California grants for Nonprofits

The Disaster Response & Resilience Fund supports charitable organizations in Humboldt, Trinity, Del Norte, and Curry counties, as well as adjoining Tribal lands during current and future disasters, including fires, earthquakes, flooding, and other natural and man-made disasters. This fund is unable to support requests for individuals and families. During an active emergency, the fund prioritizes requests that are in response to the applicable disaster and requests that are addressing the immediate needs and safety of the most vulnerable.

The Glendale Storefront Art Program in California is seeking artists to participate in creating professional-quality art installations in vacant storefronts. The program aims to support public art, beautify the city, and celebrate the surrounding community through these installations. The goal is to expand the program throughout the city in partnership with property owners, realtors, and developers.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to non-profit organizations that assist children and youth under eighteen who have been victims of crime, focusing on improving access to advocacy and support services for those who are currently unserved or underserved.

This grant provides funding for projects that improve air quality and public health in East Oakland, particularly benefiting disadvantaged communities affected by pollution from a former foundry.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Gilroy that are dedicated to improving the community through various initiatives in sectors such as arts, education, health, and environment.

The California State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD) is offering Cycle 47 of its Program Development Grants (PDG) to support innovative programs and best practices throughout California. The SCDD's mission is to advocate for, promote, and implement policies and practices that achieve self-determination, independence, productivity, and inclusion for Californians with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families. This grant program directly aligns with the SCDD's overarching goal to improve the lives of people with I/DD by engaging in and promoting self-advocacy, capacity-building, and systems change. The target beneficiaries of these grants are individuals with intellectual, developmental, and/or cross-disabilities, as well as their families. The grants aim to create measurable improvements in their lives. The SCDD seeks to award funding to California-based agencies and organizations that represent and/or serve these individuals, including local government agencies, non-government organizations, tribal organizations, community-based non-profits, and established 501(c)(3) tax-exempt coalitions. The SCDD's 2022-2026 State Plan outlines three key strategic priorities and focuses: Self-Advocacy, Systems Change/Advocacy, and Capacity-Building/Advocacy. For Self-Advocacy, the goal by 2026 is to maintain and/or increase the number of people with I/DD who become strong self-advocates, peer trainers, and community leaders. The Systems Change/Advocacy priority aims for the Council, in partnership with family/self-advocates, to lead in protecting and enhancing civil rights to improve community-based systems, making them more inclusive and supportive of people with I/DD and their families. For Capacity-Building/Advocacy, the Council plans to increase partnerships with and support of more people with I/DD and their families by 2026, ensuring they understand their rights and can advocate for and receive necessary supports and services. The expected outcomes and measurable results are directly tied to these State Plan goals. Through the PDG, the SCDD anticipates fostering programs that will lead to more empowered self-advocates, more inclusive community systems, and a greater understanding of rights and access to services for people with I/DD and their families. The Council has allocated a total fund of $300,000 for one or more Cycle 47 grants, with a grant period from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025. This funding supports the SCDD's theory of change, which posits that by investing in community-based organizations that research, develop, and/or implement innovative programs, they can achieve their state plan objectives and significantly enhance the quality of life for Californians with I/DD.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and community groups to create and broadcast Spanish-language radio programs that connect migrant and seasonal farmworkers in California with essential workforce services and resources.

The Kiwanis Club of Los Altos Foundation annually offers grants to organizations operating within the greater Los Altos area. Focused on supporting initiatives that align with their mission of “Serving the Children of the World,” the foundation grants financial aid to projects and programs benefiting the community, particularly youth and seniors. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations, with past recipients including diverse beneficiaries such as Tech Trek, Mentor Tutor Connection, and the Living Classroom. Application acceptance period is from October 1 to January 31 each year.

The City of San Diego's Economic Development Department is offering a grant of $10,000 to $100,000 to nonprofit organizations that can assist small businesses in under-resourced communities, with funds to be used for capacity building expenses such as technical assistance, website creation, and event programming, with priority given to organizations with modest budgets and proposals aligning with the Economic Development Strategy.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for projects that protect wildlife habitats and promote biodiversity on public lands in California, targeting state and local governments, tribal organizations, educational institutions, and nonprofit groups.

The CalMoneySmart program aims to enhance financial empowerment among unbanked and underbanked Californians by funding nonprofit organizations. Through financial education and empowerment services, it seeks to reduce disparities, improve financial literacy, and foster wealth-building opportunities. The program awards grantees up to $200K per year for two consecutive fiscal years to promote financial stability and security statewide. ; Grant funds may only be used for the following financial education and empowerment services for the targeted at-risk unbanked and underbanked populations: 1) Designing, developing, or offering, free of charge to consumers, classroom or web-based financial education and empowerment content intended to help unbanked and underbanked consumers achieve, identify, and access lower cost financial products and services, establish or improve their credit, increase their savings, or lower their debt. 2) Providing individualized, free financial coaching to unbanked and underbanked consumers. 3) Designing, developing, or offering, free of charge to consumers, a financial product or service intended to help unbanked and underbanked consumers identify and access responsible financial products and financial services, establish or improve their credit, increase their savings, or lower their debt. Every project funded with a grant from the Financial Empowerment Fund shall meet the following criteria: 1) Promote and enhance the economic security of consumers. 2) Adhere to the five principles of effective financial education described in the June 2017 report issued by the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau titled “Effective financial education: Five principles and how to use them.” Grant awards will be announced for a two-year period covering two consecutive fiscal years. Funds for each fiscal year are disbursed separately and any unexpended funds must be returned to the DFPI. Disbursement of funding for the second fiscal year is contingent on submission of a satisfactory annual report. A mandatory in-person training for grantees will be held during the grant cycle. Final details will be included in the grant agreement.   Grantees may use no more than 15 percent of the grant to cover administrative (indirect) costs. Failure to comply shall render the Applicant ineligible for a grant during the subsequent fiscal year and until the noncompliance is corrected.  A grantee may subcontract services that it has agreed to provide under the grant agreement, so long as those services are conducted on behalf of the grantee. Subcontract arrangements must be clearly described in the scope of work and budget. Accepting grant funds with the intent of distributing those funds to other nonprofit organizations (for example, sub-grants or fiscal sponsorship) is not allowed. Grant funding may not be used for financial incentives for individuals. Prohibited incentives include, but are not limited to, match funding for savings accounts, participant stipends, or gift cards with a cash value. Grantees are required to submit preliminary and final annual reports, in a form and by a date specified by the Commissioner of Financial Protection and Innovation, documenting: 1) The specific uses to which grant funds were allocated, 2) The number of individuals aided through use of the funds, 3) Quantitative results regarding the impact of grant funding, and 4) Any other information requested by the Commissioner. Failure to submit satisfactory reports shall render the Applicant ineligible for any DFPI grant during the subsequent fiscal year and until the required report is submitted. 

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations, public agencies, and tribal governments managing boating facilities in California to enhance their efforts in preventing the spread of invasive mussels and protecting water resources.

This funding opportunity is available to public and private nonprofit California licensed, certified or otherwise qualified substance use and/or mental health disorder providers, county and Tribal-based providers, crisis care mobile unit programs, community health centers, Federally Qualified Health Centers, Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics, harm reduction service providers, recovery residences, transitional housing facilities, homeless shelters, youth-focused organizations, communitybased organizations, opioid treatment programs and office-based opioid treatment providers

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in California for projects that assist very low to moderate-income residents of Palm Desert, including seniors, the disabled, domestic violence victims, and the homeless.

The Korean American Community Foundation of San Francisco (KACF-SF) is accepting requests for proposals from community-based organizations serving Northern California. KACF-SF is dedicated to fostering a thriving Bay Area Korean American community through philanthropic efforts. The grant program directly aligns with this mission by supporting organizations that increase the cultural competency and language accessibility of vital programs for the Korean American community, thus strengthening the community's overall well-being. The grant program targets community-based organizations that are on the frontlines of service delivery to Korean Americans in Northern California. The primary impact goal is to enhance access to critical social services and support regional projects that align with KACF-SF's grantmaking objectives. This is achieved by ensuring that language barriers and cultural nuances do not prevent Korean Americans from receiving the support they need. KACF-SF focuses its investments on five key issue areas: Physical & Mental Health, Senior Care & Empowerment, Domestic & Family Safety, Civic Engagement, and Youth Empowerment. Within these areas, the Foundation is particularly interested in programs that deliver critical services to Korean Americans in need, provide greater access to social services through language assistance, and support regional projects that are consistent with the Foundation's grantmaking goals. This strategic focus ensures that funding addresses the most pressing needs within the community. The expected outcomes include increased access to culturally competent and language-accessible programs for the Korean American community in Northern California. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond the "Grants up to $50,000" and "Grant Period Up to 3 years," the theory of change is implicit: by funding organizations that address cultural and linguistic barriers, KACF-SF believes it will empower the Korean American community, improve their quality of life, and strengthen the community's infrastructure.

The 2025 State Fire Capacity (SFC) Grant Program is a federal funding opportunity administered by the California Fire Safe Council (CFSC) with financial support from the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), Department of Agriculture, Pacific Southwest Region. Funding is issued through the Cooperative Fire Program under Federal Assistance Listing number 10.698. A total of $702,474 is available to eligible entities across California for the 2025 cycle. The program is designed to support wildfire risk reduction initiatives at the community level through strategic planning, hazardous fuels reduction, and education efforts. This grant program supports efforts that help California communities become more fire-adapted and resilient in the face of increasing wildfire threats. Funded activities may include hazardous fuels reduction and maintenance projects on non-federal lands, development or updating of Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs), and wildfire prevention education and outreach. Projects that develop community capacity for wildfire resilience, prioritize mitigation planning, and engage the public are also strongly encouraged. Prescribed burning activities that involve environmental impacts or ground disturbance are not eligible, though planning or training components related to prescribed fire may be supported. Eligible applicants include a wide range of organizational types: nonprofit organizations, Homeowner or Property Owner Associations, Native American tribes, Resource Conservation Districts, municipalities (cities, counties, towns), institutions of higher education, school districts, Joint Powers Authorities, special districts, and state agencies. Individuals are not eligible. Entities without legal standing must partner with a fiscal sponsor that meets legal and incorporation standards in California or Nevada and has a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN). All applicants must also register for a Unique Entity ID (UEI) to receive federal assistance. Applications open on July 11, 2025, and must be submitted through ZoomGrants by 11:59 p.m. PDT on August 31, 2025. A complete application includes several key components: an Application Summary, Organization Information, Project Information, Work Plan and Budget Tables, and all Required Document Uploads. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult the Application Guide and Application Planning Tool, which are available in advance of the open date to assist with project development and submission. ZoomGrants support is available for technical issues, but CFSC staff cannot recover login credentials. Award notifications are expected in late fall 2025. The grant period is fixed at 24 months, beginning December 1, 2025, and ending November 30, 2027, with no extensions allowed. The maximum federal award per applicant is $225,000. A matching requirement of 1.5 times the awarded amount must be met using non-federal funds. For example, an applicant seeking the full award must contribute $337,500 in matching funds, totaling $562,500 in overall project cost. This cost-share is a strict requirement of the program. For questions related to the application process, applicants may contact Christopher Lozano, Senior Grant Specialist at CFSC, via email at clozano@cafiresafecouncil.org. For ZoomGrants technical assistance, the support team is available Monday through Friday at 866-323-5404 or via email at questions@zoomgrants.com. Additional program contacts include Jared Peri, Program Manager at jperi@cafiresafecouncil.org. The CFSC encourages all eligible California organizations to apply and join the effort to reduce wildfire risk and improve community preparedness statewide.

The Community Foundation for Monterey County is offering a grant of $100,000 to $500,000 to support programs and services that increase access to shelter and safety for homeless women on the Monterey Peninsula, with a focus on innovative strategies, emergency assistance, and expansion of emergency/temporary shelter, permanent housing options, and case management services.

The Community Foundation Santa Cruz County, in partnership with the County of Santa Cruz Health Services Agency Behavioral Health Division, is offering grants to address opioid-related disorders and harm. This initiative aligns with the Foundation's mission to improve community well-being by tackling critical public health issues. The program focuses on a comprehensive approach, encompassing prevention, early intervention, harm reduction, treatment, and recovery services. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are individuals and communities affected by opioid-related disorders within Santa Cruz County, California. The goal is to reduce the incidence and impact of opioid misuse, increase access to effective treatment and recovery services, and ultimately save lives. Nonprofit organizations providing services within Santa Cruz County are eligible to apply, ensuring that local needs are met through community-based solutions. The program prioritizes a multi-faceted strategy to combat the opioid crisis. Funding is available for a range of activities, from preventative education and early intervention programs to harm reduction strategies such as Naloxone distribution, as well as comprehensive treatment and long-term recovery support. This broad focus aims to create a robust system of care that addresses the crisis at various stages, from initial risk to sustained recovery. Expected outcomes include a measurable decrease in opioid overdose deaths and non-fatal overdoses, an increase in the number of individuals accessing treatment and recovery services, and an overall improvement in public health indicators related to opioid use. While the document does not explicitly detail the Foundation's strategic priorities or theory of change, the focus on community partnerships and a continuum of care for a pressing public health issue strongly suggests an approach centered on collaborative action and sustainable, measurable impact within the local community. A total of $810,000 will be distributed in Fiscal Year 2024/2025, with individual awards up to $400,000, and grantees will have up to two years to expend funds, by June 30, 2026.

Pursuant to statute, the purpose of the program is to encourage increased use of active modes of transportation, such as biking and walking. The goals of the ATP are to: •Increase the proportion of trips accomplished by biking and walking. •Increase the safety and mobility for nonmotorized users. •Advance the active transportation efforts of regional agencies to achieve greenhouse gas reduction goals as established pursuant to Senate Bill 375 (Chapter 728, Statutes of 2008) and Senate Bill 391 (Chapter 585, Statutes of 2009). •Enhance public health, including reduction of childhood obesity through the use of programs including, but not limited to, projects eligible for Safe Routes to School Program funding. •Ensure that disadvantaged communities fully share in the benefits of the program. •Provide a broad spectrum of projects to benefit many types of active transportation users.

The Marian and Pink Happ Fund is a grant program dedicated to supporting underprivileged children throughout California. This initiative directly aligns with a core mission to improve the well-being and future prospects of vulnerable youth. By providing financial assistance, the fund aims to address critical needs in the areas of health and human services, ultimately contributing to a more equitable society where all children have opportunities to thrive. The primary beneficiaries of this fund are underprivileged children residing in any of California's counties. The impact goals are centered on enhancing the lives of these children by ensuring access to essential health services and vital human services support. Through these efforts, the fund seeks to alleviate the burdens faced by these children and their families, fostering environments conducive to their healthy development and overall success. The fund prioritizes organizations that can effectively deliver health and human services programs. While specific expected outcomes are not explicitly detailed, the focus on "underprivileged children" and "health" and "human services" suggests a theory of change rooted in direct intervention and support. Measurable results would likely include the number of children served, the types of services provided, and improvements in health indicators or access to social support systems for the target population. Applicants must be exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, demonstrating a commitment to ethical and transparent operations. Applications are submitted online or through accessible alternatives for assistive technology users. The average grant size is $10,000, with an average total giving of $50,000 per year, indicating a strategic approach to funding multiple impactful projects annually. The deadline for applications is June 30, 2024.