Ocotillo Wind Imperial Valley Fund

The OCOTILLO WIND IMPERIAL VALLEY FUND supports new and existing programs that improve the quality of life of Imperial Valley residents and communities. Some of the fund’s grant awards may be used to leverage other community resources and build partnerships which provide sustainable, meaningful and measurable outcomes.

Priorities of the fund include, but are not limited to:

  • Civic Engagement

  • Economic Workforce & Development

  • Youth Education, Recreation & Safety

  • Disaster Recovery & Emergency Preparedness

  • Health & Wellness

Proposals must address one or more of the above funding priorities.

 
The application window for the current grant cycle was February 1, 2024 through March 18, 2024. Applications received during this timeframe are pending review. Decision announcements will be made by April 30, 2024.
 
The RFP for the next grant cycle will be available in early 2025. 
 
A total of $25,000 is available for this grant cycle. The maximum of any single grant award will not exceed $10,000. Single award requests may not exceed $10,000. An expected range of grant award sizes has not been established.
 
In order to reach and serve more organizations and programs in our community through this grant opportunity, successful grantees (current and future) must wait one full grant cycle (or year) before reapplying for a grant from this same grant program.
 
Eligibility
 
Eligible applicants include qualified 501c3 organizations and public institutions or other entities (such as schools and school districts) that have a designated charitable purpose.
 
Applicants must be Imperial Valley-serving organizations. Organizations headquartered outside of Imperial County must demonstrate significant service to the area.
 
Organizations with religious affiliations will be considered for funding only if the project for which they seek support attempts to address the needs of the wider community without regard to religious beliefs.
 
Desireable Project Characteristics
 
We are receptive to impactful proposals that:
 
a. Demonstrate relevance and ensure that the project improves the quality of life in the region.
b. Are able to provide measureable results within one year from commencement of the project, even if part of a multi-year project.
c. Have the potential to be scaled up or expanded.
d. Can be grown and replicated, if a new program.
e. Benefit from and encourage collaborative work, and bring public and private partners together with nonprofit organizations.
f. Demonstrate knowledge of local needs, existing services and trends.
g. Identify target population to be reached and the justification for that focus.
h. Provide clear benchmarks for measuring success/progress.
 
Exclusions
 
Guided by our core values and bylaws, grants will not be awarded for:
 
a. Organizations that discriminate on the basis of age, disability, ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, race or religion.
b. Fraternal organizations, unless in support of a specific program open to or benefiting the entire community relevant to this grant.
c. Fundraising events such as annual campaigns, walkathons, tournaments, fashion shows, auctions or dinners, etc.
d. Paying off debts or existing obligations.
e. Endowment funds.
f. Scholarships, fellowships, or travel grants.
 
Grant Recipients

2023

  • CASA of Imperial County ($6,000)
  • Cancer Resource Center of the Desert ($3,000)
  • El Centro Youth Football Association ($3,000)
  • Imperial Valley Food Bank ($5,000)
  • Humane Society of Imperial County ($5,000)
  • Westmorland Community Presbyterian Church / Westmorland Food Pantry ($3,000)

2022

  • Adjoin ($5,000)
  • American Red Cross - San Diego & Imperial Counties Chapter ($5,000)
  • Best S.T.E.P. Forward ($2,500)
  • Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego ($5,000)
  • Cody's Closet ($5,000)
  • Imperial County Historical Society ($2,500)

2021

  • Emilio Nares Foundation ($5,000)
  • Make-A-Wish Foundation of San Diego ($5,000)
  • Ronald McDonald House Charities ($5,000)
  • Spread the Love Charity ($2,500)
  • Westmorland Community Presbyterian Church / Westmorland Food Pantry ($5,000)
  • Regents of the University of California ($2,500)

2020

  • Catholic Charities ($4,000)
  • CASA of Imperial County ($5,000)
  • Imperial County Child Abuse Prevention Council ($5,000)
  • Imperial Valley Food Bank ($6,000)
  • Mom-Sense ($5,000)

2019 (Cycle II)

 

  • Cycle II: Burn Institute ($3,000)
  • Cycle II: Emilio Nares Foundation ($3,000)
  • Cycle II: Imperial Valley BMX ($4,500)
  • Cycle II: Imperial Valley Choral Society ($3,000)
  • Cycle II: Make-A-Wish Foundation - San Diego ($2,500)
  • Cycle II: Ronald McDonald House Charities ($2,500)
  • Cycle II: University of California Regents / UC Cooperative Extension ($6,500)

2019 (Cycle I)

  • Cycle I: Holtville Fire Department ($4,700)
  • Cycle I: Imperial Valley LGBT Resource Center ($5,900)
  • Cycle I: Spread the Love Charity ($5,900)
  • Cycle I: United Way of Imperial County ($3,500)
  • Cycle I: Westmorland Presbyterian Community Church / Westmorland Community Food Pantry ($5,000)

2018​

  • Boy Scouts of America, San Diego - Imperial Council ($4,000)
  • Brawley Community Foundation ($5,000)
  • Burn Institute ($2,500)
  • El Centro Police Activities League ($4,000)
  • Imperial County Historical Society ($2,500)
  • Imperial Valley Desert Museum ($4,000)
  • St. Mary's Catholic School ($3,000)

2017

  • Imperial Valley Food Bank ($6,000)
  • Cancer Resource Center of the Desert ($5,000)
  • Emilio Nares Foundation ($5,000)
  • Imperial Valley Velo Club ($4,500)
  • Ronald McDonald House Charities ($4,500)

2016

  • Boys & Girls Clubs of Imperial Valley ($5,000)
  • Imperial Valley BMX ($5,000)
  • Seeley Community Church / SCC Education & Learning Center ($5,000)
  • The Burn Institute ($4,000)
  • Imperial County Sheriff's Activities League ($3,800)
  • American Red Cross of San Diego & Imperial Counties ($2,200)

2015

  • Emilio Nares Foundation ($8,000)
  • Cancer Resource Center of the Desert ($5,000)
  • Imperial Valley Velo Club ($4,000)
  • Sister Evelyn Mourey Center ($4,000)
  • El Centro Police Activities League ($3,000)
  • El Centro Community Services Foundation ($1,000)

2014

  • Imperial Valley Food Bank ($10,000)
  • The Family Treehouse ($10,000)
  • Seeley Community Church / SCC Education & Learning Center ($5,000)