Community Services Nonprofit Grant Program

CSFA Grant Program

The City of Half Moon Bay is pleased to provide the Community Services Financial Assistance (CSFA) grant program. It’s designed to provide funding to nonprofit organizations in Half Moon Bay in support of their local community services programs, and it provides a wonderful opportunity for collaboration toward meeting those needs.

Program Overview

For FY 2023-24 local nonprofits are encouraged to apply for grants to support their community serving projects/programs for amounts of up to $50,000. Due to the continued impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and associated economic and mental health effects, and based on the findings from Team Thrive of the Coastside Recovery Initiative, funding is exclusively available to organizations/programs providing essential safety net services to the residents of Half Moon Bay. 

For the purposes of this grant, safety net services include:

  • Basic needs (food, housing, clothing) job-related support and help accessing public benefits (housing insecurity, rent relief, renters right and employment assistance) as well as child care, after school care, and health / mental health support.

Eligibility Requirements

    • Applicants must provide essential safety net services as defined above.
    • Applicants must be formally incorporated nonprofit entities based in Half Moon Bay, or provide services throughout San Mateo County and can demonstrate they are serving individuals who live or work in the City of Half Moon Bay
    • Top consideration will be given to applicants who:
      1. Demonstrate how program services will be coordinated, integrated and leveraged among other nonprofits providing safety net services.
      2. Incorporate culturally competent services and language spoken by members of the community who may be hard to reach due to stigma, isolation, etc.
      3. Incorporate innovative approaches and best practices in the delivery of services and programs.
      4. If funded in FY 2022-23, demonstrate benefits gained by participating in the cohort and commitment to continued participation in the cohort.

Proposal Process

  • Applicants must complete and submit the required application online (link is below).
  • The application period for fiscal year 2023-24 will open - April 19, 2023
  • Deadline to apply for funds for fiscal year 2023-24 - May 14, 2023 
  • City staff will review all applications to ensure eligibility requirements are met and for completeness; any applications which are incomplete will not be considered.
  • The City Council CSFA Subcommittee will review the content of all applications and make a recommendation to the full City Council.
  • The City Council of Half Moon Bay will take the CSFA Subcommittee's recommendation into consideration and make the final decisions on all grant funding.
  • Once grantees have been selected, staff will prepare funding agreements and distribute funding between July-August 2023. 
  • Any questions regarding the Community Services Financial Assistance grant program or the application process should contact Julissa Acosta, Management Analyst, at 650-750-2010 / jacosta@hmbcity.com

Reporting Requirements / Cohorts

  • Grant recipients will be required to have leadership staff participate in two to three cohort convenings per grant cycle. The purpose of these convenings is to encourage an integrated and collaborative approach among safety-net service providers. Another goal is to exchange best practices and discuss challenges in an open and supportive peer-learning environment.  
  • Grant recipients will be required to submit a mid-year report and an end-of-year financial statement
  • New grant recipients who have not received CSFA funding in the past will be required to provide:
    1. An end-of-year report
    2. An end-of-year financial statement
    3. New applicants must submit a copy of their latest IRS form 990

Before applying for a CSFA Grant, please read through the Coastside Recovery Report found here.