California Recreation Grants

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations and community programs in the Big Sur region of California, focusing on health, education, environmental stewardship, and collaborative services.

This program provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Elk Grove for hosting community events that promote cultural, social, or economic vitality and are accessible to all residents.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and community groups that support older adults and caregivers in the Japanese American and Japanese-speaking communities of Los Angeles, Orange, and Ventura counties.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Southern California that promote youth development through sports, particularly for underserved youth, including girls, youth of color, and those with disabilities.

This funding opportunity is designed to assist local governments and organizations in developing and maintaining recreational trails and facilities for motorized trail users.

This grant provides funding and resources to schools in San Diego County to create and enhance garden-based educational projects that integrate various academic subjects through hands-on agricultural learning experiences.

This program provides funding to local governments, regional park districts, and eligible Tribal Entities in California to promote the use of recycled rubberized pavement in public roadways and pathways, helping to reduce tire waste and support sustainable practices.

This program provides financial assistance to local government agencies in California to enhance boating safety and enforcement measures in heavily used waterways that lack sufficient funding.

This grant provides financial support for marketing events that promote Truckee's core values, benefiting nonprofit organizations and community-focused initiatives within the town.

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 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.

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 supports projects that enhance the native Kern River rainbow trout population and improve their habitat and water quality in the Upper Kern River Basin.

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.

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 organizations that create accessible outdoor experiences in California State Parks for historically underserved communities facing transportation and access challenges.

This grant provides financial support for local organizations and individuals to host multicultural and community events in Cotati that promote diversity, equity, and health.

This grant provides funding to individuals and organizations for community-driven projects and events that enhance the cultural and social life of Emeryville.

This funding opportunity supports public agencies and nonprofit organizations in improving and maintaining multipurpose trails around Humboldt Bay, enhancing community engagement and safety for trail users.

This grant provides funding to government entities managing public lakes and reservoirs in California to install and maintain accessible floating restrooms for boaters.