The 2025 Campaign goes live on November 19!!
For Donors
What is Santa Cruz Gives?
Santa Cruz Gives is a year-end campaign that makes it easy to support local nonprofits in one place. You can give to one organization or many, track progress in real time, and multiply your impact through matching funds and challenge grants.Why give through Santa Cruz Gives?
When you give through Santa Cruz Gives, your dollars stay local and strengthen our community.- Support multiple nonprofits in one simple transaction
- Every organization is vetted by a local review committee
- Your gift may be boosted by matching funds or challenge grants
- No campaign funds go toward salaries or overhead
- Minimum donation is just $5
When does the campaign run?
November 19 – December 31, 2025How to Donate
Give online
- Visit SantaCruzGives.org to donate by credit card or e-check.
Mail a check
- Make checks payable to “Santa Cruz Gives.”
Include your name, email, phone number, and the nonprofit(s) you wish to support. If multiple nonprofits, please include a note detailing which organizations, and how much, you are giving.
- Mail checks to: Santa Cruz Gives c/o The Volunteer Center 1740 17th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Drop off cash or checks
- Bring cash or checks to the Volunteer Center (address above).
- Volunteer Center hours: Monday–Thursday, 10 AM – 3 PM.
- CLOSED FRIDAYS AND HOLIDAYS:
- Closed Nov 26–28, 2025
- Closed Dec 19, 2025 – Jan 4, 2026
- Checks received by organizations during the holiday closure must be turned in by noon, Jan 8 2026.
Other giving options
- Santa Cruz Gives accepts stock donations, donor-advised funds, and retirement distributions. Email info@santacruzgives.org for details.
Can I give from a retirement account or donor-advised fund?
Yes. Use the Volunteer Center Tax ID 94-1702678 and include “Santa Cruz Gives – [Your Nonprofit Name]” in the memo or cover note so we can allocate your gift correctly.Can I donate in someone’s honor or anonymously?
Yes! You can dedicate your gift or choose to remain anonymous.Are donations tax-deductible?
Yes. You’ll receive a tax receipt automatically by email (or by mail for check or stock gifts). All donations are processed through the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County (Tax ID 94-1702678).Why does my credit-card statement say “Volunteer Center”?
The Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County is the fiscal sponsor and processes all Santa Cruz Gives donations.How can I track donations to my favorite nonprofit?
Check the Leaderboard at SantaCruzGives.org or visit a nonprofit’s profile page for real-time updates.Does my selected nonprofit receive the full amount of my donation?
Your gift goes directly to the nonprofits you choose and helps them do what they do best — serve the community. A small portion of overall campaign funds supports essentials like payment processing and website hosting so the campaign runs smoothly and securely.What are Matching Funds?
Matching Funds come from campaign sponsors and donors like you! They are distributed at the end of the campaign based on how much each nonprofit raises. At the end of the campaign, each nonprofit receives their donations, along with a pro rata match on the first $75,000 raised.And what are the $1,000 Awards for?
At the end of the campaign, $1,000 awards are granted to the organization who has:- Most Donors
- Best Newcomer Campaign
- Most Improved Campaign
Challenge Grants & Matching Funds
What is a Challenge Grant?
A Challenge Grant is a gift of $500 or more made before the campaign launch to help a nonprofit start strong. These early gifts appear as thermometers on nonprofit pages and inspire others to give. Organizations with Challenge Grants typically raise more overall — your early support creates momentum.Who can make a Challenge Grant?
Anyone — individuals, families, businesses, or donor-advised funds. Challenge Grants must be received by noon on Thursday, November 6, 2025.How do I give a Challenge Grant?
- Donate online through the Challenge Grant Form.
- Or mail/drop off a check payable to “Santa Cruz Gives.” See address information at the top of this page. Include your chosen nonprofit and how you’d like your name displayed (individual, family, business, anonymous).
Can we pool donations into one Challenge Grant?
Yes — as long as the funds are submitted as one payment (e.g., “Board of XYZ” or “Friends of ABC”).Are there fees on Challenge Grants?
100% of your gift goes directly to the nonprofit you choose, minus any standard credit-card processing fees. E-check and regular check payments have no fee.Will I receive a receipt?
Yes. The Volunteer Center sends tax receipts for all donations. If you bundle a group gift, the receipt goes to the person who submits the funds.For Nonprofits
How do I apply to participate?
The application / request for proposals is open from August – September each year. The proposal window is now closed.
Who can apply to participate?
Nonprofits with current 501(c)(3) status or a fiscal sponsor, and a project that benefits Santa Cruz County.
What’s the application deadline?
September 4, 2025
What’s the timeline?
- August: Applications open
- September 4: Application deadline
- September 20: Nonprofits notified of their application status
- October 8: Orientation / Kick Off for Organizations
- November 6 at NOON: Challenge Grant deadline
- November 19 – December 31: Campaign live
- February: Checks distributed to nonprofits
How are nonprofits selected?
Selections are based on:
- Community impact
- Diversity of focus areas
- Geographic representation
- Balancing well-established organizations with smaller or emerging nonprofits
- Prioritizing projects with clear goals, strong donor engagement, and meaningful community reach
- Balancing well-established organizations with smaller or emerging nonprofits
- Upholding Santa Cruz Gives’ longstanding goal to connect local donors to BIPOC-focused organizations
- Reviewing past participation and campaign performance
- Not all qualifying organizations can be accepted each year in order to ensure that all participating organizations have the best opportunity for success.
- In 2025, 75 organizations were accepted – or 60% of applicants – an increase compared to recent years.
How can I make my application stand out?
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1. Lead with a compelling “Big Idea” or Clear Impact
Your project or mission should be clearly defined and emotionally resonant. Think about what makes your work urgent, hopeful, or uniquely impactful right now.2. Focus on clarity and specificity
Avoid jargon. Be direct and concrete about what your organization does, who it serves, and what the funds will support. If applying for general program support, make sure your impact still feels clear and focused.3. Make it community-centered
Santa Cruz Gives is built on collective generosity. Applications that show broad community benefit or highlight underserved populations tend to resonate more with donors.4. Show capacity for outreach
We look for nonprofits willing to share their campaign, engage with supporters, and amplify their message. Social media presence, email lists, community partnerships, and/or board support all help (and are critical for your success if you are accepted!).5. Demonstrate donor appeal
Applications that are warm, visually appealing, and story-driven tend to perform better. If selected, your submission becomes the basis for your public profile, so aim for something that will move or motivate a donor.6. For returning participants: Secure at least one Challenge Grant
Organizations with at least one $500+ Challenge Grant tend to launch stronger and raise more. While you don’t need a Challenge Grant to apply, if you participated in the past, securing at least one was part of the expectations for continued participation.
Will there be training or support for participating nonprofits?
Yes! All selected nonprofits are invited to an orientation before the campaign begins, where leaders from Santa Cruz Gives, Good Times, the Volunteer Center, and the Community Foundation will share strategies for campaign success. You’ll also hear directly from nonprofits who have run standout campaigns in past years—they’ll offer practical tips and lessons learned. In addition to orientation, the Volunteer Center will host a series of optional trainings and live Q&As throughout the fall to help you make the most of Santa Cruz Gives. Topics include donor outreach, social media strategy, peer-to-peer fundraising, and more.STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
Email us at info@SantaCruzGives.org.
Call (831) 427-5070 x123