Apply for a Grant

The Smith-Hobson Foundation supports arts and cultural projects, such as those associated with museums, historical societies, fine and performing arts, and arts education and access, in western Ventura County. The board of the Smith-Hobson Foundation may solicit or recommend grants outside of these funding priorities and/or with broader geographic focus; such grants will be solicited directly by the Smith-Hobson Foundation.

Application is now open!  Please click here to apply.  If you’ve already registered for the VCCF Portal, click “Log In”. If you’re a new user, click 'Sign Up' and follow the on-screen instructions.

Deadline to submit an application for the Smith-Hobson Foundation Fund is Tuesday October 6, 2026 at 5 p.m. PST. Unfortunately, no applications will be accepted after the stated date and time. You will not be able to submit an application in progress after Tuesday October 6, 2026 at 5 p.m. PST.

The Swift Memorial Health Care Foundation Charitable Fund was established following the dissolution of the Swift Memorial Health Care Foundation (SMHCF). SMHCF was named in honor of Dr. Floyd J. Swift and his wife, Ida Swift, in recognition of their significant contributions to improving the quality of life in Ventura County.

The Swift Memorial Health Care Foundation Charitable Fund will carry on the Foundation’s legacy by supporting nonprofit organizations that assess health care needs or provide health care services to Ventura County residents through community-focused programs, projects, or events. Grants are typically awarded to support specific projects that are expected to be achieved within a defined timeframe—often within one year—and for projects with the potential to extend beyond the grant period, generating lasting impact and long-term multiplier effects. Typical grant awards range from $3,000 to $10,000, with a maximum request limit of $20,000.

Application now closed.

Grants from the Bert M. and Mildred O. Dahl Fund are to be used in Ventura County for general charitable purposes to benefit the youth of Oak View, California. Nonprofit organizations must be establishing or assisting programs for the youth of Oak View. This may include the construction and maintenance of facilities for such programs.

Application is now closed.

Purpose of Grant Opportunity

The Art Life Foundation Fund supports programs and initiatives that advance artistic excellence and nurture creativity within Ventura County.

Through this competitive grant opportunity, the fund will support arts organizations and educational institutions whose work:

• Advances artistic excellence
• Supports arts educators or programs that foster the “Creative Mind”
• Promotes the scholarly study of Joe Cardella’s life, artwork, creative philosophy, or Art Life Limited Editions

This grant round focuses on organizational programs, projects, and initiatives. Student scholarship awards supported through the fund are administered separately and are not part of this application.

Funding Overview

For this funding cycle, approximately $55,000 in total grant funding will be awarded.

Organizations may request funding in an amount that reflects the needs of their proposed project or program. To assist the review process, applicants are asked to indicate:

• The minimum amount needed to successfully implement the project
• The preferred funding amount

Organizations may request up to the full $55,000 available. Final award sizes may vary and may range from smaller grants to larger awards depending on the strength, scope, and impact of the proposals received.

Note to applicants: Please keep responses concise. In most cases, one to three short paragraphs per question is sufficient.

Application is now closed.

The Barbara Barnard Smith Fund for World Musics was established in 1992 to enhance understanding of global intercultural and local multicultural environments through expanding acquaintance with artistic heritages beyond those of Euro-American concert traditions. The donor-advised fund will consider applications from schools and from organizations established to present concerts for the public to support performances of non-Western classical and folk musics by bearers of these traditions, and of contemporary compositions for traditional or Western instruments inspired by and incorporating elements of these musics.

The application is now closed.