FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: May 28, 2026
Contacts: Carol Schimke, cschimke@openspace.org
Midpen approves seven new grantmaking program proposals
Los Altos, CA—At its special meeting on May 27, the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District Board of Directors approved the funding of seven new grant proposals. The 2025 grantmaking program will fund seven (7) proposals composed of two (2) access, interpretation, and education projects, three (3) network and partnership support projects and two (2) applied science projects, which will allocate $313,983 in funding to grantees Hidden Villa, The HEAL Project, Arriba South Coast, Muwekma Ohlone Preservation Foundation, Grassroots Ecology, University of California Santa Cruz, University of Nevada Reno.
“Midpen’s Grantmaking Program reflects our belief that meaningful change happens when we invest in the people and organizations who are making a difference on the ground,” said Midpen General Manager Ana Ruiz. “By empowering community-led initiatives, we’re both funding projects and strengthening the whole of our community to support a more equitable, sustainable and connected Bay Area.”
In September 2025, Midpen announced the availability of $300,000 in funding through the 2025 Grantmaking Program. Organizations were invited to submit proposals for projects up to $60,000 under three priority areas outlined in Midpen’s District’s Grantmaking Board Policy 3.10: 1) Access, Interpretation, and Education; 2) Applied Science; and 3) Network and Partnership Support. Midpen received 37 pre-proposals totaling $1.7 million in funding requests and a Midpen staff committee selected 27 to advance for final consideration totaling almost $1.2 million in requests.
All seven final proposals build the capacity of academic and nonprofit institutions to sustain and grow the conservation field and facilitate Midpen’s mission by building and strengthening new and existing partnerships. The two (2) Access, Interpretation, and Education projects would connect TK-12 youth with open space through land stewardship opportunities and provide educational nature-based learning about the connection between food, environmental health and open space. The three (3) Network and Partnership Support projects would also support connecting people to open space and strengthen the understanding of Indigenous land stewardship practices through knowledge-sharing and capacity-building. The two (2) Applied Science projects would provide insight into invasive species management methods and the effectiveness of virtual fencing on agricultural lands. Grant proposal agreements are expected to be executed in the summer of 2026 and will conclude by the summer of 2028.
Midpen protects, stewards and manages over 70,000 acres of public land consisting of 27 open space preserves. Developing new partnerships with local public agencies, nonprofits, K-12 schools, academic institutions and private institutions helps to enhance Midpen’s mission. The Grantmaking Program supports organizations and projects that further the understanding and protection of our natural world, build the capacity of the conservation field, and facilitate access to the outdoors or augment interpretation and education opportunities for the public. The grantmaking process is guided by an emphasis on investments that reflect a regional focus and provide avenues for partnership with Midpen and other stakeholders.
For more information, visit openspace.org/grantmaking-program