provide a specific workable budget, and discuss eligibility with foundation grants staff as appropriate. Official source: https://communityfound.org/grant/save-the-day-grant-program/.