THE 2025-26 GRANT CYCLE WILL OPEN IN MAY 2025

Whether you are seeking program/organization amplification, volunteer support, monetary donations, or any other type of partnership, non-profits must apply for a Community Assist Grant as the first step to establish a relationship with the Sharks Foundation. To keep the process unbiased, the Sharks Foundation will not host meetings with non-profits while the grant cycle is open to discuss a non-profit's program or project idea - you may reach out to us via email for specific application questions.

Please note: Due to the large number of grant applications we receive, each non-profit should understand that there is only so much funding the Sharks Foundation has available to allocate and that we cannot fund every request. We appreciate and respect all the important work being done to better our community. All non-profits that submit an application will be kept on our preferred partner list for the year and will be notified of other opportunities as they arise.

Each month during the Sharks regular hockey season, a Community Assist Grant will be provided to one non-profit. To diversify and streamline our giving efforts, each month and grant is dedicated to a specific focal area. Grant applicants must fit and apply under one of the following focal areas:

Check back here for an update on our focal areas!

Funding Priorities: The Sharks Foundation provides funding to organizations that support youth, with special emphasis on at-risk and underrepresented populations.

The Sharks Foundation will not support:

• Political or religious groups/organizations
• General operating deficits
• Sponsorships of fundraisers
• Endowments or reserve funds
• PTAs, booster clubs, donations to individuals
• Organizations outside the San Francisco Bay Area

Organization Eligibility - to qualify for a grant an organization must:

• Be a public, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit organization in good standing with the Internal Revenue Service for a minimum of 5 years including:
• Having a "Current" status with the California Department of Justice Registry of Charitable Trusts
• Be in good standing with the Franchise Tax Board
• A program must be in existence for a minimum of 3 years
• Provide services to children in need within the Bay Area
• Be available for a site visit if selected as a beneficiary
• Adhere to all deadlines and application requirements

Application Eligibility - to qualify for a grant an application must:

• 100% of grant funding received from the Sharks Foundation are used for the exclusive benefit of youth
• 51% of the funding received must directly benefit youth in Santa Clara County and the remaining 49% must stay within the Bay Area (San Francisco, San Mateo County, Alameda County, Gilroy, Santa Cruz)
• Fall under one of the Sharks Foundation grant focal areas
• Funding must be applied to the costs associated with a specific programming element of the applying organization
• Funding must be used by July 1, 2026

Partnership & Activation:

• The Sharks Foundation continually seeks deep and impactful relationships with the non-profits we support; as such, there should be an activation component within the campaign month under which you are applying between your organization and the Sharks Foundation
• An activation component should be well thought out, creative/unique and multifaceted (ie: more than a check presentation) - how can we collaborate to show the community what we have accomplished together? How can we amplify the partnership? How can volunteers from our organization support the work you do?
• Non-profits are asked to thoroughly explain their idea(s) in the application narrative

Before Applying:

• Each organization can submit one grant application per cycle
• Do not wait! The Sharks Foundation will not extend the application deadline under any circumstance
• Allow ample time in the event you experience technical or other difficulties with the application process
• An application will be deemed ineligible if it is incomplete, incorrectly formatted, not submitted by the deadline, submitted by an organization that does not qualify per the outlined funding priorities
• You must hit the "submit" button on the online application before the deadline