CORE Investments

The Collective of Results and Evidence-based (CORE) Investments, known historically as Community Programs, has operated for more than 40 years to allocate local funds to address pressing community needs. In 2015, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors and Santa Cruz City Council approved CORE Investments as a funding model and a movement to achieve equitable health and well-being in Santa Cruz County. 
 
In fiscal year 2022, the BOS and Council awarded approximately $5.9 million in contracts to 41 agencies representing 57 programs that address community needs across the CORE Conditions for Health and Wellbeing. Learn more about the 2022-2025 funding cycle by CLICKING HERE.
 
The CORE RFP for the 2025-2028 three-year cycle was released on June 3, 2024, as a first step in awarding $3.8 million for the upcoming three-year cycle. Learn more about the 2025-2028 funding cycle by CLICKING HERE.
 
        

Spring 2025 CORE Investments Updates

On April 29, 2025, HSD provided the Board of Supervisors with an update on the FYs 2025-28 CORE contracts. CLICK HERE to read this update. Also on April 29, the Board voted to establish a Supervisor-led subcommittee to review the existing CORE Investments funding process. CLICK HERE to read the Board's item authorizing this new CORE review subcommittee. These two items were merged into a single public hearing on April 29. CLICK HERE to view the hearing, beginning at the 6:57:19 time marker.

12/20/2024: Congratulations to the Awardees! Full List of CORE Investments Awards Published

  • CLICK HERE for the full list of awardees receiving CORE Investments FY 2025-28 funding, beginning July 1, 2025
  • Review the Board of Supervisors or the City Council agenda materials, each with analyses that enabled the FY 2025-28 CORE Investment awards.

10/31/2024: Full List of Recommended and Not Recommended Awards for CORE Investments Published

10/7/2024: Applicants Notified of Award Recommendations, Appeals Process Open Through 10/11/2024

06/03/2024: County Releases CORE Investments RFP for Funding Cycle 2025-2028

04/30/2024: County Board of Supervisors and Santa Cruz City Council Approve CORE Investments RFP for Funding Cycle 2025-2028

02/02/2024: CORE Wins a 2023 Challenge Award!
“All counties applaud Santa Cruz County for your innovation and dedication to CORE Investments. Congratulations on winning a prestigious 2023 Challenge Award.” - Graham Knaus, CEO of the California State Association of Counties
  • Read the FY 2022-23 report HERE
10/16/2023: CORE 2023 RFP Community Engagement Sessions Begin
From 10/16 through 11/3 we held 6 Community Engagement Sessions and an online survey to share information and get feedback on the upcoming 2024 CORE RFP process. Learn more about the results of these sessions HERE.
Find a detailed County Board of Supervisors approved CORE Investments Timeline HERE