California Law Justice and Legal Services Grants

The Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) is offering the 2023-2024 Public-Space Activation Fund (PAF), a grant program aimed at supporting activities that revitalize public spaces within the City of Los Angeles, California. This initiative aligns with the DCA's mission to enrich the cultural life of the city by fostering community engagement and providing accessible cultural experiences. The grant seeks to fund projects that transform public areas into vibrant hubs of activity, reflecting a commitment to broad public benefit and cultural accessibility. The primary beneficiaries of the PAF are the residents and visitors of Los Angeles, particularly those who participate in or attend the various public events and activities supported by the fund. The impact goals include enhancing community cohesion, celebrating cultural diversity, and providing opportunities for cross-cultural learning. By supporting a range of accessible events, the fund aims to improve the quality of public life and create inclusive environments for artistic and cultural expression. The PAF prioritizes projects falling under four main categories, with specific emphasis on International Festivals & Intercultural Foods (IFIF). IFIF grants, typically ranging from $7,500 to $10,000, are designed for pop-up or festival-style events such as community picnics, outdoor festivals, block parties, and food/food-truck festivals. Additionally, creative enhancements to farmers' markets that incorporate live performing arts and cultural activities are highly encouraged. These projects are expected to embrace multicultural themes and feature entertainment suitable for family-friendly, street-adjacent spaces like public parks, schoolyards, and parking lots. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in public attendance at cultural events, greater community participation in organized activities, and a visible enhancement of public spaces. The success of IFIF projects, for instance, will be measured by their ability to promote opportunities for cross-cultural learning and engage diverse audiences through multicultural entertainment. The DCA's strategic priority is to activate public spaces, and this grant program serves as a direct implementation of that theory of change, believing that by funding accessible cultural events, they can foster a more connected and culturally rich urban environment.

The Tobacco Grant Program, administered by the Office of the Attorney General, California Department of Justice, aims to foster a healthier California by curtailing illegal cigarette and tobacco sales and marketing to minors. This highly competitive program, enabled by Proposition 56, allocates funds to applicants with robust enforcement capabilities. Funded agencies will focus on enforcing tobacco-related laws, conducting retailer and online inspections, and enhancing local coordination and education efforts.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in California that offer essential services to survivors of sexual assault, focusing on trauma reduction and comprehensive recovery assistance.

This funding opportunity supports small and mid-sized organizations and individual artists in San Francisco who are connected to historically marginalized communities, helping them sustain their work and remain in the city.

This funding opportunity supports projects that reduce air pollution and improve air quality in communities disproportionately affected by pollution, targeting local organizations, tribal governments, and air districts.

This grant provides financial support to local nonprofits in Orange County that promote renewable energy awareness and environmental stewardship.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in California to deliver legal services for individuals detained in immigration facilities, addressing critical gaps in representation for vulnerable immigrant populations.

City of Long Beach Activatelb Cultural Special Events Grants, funded by the Long Beach Recovery Act, seeks to support large citywide cultural special events that have not been previously funded by the City. The goal is to celebrate the diverse communities of Long Beach and promote community healing through cultural practices. Eligible events must be free and open to the public, and grant funding will cover the costs of City special event permits and fees.

The City of Jurupa Valley's Community Service Grant Program aims to support local organizations that demonstrate effectiveness in fundraising and volunteer service for community programs, with a focus on fostering self-sufficiency. The program provides mini-grant funding for projects that benefit residents within Jurupa Valley, encouraging organizations to develop stable private funding sources and discouraging over-reliance on City financial assistance for ongoing operations. This aligns with the City Council's goal to support robust community programs while promoting sustainable financial practices among local non-profits. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are the residents of Jurupa Valley, who will benefit from social welfare, educational, charitable, athletic, cultural, or recreational programs. Non-profits awarded grants, up to $5,000 each, are expected to implement projects or programs that directly serve and improve the general community. The overarching impact goal is to enhance the quality of life and well-being for Jurupa Valley residents through diverse and beneficial community initiatives, ultimately strengthening the social fabric of the city. The program prioritizes organizations with current 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status that engage in activities for a public purpose within Jurupa Valley. Funding is specifically prohibited for certain uses, including salaries, scholarships, debt satisfaction, religious or political purposes, and mass mailings that violate the Political Reform Act. Eligibility also excludes organizations where City Council members are on the board, those involved in lawsuits against the City, or those engaging in prohibited or adverse activities to the community's health and safety. These restrictions ensure that grants are directed towards transparent, community-focused, and legally compliant initiatives. Expected outcomes include the successful implementation of various community-benefiting programs and projects, leading to tangible improvements in the social, educational, and cultural landscape of Jurupa Valley. While specific measurable results are not detailed, the emphasis on organizations demonstrating effectiveness in fundraising and volunteer services suggests an expectation of program sustainability and community engagement. The City Council's strategic priority, as adopted in Resolution No. 2014-48, is to support programs that benefit residents and promote the City, ensuring that all funding contributes to a public purpose.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to public defender offices and qualified entities in California to expand holistic defense services that address clients' legal and social needs, ultimately improving outcomes in the criminal justice system.

This grant provides financial support to San José-based nonprofit arts and cultural organizations that promote community engagement and contribute to the city's cultural vitality through diverse artistic programming.

This grant provides funding to California local government agencies, including crime laboratories and medical examiners' offices, to improve practices and data collection related to impaired driving incidents involving drugs and alcohol.

This grant provides funding to organizations working to improve environmental justice and community resilience in underserved areas of Arizona, California, Nevada, and Hawaii by addressing issues like air quality, water contamination, and public health disparities.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations that serve the Malibu community, enhancing local services and quality of life for residents.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations and educational institutions in California that empower justice-impacted individuals through education, workforce development, and policy advocacy.

This program provides funding to support comprehensive, victim-centered responses to sexual assault in California, focusing on survivor safety, confidential services, and outreach at colleges and universities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local public agencies in California to enforce laws against the illegal sale and marketing of tobacco products to minors and youth.

This grant provides $10,000 to Los Angeles-based nonprofits led by individuals with lived experience of systemic issues, supporting their efforts to drive long-term change through collaborative action and community empowerment.

This grant provides funding to California law enforcement agencies to develop strategies that reduce alcohol-related crime and improve community safety around problematic alcohol outlets.

This grant provides funding to local nonprofits and community groups in West Marin, California, to support projects that enhance social connections and cultural diversity, particularly for marginalized communities.