California grants for Public and State controlled institutions of higher education

This funding opportunity provides financial support to government entities, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations in California for projects aimed at reducing wildfire risks and enhancing community resilience through fuels management and fire prevention education.

The Environmental Education and Conservation Fund, established in 2018 by biologist Roger Foote and agronomist Chuck Vaughn, aims to foster appreciation, conservation, and responsible use of the natural environment within Mendocino County. This initiative aligns directly with the Community Foundation of Mendocino County's mission to support organizations, including educational institutions, that offer conservation and/or education programs. The overarching goal is to raise awareness about the natural world through educational endeavors and to directly address significant conservation challenges. The fund targets a broad range of beneficiaries, including educational institutions and other organizations that provide conservation and education programs. The impact goals are centered around increasing ecological understanding, promoting natural resource management, highlighting the scientific method in conservation, addressing climate change and human roles in it, and encouraging land stewardship. Ultimately, the fund seeks to improve public access to natural lands, ensuring people from all backgrounds can experience and enjoy them. The fund's priorities and focuses are clearly delineated, encompassing both educational and conservation projects. Educational initiatives may include outdoor schools, science camps, college-level natural resource management programs, and natural history displays. Conservation projects, on the other hand, can involve wildlife surveys, habitat studies, restoration efforts, improving public access to conservation lands, land stewardship internships, tree planting, and invasive plant removal. The fund emphasizes a holistic approach to environmental well-being. Expected outcomes include a more informed public regarding ecological understanding and climate change, improved natural resource management practices, and tangible progress in habitat and watershed restoration. Measurable results could manifest in increased participation in environmental education programs, the successful completion of conservation projects such as a certain acreage of restored habitat, and an expansion of public access points to natural areas. The Foundation's strategic priorities are rooted in the belief that investing in both education and direct conservation efforts will lead to a more sustainable and environmentally conscious community, embodying a theory of change where knowledge and action drive positive ecological impact.

This funding opportunity supports California-based organizations in implementing community-led initiatives that prevent domestic violence through education and social norm change, rather than providing direct services to victims.

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.

This fellowship provides early-career journalists in California with a paid opportunity to strengthen local reporting, particularly in underserved communities, over a two-year period.

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.

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 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.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and government entities focused on improving safety and wellness through various community services, including mental health, disaster relief, and healthcare accessibility.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to four selected universities and colleges to enhance cybersecurity education and workforce development initiatives, aiming to strengthen the nation's cybersecurity workforce.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations that create job training and education programs for vulnerable populations in California, including English Language Learners, justice-involved individuals, opportunity youth, and veterans, to help them achieve economic stability and career advancement.

This grant provides funding to government entities, educational institutions, tribal governments, and nonprofits for projects that conserve and recover threatened and endangered species in California, with a focus on engaging underrepresented communities.

This grant provides funding for state and local governments, Native American tribes, educational institutions, and nonprofit organizations to improve forest and woodland health, enhance fire resilience, and support ecosystem restoration projects in California.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations delivering essential services that promote educational readiness, career preparedness, youth empowerment, and family support for children, youth, and families in San Francisco.

This funding opportunity supports projects that improve the competitiveness of California's specialty crops, benefiting a wide range of organizations, including nonprofits, government entities, and educational institutions.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations in the Western United States for projects aimed at preventing the spread of invasive quagga and zebra mussels in aquatic ecosystems.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Santa Barbara County that are dedicated to improving youth mental health by addressing staffing challenges and enhancing the well-being of mental health providers.

This funding opportunity supports conservation projects that provide employment and training for young adults and veterans, helping them gain experience in environmental stewardship and resource management on public lands.

The Effectiveness Monitoring Committee (EMC), serving as an advisory body to the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, aims to fund scientific research that tests the effectiveness of the California Forest Practice Rules and associated regulations. This includes addressing natural resource issues such as watershed science, wildlife concerns, and wildfire hazard. Proposals are sought that focus on one or more of EMC's Research Themes and Critical Monitoring Questions, particularly those that contribute to understanding and enhancing wildfire resilience and response to climate change across California's forestlands. Projects must directly relate to management activities on private timberlands in the state, although those on public lands may qualify if they demonstrate relevance to non-federal timberland activities.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and public agencies in San Diego County for projects that enhance green spaces and promote climate resilience in communities facing environmental challenges.