California grants for Small businesses

This funding opportunity provides financial support for projects that implement electric vehicle charging and hydrogen refueling infrastructure for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles in California, particularly benefiting communities in need.

City of Tehachapi Small Business Sign Grant Program (California) is offering grants ranging from $500 to $3,000 to assist small businesses in the City with installing or improving their signs. The program aims to eliminate blight, encourage economic development, and enhance properties within the City’s commercial districts. Priority funding will be given to projects that align with the City Design Guidelines. The grant includes reimbursement of up to 50% of eligible sign costs, with a minimum of $500 and a maximum of $3,000. Recipients are required to maintain the building sign for a three-year term. Eligible applicants include owners and tenants of small businesses or commercial properties within the City of Tehachapi.

This program provides financial assistance to eligible small businesses in California to help them enter or expand into international markets through subsidized events and reimbursement for export-related expenses.

The purpose of this solicitation is to fund an applied research and development project that will support research to assess the impact of consolidated packages of electrified retrofit measures on air quality and other related impact categories, including resilience to extreme heat, indoor comfort, and energy and cost savings in California homes. Description: This research will identify and assess non-energy benefits of home electrification and evaluate key stakeholders’ (e.g., residents, contractors) experience with the retrofitting process. Ultimately, this work will provide guidance on how these benefits could be considered in strategies and decisions to retrofit or replace gas-fueled appliances with electric. The proposed research is intended to provide crucial support to the state’s efforts to address challenges in building decarbonization and to minimize air quality impacts to its residents. The research responds to the 2021-2025 California Energy Commission (CEC) Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC) Investment Plan research initiative “Evaluating Air Quality, Health, and Equity in Clean Energy Solutions.” CEC’s California Building Decarbonization Assessment report, required by Assembly Bill 3232 (Friedman, Chapter 373, Statutes of 2018) suggests that efficient electrification in California’s buildings presents the most readily achievable pathway for this sector to achieve a 40 percent reduction in greenhouse gases relative to 1990 levels by 2030 (Kenney, et al. 2021). The same report acknowledges significant challenges associated with residential building decarbonization including high upfront costs, potential for increased utility bills, limited awareness of technology options and their benefits, constraints faced by renters, and systemic inequality faced by low-income and disadvantaged communities. There are many non-market factors to consider in decisions to retrofit or replace appliances, such as the non-energy benefits of home electrification (e.g., health, comfort, and household economics) that many are not aware of. Additionally, there are many not-yet characterized potential benefits of electrification retrofits in existing homes (e.g., improved air quality). These existing homes pose challenges — as well as enormous potential benefits — related to electrification; however, they are not typically covered under the Title 24 Building Energy Efficiency Standards, which apply only to new buildings and buildings undergoing permitted upgrades. Improvements in indoor air quality and related health outcomes are of particular importance to populations in low-income and disadvantaged communities, which are often disproportionately burdened by energy-related air pollutants. For example, in August 2023, the operating lives of three once through cooling (OTC) fossil gas power plants were extended through 2026 to provide reserve generation during power emergencies (CalMatters 2023, California Energy Commission 2023) and the emissions from OTC smokestacks can impact the outdoor and indoor air quality of residents living near those plants. In addition, wildfire-generated air pollution poses an added threat, possibly compounding already existing air quality issues in these communities. Eligibility Requirements Eligible Applicants: Business Individual Nonprofit Other Legal Entity Public Agency Tribal Government This solicitation is open to all public and private entities with the exception of local publicly owned electric utilities. Eligible Geographies: No local publicly owned electric utilities. Matching Funding Requirement: Match funding is required in the amount of at least 5% minimum of the requested CEC funds.

In 2021, the California state legislature appropriated $3 million in funding to the Department to develop a Wolf-Livestock Compensation Pilot Program to help minimize the impact of gray wolves on livestock producers. The pilot program offers compensation to eligible livestock producers specific to the following primary areas of need (prongs):  Prong 1. Direct Loss - Compensation for verified livestock losses (confirmed/probable wolf) incurred on or after September 23, 2021. Prong 2. Nonlethal Deterrents - Compensation for the use of nonlethal deterrence methods to deter wolf presence near livestock. The Department supports the use of various deterrent tools and techniques as part of a robust, integrated deterrence strategy. Technical assistance may be available through CDFW, County Agricultural Commissions, UC Cooperative Extension, USDA Wildlife Service, and other agency partners. Prong 3. Pay for Presence - Compensation for indirect losses associated with the impacts of wolf presence on livestock in known pack territory. Extenuating circumstances may exist whereby CDFW will consider eligibility for wolf presence outside of known pack territory on a case-by-case basis.

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 program provides funding to community development financial institutions to help them offer essential services and capital access to economically disadvantaged communities across California.

This program provides financial assistance to organic farmers and processors in California affected by extreme weather and climate-related disasters.

This grant provides financial support and mentorship to early-stage cleantech entrepreneurs in the Midwest who are developing innovative solutions to promote economic growth and environmental sustainability.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to entrepreneurs in Los Angeles County who have completed the Economic Mobility Initiative's Entrepreneurship Academy, helping them launch new businesses or grow existing ones.

This grant provides financial support to independently owned legacy businesses along the historic Route 66 corridor, focusing on preservation projects that enhance visibility and sustainability, particularly for underrepresented communities.

This program provides funding to public, private, and nonprofit entities for replacing high-polluting diesel or CNG vehicles with zero-emission alternatives to improve air quality and public health in Santa Barbara County.

This program provides funding to support comprehensive, victim-centered responses to sexual assault in California, focusing on survivor safety, confidential services, and outreach at colleges and universities.

This program provides financial assistance to businesses and organizations in Santa Barbara County for upgrading or replacing older diesel marine engines with cleaner technologies to reduce air pollution and improve public health.

This program provides financial support to community development financial institutions that serve low-income communities in California, focusing on affordable housing, healthcare, small business growth, and economic revitalization.

This program provides financial incentives for California businesses to replace outdated refrigeration systems using harmful high-GWP refrigerants with more environmentally friendly ultra-low-GWP alternatives.

This grant provides funding to public and private entities in California to develop fast electric vehicle charging stations, particularly in underserved communities, to support the state's transition to zero-emission transportation.

This funding opportunity supports projects in Humboldt County that promote economic growth, job creation, and environmental sustainability across targeted industries.

This grant provides funding for historic preservation projects in Long Beach, California, supporting nonprofit organizations, government agencies, individuals, and for-profit entities that benefit the public and align with national preservation standards.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to small creative businesses and sole proprietorships in San José to enhance their cultural and economic contributions through various projects and initiatives.