California Grants

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local agencies and state entities in California for acquiring and developing public parks and recreational spaces to enhance community wellness and outdoor access.

The 2025 State Fire Capacity (SFC) Grant Program is a federal funding opportunity administered by the California Fire Safe Council (CFSC) with financial support from the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), Department of Agriculture, Pacific Southwest Region. Funding is issued through the Cooperative Fire Program under Federal Assistance Listing number 10.698. A total of $702,474 is available to eligible entities across California for the 2025 cycle. The program is designed to support wildfire risk reduction initiatives at the community level through strategic planning, hazardous fuels reduction, and education efforts. This grant program supports efforts that help California communities become more fire-adapted and resilient in the face of increasing wildfire threats. Funded activities may include hazardous fuels reduction and maintenance projects on non-federal lands, development or updating of Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs), and wildfire prevention education and outreach. Projects that develop community capacity for wildfire resilience, prioritize mitigation planning, and engage the public are also strongly encouraged. Prescribed burning activities that involve environmental impacts or ground disturbance are not eligible, though planning or training components related to prescribed fire may be supported. Eligible applicants include a wide range of organizational types: nonprofit organizations, Homeowner or Property Owner Associations, Native American tribes, Resource Conservation Districts, municipalities (cities, counties, towns), institutions of higher education, school districts, Joint Powers Authorities, special districts, and state agencies. Individuals are not eligible. Entities without legal standing must partner with a fiscal sponsor that meets legal and incorporation standards in California or Nevada and has a Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN). All applicants must also register for a Unique Entity ID (UEI) to receive federal assistance. Applications open on July 11, 2025, and must be submitted through ZoomGrants by 11:59 p.m. PDT on August 31, 2025. A complete application includes several key components: an Application Summary, Organization Information, Project Information, Work Plan and Budget Tables, and all Required Document Uploads. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult the Application Guide and Application Planning Tool, which are available in advance of the open date to assist with project development and submission. ZoomGrants support is available for technical issues, but CFSC staff cannot recover login credentials. Award notifications are expected in late fall 2025. The grant period is fixed at 24 months, beginning December 1, 2025, and ending November 30, 2027, with no extensions allowed. The maximum federal award per applicant is $225,000. A matching requirement of 1.5 times the awarded amount must be met using non-federal funds. For example, an applicant seeking the full award must contribute $337,500 in matching funds, totaling $562,500 in overall project cost. This cost-share is a strict requirement of the program. For questions related to the application process, applicants may contact Christopher Lozano, Senior Grant Specialist at CFSC, via email at clozano@cafiresafecouncil.org. For ZoomGrants technical assistance, the support team is available Monday through Friday at 866-323-5404 or via email at questions@zoomgrants.com. Additional program contacts include Jared Peri, Program Manager at jperi@cafiresafecouncil.org. The CFSC encourages all eligible California organizations to apply and join the effort to reduce wildfire risk and improve community preparedness statewide.

This funding opportunity supports grassroots organizations and activists in California working to protect and restore wildlands and natural habitats through community-driven projects and advocacy efforts.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to four selected universities and colleges to enhance cybersecurity education and workforce development initiatives, aiming to strengthen the nation's cybersecurity workforce.

This grant provides financial support to local nonprofit organizations focused on STEM education and nutrition initiatives for underserved K-12 students and individuals facing food insecurity within 25 miles of Blue Diamond's facilities.

This grant provides funding to California-based researchers, universities, government agencies, and nonprofits to develop innovative pest management strategies for addressing invasive agricultural pests.

This funding opportunity is designed for research institutions affiliated with the Desert Southwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit to study vegetation health and water use in the Lower Colorado River's riparian areas using remote sensing technologies.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and public entities for projects that enhance the quality of life for residents in Poway, California.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for organizations to enhance cultural and natural resource management at a major Marine Corps training facility in California, focusing on archaeological collections and wildlife protection programs.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to tribal governments, nonprofits, and educational institutions for solar energy projects that enhance energy independence and benefit low-to-moderate income communities.

This program provides funding to grassroots community groups in Monterey County, California, to support local initiatives that improve quality of life and address neighborhood challenges.

This funding opportunity supports community-based organizations in Oakland to provide equitable and high-quality youth sports programs in public middle schools, focusing on underserved communities.

This grant provides funding to non-profit organizations in Southern California for innovative projects that support long-term recovery from the Palisades and Eaton Wildfires, focusing on housing stability, mental health, and assistance for underserved communities.

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.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to federally recognized Indian Tribes in the western U.S. to address immediate drought challenges and improve water resource management.

This program provides financial support to small arts organizations in the Bay Area for innovative and community-focused artistic projects that uplift marginalized voices and promote inclusivity.

This grant provides funding for eligible institutions to assist the U.S. Marine Corps in implementing environmental and cultural resource management plans at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, ensuring compliance with various environmental laws while supporting military readiness.

This grant provides funding to schools in California to implement restorative practices that foster community, improve relationships, and address conflicts effectively, ultimately enhancing school climate and student well-being.

This program provides funding and support to small, artist-led music organizations in Los Angeles County to help them grow and develop sustainable practices over a 17-month period.

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.