California State Grants

Department of Parks and Recreation · Amount varies

California's Pumpout Facility Grant Program funds new construction of boat pumpout and dump stations on the state's waterways. Eligibility is broad — businesses, individuals, nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments can all apply. No award amount is specified.

Department of Parks and Recreation · Amount varies

California's Pumpout Facility Grant Program funds ongoing operation and maintenance of boat pumpout, dump stations, and floating restrooms on the state's waterways. Eligibility is broad — businesses, individuals, nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments can all apply. No award amount is specified.

Department of Housing and Community Development · Amount varies

This California housing program funds predevelopment, construction, rehabilitation, and preservation of affordable rental and ownership housing, plus homelessness services like rapid rehousing and shelter operations. It's restricted to public agencies — cities, counties, and other government entities — so nonprofits, businesses, and individuals can't apply directly. No award amount is specified.

State Water Resources Control Board · $1–$15M

This program is open to California local public agencies, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, public utilities, state-recognized Native American tribes, and mutual water companies. The State Water Resources Control Board funds construction (and, for large-scale projects, planning and design) of recycled water treatment, storage, distribution, groundwater recharge, and related water-reuse infrastructure, with awards ranging from $1 up to $15 million. Operation and maintenance costs are not eligible, but all community types, including non-disadvantaged and disadvantaged, may apply. The application deadline is July 1, 2027.

Air Resources Board · Up to $10M

Open to nonprofits and public agencies in California to serve as the administering partner for a statewide e-bike incentive program targeting low-income consumers; it funds one selected grantee organization rather than individual e-bike purchasers directly. Maximum award is up to $10 million. Note the listed application deadline (May 2022) has passed, so applicants should confirm whether this solicitation has reopened before applying.

Wildlife Conservation Board · Amount varies

Open to nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments partnering with the California Wildlife Conservation Board on land acquisition for conservation. Funds "willing seller" land purchases evaluated jointly with the Department of Fish and Wildlife; the process typically takes 6-12 months. No award amount or deadline is listed, and this is a specialized real-estate acquisition program rather than a general grant.

Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy · Amount varies

Open to nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments for park facility improvements, expanded access to conservation land, or climate-impact-reducing projects in California's Coachella Valley, funded under Proposition 68. Applications are accepted continuously via a pre-application consultation process, with priority given to projects serving economically disadvantaged communities. No specific award amount is listed, and eligibility is geographically limited to the Coachella Valley area.

Department of Public Health · Amount varies

Open to Skilled Nursing Facilities, nonprofits, consumer advocacy organizations, businesses, individuals, public agencies, and tribal governments in California for projects that directly improve life for nursing home residents, such as person-centered care, infection control training, or arts engagement. Research-only projects, capital improvements, staff salary payments, and high-cost technology like AI or telemedicine are explicitly not eligible. Award size depends on the project request, up to an allowable maximum, with projects running up to 36 months.

Tahoe Conservancy · Amount varies

Nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments working in the California side of the Lake Tahoe Basin can apply for this Tahoe Conservancy program, funded by Proposition 4, covering land acquisition, planning, implementation, and monitoring for watershed, forest health, wildfire, and climate-resilience projects (with $25.5 million and $29 million allocated to specific purposes). Funding is typically awarded on a rolling basis without fixed deadlines, starting with a required pre-application letter of intent; no specific award amount per project is listed here.

State Treasurer's Office · $100K–$250K

California's Charter School Revolving Loan Fund Program, run by the State Treasurer's Office, provides low-cost loans of up to $250,000 to charter schools, with priority given to schools opening in the current fiscal year. This is loan financing, not a grant, is limited to California charter schools (nonprofit or public agency structures), and requires a credit evaluation process.

Wildlife Conservation Board · Amount varies

Open to nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments through the California Wildlife Conservation Board's Public Access program, supporting the state's Outdoors for All Initiative. Funds planning grants for future projects and implementation grants for construction of wildlife-oriented recreation and nature education facilities, including hunting, fishing, and non-consumptive recreation. No award amount or deadline is listed.

Department of Health Care Services · Amount varies

California nonprofit organizations operating DHCS-licensed residential substance use disorder (SUD) facilities can apply for funding to initiate or expand medication-assisted treatment (MAT) services for opioid and stimulant use disorders. Award size depends on facility bed count: up to $250,000 for 16 beds or fewer, $350,000 for up to 50 beds, and $550,000 for 51+ beds; facilities without IMS certification must work with a Center of Excellence to obtain it as part of the process.

San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy · Amount varies

Open to nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments for projects along the Lower Los Angeles River in California that support severely disadvantaged communities through drought response and long-term water resilience, funded under Proposition 68. Applications go through a two-phase process: a Concept Proposal reviewed by Conservancy staff before an invited Full Application. No specific award amount or deadline is listed, and eligibility is limited to projects in the Lower LA River program area serving disadvantaged communities.

State Water Resources Control Board · Amount varies

Open to nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments in California; this state Cleanup and Abatement Account funds emergency responses to pollution or urgent drinking water needs when no responsible party is available to pay for cleanup. Funding priorities and availability depend on legislative appropriations, penalty/settlement funds, and loan repayments, so amounts vary and are not fixed. No specific award amount or deadline is listed.

Department of Housing and Community Development · Amount varies

Open to nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments through California's Department of Housing and Community Development (Local Housing Trust Fund NOFA, Round 5). Provides low-interest (up to 3%) construction and permanent financing loans for affordable rental housing, shelters, supportive housing, and accessory dwelling units. At least 30% of funds must serve extremely low-income households, no more than 20% may serve moderate-income households, and administrative costs are capped at 5%, making this a fairly restrictive, compliance-heavy program.

San Diego River Conservancy · Amount varies

Open to nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments for projects that support the San Diego River Conservancy's mission under its enabling legislation and strategic plan. No specific award amount or deadline is currently published. Limited to projects within the Conservancy's San Diego River service area in California.

Department of Forestry and Fire Protection · Amount varies

Open to businesses, individuals, nonprofits, other legal entities, and public agencies owning 20 to 5,000 acres of forest land in California; this program provides cost-share assistance (not full grants) for forest management planning, reforestation, and related improvement activities performed under a Registered Professional Forester. Broadcast, controlled, or cultural burning is not an eligible cost. No specific award amount or deadline is listed, and applicants should expect to cover part of the cost themselves.

Coastal Conservancy · Amount varies

The California Coastal Conservancy's Explore the Coast Overnight Program funds nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments to plan, design, permit, or build lower-cost overnight coastal accommodations, prioritizing access for low- and middle-income Californians and underserved communities. No specific funding amount or deadline is listed, and the program is limited to California coastal projects.

State Treasurer's Office · Amount varies

California charter schools (operating as nonprofits or public agencies) that serve a high percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price meals can apply for annual facility-cost grants through the State Treasurer's Office / California School Finance Authority. No specific award amount or deadline is listed here; availability is announced annually on the CSFA website, so applicants should check current-year details before applying.

Wildlife Conservation Board · Amount varies

Open to nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments through the California Wildlife Conservation Board's Riparian Habitat Conservation Program. Funds restoration of riparian vegetation, floodplain reconnection, invasive species control, and stream/fencing projects statewide in California. No specific award amount or deadline is provided.