The Measure Q Grant Program aims to advance the community’s long-term resilience, environmental health, and access to parks and open space. Approved by voters in November 2024, Measure Q funds projects that improve water quality, reduce wildfire risk, protect wildlife habitat, and expand equitable access to parks and natural spaces throughout Santa Cruz County.

Grant awards are guided by the Measure Q Grant Guidelines and a 5 Year Vision Plan which identifies priority actions, geographies, and outcomes for investment. Together, these documents ensure that Measure Q funds are invested transparently and aligned with voter intent.

The Measure Q Grant Program includes two funding tiers designed to support both emerging community-based initiatives and larger-scale projects with substantial countywide or regional impact.

  • Tier 1 - Community Catalyst Grants, ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 – This tier is intended to help organizations test new ideas, expand local stewardship efforts, deliver community education, or complete smaller project, restoration or planning activities.
  • Tier 2 - Community Impact Grants, ranging from $50,000 to $500,000 – This tier supports more complex, multi-benefit projects such as large habitat restoration, fuel reduction along critical wildfire interfaces, watershed enhancement work, or capital improvements that expand community access. 

Grant application period will be open from Monday, January 26, 2026 through Friday, March 6, 2026 at 11:59pm.

All interested applicants must register within the grant portal system before applying. Once registered, applicants must thoroughly review the Measure Q Grant Guidelines and may apply for either a Tier 1 Community Catalyst Grant or a Tier 2 Community Impact Grant.

Check out the Measure Q Grant Program Overview Webinar

Visit the Measure Q Library for more Grant Resources and Documents.

Questions? Email MeasureQ@santacruzcountyca.gov

Phase Milestone Target Date  
Application Window Application period open (6 weeks) Jan 26 - March 6, 2026 at 11:59pm  
Review & Evaluation Eligibility screening + independent scoring March - April 2026  
Recommendation & Approval COAB Review of Recommended Awards, Board of Supervisors Accepts Recommendations May 2026  
Implementation Execute Grant Agreements June 2026  
Reporting Mid-Year Reports & COAB Annual Update Feb 2027 & August 2027  

Program Grant Type Suggested Range Approx # of Awards Annual Allocation  
Tier 1 Catalyst - Grants Small innovative, capacity- building projects $5 - 50K 4-10 $200,000  
Tier 2 Community Impact Grants Mid-size community/infrastructure projects $51-500k 4-20 $1,000,000  
Pajaro Valley Set-Aside Large Scale Implementation $200-600K 1-3 $600,000  
San Vicente Redwoods Set-Aside N/A N/A $600,000
Total 10-37 $2.5 M  

Category Points Evaluation Focus
1. Alignment with Measure Q Vision Plan Priorities 40 pts Project Clearly supports priority actions, geographies, or outcomes identified in the Vision Plan.
2. Community Benefit 30 pts Demonstrates meaningful community recreation and public access, ecological, watershed or widfire resilience benefits
3. Feasibility 20 pts Provides a realistic scope, achievable timeline, clear deliverables, and evidence of adequate staffing or partnerships. Funding or collaborative leveraging of resources will also be considered.
4. Innovation & Capacity 10 pts Encourages new ideas, pilot approaches, or builds capacity for future Measure Q participation.
Bonus (+5 pts) - Strong Partnerships, volunteer hours leverage, leveraged funds, or particularly efficiant use of funds received.
Total 100 pts
(+ bonus)		  

Category Points Evaluation Focus
1. Alignment with Measure Q Vision Plan Priorities 25 pts Strongly Advances Vision Plan priorities such as watershed health, wildfire resilience, habitat restoration, climate adaptation, or community access.
2. Community Benefit & Equity 20 pts Demonstrates meaningful community recreation and public access, ecological, watershed or widfire-resilience benefits.
3. Wildlife & Environmental Benefit 15 pts Improves water, habitat, or climate resilience.
4. Project Readiness & Feasibility 15 pts Demonstrates techinical soundness, clear methodology, permitting readiness (if applicable), qualitifed personnel, and achievable milestones.
5. Partnerships & Collaboration 10 pts Strong Partnerships, volunteer hours leverage, leveraged funds, or particularly efficiant use of funds received.
6. Budget & Leveraging of Resources 10 pts Budget is well-constructed, logical, and justified; leveraged funds strengthen competitiveness.
7. Long-Term Maintenance & Monitoring 5 pts Plan for sustained benefits or data monitoring post-grant.
Bonus (+5 pts) - Exceptional readiness, regional significance, strong partnerships, high leverage, or long-term stewardship commitments.
Total 100 pts
(+ bonus)