Membership

Build your skills for impact. Connect with your partners for action. Find your community at SoCal Grantmakers.

If you’re a funder who shares our vision of an equitable and thriving society, you belong at SCG.

SCG is a membership community of more than 300 leading foundations, corporate funders, family philanthropists, government agencies, and advisors.

We bring together thousands of people who serve as leaders, staff, trustees, and consultants at our member organizations -- to learn from each other and a wide range of cross-sector leaders with lived experience in the issues that matter most right now -- so we can all grow our skills, collaborate, and advocate for bold and inclusive change.

Wherever you are, SCG connects you with the ideas, the support, and the people you need to do your best work.

Member Benefits

From cutting-edge programming and peer connections to public policy and collaborative initiatives, a single dues payment brings you all the benefits of SCG membership for an entire year

Events & Programs

SCG programming facilitates knowledge-sharing of innovative trends, key issues, and emerging practices to inform the work of individuals and organizations in philanthropy.

Knowledge Sharing

SCG creates and curates resources that build upon program-based learning and provide deep dives into the most important policies impacting our communities.

Peer Groups

SCG is your connection to the broader philanthropic community. Members of SCG peer groups meet on a regular basis to discuss, problem-solve, and share ideas critical to their work.

Fiscal Sponsorships

As a benefit to our members, SCG offers fiscal sponsorship services, including administrative and office support, payroll, and insurance coverage.

Testimonials

Thanks for all the great work that SCG has done over the last months, on COVID, on the economic crisis, on racial equity - you’re a tremendous resource to our community.

Southern California Grantmakers provides tremendous support to our region’s philanthropic sector. As a longtime member we benefit in numerous ways, including training for new staff, innovative programming, and other opportunities for learning. Moreover, the annual policy conference has sharpened our policy focus. And as a statewide funder, Cal Wellness values SCG’s collaborative work with the other regional associations in California.

SCG, Thank you! You continue to serve as a vital space where community need and philanthropic resources catalyze from shared learning into action.

Who Can Join?

Funder Eligibility

Any organization (including foundations, companies, government agencies, pooled funds, donor-advised funds, and public charities) or family/individual donors may join SCG if you are located in SCG’s region and are giving at least $25,000 in funding annually, or if you are located outside SCG’s region and are giving at least $25,000 in grants annually within the region. SCG’s region includes Los Angeles, Kern, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura Counties. Organizations that regrant funds or provide “pass-through” grants are eligible according to the same criteria. “Single-organization support” entities are not eligible (e.g. foundations that only support a single school or district).

Consultant Eligibility

Consultants may join SCG if you provide references for programmatic, management, governance, or strategy consulting on a paid basis within the past three years to organizations or individuals who meet SCG’s funder eligibility criteria.

How To Join

Interested in joining SCG? Apply for Membership now using our easy online form!

For funders, dues levels are based on prior year giving. Membership is organizational, so a single dues payment covers everyone at your organization including staff, board members, and consultants.

For philanthropic consultants, dues are $1,300 per year. Consultant membership is individual and non-transferable.

Please click here for our dues chart.

Frequently Asked Questions

For Funders

How do I renew my SCG membership?

Please contact barbara@socalgrantmakers.org.

Can I attend an SCG program or event if I’m not an SCG member?

Eligibility for SCG programs varies, so check the program webpage for criteria specific to each program. Generally, non-members can register for most SCG programs if they meet SCG’s eligibility criteria; non-member philanthropic consultants can not attend SCG programs.

To register for an event as a non-member, please first register a new account on our website. An administrator will approve your account within 24 hours. Once you have completed the account set-up process, you will be able to register for events. If you have questions, please contact support@socalgrantmakers.org.

I am a member of Northern California Grantmakers and/or Catalyst of San Diego & Imperial Counties, can I attend an SCG program?

Members of NCG and Catalyst are eligible to attend SCG programs (excludes some SCG members-only peer groups) at the member rate through our Philanthropy California partnership. Please first register a new account on our website. An administrator will approve your account within 24 hours. Once you have completed the account set-up process, you will be able to register for our events. If you have any technical issues registering at the member-rate, please contact us at programsrsvp@socalgrantmakers.org.

For Grantseekers

Does SCG give grants?

SCG is a nonprofit professional association and does not give grants.

I am starting a nonprofit. Where do I find information and funding?

The Center for Nonprofit Management offers many helpful resources, including publications and a full calendar of training on fund development and other topics.