The 2025 Campaign goes live on November 19.
What is Santa Cruz Gives?
Santa Cruz Gives is a year-end fundraising campaign for donors to learn about and support multiple local nonprofits with one transaction.Why give through Santa Cruz Gives?
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- Your dollars stay local, strengthening our County’s economy.
- Donations are increased through matching funds.
- You can learn about and support many local nonprofits on one website.
- Organizations are vetted by an experienced committee.
- You’re part of a community, and can watch donations make an impact in real-time on the leaderboard.
When does the campaign run?
November 19 – December 31, 2025How to donate
Give online- Visit SantaCruzGives.org to donate by credit card, e-check, ApplePay, or GooglePay.
- Make checks payable to Santa Cruz Gives.
Include your name, email, phone number, and the nonprofit(s) you wish to support. For multiple nonprofits, include a note detailing the organizations and the amount for each.
- Mail checks to: Santa Cruz Gives c/o The Volunteer Center 1740 17th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
- Bring cash or checks to the Volunteer Center (address above). There is a secure drop box for after-hours donations.
- Hours: Monday–Thursday, 10 AM–3 PM
CLOSED Friday-Sunday & Holidays:
- Closed Nov 26–28, 2025 AND Dec 19, 2025 – Jan 4, 2026
- 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. Include “Santa Cruz Gives – [The name of the nonprofit]” so we can allocate your gift correctly.Can I donate in someone’s honor or anonymously?
Yes! There is an option in the payment process to 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 donations to Santa Cruz Gives.How can I track donations to my favorite nonprofit?
Check the leaderboard or visit a nonprofit’s profile page at SantaCruzGives.org for real-time updates.What are matching funds?
Matching funds are donated by sponsors. They are funds distributed at the end of the campaign based on how much each nonprofit raises. It’s not a one-to-one match but is proportionate: the amount a nonprofit receives corresponds to the percentage of total funds that an individual nonprofit raises. Organizations must raise a minimum of $2,500 to qualify for matching funds and receive matching funds on the first $75,000 raised. This ensures the match pool benefits as many participating organizations as possible while still rewarding strong campaigns. Individual donors can also donate any amount to matching funds by using the option on the shopping cart.What is a challenge grant?
A challenge grant is made to a nonprofit by a major donor at the beginning of the campaign. These grants are significant amounts that demonstrate support for a nonprofit and encourage other donors to give, too. The organizations keep all of their challenge grant funds regardless of how much they raise (it’s not a match). The total challenge grants received by a nonprofit function as a goal that is posted on each individual profile page on a “thermometer” symbol that compares in real-time how total individual donations match up to the goal. It’s called a challenge grant because it “challenges” individual donors to reach a total that adds up to the total from the challenge grant donors.What are the $1,000 awards?
At the end of the campaign, $1,000 awards are granted to the organization who has:- Most Donors
- Best Newcomer Campaign
- Most Improved Campaign
Will I receive a receipt?
Yes. Your donation is tax deductible and a receipt is automatically emailed for online donations. The Volunteer Center sends tax receipts for all others.How are organizations selected?
The Santa Cruz Gives committee selects organizations that:- submit applications by the deadline.
- are a nonprofit with current 501(c)3 status.
- propose work that benefits Santa Cruz County.
- Support a variety of community needs (youth, seniors, health and wellness, food/nutrition, the environment, the arts, the disabled, animals, education, veterans, and more)
- Represent diverse projects (avoid selecting organizations that perform similar work)
- Present an organizational mission and a clear, specific project with a compelling appeal
- Present the work of small, medium and large organizations
- Benefit the county’s various geographical communities
- Choose groups that demonstrate potential for collaborative reach via social media
- Select some organizations that were not selected in the previous year
- Consider current events that impact community needs
Still have questions?
Email us at info@SantaCruzGives.org.