California Education Grants

This funding opportunity supports San José-based nonprofit organizations, small artist groups, and individuals with fiscal sponsors in creating arts projects that foster community engagement and celebrate cultural diversity.

This funding opportunity supports organizations in California that are working to improve student well-being and address essential needs in higher education through innovative and scalable projects.

This grant provides financial support to arts and cultural organizations in Long Beach for innovative projects that engage the community and promote diverse artistic expression.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to California public agencies, including school districts and charter schools, to implement tobacco-use prevention programs for students in grades six through twelve, with a focus on engaging underserved populations.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations and community groups in Monterey County that aim to improve economic mobility for Latino communities through leadership development, work experience, and educational initiatives.

This program provides funding to public school teachers in Orange County, California, for innovative STEM projects and educational experiences that enhance student engagement and achievement.

This grant provides financial support to individual artists and nonprofit arts organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area for community-focused creative projects that promote artistic excellence and engagement, particularly among underrepresented communities.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations serving the Idyllwild and surrounding mountain communities in Southern California, focusing on programs that enhance the arts, education, well-being, environmental protection, and public safety.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations, schools, community groups, and individuals for projects that promote the conservation and preservation of fish and wildlife resources in Placer County.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to public service agencies and nonprofits that deliver essential services to low- and moderate-income residents of Hesperia.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and tribal governments providing services in San Bernardino and Riverside counties, as well as tribal entities nationwide, focusing on impactful community programs.

This funding opportunity provides $10,000 to local nonprofit organizations and Title 1 schools in the Conejo Valley and nearby areas to enhance their capacity and deliver essential services to disadvantaged residents.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofits, schools, and local agencies in California's Central Valley to enhance health, education, and social equity initiatives in communities like Kern, Kings, and Fresno Counties.

This grant provides financial support to LGBTQ+ filmmakers and artists in the greater Sacramento area to create and showcase projects that highlight queer stories and experiences.

This grant provides funding for rural classroom teachers in selected states to develop and implement Place-Based Education projects in their schools.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and community groups in Southern Monterey County to support essential health and wellness programs and educational initiatives for youth.

The After School Education and Safety (ASES) Universal Grant is administered by the California Department of Education (CDE) through its Expanded Learning Division (EXLD) and supports after school programs across the state. The program was established via Proposition 49 in 2002 and is legislated through California Education Code sections 8482 through 8484.65. ASES aims to promote academic enrichment and safe, structured activities for students in kindergarten through ninth grade during non-school hours. The funding supports programs that incorporate literacy and educational enrichment while providing a safe environment conducive to learning and development. Applicants include both new organizations and existing grantees seeking to add sites or increase funding for current programs. The program seeks to foster partnerships between schools and community-based organizations, public agencies, and other stakeholders. It encourages collaboration among parents, youth, educators, law enforcement, and local nonprofits. Programs funded by ASES must offer a minimum of 15 hours of services per week, begin immediately after the school day ends, and remain open until at least 6 p.m. each school day. Required program components include a literacy and academic element and an enrichment element, both aligned with state standards and tailored to after school settings. Services may include tutoring, computer training, arts education, physical fitness, career readiness, and substance abuse prevention, among others. Eligibility is open to local educational agencies (LEAs), city or county governments, and nonprofit organizations in partnership with an LEA. High schools, umbrella organizations, and programs solely requesting before-school or summer funding are ineligible. Currently funded grantees may only apply for increased funding or to add new sites, provided they meet all reporting and compliance requirements. Maximum awards are capped at $152,612.13 for elementary schools and $203,482.84 for middle schools, with potential adjustments for large schools using a formula defined by state statute. Programs must also contribute a local match equal to one-third of the total grant, either in cash or in-kind, excluding facilities as more than 25% of the match. Applications must be submitted electronically via the ASSIST system by February 24, 2026, at 4:00 PM. Required forms include a cover page, narrative for new applicants, co-applicant information (if applicable), authorized signatures, assurances, and site approvals. Applications that fail to meet the formatting or deadline requirements will be disqualified. Notifications of disqualification will be issued in March 2026, followed by the Intent to Award list in April and final awards shortly thereafter. Each school site is evaluated independently based on its percentage of students eligible for Free and Reduced-Priced Meals (FRPM), using data from the CALPADS system. Selected programs will enter a three-year renewable funding period, contingent on continued compliance and available funding. Grantees must submit quarterly expenditure and biannual attendance reports via ASSIST, maintain auditable records for five years, and participate in CDE-led evaluations and audits. Programs are also expected to implement a Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) process aligned with CDE guidance. ASES ensures that no less than 85% of funds are allocated to direct services for students, with no more than 15% permitted for administrative costs, including indirect expenses. Technical assistance is available through a network of regional support providers coordinated by EXLD. Additional resources, including detailed application instructions and the Program Plan Guide, can be found on the CDE website. Program contacts include the EXLD team via expandedlearning@cde.ca.gov or phone at 916-319-0923. Appeals of disqualifications must be submitted electronically within 10 calendar days of notification and must include an original signature and justification based on the application review standards.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations that help young adults aged 18-28 facing economic challenges access quality jobs and career advancement through innovative workforce development programs and essential support services.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to U.S.-based nonprofit organizations and schools focused on improving mobility access for individuals with disabilities, as well as initiatives in education and environmental sustainability.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations that create accessible outdoor experiences in California State Parks for historically underserved communities facing transportation and access challenges.