MARCHING BANDS in the Strawberry Festival parade are a part of the attraction to the four-day event (GGSFA photo)

The Garden Grove Strawberry Festival Association, producers of the Garden Grove Strawberry Festival, held annually every Memorial Day Weekend, is opening its application period to non-profit organizations that serve Garden Grove residents.

$100,000 raised during this past year’s festival is available to qualifying organizations. To be considered, requests must
be received no later than Tuesday, December 31, 2024. Requests MUST be emailed to Donations@strawberryfestival.org

“Each year it is our goal to give back to the community by donating to non-profit organizations that provide services for children, seniors, youth, community, and the arts,” says Mark Mahoney, Donations Chair, and Immediate Past President of GGSFA. “We strive to do so fairly and equitably to all eligible organizations. While priority is typically given to Garden Grove-based organizations, consideration will be given to eligible organizations serving Garden Grove residents.”

Each application must be in the form of a letter and MUST:
• Be submitted on the non-profit organization’s letterhead
• Include the non-profit Tax ID number
• Include the purpose of the requested funding
• Include the exact amount requested, not an estimated cost
Qualifying organizations must use the funds to provide programs or services benefiting Garden Grove residents, exclusively, or with other Orange County residents. Additionally, funds will not be granted to organizations that issue charitable cash grants.
Donation requests are limited to:
• Property improvements with a useful life exceeding one year
• New equipment
• Capital assets
• Maintenance of existing capital assets
Ineligible Use of Funds:
• To purchase expendable supplies (e.g., paper, toner, ink)
• Items that are gifted to others, funds are not awarded to organizations that provide charitable cash grants.
• 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 they complete purchases or capital
improvements and submit paid invoices.
Other selection criteria considered include organizations which:
• Use the majority of their time and finances for the betterment of the community.
• Have a comprehensive track record of fiscal responsibility, or for new groups, which plan to achieve financial
soundness.
• Demonstrate stability and consistency in attaining goals and fulfilling a purpose.
• Demonstrate a specific need.
• Provide services regardless of race, creed, gender, or age.

Approved requests will receive notice before April 2025.