California Local Grants

Program: Community Grant Program (CGP) Funder: City of Encinitas Award Details: The CGP provides funding in two categories - Civic (social, recreation, education, health, and environment) and Arts (visual art, performing arts, arts education, literary arts, etc.). The program is funded through an annual General Fund allocation from the City of Encinitas and outside donations. The CGP operates on a reimbursement basis, where funds are reimbursed upon submission of paid invoices, receipts, and other supporting documentation. Reimbursement requests for awarded grants must be submitted by 4:30 pm on Friday, June 14, 2024. Eligibility: To be eligible for funding through the CGP, organizations must have nonprofit or tax-exempt status and be legally based in Encinitas. Projects must take place between July 1, 2023, and June 14, 2024. Other Information: The City of Encinitas expresses gratitude to the Ecke Family for their generous financial support of the CGP. For more information about the program and application process, applicants are encouraged to review all information provided on the official website as well as the FY23/24 CGP Recipient Workshop Presentation. Questions can be directed to City staff via email at CGP@EncinitasCA.gov or by phone at (760) 633-2740.

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.

The Yolo Voter Education Grant, funded by the Walter & Evelyn Haas Fund and Yolo County and administered by the Yolo Community Foundation, aims to increase local understanding of how to vote among voters from low-turnout precincts and demographic groups with a history of lower turnout. This initiative, piloted in advance of the 2024 primary elections, is being re-launched for the 2024 general elections. The program aligns with the foundation's mission by fostering civic engagement and addressing disparities in voter participation, thereby strengthening democratic processes within Yolo County. The grant targets voters in geographic priority areas characterized by lower voter turnout in recent elections, as well as specific demographic priority communities. These demographic groups include Latinx, Asian Pacific Islander, and young voters. The primary impact goal is to empower these communities through enhanced voter education, leading to increased and more informed participation in elections. By focusing on these specific groups, the program seeks to address historical inequities in civic engagement and build a more representative electorate. Key priorities and focuses for this grant include delivering effective voter education messaging and reaching a broad spectrum of the identified priority communities. The total grantmaking pool is $75,000, with individual grant requests ranging up to $10,000, or up to $15,000 for organizations conducting outreach in multiple cities/regions within Yolo County. Eligibility requires applicants to be 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations (or fiscally sponsored by one) with demonstrated expertise in working with the target geographic and/or demographic communities, and extensive experience in Yolo County. It is crucial to note that voter registration activities are explicitly excluded from funding under this grant. Expected outcomes and measurable results revolve around the anticipated effectiveness and reach of the voter education messaging. Proposals will be evaluated on these factors, as well as the applicant’s demonstrated capacity to deliver the messaging effectively. While specific quantitative metrics for increased voter understanding or turnout are not explicitly detailed in the description, the program's success will implicitly be measured by the breadth and depth of outreach to priority communities and the quality of the educational programs implemented between early August and early November 2024. The foundation's strategic priority is to develop a portfolio of grantees that collectively reach all priority communities, reflecting a theory of change that effective, targeted voter education will directly lead to more informed and engaged citizens.

The Endow El Dorado 2024 SAPLING Grant, offered by the El Dorado Community Foundation, aims to support the growth of nascent nonprofit organizations serving the residents and communities of El Dorado County. This grant is specifically designed for "sapling" nonprofits, defined as those with less than $175,000 in gross annual revenue. This initiative aligns with the foundation's mission to strengthen the local community by fostering the development of smaller, yet impactful, organizations. The grant's focus on capacity building or project/program ideas indicates a strategic commitment to empowering these nonprofits to enhance their operational effectiveness and deliver more substantial services. The target beneficiaries of this grant are nonprofit organizations that specifically serve El Dorado County communities and meet the revenue criteria. The grant seeks to impact these organizations by providing them with crucial financial support, ranging from $2,500 to $5,000, to be utilized during the 2024-2025 year. The primary impact goal is to enable these sapling nonprofits to either bolster their internal capabilities (capacity building) or implement specific projects and programs that directly benefit the community. This direct investment in smaller local organizations suggests a theory of change rooted in the belief that empowering grassroots efforts leads to a more resilient and vibrant community ecosystem. The priorities and focuses of the SAPLING grant are clearly defined: serving El Dorado County communities, supporting organizations with less than $175,000 in gross revenue, and ensuring grantees are in good standing with relevant regulatory bodies (IRS, CA SOS, CA DOJ, and FTB). These requirements emphasize accountability and local impact, ensuring that the grants are directed towards credible organizations committed to the well-being of El Dorado County. The flexibility to use funds for either capacity building or program implementation allows nonprofits to address their most pressing needs, whether it's strengthening their infrastructure or launching new initiatives. Expected outcomes and measurable results, while not explicitly detailed in quantifiable metrics, can be inferred from the grant's design. For capacity building, success would involve improved organizational efficiency, enhanced fundraising capabilities, or stronger governance. For project/program ideas, outcomes would relate to the specific objectives of those initiatives, such as increased service delivery, improved community well-being in a particular area, or heightened awareness of a social issue. The foundation's strategic priorities appear to center on fostering the growth of local nonprofits, recognizing their essential role in addressing community needs, and providing targeted support to those at an earlier stage of development. By investing in these sapling organizations, the El Dorado Community Foundation aims to cultivate a robust and diverse nonprofit sector that can effectively serve the evolving needs of El Dorado County residents.

This funding program supports nonprofit organizations that provide essential services and improve the quality of life for residents of Palm Desert, particularly focusing on underserved populations.

The 2024 Farm-to-School Competitive Grants Program, offered by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, aims to increase the promotion and use of New York State produced foods in K-12 school cafeterias. This initiative seeks to build relationships between New York farmers, food hubs, producers, processors, and distributors with schools, ultimately benefiting school-age children by enhancing the quality of food served and fostering local agricultural connections. The program aligns with a broader mission of improving nutrition, exposing students to new, local culinary experiences, and increasing agricultural education opportunities. Target beneficiaries for this program include K-12 School Food Authorities, charter schools, not-for-profit organizations, and Indian tribal organizations within New York State. The impact goals are centered on increasing the volume and variety of New York State farm products purchased by schools and served in school meal programs. Secondary goals include fostering agricultural education and improving student nutrition through exposure to local foods. The program prioritizes projects that increase the purchase of New York specialty crops, build relationships between schools and New York farm product suppliers, and encourage agricultural and nutrition education, gardening activities, and relationship building with local agricultural food businesses and farmers. Projects that partner with producers or food processors are strongly encouraged, highlighting a focus on strengthening the entire farm-to-school supply chain. Challenges addressed by the program include seasonality, inconsistent quality/quantity, processing/packaging needs, complex bidding processes, distribution logistics, lack of equipment/skills for fresh produce, connecting diverse populations with culturally appropriate foods, and insufficient training for culinary staff. Expected outcomes and measurable results revolve around the increased procurement and serving of New York State farm products in school meal programs. The program, which has been in place since 2015, anticipates that successful projects will demonstrate a greater integration of local foods into school meals. While specific metrics are not detailed, the objective to "increase the volume and variety" implies a quantitative measure of growth in local food purchasing. The total funding available is $1,500,000, with individual grant awards ranging from $50,000 to $100,000, and $300,000 set aside for first-time recipients, indicating a strategic effort to expand participation and impact over the two-year project duration (September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2026).

This program provides up to $5,000 to small, independently owned businesses in Arcadia, California, to help cover costs associated with permits for opening, expanding, or improving their commercial spaces.

The City of Palo Alto is currently inviting applications for its Emerging Needs Fund (ENF), designed to support nonprofit organizations aiding Palo Alto residents through unexpected or urgent funding requirements. This initiative focuses on alleviating emergency, critical, or emerging human service needs. Priority is given based on the severity of the need, with a portion of funds reserved specifically for emergency situations. Eligible needs range from unforeseen events disrupting essential services to the development or expansion of programs enhancing the quality of life for vulnerable populations. Funding decisions are made based on the immediate need, and organizations may not receive funds more than once within a two-year timeframe. Application deadlines vary with the type of need addressed.

This funding opportunity is designed to support organizations in Napa County that focus on wildlife conservation, education, and habitat improvement projects, particularly those benefiting school-aged children.

The Community Sports Grant, funded by the City of Thousand Oaks in California, offers $2,000 to $7,500 to non-profit community and school groups for upgrading sports facilities or purchasing equipment, requiring 100% matching funds and excluding uniforms, with applications due by October 3, 2024.

The Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District is offering a grant of $100,000 to $500,000 for public agencies and nonprofit organizations to acquire land for the creation or expansion of parks, wildlife corridors, trails, and access facilities, with a focus on high-need, rural, and regional areas.

This program provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Turlock to support services that assist low- to moderate-income individuals, such as food assistance, homeless services, and youth programs.

The City of Riverside's Small & Micro Business Grant Program aims to bolster local small business resiliency by offering grant awards to qualified businesses. This initiative aligns with a mission to foster economic stability and growth within the city, particularly for businesses that have experienced financial impacts, such as those related to COVID. The program's design suggests a strategic priority on community economic health and the long-term sustainability of its local enterprises, which is fundamental to a thriving city. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are small and micro-businesses located within Riverside city limits. Specifically, eligible businesses must have fewer than 50 employees, an annual gross revenue between $10,000 and $2,500,000, and must have been in operation prior to January 1, 2023, with a valid business license. A key focus is on businesses that can demonstrate a COVID financial impact, indicating an effort to support recovery and adaptation. The program targets not only established small businesses but also home-based businesses, emphasizing broad support for the local entrepreneurial landscape. Beyond direct financial support, the program prioritizes the holistic development of businesses. All applicants are offered a free one-on-one Strategic Planning Consultation. This component is designed to identify areas for improvement and to help businesses build customized strategies. This focus on capacity building and strategic planning indicates a theory of change that extends beyond immediate financial relief, aiming for long-term sustainability and increased financial stability. The expected outcomes of the Riverside Small & Micro Business Grant Program include enhanced financial stability for participating businesses, increased capacity for success, and improved long-term sustainability. While specific measurable results beyond the grant awards of up to $25,000 are not detailed, the emphasis on strategic planning consultations suggests an expectation of improved business operations and resilience. The program implicitly seeks to retain and grow local businesses, thereby contributing to the overall economic well-being of the City of Riverside.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to non-profit organizations and public agencies in California to deliver essential services aimed at improving the health, safety, and educational outcomes of children, youth, and young adults in Richmond and unincorporated North Richmond.

This initiative provides financial support to women-owned small businesses in San Francisco to help them grow through various improvement projects, such as marketing and equipment upgrades.

The California Tahoe Conservancy (Conservancy) leads California's efforts to restore and enhance the extraordinary natural and recreational resources of the Lake Tahoe Basin. The principal goal of the Conservancy's Science and Lake Improvement Account program (SB 630, 2013) is to support near-shore environmental improvement program activities and projects, particularly projects that manage aquatic invasive species or improve public access to sovereign land in Lake Tahoe.More specifically, such projects manage aquatic invasive species, or improve public access to sovereign land in Lake Tahoe, including planning and site improvement or reconstruction projects on public land, and land acquisitions from willing sellers. SB 630 (2013) allocates the Conservancy approximately $350,000 annually. Please contact staff at robert.larsen@resources.ca.gov and 916.402.7508 for more information.

The CDC Foundation is offering a grant program to community-based organizations (CBOs) focused on raising awareness about critical health warning signs during and after pregnancy. This initiative is part of the national "Hear Her" communication campaign, which aims to improve communication among pregnant and postpartum individuals, their support networks, and healthcare providers. The program aligns with the CDC Foundation's mission to protect health and safety by supporting public health initiatives, specifically addressing maternal health outcomes, which is a key strategic priority. The primary target beneficiaries of this grant are pregnant and postpartum people, along with their support networks (friends and family) and healthcare providers who interact with this population. The impact goal is to educate communities and improve communication, ultimately leading to better maternal health outcomes. Organizations serving communities that experience poorer maternal health outcomes are a particular focus. The program prioritizes CBOs that are headquartered in and serve communities within the US. Eligible organizations must specifically serve pregnant or postpartum people, their support systems, and/or healthcare providers. A key focus is on organizations with the staff capacity to execute planned activities within the one-year grant duration and those that serve their local communities. Special consideration is given to organizations serving specific metropolitan areas, including Atlanta, Dallas/Ft. Worth, New Orleans, New York City, and St. Louis, as well as those whose leadership and staff reflect the communities they serve. The expected outcome of this grant program is increased awareness of important health warning signs during and after pregnancy among the target population. Measurable results will stem from the successful implementation of activities designed to educate communities and enhance communication. By fostering better communication and awareness, the CDC Foundation's theory of change suggests that individuals will be empowered to recognize and act on warning signs, leading to timely interventions and a reduction in adverse maternal health events. The program offers up to six awards of $50,000 each, with activities to be completed within one year.

This funding program provides financial support to public agencies and nonprofit organizations for initiatives that assist children and youth aged 0-24 affected by poverty, violence, and trauma in Sacramento.

The City and County of San Francisco offers "Grants for the Arts: Arts Services," a program designed to provide capacity building for San Francisco-based arts and culture organizations and/or artists. This grant aims to strengthen the arts community within San Francisco by offering support in various critical areas. While the specific foundation mission or theory of change is not explicitly stated in the provided text, the grant's focus on "capacity building" and supporting local arts organizations aligns with a broader goal of fostering a vibrant and sustainable cultural sector within the city. The target beneficiaries of this grant are San Francisco-based nonprofit organizations classified as 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), or 501(c)(6), as well as individual artists through fiscally sponsored organizations. The program prioritizes a wide range of areas for support, including audience development, cultural competency and racial equity action plans, fiscal sponsorship, financial management and literacy, fundraising, grant writing, legal compliance, marketing, mentorship, nonprofit governance, professional development, regranting programs, space/capital planning, strategic and business planning, and technical assistance. The impact goals are to enhance the operational and strategic capabilities of these organizations and artists, ultimately contributing to a more robust and equitable arts ecosystem in San Francisco. Expected outcomes include improved organizational sustainability, increased professionalization of artists and arts organizations, enhanced audience engagement, greater financial stability, and more effective program delivery. Measurable results from the FY24 cycle indicate grant amounts ranged from $10,000 to $140,000, although these do not reflect future cycles. The grant duration is two years, from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2026, allowing for sustained capacity-building efforts and the potential for long-term impact on the beneficiaries. The grant's strategic priorities are clearly focused on empowering local arts and culture entities by addressing their diverse needs across operational and developmental aspects. The theory of change implicit in this grant is that by providing comprehensive capacity-building support in areas such as financial management, strategic planning, and racial equity, organizations will become more resilient, effective, and capable of serving their communities. This, in turn, is expected to lead to a more thriving and inclusive arts and culture landscape in San Francisco. Eligibility criteria, such as requiring a San Francisco corporate address and 501(c) status, underscore the commitment to local investment and accountability within the city's artistic community.

The Neighborhood Grants Program (NGP) is offered by the Community Foundation for Monterey County (CFMC) to support community groups in addressing local issues and improving quality of life. NGP provides financial and technical assistance to resident- and community-led projects that bring people together to identify and solve community challenges throughout Monterey County. The Neighborhood Grants Program (NGP) is a grant program of the Community Foundation for Monterey County (CFMC). NGP considers applications from various community groups throughout Monterey County that actively bring residents together to identify community issues and implement solutions to address them. The NGP is committed to providing financial and technical support to resident- and community-led groups for projects in their neighborhood or community that help improve the quality of life for its residents.