California Serves Grant Program 2026-27
Unofficial — verify with the issuing agency before applying.
View & apply on Grants.gov →Open only to California local educational agencies — school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools — not to nonprofits or individuals. Funds support service-learning programs t…
- Deadline
- Oct 5, 2026
- Posted
- Aug 8, 2026
- Award amount
- Up to $500,000
- Focus areas
- Education
Don’t miss this deadline
We’ll email you before Oct 5, 2026 so you have time to apply.
In plain English
Open only to California local educational agencies — school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools — not to nonprofits or individuals. Funds support service-learning programs that help high school seniors earn the State Seal of Civic Engagement, covering teacher planning time, professional development, instructional materials, and program coordination, with awards up to $500,000. A Notice of Intent to Apply is due September 8, 2026, ahead of the October 5, 2026 application deadline.
AI-generated summary to help you decide quickly — verify the official eligibility rules before applying.
Who can apply
Public Agency
About this grant
The California Department of Education invites eligible local educational agencies, which include school districts, county offices of education, or charter schools, to apply for a California Serves Grant to be used for the purpose of promoting access to effective service-learning with the goal of expanding access for high school graduates in obtaining a State Seal of Civic Engagement through service-learning. Grant funding can be used for a wide range of purposes that promote access to effective service-learning for students in grade twelve, with the goal of expanding access for high school graduates in obtaining a State Seal of Civic Engagement through service-learning. Allowable expenditures may include: Paid planning time for teachers to increase the use of service-learning in instruction. Professional development on service learning for administrators and teachers. Purchase of instructional materials to help integrate service-learning in instruction. Participation costs, including materials or travel expenses related to service-learning activities. Personnel costs for coordinating service-learning at the local educational agency or a school site. Participation costs associated with grant program evaluation. Applicants must submit a Notice of Intent to Apply by 4 p.m. on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. See the Request for Applications for guidance on submitting the Notice of Intent to Apply. For any questions about the California Serves Grant Program, please contact Sarah Smith by email at SSCE@cde.ca.gov.
Let AI draft your application
Your first draft is free: a narrative and budget outline tailored to this grant, emailed to you. Drafts are written in a nightly batch, so it arrives by email later — not instantly on this page.
Application Kit — $49 one-time
Winner intelligence + a first-draft narrative grounded in applications that actually won. One payment, no subscription.
Get the Application Kit →Related grants
Other open grants funding Education — soonest deadline first.
2025–26 After School Education and Safety grant program (Round 2)
UnofficialCA Department of Education · $50K–$203.5K · Due Dec 3, 2026
Extreme Heat and Community Resilience Program Round 2
UnofficialGovernor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation · $750K–$4.5M · Due Oct 13, 2026
Cultural and Historical Support Grants
UnofficialHistorical & Museum Commission · $2.5K–$65K · Closed
2027 Department of Pesticide Regulation Sustainable Pest Management Grants Program
UnofficialDepartment of Pesticide Regulation · $100K–$1M · Due in 12 days
Community Resilience Centers Round 2 PLANNING Grant (FY 26-27)
UnofficialStrategic Growth Council · $100K–$500K · Due in 15 days
2026-27 Student Trauma Notification (TN) Program
UnofficialGovernor's Office of Emergency Services · $1–$215K · Due in 21 days
Also listed under Education Grants.
Source: public records via Grants.gov. UseGrants is an independent aggregator, not affiliated with any funding agency. Always confirm details on the official listing before applying.