California Grants

This fellowship provides early-career journalists in California with a paid opportunity to strengthen local reporting, particularly in underserved communities, over a two-year period.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Riverside and San Bernardino counties that are dedicated to improving the lives of Latinos through initiatives in areas like affordable housing, education, and health equity.

This program provides funding to local schools and non-profits in North County to support projects that improve community welfare in areas such as health, wellness, and youth enrichment.

The After School Education and Safety (ASES) Universal Grant is administered by the California Department of Education (CDE) through its Expanded Learning Division (EXLD) and supports after school programs across the state. The program was established via Proposition 49 in 2002 and is legislated through California Education Code sections 8482 through 8484.65. ASES aims to promote academic enrichment and safe, structured activities for students in kindergarten through ninth grade during non-school hours. The funding supports programs that incorporate literacy and educational enrichment while providing a safe environment conducive to learning and development. Applicants include both new organizations and existing grantees seeking to add sites or increase funding for current programs. The program seeks to foster partnerships between schools and community-based organizations, public agencies, and other stakeholders. It encourages collaboration among parents, youth, educators, law enforcement, and local nonprofits. Programs funded by ASES must offer a minimum of 15 hours of services per week, begin immediately after the school day ends, and remain open until at least 6 p.m. each school day. Required program components include a literacy and academic element and an enrichment element, both aligned with state standards and tailored to after school settings. Services may include tutoring, computer training, arts education, physical fitness, career readiness, and substance abuse prevention, among others. Eligibility is open to local educational agencies (LEAs), city or county governments, and nonprofit organizations in partnership with an LEA. High schools, umbrella organizations, and programs solely requesting before-school or summer funding are ineligible. Currently funded grantees may only apply for increased funding or to add new sites, provided they meet all reporting and compliance requirements. Maximum awards are capped at $152,612.13 for elementary schools and $203,482.84 for middle schools, with potential adjustments for large schools using a formula defined by state statute. Programs must also contribute a local match equal to one-third of the total grant, either in cash or in-kind, excluding facilities as more than 25% of the match. Applications must be submitted electronically via the ASSIST system by February 24, 2026, at 4:00 PM. Required forms include a cover page, narrative for new applicants, co-applicant information (if applicable), authorized signatures, assurances, and site approvals. Applications that fail to meet the formatting or deadline requirements will be disqualified. Notifications of disqualification will be issued in March 2026, followed by the Intent to Award list in April and final awards shortly thereafter. Each school site is evaluated independently based on its percentage of students eligible for Free and Reduced-Priced Meals (FRPM), using data from the CALPADS system. Selected programs will enter a three-year renewable funding period, contingent on continued compliance and available funding. Grantees must submit quarterly expenditure and biannual attendance reports via ASSIST, maintain auditable records for five years, and participate in CDE-led evaluations and audits. Programs are also expected to implement a Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) process aligned with CDE guidance. ASES ensures that no less than 85% of funds are allocated to direct services for students, with no more than 15% permitted for administrative costs, including indirect expenses. Technical assistance is available through a network of regional support providers coordinated by EXLD. Additional resources, including detailed application instructions and the Program Plan Guide, can be found on the CDE website. Program contacts include the EXLD team via expandedlearning@cde.ca.gov or phone at 916-319-0923. Appeals of disqualifications must be submitted electronically within 10 calendar days of notification and must include an original signature and justification based on the application review standards.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations that address healthcare access, behavioral health, chronic disease management, and economic stability for underserved populations in northern Santa Clara County.

This funding opportunity supports a variety of arts-related projects and programs in Placer County, California, aimed at enhancing community engagement, cultural development, and social equity through the arts.

This program provides financial assistance to local businesses and property owners in North Sacramento to improve storefronts, purchase equipment, and restore vacant buildings, particularly those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to California state agencies to improve their security measures and enhance preparedness against potential threats and disasters.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to community-based organizations in California to improve behavioral health services for children aged 0-5 and mothers, focusing on collaboration and early intervention to enhance overall health outcomes.

This grant provides financial support to Black entrepreneurs who are positively impacting their communities, helping them grow and sustain their businesses.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local organizations in California that advocate for and serve immigrant and refugee communities, focusing on improving access to behavioral health resources and culturally appropriate services.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations and the University of California, Davis, for programs that improve health, human services, and education for residents of Davis and Yolo County, California.

This grant provides financial support to Catholic charitable organizations in Marin County, California, that focus on improving the lives of needy children through education, health services, and humanitarian efforts.

This grant provides financial assistance to nonprofit organizations in Los Angeles County that support needy Christians, particularly elderly women and those who are infirm, who lack other means of support.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Southern Nevada and San Diego that help single mothers, low-income children, non-English-speaking immigrants, and individuals with chronic diseases achieve self-sufficiency and improve their quality of life.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to California Native American tribes for projects that enhance wildfire resilience through cultural practices, ecological management, and community safety initiatives.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Northern California that offer programs to improve the health, independence, and social engagement of senior adults.

This grant provides funding to organizations involved in battery production and energy storage innovation to establish a pilot manufacturing facility in California, promoting advanced lithium-ion battery technologies for clean energy solutions.

This funding initiative provides financial support to programs that improve access to construction apprenticeships for women, non-binary individuals, and underrepresented populations in California.

This program provides financial assistance to small businesses and nonprofits in Los Angeles County that have suffered losses due to recent windstorms and wildfires, helping them recover and sustain operations.