California Private Grants

This funding opportunity supports K-12 youth-led projects in Humboldt County that focus on environmental sustainability and community responsibility, particularly for underserved and historically marginalized groups.

The Rocky Mountain Power Foundation offers grants to support arts and culture projects including arts festivals, cultural heritage, museums, music, theater/drama, and visual arts. These grants aim to enrich communities within the Rocky Mountain Power and Pacific Power service territories, which include Utah, Wyoming, Southeastern Idaho, Oregon, Central/Southeastern Washington, and Northern California. Applicants are encouraged to create an account and submit their proposals through the online grant application portal, focusing on projects that align with the foundation's mission towards education, civic and community betterment, culture and arts, and health, welfare, and social services. Grant renewed every year. Annual deadline: September 15th

The Community Foundation of Mendocino County's Arts in the Schools Endowment Fund aims to provide consistent, stable funding for arts education in K-12 schools within Mendocino County, California, in perpetuity. This initiative directly aligns with the Foundation's mission to support and enhance community resources, specifically by fostering arts education as a vital component of K-12 schooling. The endowment model ensures a lasting impact, reflecting a long-term commitment to the cultural and educational enrichment of the region. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are K-12 students in Mendocino County schools, who will benefit from enhanced arts education opportunities. The program also targets professional artists by supporting their placement and work in classrooms. The impact goal is to provide high-quality arts education, ensuring that students have access to trained and professional artists. This approach seeks to cultivate artistic skills, creativity, and cultural appreciation among young learners. The program prioritizes selecting and placing artists in classrooms, as well as providing these artists with the necessary training and resources to deliver high-quality arts education. A key focus is on school-based arts programs, with individual artists required to apply through an organization, which could include educational institutions. This ensures a structured and institutional approach to implementing arts programs within the school system. Expected outcomes include a sustained increase in the availability and quality of arts education programs across Mendocino County schools. Measurable results could involve the number of schools participating, the number of students reached, and the number of professional artists engaged through the program. Ultimately, the Foundation's strategic priority is to establish a robust and enduring framework for arts education, thereby contributing to the holistic development of students and the cultural vitality of the community.

This funding opportunity provides $4 million over three years to support health programs that reduce the impacts of port-related air pollution on vulnerable populations, including children, pregnant women, seniors, and individuals with respiratory or chronic illnesses in California.

The Artistic Legacy Grant (ALG), funded by the San Francisco Arts Commission, offers $10,000 to $100,000 for a 3-year period to support and celebrate an artist who has significantly contributed to San Francisco's arts and culture for at least 25 years, with funds to be used for professional development, artistic planning, sabbaticals, and other related costs.

This program provides financial assistance to small businesses and nonprofit organizations in Los Angeles County that were significantly affected by the Eaton and Palisades wildfires, helping them recover and rebuild.

This fellowship provides financial support and professional development for leaders in California who are dedicated to advancing Environmental Justice in their communities.

This funding initiative provides $5,000 to support independent animation worker cooperatives in California that focus on creating inclusive stories and promoting equity in the creative industry.

The Bothin Foundation Grant Program is designed to support direct service organizations in San Francisco, Marin, Sonoma, and San Mateo counties. The foundation's mission, as evidenced by its grant priorities and eligibility criteria, is to enhance the well-being of disadvantaged children and youth, low-income families with children, and people with disabilities. The program focuses on capital projects, aligning with a strategic priority to make durable, long-lasting investments that directly benefit program participants and improve the infrastructure of critical direct service organizations. The grant program targets organizations serving a significant number of residents in the specified counties, with a particular emphasis on those serving at least 50% disadvantaged children and youth, low-income families, and/or people with disabilities. The foundation's theory of change appears to be that by funding capital projects—such as building renovations, equipment purchases, technology upgrades, and vehicle acquisitions—it can enhance the capacity of direct service organizations to deliver effective services, thereby achieving a positive and lasting impact on their beneficiaries. Key priorities for funding include building construction and renovation (for contracted labor directly associated with the project), equipment and furnishing (especially items used by or benefiting program participants), technology, and vehicles that transport participants. The foundation explicitly states what it does not fund, such as planning for capital projects, staff time for project management, insurance for vehicles, or general operating expenses, which further refines its strategic focus on tangible capital improvements. Successful applications are those that propose capital projects that can be completed within 12 months, represent durable capital investments, and are submitted by direct service organizations meeting the beneficiary criteria. The grants range from $5,000 to $50,000, with a maximum grant size of $50,000. Expected outcomes include improved facilities, enhanced program delivery through new equipment and technology, and better access to services through reliable transportation, all contributing to the foundation’s overarching goal of supporting vulnerable populations in its target regions. The foundation’s strategic priorities are clearly centered on strengthening the physical and operational assets of organizations directly serving those in need.

The Del Norte Physician’s Recruitment and Retention Fund was started by several community-minded businesses, organizations and individuals. It was established with the goal of promoting healthcare in Del Norte County by recruiting and ultimately retaining physicians for this area. Funds are available to organizations for recruitment costs, and to individuals for medical loan repayment, professional development or retention purposes. Recipients must commit to working in Del Norte County for the year the funding is received. This fund will award up to $50,000 per recipient per year, for a maximum of two years.

Essential Access Health (Essential Access) has established the Abortion Practical Support Fund, a grant program designed to support pregnant individuals in California by making abortion care more accessible. This initiative aligns with Essential Access's broader mission to ensure reproductive health equity and access to comprehensive care. The program's core objective is to dismantle practical barriers that often prevent individuals from obtaining abortion services, thereby upholding reproductive autonomy and health outcomes. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are pregnant individuals seeking abortion care in California, including those who reside in the state and those who travel to California for care. The program also supports non-profit organizations with active 501(c)3 status based in California that provide these practical support services. The ultimate impact goal is to increase access to abortion care by alleviating the financial and logistical burdens associated with it, ensuring that individuals can exercise their right to choose without undue hardship. The grant prioritizes direct practical support services for individuals, encompassing a wide range of needs such as transportation (gas, bus, airfare, rideshare, taxi, train), lodging (hotel/motel, short-term rental), meals (per diem, restaurant, grocery), childcare/elder care expenses, and travel for emotional support companions. Additionally, it covers language access services, abortion doula expenses, wage replacement for missed work, and pharmacy expenses (over-the-counter supplies and prescriptions). Support is also extended to organizations providing these services through care management/navigation, staff training, language access services, communication platforms, and indirect costs (up to 10% of the budget). Expected outcomes include a significant reduction in barriers to abortion care for eligible individuals, leading to improved access and timely receipt of services. Measurable results will likely involve tracking the number of individuals assisted, the types of practical support provided, and the geographic reach of the services. The funding range for this grant is $100,000 to $500,000 for the period of July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, indicating a strategic investment in organizations capable of delivering substantial support. This program embodies a theory of change where targeted practical assistance directly translates into enhanced access to essential healthcare services, reinforcing reproductive justice within California.

The Community Foundation of Mendocino County is offering the Charles F. Flinn and Walker B. Tilley Fund for Sustainable Forestry, a grant program designed to support the economic, social, and environmental values of Mendocino County's working forests and rangelands. The foundation's primary mission, as aligned with this grant, is to make grants to nonprofit organizations that assist public and small private (non-industrial) forest owners. This initiative reflects the foundation's strategic priority to foster sustainable practices within the region's vital natural resources. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are nonprofit organizations working with public and small private forest owners in Mendocino County. The overarching impact goal is to enhance the long-term sustainability and health of these working forests and rangelands, ensuring they provide ongoing economic benefits, social value, and ecological integrity. The foundation's theory of change posits that by supporting these organizations, it can empower forest owners to adopt best management practices and implement projects that directly contribute to these multifaceted goals. The program prioritizes a range of key activities. These include research and demonstration projects, particularly those involving re-measurement of plots, and public and youth education and outreach focused on the economic production of forests, rather than solely conservation. Education on best management practices is also a core focus. Furthermore, the fund supports restoration efforts for forests and watersheds, with a preference for forest restoration projects over stream restoration, as well as the removal of invasive species and mitigation of forest road impacts. Expected outcomes and measurable results include improved forest health, increased adoption of sustainable forestry practices, enhanced economic viability for small forest owners, and greater public understanding and engagement with sustainable forest management. Specific activities like fire management, including Tan-Oak management, and fish and wildlife habitat protection and enhancement, are also key areas of focus. The foundation anticipates that these investments will lead to a more resilient and productive forest ecosystem within Mendocino County, demonstrating tangible progress in sustainable land management.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to educators in Klamath, Lake, Modoc, and Siskiyou counties for environmental and wildlife education programs aimed at children in grades K-6 and other youth under 18.

Travel Paso is accepting applications for its 2025 Community Event Marketing Grant, aimed at supporting local events that align with its mission to promote Paso Robles, with a focus on collaboration, diversity, variety, and sustainability, and encourages applicants to outline their marketing strategies, event timing, measurement of overnight stays, and potential for partnership with Travel Paso.

The Zoo Labs: FUND, administered in partnership with the Center for Cultural Innovation (CCI), is a funding and investment initiative designed to support Bay Area entrepreneurs who are launching or growing businesses centered around music. With a strong emphasis on culturally-rooted artist teams, the program offers unrestricted funding to music ventures that align with values of cultural preservation, innovation, economic empowerment, and community enrichment. In 2025, the FUND will distribute a total of $230,000 in grants, prioritizing artist teams that face barriers to accessing capital and are committed to contributing to the Bay Area's creative ecosystem. Zoo Labs: FUND provides grants in four tiers: $5,000, $15,000, $25,000, and $50,000, with award size contingent upon the team’s business development stage. Eligibility requires applicant teams of at least two individuals, including one culturally-rooted artist, who all reside full-time in specified Bay Area counties. Teams may include various roles such as content creators, producers, engineers, and advisors, and must be operating a music-centered business, whether as a nonprofit, sole proprietorship, or for-profit organization. Prior grantees may reapply if they meet reporting and mentorship obligations from previous awards. Applicants must complete an online submission through CCI’s Submittable platform between May 19 and July 7, 2025. Required materials include a team pitch video, business matrix, one work sample, and a budget with notes. Applications are assessed based on the strength of the team, artistry and craft, entrepreneurship, and internal and external community impact. An independent panel reflecting diverse backgrounds will review the materials and recommend grantees. The notification of awards is scheduled for September 8, 2025. In addition to receiving financial support, awardees gain access to mentorship opportunities through Zoo Labs: LEARN. These include on-demand courses, virtual networking sessions, and for higher-tier recipients, a strategy session with Zoo Labs Co-Founder Vinitha Watson. All grantees must attend a virtual orientation on October 15, 2025, and participate in at least one one-on-one business mentorship session. Recipients of $25,000 or $50,000 grants are also invited to serve as voluntary mentors to future applicants. The grant supports activities from September 2025 through September 2026. For assistance, applicants can contact CCI via email at grants@cciarts.org or phone at 415.288.0530. Additional technical support is available through Submittable. Information sessions and office hours are scheduled throughout June and early July to assist prospective applicants in preparing strong submissions. All applicants are encouraged to review the guidelines, FAQs, and application preview before seeking support. The Zoo Labs: FUND is made possible with support from Vinitha and David Watson and individual donors. Contributions are welcomed to expand the program’s reach. The FUND continues to invest in artistic legacies that reflect the diversity, resilience, and creativity of Bay Area communities.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and schools in San Diego County to enhance community access to music education and appreciation through various programs and performances, with a focus on benefiting North County residents.

This grant provides financial support to small and mid-sized arts organizations in San Francisco that are deeply connected to their communities, helping them cover essential operating costs and foster artistic expression.

The Beacon House Request for Proposals (RFP) from the Gateway Foundation aims to expand substance use disorder (SUD) services in Monterey County, California, through community-based funding. This initiative directly aligns with the Foundation's mission to re-invest in the Monterey County community by providing flexible grant funds to support local organizations. The program seeks to infuse financial resources for the operating, supporting, and/or renovation of SUD services, thereby improving access to treatment and recovery supports in the region. The target beneficiaries are individuals in Monterey County experiencing substance use disorder, with a specific focus on residents who make up at least 50% of the clients served by recipient organizations. The impact goals are centered on expanding access to SUD services and recovery support, as well as increasing the capacity of service providers. By providing flexible one-time costs, the Gateway Foundation intends to address critical gaps in service provision and enhance the overall health and well-being of the community. The program prioritizes established 501(c)3 non-profit organizations that are licensed by the state of California to provide behavioral health services, currently operate in Monterey County, and utilize evidence-based services. Grant funds can be used for a variety of purposes including staff development, training, equipment, repairs & maintenance, expansion of services/access, and reasonable start-up operational costs (not exceeding 50% of the total funding request). This flexible approach ensures that the funds can be tailored to the specific needs of local providers to achieve the greatest impact. Expected outcomes include improved access to SUD treatment and recovery services, enhanced capacity of behavioral health organizations in Monterey County, and a strengthened network of local service providers. The Gateway Foundation's strategic priority is to support organizations that can demonstrate a history of providing behavioral health services, sound financial management, and a client base predominantly from Monterey County. The underlying theory of change is that by investing directly in local, established providers, and allowing for flexible use of funds for one-time costs, access to essential SUD services will significantly improve, leading to better community health outcomes. The project period for funding is September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2025.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations and community groups in Los Angeles County to provide culturally affirming services and activities that promote healing and resilience for individuals and communities affected by the 2025 wildfires.

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.