Community Foundation Santa Cruz County has awarded $280,000 in grants through the Rise Together Fund for racial equity, supporting 14 BIPOC-led organizations with $20,000 each.
The Rise Together coalition, founded in 2020, has now distributed $1.5 million in total to advance racial equity through programs focused on wellness, mentorship, youth engagement and cultural preservation.
“This investment helps us create life-changing opportunities for local youth,” said Reggie Stephens, founder of the Reggie Stephens Foundation and a grant recipient.
2025 Rise Together grant recipients:
- Arts Council Santa Cruz County – Artist-in-residence program and community collaboration.
- Black Surf Santa Cruz – Annual Liberation Paddle Out and expanded access.
- Fuerza Santa Cruz Soccer – Soccer programs and youth-driven community events.
- Esperanza del Valle – Folklorico dance company’s 45th anniversary celebrations.
- Housing Santa Cruz County – Community workshops and policy advocacy.
- MENtors – Mentorship programs for boys, men and fathers.
- Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance – Leadership and coaching programs.
- Positive Discipline Community Resources – Probation and parental education programs.
- Project Daraja – BIPOC wellness, peace education and youth fitness.
- Reggie Stephens Foundation – Youth-focused sports, arts and education programs.
- Rebecca Hernandez Consulting – Indigenous-centered film, exhibits and cultural advocacy.
- Santa Cruz County Park Friends – Inclusive nature education for youth.
- Santa Cruz Local – Spanish-language community news engagement.
- Tannery World Dance and Cultural Center – Dance scholarships for underrepresented youth.
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