The Garden Grove Strawberry Festival is a proud 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to giving back to the community.
Each year, we allocate a total of $100,000—funded by proceeds from the previous year’s festival—for local nonprofit organizations to apply for capital improvement grants. Funding is distributed among selected and qualifying recipients based on community impact and alignment with our mission.
In addition to the grant funding, the festival supports the community in many meaningful ways:
• Scholarships are awarded to outstanding local high school seniors
• Local 501(c)3 non-profit organizations raise funds by selling food at the event
• Over 2,000 special needs children enjoy a free day of rides and treats
• Local school bands receive subsidies to help them march in the Saturday parade
Since its founding in 1958, the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival Association has donated more than $7 million to local nonprofits.
Grant Eligibility:
Funds must be used exclusively to support programs or services that benefit Garden Grove residents, either solely or in combination with other Orange County communities. *Organizations that distribute charitable cash grants are not eligible for funding.
Donation requests are limited to:
• Improvements
• New equipment
• Property improvements with a useful life exceeding one year
• Capital assets
• Maintenance of existing capital assets
Ineligible Use of Funds:
1. To purchase expendable supplies (e.g. paper, toner, ink)
2. Items that are gifted to others, funds are not awarded to organizations that provide charitable cash grants.
3. Compensation of any person for participating in, or providing services related to, the direct provisions of the organization’s programs or services.
Qualifying organizations that are awarded funding will be reimbursed after the completion of purchases or capital improvements, and invoices paid have been submitted.
Other selection criteria considered include organizations that:
1. Use the majority of their time and finances for the betterment of the community.
2. Have a comprehensive track record of fiscal responsibility, or for new groups, which plan to achieve financial soundness.
3. Demonstrate stability and consistency in attaining goals and fulfilling a purpose.
4. Demonstrate a specific need.
5. Provide services regardless of race, creed, gender, or age.
Grant Process:
Each application must be in the form of a letter and MUST:
1. Be submitted on the non-profit organization’s letterhead
2. Include the non-profit Tax ID number
3. Include the purpose of the requested funding
4. Include the true amount requested, not an estimated cost
Grant Reimbursement Process:
1. Complete Your Project
Purchase the approved equipment, complete the approved capital improvement, or finish the approved maintenance project.
2. Gather Your Documentation
Collect all paid receipts, invoices, and proof of payment related to the approved grant request.
3. Submit Your Reimbursement Request
Email the following to Donations@strawberryfestival.org:
- Organization name
- Contact person
- Brief description of the completed project
- Copies of all receipts and paid invoices
4. Submit by December 31 of the same year
All reimbursement requests and supporting documentation must be received no later than December 31, 2027. Once reviewed and approved, reimbursement will be processed and issued.
Funding is provided on a reimbursement basis after purchases or improvements have been completed and paid for.
IMPORTANT: If you anticipate a delay in completing your project, please request an extension before the deadline. All projects must be completed and reimbursement requests submitted by December 31 of the year the grant is awarded. Reimbursement requests submitted after the deadline may not be eligible for funding.
Example: An organization awarded funding in April 2027 must complete the approved project and submit all receipts and reimbursement documentation by December 31, 2027.