Chancellor's Community Partnership Fund

Chancellor's Community Partnership FundBerkeley Underground Scholars and State Senator Nancy Skinner

Contents

(Former State Senator and Cal Alumna Nancy Skinner attends the graduation of the Berkeley Underground Scholars, fund recipient.)

The 2025-26 Grant Cycle of the Chancellor’s Community Partnership Fund will launch in November

The 19th cycle of the Chancellor's Community Partnership Fund launched November 18, 2024.

In the 2025-26 grant cycle, the Chancellor's Community Partnership Fund will make approximately $320,000 in grants to catalytic community-campus partnerships designed to improve the quality of life for Berkeley residents. Applications are due February 7. 

Arts grants: Please note: 

The UC Berkeley Chancellor’s Community Partnership Fund (the Fund) invests in projects and programs that establish new or existing partnerships between UC Berkeley and Berkeley community entities that improve the quality of life for people who live or work in Berkeley. The Fund seeks partnerships and collaborations that are designed to match the university’s expertise and service with community wisdom and leadership. Eligibility is limited to projects and programs that have at least one community partner and one UC Berkeley partner. An ideal campus/community partnership gives students, faculty and staff an opportunity to bring the university’s public service mission to life in community projects that further social justice and racial equity. Projects that benefit specific neighborhoods or groups of Berkeleyans are preferred.

All grants will be for one-year projects or programs. Successful projects must align with and further the priorities and objectives of locally developed and equity driven policies and initiatives that were developed with extensive community participation For example, education-based proposals that align with the focal populations and objectives of Berkeley Youth Equity Partnership will be given priority; arts, culture and placemaking grants should align with the City of Berkeley Arts and Culture Plan 2018-2027 Update’s commitment to cultural equity See the Grant Guidelines for more information related to these and other thematic arenas.

Applicants must complete the Grant Application including a budget worksheet, due February 7, 2024 (please aim for before 5 p.m.). A limited number of Planning Grants will be accepted for groups or partnerships early in their process of developing an action plan and meaningful partnerships. Eligible projects must have at least one community partner and one university partner. UC Berkeley student organizations that are actively supported by a faculty or staff advisor, are encouraged to apply. For more information download the Grant Guidelinesand Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

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Fund application timeline and grant documents for the 2025-26 cycle:

2025-26 Grant Application Timeline

  • November 2024: Grant Application Cycle Launched

  • December 11, 4 to 5:30 pm: Virtual Grant Application Information Session; Agenda, virtual meeting video recording
  • February 7, 2025: Grant Application (or Planning Grant) due 

  • May 2025: Partnership Grant Awards Announced

  • Summer 2025: Funding released to community partners

2025-26 Fund Documents

If using the online forms, start by copying to your Drive or downloading. Then rename, using the guidance in the forms.

Education-based proposals that align with the focal populations and objectives of Berkeley Youth Equity Partnership will be given priority; arts, culture and placemaking grants should align with the City of Berkeley Arts and Culture Plan 2018-2027 Update’s commitment to cultural equity. See the  for more information related to these and other thematic arenas.

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A mural by Nigel Sussman called "Wired" commissinoed by the Telegraph Business Improvement District, a fund recipient.

A mural by Nigel Sussman called "Wired" commissioned by the Telegraph Business Improvement District, a fund recipient.

ABOUT THE FUND

Established by Chancellor Robert Birgeneau in 2006 and now continued by Chancellor Carol Christ, the UC Berkeley Chancellor's Community Partnership Fund (the Fund) supports projects and programs that establish, extend and strengthen collaborative partnerships between UC Berkeley and the wider Berkeley community. The Fund seeks to enhance the quality of life for people who live and work in Berkeley by providing grant funding to neighborhood improvement projects and community service programs that link the university's energy and resources with those of the community

While the change strategies used by prospective grantees can be varied, ideal projects will utilize collaborative relationships between UC Berkeley and the community to address critical needs in the following thematic areas:

  • Arts, Culture and Placemaking
  • Community Health and Community Safety
  • Economic Development and Economic Empowerment
  • Education and Youth Development
  • Environmental Stewardship and Climate Resilience
  • Leadership Development and Civic Engagement

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PAST PARTNERSHIP FUND GRANT RECIPIENTS

The Chancellor's Community Partnership Fund relaunched in 2022, strengthening our racial, envirnomental and economic equity focus.

Pasangan Partners (2012)

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PARTNERSHIP FUND COMMUNITY REPORTS

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

For more information about the Fund or if you have questions about the grant application, please e-mail calpartnershipfund@berkeley.edu or contact UC Berkeley's Office of Government and Community Relations at 510-387-8639.

Berkeley Unified in Literacy Development (2012)

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