California Private Grants

The Planning and Development Grants, part of the Local Parks Grant Program managed by Parks California, aim to support the initial stages of community-oriented projects that connect local communities to California’s cultural history and natural areas. These projects include building partnerships, artist selection, and developing project plans. This initiative enhances community well-being and sustainable connections. The grant cycle runs from October 2024 to May 2025.

The San Francisco Arts Commission (SFAC) is offering Special Project Grants of $100,000 to $500,000 for a 3-year period to arts nonprofit organizations for youth arts programs, arts service organizations, and Asian and Pacific Islander arts and culture programming, with the application deadline set for October 9, 2024.

This grant provides financial support to LGBTQ+-owned and allied restaurants, cafes, and bars to help them thrive and recover in their communities.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in the Bay Area that provide permanent and interim housing solutions with essential support services for families, youth, and young adults facing housing insecurity.

The Route 66 Black Experiences Grant Program provides direct grant awards to African-American owned/operated businesses and attractions along Route 66, and funding to support research and programs designed to tell the stories of Black experiences related to Route 66. The program, celebrating the Route 66 Centennial, aims to help Black-owned businesses and attractions stay in operation, reopen, and expand, while also supporting research and storytelling efforts related to Black experiences on Route 66. Eligible applicants include Black-owned/operated businesses located along Route 66 with fewer than 20 employees. The 2024 grant round offers a total of $50,000 in awards, with applications due by July 14, 2024, and awards announced the week of August 5, 2024.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Santa Barbara County that are dedicated to improving youth mental health by addressing staffing challenges and enhancing the well-being of mental health providers.

The Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is offering grants to Santa Clara County municipalities, jurisdictions, arts, cultural, education, nonprofit, and community organizations to advance its vision of equitable Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC). This program aims to foster innovative and robust partnerships between VTA and local public agencies, nonprofits, community organizations, and diverse stakeholders. The overarching mission alignment is to support the implementation of equitable Transit-Oriented Communities within Santa Clara County, focusing on creating sustainable, inclusive, and transit-friendly environments. The grant program targets communities and organizations located within a half-mile radius of existing and planned VTA light rail stations, VTA transit centers, BART stations, and commuter rail stations served by Caltrain, ACE, and/or Capitol Corridor. The primary beneficiaries are residents and businesses within these transit-rich areas, particularly those with limited incomes, and community organizations striving to make these areas more equitable. Impact goals include empowering and strengthening communities, increasing transit ridership, reducing reliance on car trips, and supporting intensive mixed-use, mixed-income development around transit hubs. The program prioritizes projects that support collaboration and fall under four key areas: Planning and Policy Implementation, Community Resilience, Education & Engagement, and Placemaking, Arts, and Activation. Planning and Policy Implementation focuses on advancing policies and regulations for equitable TOCs, including station area planning and equitable development plans. Community Resilience emphasizes anti-displacement efforts, affordable housing preservation, small business support, and promoting transit use among low-income individuals. Education & Engagement aims to increase community leadership and participation in TOC implementation through advocacy, capacity building, and culturally relevant engagement practices. Placemaking, Arts, and Activation seeks to improve the transit rider and community experience through public arts, cultural projects, and beautification initiatives that enhance safety and accessibility. Expected outcomes include a significant increase in the adoption and implementation of equitable TOC policies and plans, tangible progress in anti-displacement efforts and affordable housing, enhanced community capacity and participation in transit-oriented development, and improved public spaces around transit stations. Measurable results will include the number of selected projects (14-20 projects are anticipated), the amount of funding distributed (up to $15,000 to $175,000 per project), and the commencement of projects between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025. The VTA's strategic priorities are clearly centered on fostering equitable development, encouraging transit ridership, and building strong community partnerships as a core theory of change to achieve sustainable and inclusive transit-oriented growth in Santa Clara County.

The Parks & Public Space Initiative, supported by the Oklahoma City Community Foundation, focuses on enhancing public lands within the Greater Oklahoma City area. This initiative stems from the Margaret Annis Boys Trust, established in 1991, with a mission to encourage landscaping and beautification projects in public spaces such as parks, medians, and other public lands. The foundation's strategic priority is to foster community engagement and improve the quality of public spaces for residents, aligning with a theory of change that posits improved public spaces lead to increased community well-being and utilization. The target beneficiaries of this grant program include neighborhood/community groups, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, and local government agencies within Oklahoma County that are connected to parks, school parks, trails, and other public spaces. The program aims to achieve several impact goals: increasing the utilization of public spaces for recreation, cultural, and health improvement; engaging various community entities in improving these spaces and their programs; and enhancing community stewardship of parks, school parks, trails, and other public lands. The initiative prioritizes funding landscaping and beautification projects in public community spaces, including neighborhood/community parks, school parks, trails, public medians, and other public lands in central Oklahoma. Eligible items for funding include plant materials, soil amendments, mulch, irrigation, and landscape amenities like shade structures and benches. Master plans and tree canopy studies are also considered. While the majority of grants support infrastructure and related activities, neighborhood streetscapes are a lower priority. Projects must be completed within one year and be open and accessible to the public. Expected outcomes and measurable results include a demonstrable increase in the use of public spaces, improved aesthetic quality of parks and public lands, and stronger community involvement in the planning, implementation, and ongoing maintenance of these projects. A significant volunteer component is required for each proposal, underscoring the program's commitment to fostering community stewardship. Additionally, a realistic location, installation, and maintenance plan with identified responsibilities and budget must be submitted to ensure the project’s sustainability, with tree plantings specifically requiring a three-year maintenance plan for establishment.

The Santa Barbara Foundation's Tri-Counties Blood Bank Fund Grant aims to distribute income to qualified nonprofit organizations supporting blood and blood-related products and services, aligning with the Foundation's broader mission to enhance community well-being. This grant operates through an annual Request for Proposal (RFP) process, focusing on three main types of support: Indigent Care Grants, Education Grants, and Scholarships. The program's strategic intent is to address critical needs within Santa Barbara County related to blood banking, from ensuring access for vulnerable populations to advancing medical knowledge and public awareness. Indigent Care Grants are specifically designed to reimburse "qualified hospitals" for "un-reimbursed costs" incurred when providing blood or blood products to "qualified patients" in Santa Barbara County. Qualified patients are defined as those with incomes 200% or less of the federal poverty line and without private or government insurance. The impact goal here is to alleviate the financial burden on hospitals and ensure that low-income, uninsured patients receive necessary blood products, directly contributing to health equity within the community. This component directly targets the most vulnerable populations, ensuring their access to essential medical care. Education Grants and Scholarships form another crucial pillar of this program. Education grants are intended for advanced medical technology or nursing education related to blood banking, physician education on transfusion medicine, and community education on blood and blood diseases. These grants prioritize improving the quality of blood banking, enhancing hospital staff's capabilities, and raising public awareness. Expected outcomes include a more skilled medical workforce, improved transfusion practices, and a more informed community regarding blood-related health issues and the importance of blood donation. Measurable results could include an increase in trained professionals, improved blood banking practices, and enhanced public knowledge about blood-borne diseases and critical shortages. Scholarships are aimed at post-doctoral education in non-medical disciplines related to blood and blood banking at UCSB, covering departments like Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology, Chemistry, and Chemical Engineering, as well as medical education in hematology/oncology specialties. This focus underscores the Foundation's commitment to fostering cutting-edge research and specialized medical expertise. The expected outcome is the development of new knowledge and highly trained specialists who can contribute to advancements in blood science and patient care. The overall theory of change for the Tri-Counties Blood Bank Fund is that by investing in direct patient support, professional education, community awareness, and specialized research, the Santa Barbara Foundation can significantly improve the availability, quality, and accessibility of blood and blood-related services for the entire Santa Barbara County community.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to community-based organizations in California to promote workplace safety and educate workers about their rights under state labor laws.

The Possibility Grant Program, overseen by the Walter and Elise Haas Fund, is a unique initiative with a core mission to foster a more just and equitable society. This program distinguishes itself by empowering Bay Area Youth (BAY) Community Fellows, who serve as youth advisors, to design and decide the grants. This approach aligns directly with the Fund's strategic priority of uplifting youth and incorporating intergenerational perspectives into its grantmaking. The grants are specifically designed as general operating support, ranging from $100,000 to $500,000, with flexible terms of either one or two years, providing essential financial stability to recipient organizations. The target beneficiaries for the Possibility Grants are primarily small organizations located in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo, or Santa Clara County in California. These organizations must be 501(c)3 entities or fiscally sponsored by one. The impact goals are centered on challenging systems of oppression through various avenues, including cultural education, Black liberation values, community-based care, healing, and art. The program seeks to support organizations that respond to the current domestic and global political climate, demonstrating an active commitment to social change and equity. The Fund prioritizes organizations that are actively working to challenge and dismantle systems of oppression. This includes fostering intergenerational connections to uplift youth, centering collaboration in their work, and seeking a strong intersectional impact. The focus is on entities that embody Black liberation values and utilize cultural education, community-based care, healing, or art as tools for social transformation. These priorities reflect the foundation's theory of change, which posits that by supporting grassroots organizations with these specific focuses, they can contribute to systemic change and the creation of a more equitable society. Expected outcomes include the strengthening of small organizations that are vital to their communities and are at the forefront of social justice efforts. The program aims to enable these organizations to sustain and expand their work in challenging oppression and fostering intergenerational connections. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond the general operating support, the emphasis on organizations actively working to dismantle systems of oppression and seeking intersectional impact suggests a qualitative assessment of their contributions to social equity and the empowerment of marginalized communities. The long-term impact envisioned is a Bay Area where youth are uplifted, collaboration is fostered, and systemic injustices are actively addressed.

This program provides emergency housing support to artists in Alameda County facing eviction or severe rent increases, prioritizing those from historically marginalized communities.

This funding opportunity is designed for nonprofit organizations that focus on improving health outcomes through better access to nutritious food for communities facing diet-related health challenges and social risks.

Marin Charitable provides grants to nonprofit organizations focusing on youth-oriented programs or projects. These initiatives are designed to proactively address the needs of middle and high school-aged youth, approximately 11-18 years old, who have limited opportunities and reside in Marin County, California. The foundation's mission is to offer critical support, education, and enrichment to this specific demographic. The target beneficiaries are middle and high school-aged youth in Marin County who face limited opportunities. Marin Charitable aims to make a direct impact by ensuring that grant funds reach children with limited resources. The foundation prioritizes programs that align with its mission of supporting youth development and well-being within the specified age group and geographic area. Marin Charitable primarily focuses on funding small-budgeted, grassroots programs. This strategic priority reflects a theory of change that emphasizes direct, community-level impact. The foundation believes that by supporting smaller, localized initiatives, they can more effectively reach and serve the youth most in need. Applicants are evaluated based on the relevance of their program to Marin Charitable’s mission, their capability to facilitate the program, and their ability to ensure direct impact by reaching children with limited resources. While the grant size is generally between $1,000 to $10,000, Marin Charitable currently provides grants of up to, but not exceeding, $7,500. The expected outcome is to provide vital support, education, and enrichment that improves the lives and opportunities for underserved youth in Marin County.

The 2024 General Grants Program, managed by The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County, offers general operating support (unrestricted grants) to eligible nonprofits. This program directly aligns with the Foundation's mission to support charitable organizations whose programs primarily benefit San Luis Obispo County residents, thereby improving the overall quality of life in the community. The flexibility of general operating support allows recipient organizations to allocate funds where they are most needed, supporting their foundational work and ensuring the sustained delivery of critical services within the county. The program targets a broad range of beneficiaries across San Luis Obispo County, focusing on direct services for those in need. Specifically, the grants aim to impact individuals benefiting from services related to arts, environment, health & human services, and seniors and people with disabilities. The overarching impact goal is to strengthen the local nonprofit ecosystem, enabling these organizations to more effectively address key community challenges and enhance the well-being of the county's residents. The program prioritizes several key focus areas. In the arts, it supports organizations that promote the creation, engagement, and appreciation of diverse art forms and local history. Environmental grants concentrate on education and sustainability, including efforts in climate mitigation, sustainable agriculture and forestry, and water and land conservation. Health & Human Services funding is directed towards improving the quality of life through basic needs provision and social service programs. Finally, a dedicated focus area supports organizations providing direct services for individuals with disabilities and/or seniors. Organizations can apply for either a one- or two-year grant, with maximum amounts of $12,000 and $24,000 respectively, and a clear preference for these durations. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed in the provided text, the expected outcomes are tied to the successful implementation of programs within the focus areas, leading to improved community engagement in the arts, enhanced environmental sustainability, better access to basic needs and social services, and improved quality of life for seniors and people with disabilities. The Foundation's strategic priority is clearly to invest in organizations that directly serve and benefit San Luis Obispo County residents, fostering a healthier and more vibrant community.

This grant provides $1 million to a qualified nonprofit or educational institution in California to develop a project aimed at improving health outcomes and reducing disparities for low-income and marginalized communities in San Diego and Imperial Counties.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in San Diego County that support teen mothers, foster youth transitioning from the child welfare system, communities facing antisemitism, and women affected by domestic violence or sexual assault.

The Strengthening the Sector grants program, offered by The Music Man Foundation, is designed to provide initiative-based support to organizations that are actively catalyzing systemic change at the policy level. This program aligns with the foundation's mission by focusing on efforts that reflect music within the organization's activities, underscoring a commitment to arts and community vitality. The foundation seeks to empower non-profit organizations that have a proven track record of mission-aligned programming and have sustained at least one paid employee since March 2023. This strategic focus ensures that the grants support established entities capable of driving significant and lasting change. The target beneficiaries for this program are non-profit organizations that are actively engaged in music-related efforts and operate with a service jurisdiction that includes Los Angeles County, the state of California, or the entire United States. However, it's crucial that programs not focused on California will not be eligible, highlighting a specific geographical priority for the foundation's impact. The primary impact goal is to foster systemic change at the policy level within the arts and community vitality sectors, with a particular emphasis on music's role. The foundation aims to support initiatives that lead to sustainable impacts and demonstrate a clear understanding of the systems they seek to influence. The program prioritizes initiatives that involve advocacy training and tools to build capacity for individuals to proactively influence issues impacting arts and community vitality. Additionally, it focuses on research collection and action plans designed at a scale that can impact policy and field-wide practices. Key focuses include demonstrating accomplishments in systems change, a clear connection between initiatives and systemic change, and a well-defined vision for future intentions. Music must be a primary component of the initiative's efforts, and strategic collaborations or partnerships that reflect intentional efforts to influence system dynamics are highly valued. Expected outcomes include organizations achieving demonstrable accomplishments in systems change and creating sustainable impacts through their programming. Grant recipients are expected to have a clear understanding of the system they aim to impact and be well-positioned to drive that change. Measurable results will stem from the organization's capacity to identify and track progress towards key milestones, both for the organization itself and for the broader system it is impacting. The Music Man Foundation's strategic priorities are deeply rooted in fostering policy-level systemic change, leveraging music as a core element, and supporting organizations with a strong capacity for execution and a clear theory of change that links their initiatives to tangible, lasting impacts.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in South Santa Clara County for projects that positively impact areas such as education, technology, and the arts.

The Living Cultures Grant, offered by the Alliance for California Traditional Arts, is designed to sustain and strengthen traditional arts across California. This program aligns directly with the Alliance's mission by supporting the nurturing of cultural continuity, sustaining cultural practices, and engaging communities through public programs. The grant's focus on traditional arts, which are deeply rooted in shared heritage, language, religion, occupation, or region, reflects the foundation's strategic priority of preserving and promoting the diverse cultural expressions within the state. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are individual artists/culture bearers and California-based nonprofits, Tribal Nations, and other community groups who actively practice traditional arts. The program aims to achieve several impact goals: fostering cultural continuity through learning and practice, sustaining cultural practices by providing necessary resources for purchases and services, and engaging communities through public programs that share these traditions. The theory of change suggests that by providing financial support to these practitioners and organizations, traditional arts will continue to thrive, be passed down through generations, and enrich the cultural landscape of California. The grant prioritizes proposals that demonstrate clear plans for nurturing cultural continuity, sustaining cultural practices, and engaging communities. This includes projects across various traditional art forms such as dance, music, foodways, material arts, and oral traditions. The Alliance seeks to ensure that these deeply rooted artistic expressions, reflective of a community's shared values and experiences, continue to be vibrant and accessible. Expected outcomes include the continued practice and transmission of traditional arts, increased community engagement with cultural heritage, and the preservation of diverse artistic forms. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond the scope of funded activities (e.g., projects should run between November 1, 2024, and October 31, 2025), the inherent goal is to see a thriving ecosystem of traditional arts. For individual artists, the grant supports their practice directly, while for organizations, it supports activities that further their cultural programs and community outreach, aiming for a sustained impact on California's traditional arts landscape.