California Natural Resources Grants

The Effectiveness Monitoring Committee (EMC) is seeking project proposals that: (1)   Address one or more of the EMC’s Research Themes and Critical Monitoring Questions and; (2)   Address natural resource protection issues that are important for California forestlands. The critical monitoring questions are organized under 12 Research Themes. Four prioritized critical questions were determined by vote amongst the current EMC members at the beginning of each calendar year:  Are the FPRs and associated regulations effective in...  Question 1h: managing WLPZs to reduce or minimize potential fire behavior and rate of spread? Question 6c:  managing fuel loads, vegetation patterns and fuel breaks for fire hazard reduction? Question 6d: managing forest structure and stocking standards to promote wildfire resilience? Question 12a: improving overall forest wildfire resilience and the ability of forests to respond to climate change (e.g., in response to drought or bark beetle; reducing plant water stress) and variability, and extreme weather events (evaluate ecosystem functional response to fuel reduction and forest health treatments)? I.       FUNDING AVAILABILITY. Funding available for newly proposed projects is anticipated as follows: $973,392 over three FYs beginning in 2024/25, comprising: $173,232 in FY 2024/25; $375,160 in FY 2025/26; and $425,000 in FY 2025/26. II.     AWARD LIMITATIONS. Applicants requesting more than the stated annual amount available for funding will not be considered. In the case that EMC funding for the full three years is awarded to one new project, project solicitation may not occur in the subsequent two FYs. While the EMC may choose to fund projects that span multiple FYs up to the annual funding cap, the EMC generally prefers to fund multiple research projects annually. Proposers should keep this in mind when developing their project and annual budget requests. Longer-term projects (greater than three years) may re-apply for funding for additional years through the competitive grants process advertised in the EMC’s Request for Proposals. Annual allocations are dependent upon demonstrated progress towards project completion pursuant to the project schedule and workplan.  a.      ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES. Eligible projects will test one or more specific FPRs or other rule or regulation under the Board’s jurisdiction and which addresses one or more of the EMC’s Research Themes and Critical Monitoring Questions. Proposed projects must clearly apply to management activities on private timberlands in California. Projects on public land may be eligible for EMC funding provided they clearly apply to the activities and systems that also exist on non-federal timberland. b.      ELIGIBLE ORGANIZATIONS. Eligible applicants are local, state, and federal agencies including federal land management agencies; institutions of higher education; special purpose districts (e.g., public utilities districts, fire districts, conservation districts, and ports); Native American tribes; private landowners; for-profit entities; and non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations.

This grant provides funding for projects in California that utilize tire-derived aggregate for various applications, such as retaining walls, stormwater management, and landfill enhancements, aimed at promoting sustainable waste tire recycling.

This grant provides $9 million to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for projects that improve environmental resilience and conserve threatened species in the Mojave Desert around the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, California.

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 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.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to county governments in Kern and Los Angeles Counties for training programs that prepare workers to safely cap abandoned oil wells, ensuring compliance with environmental and safety regulations.

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 to public agencies for the development and improvement of boat launching facilities, including ramps and parking areas, to enhance access for both motorized and non-motorized watercraft.

The Budget Act of 2022 (Senate Bill 178, Skinner) and Government Code section 12100.140 et seq. established an Export Training program within GO-Biz. The program is one-time funding for competitive grants to service providers to develop or scale export training programs and curricula. Respondents to this Request for Proposal (“RFP”) must demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and ability to provide such training. The key purpose of this program is to fund export training programming that supports California small business owners, provides access to export services for underserved businesses, advances immigrant integration and supports immigrant entrepreneurs, and includes training programs in languages other than English wherever possible. Additionally, this program may consider funding export training programs that are aimed at developing an export-capable workforce should there be sufficient program funding. Organizations are strongly encouraged to collaborate on applications and to utilize each other's resources effectively. Program Objectives:• Equip new-to-export businesses with comprehensive knowledge of global markets and essential international trade knowledge.• Provide ongoing assistance to current exporters, aiding them in sustaining and broadening their presence in foreign markets.• Cultivate a fresh cohort of businesses eligible for the California State Trade Expansion Program, preparing for participation in export promotion activities, including trade shows.

This program provides funding to landowners and organizations in California to protect and conserve rangeland, grazing land, and grassland through conservation easements, promoting sustainable land use practices.

The LA2050 Grants Challenge, an initiative by the Goldhirsh Foundation, is an open call for innovative ideas to enhance Los Angeles as a place to learn, create, play, connect, and live. This program directly aligns with the foundation's mission to drive progress and change the future course of the region by addressing issues Angelenos care most about. Through this challenge, LA2050 seeks to foster a vibrant and equitable Los Angeles by empowering organizations that are committed to making a tangible difference in the community. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are the residents of Los Angeles County, with a particular focus on addressing challenges faced by various vulnerable populations. The impact goals are broad and aim to create measurable improvements across several critical issue areas. These include increasing access to creative industry employment, addressing affordable housing and homelessness, improving community safety, expanding green spaces and park access, enhancing healthcare access, supporting immigrants and refugees, reducing income inequality, advancing K-12 STEAM education, creating opportunities for previously incarcerated individuals, promoting play equity for mental health, improving public transit, and supporting foster and systems-impacted youth, and youth economic advancement. LA2050 prioritizes and focuses on bold ideas that will yield measurable wins for the LA region, emphasizing a spirit of collaboration and a desire to unify and amplify collective efforts. A clear focus on inclusion, diversity of voices, and equity is paramount. The program also seeks to support efforts that not only produce positive results but are also dedicated to increasing local engagement and civic participation, as well as those willing to test new strategies. This approach reflects the foundation's strategic priority to invest in innovative solutions that have the potential for widespread and lasting positive change. Expected outcomes and measurable results include a total of $1 million being awarded to 15 organizations, with grant amounts ranging from $50,000 to $75,000, over a one-year period. Beyond direct funding, LA2050 commits to a one-year partnership with winning organizations, leveraging its resources, assets, and networks to help projects succeed. This includes increased awareness and exposure for projects, deeper understanding of LA’s social impact landscape, opportunities to cultivate new relationships, and visibility in front of other foundations, with past challenges resulting in over $6.5 million in additional grants. The theory of change is that by strategically investing in and partnering with these organizations, LA2050 and the Goldhirsh Foundation can collectively drive significant progress for the region, fostering a more connected, equitable, and thriving Los Angeles for all its residents.

This program provides financial assistance to local public agencies and water suppliers in California for projects that develop new potable water supplies through desalination of brackish water and seawater.

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 program provides funding to communities for hiring independent experts to help them understand and engage in the cleanup of contaminated sites, ensuring they have the knowledge and support to advocate for their health and environment.

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.

Introduction EEM projects must contribute to mitigation of the environmental effects of transportation facilities. The California Natural Resources Agency (Agency) prescribes procedures and criteria to evaluate grant project proposals and submits a list of projects recommended for funding to the California Transportation Commission (CTC). The CTC awards grants to projects from Agency’s list. Related Transportation Facility EEM projects must mitigate, either directly or indirectly, the environmental impacts of a) the modification of an existing Transportation Facility or b) the construction of a new Transportation Facility (hereafter Related Transportation Facility or RTF). The EEM project can be the required mitigation for the RTF or enhancement to mitigation required for the RTF. Statewide Project Goals Agency grant programs assist state and local entities to develop more sustainable communities, increase adaptability to climate change using nature-based strategies, and protect biodiversity in compliance with Executive Order N-82-20, the Pathways to 30 x 30 California, and the Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy. Projects that demonstrate the following multiple benefits will be more competitive: • Improved air and/or water quality. • Reduced consumption of natural resources and energy. • Increased reliability of local water supplies. • Increased adaptability to climate change. • Increased protection and restoration of biodiversity Eligible Projects Examples The list below isn't comprehensive, but provides examples of project elements that meet statutory conditions. Urban Forestry: • Planting of trees and plants along urban streets and medians. • Greening existing public lands and structures, including school campuses and urban parks. • Greening vacant lots and abandoned sites. • Restoration of urban creeks. Resource Lands: • Removal of invasive and restoration of natural plant species. • Enhancement or restoration of natural areas such as inland wetlands, forests, oak woodlands, mountain meadows, creeks, and streams with riparian or riverine fish or wildlife habitat, wildlife corridors and fish passages, coastal estuaries, grazing land and grasslands. • Acquisitions in fee title or through conservation easements to safeguard regional water supplies, protect riparian and wildlife habitats, conserve agricultural lands for secure wildlife migration corridors, and provide public access for compatible wildlife/nature-oriented recreation by the wider community. • Acquisitions to preserve in perpetuity Resource Lands for agricultural uses, open space, wetlands, biodiversity, etc. Mitigation Projects Beyond the Scope of the Lead Agency: Project examples listed under Urban Forestry and Resource Lands categories may be eligible for the Mitigation Projects Beyond the Scope of the Lead Agency category, if the mitigation or enhancement measures for the RTF were infeasible or beyond the jurisdiction and/or authority of the Lead Agency for the RTF. Project Criteria Questions Applicants must choose only one project category and respond to all questions in the selected category. If a question doesn't apply to the project, indicate Not Applicable with a brief explanation.

This funding opportunity is designed to support projects that improve forest management and reduce wildfire risks in the Truckee and Donner Summit areas, benefiting local communities and enhancing their preparedness for wildfires.

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.

The Monmouth County Community Grant, supported by the Community Foundation of New Jersey (CFNJ), welcomes proposals from nonprofit organizations addressing a diverse array of community needs. While the CFNJ's broader mission likely encompasses fostering philanthropy and addressing critical issues within New Jersey, this specific grant program aligns with a commitment to supporting local initiatives in Monmouth County. The grant program seeks to empower organizations that demonstrate a dedication to improving the lives of residents and strengthening the community as a whole. This grant primarily targets underserved populations within Monmouth County, aiming to benefit them directly through programs and services in critical areas such as education, healthcare, housing, food security, employment, and youth development. The expected outcomes include tangible improvements in these areas, leading to enhanced well-being, increased opportunities, and a more equitable community for these beneficiaries. A key priority for funding consideration is a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), evident in both the leadership and service delivery of applicant organizations. Furthermore, the grant emphasizes collaborative partnerships between nonprofit organizations, community groups, government agencies, and other stakeholders. This focus on collaboration aims to maximize impact and address systemic issues affecting underserved populations more effectively, reflecting a strategic approach to problem-solving. The program also offers general operating support, recognizing the importance of sustained funding for nonprofits to continue their vital missions. The grant amount is up to $10,000 per organization, with eligibility primarily extended to nonprofit organizations with less than a $1,000,000 operating budget serving Monmouth County. This demonstrates a strategic priority to support smaller to medium-sized local organizations, enabling them to achieve measurable results and contribute to the overall health and vitality of the community.