KNN Community Desk | October 15, 2026
MARIN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA — New funding is available for community-driven projects through Marin County’s second participatory-budgeting cycle. In an October 14 announcement, county officials said they had set aside $2.5 million and were accepting proposals seeking between $10,000 and $250,000.
Who can apply?
Eligible applicants include qualifying nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) status. The county also allows people age 14 or older who live, work or attend school in Marin County to apply when they have a fiscal sponsor. Applicants must follow the program’s requirements; this is not a nationwide grant competition.
More than 280 community ideas had been submitted by the time of the county’s announcement. Applicants can build on an existing suggestion or propose a new idea intended to improve local conditions and advance equity.
Deadline and free support
The application deadline is December 2, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. The county’s Office of Equity plans free coaching from October 19 through November 30, as well as workshops in English and Spanish on budgets, eligibility and fiscal sponsorship. Details and application materials are available from Marin County Participatory Budgeting.
Officials say they are prioritizing areas experiencing significant disparities in health, housing, income and opportunity, including Marin City, the Canal neighborhood of San Rafael, and parts of Novato and West Marin.
Residents help determine the winners
Eligible projects are scheduled to go to a public vote in March and April 2027. County supervisors are expected to authorize funding for winning proposals in May and June, with implementation potentially beginning in July.
Funding is not yet awarded: The county has opened a competitive process; no individual project should be described as a grant recipient until awards are confirmed.
Sources: Marin County official release, October 14, 2026; program application and participation information.
Featured photograph: FORTYTWO / Unsplash. Illustrative community-planning image.
