San Mateo County Association of Realtors Grant Program

The San Mateo County Association of REALTORS® (SAMCAR) Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for residents within San Mateo County through financial programs, education, and housing-related initiatives. The Foundation receives funding from donations made by its REALTOR® and Affiliate members and other contributors. Since its inception, SAMCAR has supported various charitable efforts, providing financial assistance for first-time homebuyers, mortgage payments, and housing education programs. Grants from the SAMCAR Foundation are available exclusively to nonprofit 501(c)3 organizations operating within the geographic area served by the San Mateo County Association of REALTORS®. These organizations must focus on housing-related initiatives and meet specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding. The Foundation prioritizes projects that address significant community needs, serve a large population, demonstrate financial stability and efficiency, and ensure appropriate use of past SAMCAR grants. Applications for grants must include a completed form along with supporting documents such as a list of the organization’s Board of Directors and Executive Staff, three references, an annual budget with year-to-date financial statements, a copy of the IRS tax-exempt determination letter, and a statement clarifying the housing-related nature of the request. Additionally, applicants must disclose any potential conflicts of interest between their organization and SAMCAR. The grant application process follows a quarterly review schedule. The Foundation’s Grant Application & Recommendation Committee evaluates submissions and provides funding recommendations to the Board of Trustees. Applications must be received by February 15, May 15, August 15, and November 15 to be considered for funding in that quarter. Grant recipients must submit a report within 90 days of receiving funding detailing the utilization of funds. Applicants may also be required to participate in a matching fund program, where they must specify the portion of funds requiring a match and the sources providing the matching funds. For more information or to submit an application, organizations may contact the SAMCAR Foundation at their office located at 850 Woodside Way, San Mateo, CA 94401. They can also reach the foundation via email at samcar@samcar.org or by phone at (650) 696-8200. Applications may be submitted via email, fax, or mail.