California grants for Nonprofits

The City of Santa Barbara's Cultural Arts Grants program is an annual initiative demonstrating the city's commitment to fostering a vibrant and sustainable local cultural sector and ensuring arts access for all residents. With an investment of nearly $250,000, the program aims to strengthen the community through various artistic endeavors. This aligns with a broader mission to enhance local economic and community vitality by supporting diverse nonprofits and catalyzing engaging events and festivals. The grant program targets Santa Barbara-based organizations, specifically focusing on underserved communities and youth to provide equitable arts access. The overall impact goal is to uplift these communities, support the capacity and performance of nonprofit arts organizations, and promote the city's cultural vitality. By embracing multicultural and neighborhood arts, the program seeks to create a more inclusive and culturally rich environment for everyone. The program is structured around three distinct grant programs, each with specific priorities and focuses. Community Arts (CA) Grants prioritize projects that create arts opportunities for underserved communities and youth, with a maximum funding request of up to $6,000. Organizational Development (OD) Grants are designed to support nonprofit arts organizations in enhancing their capacity, audience reach, and earned income, with a maximum funding request of up to $15,000. Finally, Community Events & Festivals (EF) Grants focus on incubating events that contribute to the city's cultural promotion and vitality, also with a maximum funding request of up to $15,000. The expected outcomes of these grants include increased arts access for all community members, strengthened capacity and performance of local arts organizations, and the successful execution of events and festivals that boost local economic and community vitality. Measurable results would likely involve the number of participants reached through Community Arts projects, the growth in audience numbers or earned income for organizations receiving Organizational Development grants, and the attendance and economic impact generated by Community Events & Festivals. The city's strategic priority is clearly to invest in and sustain a thriving arts ecosystem that serves all its residents and contributes to the overall well-being and economic health of Santa Barbara. The theory of change suggests that by providing targeted financial support, the city can foster a dynamic cultural landscape that enriches lives, strengthens community bonds, and stimulates local economic activity.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to community-based organizations in Salinas that implement programs focused on improving health, safety, and well-being while addressing issues like youth violence and mental health.

The nature of this partnership includes funding, information exchange, cooperative activities, and leadership. The partnership enables individuals, organizations, and communities to create, present, and preserve the arts of all cultures to enrich the quality of life for all Californians.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response (CDFW‐OSPR) is seeking grant applications to help fund projects that enhance, restore, or acquire habitat for wildlife, with available funding totaling $5,000,000. These grant funds come from CDFW-OSPR’s Environmental Enhancement Fund (EEF), which acquires funds from spill violations in accordance with California’s Lempert-Keene-Seastrand Oil Spill Prevention and Response Act. The EEF selection committee includes representatives from the California Coastal Conservancy, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and CDFW‐OSPR. The selection committee is seeking projects with a minimum requested grant award of $500,000. Projects must be completed by April 1, 2031. Multiple projects may be submitted for funding. Disbursement of money from the grant is contingent on the availability of funds in the EEF. To qualify, an environmental enhancement project must 1. Be located within or immediately adjacent to waters of the state, 2. Have measurable outcomes within a pre-determined timeframe 3. Be designed to acquire, restore, or improve habitat or restore ecosystem function, or both, to benefit fish and wildlife. Eligible Applicants include nonprofit organizations, cities, counties, cities and counties, districts, state agencies, and departments; and, to the extent permitted by federal law, to federal agencies. All eligible groups and projects are encouraged to apply. For more information, please go to www.wildlife.ca.gov/OSPR/Science/Environmental-Enhancement-Fund/About

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations that assist California counties in improving educational services and outcomes for foster youth through technical guidance, collaboration, and data-driven strategies.

This grant provides funding for habitat restoration and conservation projects in the Klamath River Basin, targeting local governments, nonprofits, and educational institutions to improve water quality, enhance wildlife habitats, and promote sustainable land management practices.

CDFW may make grants to, reimburse, or enter into contracts or other agreements, as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 1571, with public and private entities, including universities, nonprofit organizations, and California Native American tribes, as defined in Section 21073 of the Public Resources Code, for the use of the funds from the Upland Game Bird Account to carry out the purposes of Fish and Game Code §3684, including related habitat conservation projects. Any proposal fitting the criteria in this statue is qualified to be funded. 

This grant provides funding to nonprofit and government organizations in California to engage and educate communities about methane emissions using satellite data, promoting climate action and environmental justice.

This funding opportunity supports public agencies, nonprofits, and tribal entities in California's Sierra-Cascade Region to implement wildfire prevention and forest resilience projects that benefit vulnerable communities.

General Program Support (GPS) funding, provided by the Florida Department of State, aims to support Florida's arts and cultural organizations, both public and private, by funding their general program activities rather than specific projects. This aligns with the state's cultural objectives to promote, create, and present cultural exhibits, performances, educational programs, and events, or to provide professional services as a State Service Organization or Local Arts Agency. The program's mission is to further the state's cultural landscape and ensure access to arts and culture across Florida. The target beneficiaries of the GPS funding include a wide range of arts and cultural organizations. This encompasses organizations promoting excellence in arts education, those focusing on specific disciplines like dance, literature, media arts, museum, music, presenter, theatre, traditional arts, and visual arts, as well as designated Local Arts Agencies (LAAs) and State Service Organizations (SSOs). LAAs are public entities supporting arts and culture through advocacy and information dissemination, while SSOs are non-profit organizations providing services in at least 40 Florida counties. The impact goals are to enhance cultural programming, foster arts education, support local and statewide arts infrastructure, and ensure a vibrant arts and cultural sector throughout Florida. The program prioritizes various types of support, offering four main categories: Arts in Education program support, Discipline-based program support, Local Arts Agency program support, and State Service Organization program support. Specific eligibility criteria are in place, with higher funding requests ($25,000+ and $50,000+) requiring a history of completed grants with the Division of Arts and Culture, and for requests over $50,000, at least three years of completed programming and one paid, full-time staff member in a management position. Additional specific requirements exist for Arts in Education organizations (arts education mission), Museum disciplines (open 180 days/year, own/utilize objects, exhibit regularly), Professional Theatre (compensate artistic staff/actors), Local Arts Agencies (official designation in one or more counties), and State Service Organizations (reach at least 40 counties). The expected outcomes of the GPS funding include a stronger, more active arts and cultural community across Florida, increased access to diverse cultural experiences for residents and visitors, and sustained support for organizations vital to the state's cultural identity. Measurable results would include the number of cultural exhibits, performances, educational programs, or events conducted, the reach and impact of State Service Organizations and Local Arts Agencies, and the overall health and stability of funded arts and cultural organizations as evidenced by their programming and operational capacity. The grant period is July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, with grant sizes ranging from $1,000 to $150,000 based on proposal type and funding level. The Florida Department of State's strategic priority is to advance the cultural objectives of the state. The theory of change behind GPS funding posits that by providing general program support to qualified arts and cultural organizations, these organizations will be better equipped to conduct, create, produce, present, and sponsor cultural activities and educational programs. This, in turn, will lead to a more culturally enriched populace and stronger local and statewide arts ecosystems. The emphasis on general program support over specific projects reflects a belief that empowering organizations to pursue their core missions will yield more sustainable and far-reaching cultural benefits for Florida.

The Community Service Funding program, provided by the City of Temecula, aims to bolster the efforts of nonprofit organizations that benefit the residents, neighborhoods, and communities within Temecula. This initiative serves as a crucial funding resource for community-based organizations offering vital programs and services. The policy and application criteria are established to ensure a transparent and effective evaluation process for all funding requests, aligning with the city's broader mission to enhance community well-being and support local impact. The primary target beneficiaries of this grant are the general community of Temecula residents, particularly those who benefit from the programs and services offered by eligible nonprofit organizations. The impact goals revolve around augmenting existing community service programs, thereby improving the quality of life and fostering stronger neighborhoods within the city. By providing financial support, the City of Temecula seeks to enable nonprofits to expand their reach and deepen their positive influence on the local population. The program prioritizes organizations that are tax-exempt, hold 501(c)(3) status, and specifically provide projects, programs, or services that directly benefit Temecula residents. There are clear restrictions on how the funding can be used, excluding salaries, scholarships for students, and debt repayment. This focus ensures that the allocated funds are directed towards direct program implementation and service delivery, maximizing the tangible benefits to the community. The City of Temecula has allocated a total of $100,000 for this funding cycle, with individual grants not exceeding $5,000 per organization per fiscal year. While specific expected outcomes and measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond the general benefit to residents, the underlying theory of change suggests that by empowering local nonprofits with financial resources, the city can achieve a more vibrant, supportive, and engaged community. The strategic priority is clearly to strengthen the community service infrastructure in Temecula through targeted financial assistance.

The Donaldson Foundation dedicates its efforts to making a positive impact in communities where Donaldson Company employees reside, focusing on supporting educational initiatives. It extends grant invitations exclusively to applications with an educational aim, scrutinizing each based on criteria such as educational focus, the need of beneficiaries, impact, sustainability, and connection to communities near company locations. Eligible recipients are required to be IRS-recognized tax-exempt entities. Funding is available in the Twin Cities and several U.S. locations where Donaldson has significant operations, with grants reaching up to $20,000. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual Cycle 2 deadline: January 15th

This grant provides $5,000 to nonprofit organizations in Southern California that support underserved Asian and Pacific Islander communities by enhancing their workforce capacity and operational stability.

This program provides funding to Bay Area community organizations and nonprofits to engage residents in initiatives that improve air quality and public health.

This funding opportunity provides $2,010,000 to a statewide organization in California to enhance youth advocacy for K-12 students' behavioral health through training, outreach, and the formation of regional advocacy teams.

- Qualified fiscal sponsors, such as social service agencies or medical providers, must apply on behalf of clients who are Humboldt County residents in need of health and wellness support. - Grants support women, trans men, and children facing crisis situations and are limited to a one-time basis per household per 365-day period. - The maximum request amount is $150, with additional funding considered based on available funds. - Applications must be complete and submitted by Thursday at 12:00 pm for consideration at the committee meeting the following Tuesday. - Eligible expenses include appliances, baby/child necessities, birth certificates, clothing, home repairs, immigration fees, laptops for school/work/telehealth, overdue bills, propane, and vehicle-related costs. Note: The fund cannot pay for expenses already incurred (with the exception of overdue bills), and decisions are contingent upon funding criteria and availability.

This grant provides financial support to LGBTQ+ community groups in West Hollywood to create independent Pride events that celebrate love, acceptance, and diversity.

The California Dream Fund Grant Program (CDFG or Dream Fund) offers microgrants of up to $10,000 to support entrepreneurship and small business creation in underserved groups facing capital and opportunity gaps. This one-time $35 million grant program is designed for businesses started in California on or after July 1, 2019. To qualify, businesses must complete a small business training program provided by the OCIE SBDC.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for projects aimed at reducing wildfire risks and enhancing community resilience in California, prioritizing disadvantaged communities and environmental benefits.

The City of Indio in California offers the Community Grant & Sponsorship Program, which has been recently revised and approved by the City Council. This program provides monetary assistance and sponsorships of up to $5,000 annually, with a total annual funding of $150,000. Additionally, there is $25,000 available for in-kind contributions such as city services or event locations. The program also considers funding requests for event/table sponsorships.