California grants for Special district governments

This funding program provides small grants to nonprofit and community organizations in Humboldt, Del Norte, Trinity, and Curry Counties to support essential holiday assistance initiatives for vulnerable populations during the winter season.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to non-profit organizations that deliver essential services to low-income residents, seniors, and individuals experiencing homelessness in Goleta.

This program provides financial assistance to California public entities for cleaning up illegal dumping sites and implementing measures to prevent future waste disposal issues.

This program provides financial assistance to public entities in California for the cleanup and remediation of legacy disposal sites that were closed before current landfill regulations were established.

This grant provides funding for collaborative performing arts projects by nonprofit organizations in the Greater Redding area, aimed at enhancing community engagement and artistic collaboration.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to public agencies and organizations in California for transportation planning projects that promote sustainability, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance community resilience, particularly benefiting under-resourced communities.

This grant provides funding for public and nonprofit organizations to implement conservation projects that improve water management and habitat for fish and wildlife in the Shasta River watershed of California.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to schools, universities, and local agencies for projects that improve bicycle and pedestrian safety and access near schools in South Coast communities of Santa Barbara County.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local nonprofits and public agencies in designated U.S. states to initiate and promote community-driven historic preservation projects.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to California public libraries and their partners to develop and implement programs that improve adult literacy and empower individuals to achieve personal goals.

This grant provides funding to support the construction and renovation of public facilities for transient recreational boaters, enhancing access to waterways and promoting economic development along the waterfront.

This program provides financial assistance to agricultural businesses in Santa Barbara County for replacing old diesel engines with cleaner electric alternatives to reduce air pollution and improve public health.

This program provides funding to public agencies, nonprofits, and tribal entities for projects that promote sustainable recreation, tourism, and equitable access to outdoor spaces in the Sierra-Cascade Region.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local governments and agencies in California for the construction and expansion of facilities that safely collect and manage household hazardous waste.

This program provides financial assistance to California local governments for the cleanup and remediation of abandoned waste disposal sites to protect public health and the environment.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for projects in Orange County that advance pre-development activities aimed at creating good-paying jobs and promoting economic equity in the transition to a clean energy economy.

This funding opportunity supports community-led projects in Inyo and Mono Counties, California, aimed at addressing local challenges like wildfire prevention and environmental stewardship through collaborative solutions.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofits, local governments, and community organizations in the greater Burney area to address a wide range of community needs, including education, health, and economic development.

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 [email protected] 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 U.S.-based nonprofit organizations and schools focused on improving mobility access for individuals with disabilities, as well as initiatives in education and environmental sustainability.