California State Grants

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

Open to nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments, this California grant program (funded by Proposition 4, the 2024 climate resilience bond) supports projects in disadvantaged communities related to safe drinking water, wildfire prevention, drought preparedness, clean air, parks, and the environment in the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains region. Applications are submitted in two stages, beginning with a Concept Proposal that staff review for fit before inviting a full application. Cost share is among the factors staff evaluate, so applicants should be prepared to describe matching contributions, and projects must be within the conservancy's geographic area.

CA Energy Commission · Amount varies

Offered by the California Energy Commission and funded through the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this K-12 Energy Efficiency Program (KTEP) provides loans and grants for energy upgrades and retrofits that improve energy efficiency, comfort, and air quality in existing K-12 school buildings. Only public agencies are eligible to apply, so private schools, nonprofits, and businesses cannot apply directly. Funding depends on continued U.S. Department of Energy support and terms may change.

State Water Resources Control Board · Amount varies

Funded under California's Proposition 1, this State Water Resources Control Board program supports water recycling projects, including recycled water treatment, storage and distribution, groundwater recharge, indirect potable reuse, and surface water augmentation. Eligible applicants are local public agencies, 501(c)(3) nonprofits qualified to do business in California, public utilities, recognized Native American tribes, and mutual water companies; all community types are eligible. Operation and maintenance costs are not fundable, and construction grant funding covers construction costs only.

State Water Resources Control Board · Amount varies

Through California's SAFER program, the State Water Resources Control Board offers this County-wide and Regional Funding Program to help counties and their partners set up programs that address drinking water needs for households served by state small water systems and domestic wells, including drought and contamination issues. Eligible applicants are nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments; the board does not award funds directly to households. The aim is proactive, regional programs that can respond quickly to emerging needs in affected communities.

Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy · Amount varies

Open to nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments for projects funded under California's Proposition 68 (the 2018 drought, water, parks, climate, coastal protection and outdoor access bond) and administered by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. It funds river, parks, water, climate, and outdoor-access work, with this offering focused on the San Fernando Valley river area in California. Individuals and businesses are not eligible, and projects must fit the geographic and program scope; award amounts and deadlines are not stated here.

Department of Parks and Recreation · Amount varies

Open to nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments through California's Department of Parks and Recreation. The Grants and Cooperative Agreements (GCA) Program funds planning, acquisition, development, maintenance, operation, restoration, and conservation of trails and facilities for Off-Highway Motor Vehicle use, plus OHV safety and education programs. Individuals and private businesses are not eligible; award amounts and deadlines are not stated here.

Wildlife Conservation Board · Amount varies

Open to nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments through California's Wildlife Conservation Board for projects in and around the American River Parkway. It funds habitat acquisition and restoration, public access and recreation improvements, interpretive and educational facilities, invasive-species control, and stormwater capture/treatment within the Lower American River area. Note that all projects must first be recommended by the Lower American River Conservancy Program Advisory Committee; individuals and businesses are not eligible, and amounts and deadlines are not stated here.

Wildlife Conservation Board · Amount varies

Open to nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments through California's Wildlife Conservation Board for climate adaptation and resiliency projects. It funds protection and restoration of ecosystems on natural and working lands, carbon sequestration, and adaptation practices, and projects must align with state plans such as the Safeguarding California Plan and the State Wildlife Action Plan. Individuals and businesses are not eligible; award amounts and deadlines are not stated here.

Governor's Office of Emergency Services · Amount varies

Administered in California by Cal OES, FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds plans and projects that reduce the impact of future natural disasters, becoming available after a Presidential Disaster Declaration. Eligible subapplicants are state agencies, local governments, special districts, federally recognized tribes, and some private nonprofits; applicants generally must have a FEMA-approved local hazard mitigation plan to qualify for project grants (or can apply for funding to create one). Notices of Interest are accepted on an ongoing basis; planning grants are capped at $150,000 for single-jurisdiction and $250,000 for multi-jurisdiction plans, and federal cost-share/match rules apply.

Department of Transportation · Amount varies

Open only to public agencies through California's Department of Transportation, this reimbursable grant supplements the federal Airport Improvement Program (AIP) for airport development or planning. The state pays up to 5% of the total AIP grant, capped at $200,000 per project, and the project must already be listed in the State Capital Improvement Plan. Work cannot begin until the state issues a notice to proceed; because it reimburses a portion of a federal grant, applicants must secure the underlying AIP funding and front the costs. Nonprofits, businesses, and individuals are not eligible.

San Diego River Conservancy · Amount varies

Open to nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments for nature-based, multi-benefit projects in the San Diego River watershed, such as land conservation, flood and fire risk reduction, water quality, habitat restoration, public access, invasive species removal, and cultural/tribal preservation. Funded by the San Diego River Conservancy under Proposition 4, with priority on disadvantaged communities. No award amount or deadline is stated; applicants should confirm geographic scope (San Diego River area) and current funding rounds with the Conservancy.

Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy · Amount varies

Open to nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments for multi-benefit ecosystem and watershed protection, restoration, and urban creek enhancement projects under California's Proposition 1 (Water Code). Administered by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy as a competitive grant program; projects must also advance an objective of the California Water Action Plan. No award amount or deadline is listed, and funding is geographically tied to the Conservancy's jurisdiction, so confirm project location eligibility before applying.

Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery · Amount varies

This is a loan program (not a traditional grant) from California's Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle), open to businesses, nonprofits, and public agencies. It funds projects that reduce greenhouse gas and landfill methane emissions, improve air and water quality, benefit disadvantaged communities, and create jobs, supporting the goals of California's AB 32. No amount or deadline is listed; because funds are provided as a loan rather than a grant, applicants should review repayment terms and California-specific requirements.

Department of Fish and Wildlife · Amount varies

Under California's Proposition 68, the Department of Fish and Wildlife funds projects that help communities adapt to climate change and protect or improve wildlife habitat, water resources, and recreation, including water acquisitions and aquatic/riparian habitat improvements. Nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments are eligible; businesses and individuals are not listed. Award amounts and deadlines are not specified here.

CA Energy Commission · Amount varies

The CA Energy Commission offers state cost-share funding to applicants who are pursuing federal Department of Energy Clean Hydrogen Program awards. Businesses, individuals, and public agencies may apply, but you must be applying for (or have a path to) an eligible DOE funding opportunity, and retroactive cost share for already-awarded federal funds is not eligible. Award amounts and deadlines are not specified here; review the solicitation's eligibility section before applying.

Tahoe Conservancy · Amount varies

The California Tahoe Conservancy offers Proposition 68 local assistance grants for projects in the Lake Tahoe Basin, including wildfire protection, forest and watershed restoration, public access and recreation, open space acquisition, and climate adaptation. Nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments are eligible, and projects must serve the Lake Tahoe Basin (a strict geographic limit). Individual award amounts and deadlines are not specified here.

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

California's Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Fund reimburses petroleum UST owners and operators for costs of cleaning up unauthorized releases from their tanks, helping them meet federal and state financial-responsibility requirements. It is open to businesses and individuals who own or operate petroleum underground storage tanks (a narrow, situation-specific eligibility). Reimbursement can run up to about $1,000,000; no application deadline is specified here.

Wildlife Conservation Board · Amount varies

Nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments can apply to California's Wildlife Conservation Board for Forest Conservation grants funding the conservation, restoration, and improvement of forest and watershed lands in California (examples include meadow restoration, forest thinning/fuel reduction, post-fire restoration, and aspen stand enhancement). Projects must be in California and aligned with the program's watershed, water-supply, and forest-health goals. Award amounts and deadlines are not stated in the listing, so confirm with the program before applying.

State Treasurer's Office · $1–$9.7M

This California program funds capital improvement projects at the 13 specific children's hospitals named in Proposition 3 (eight private nonprofit hospitals and five University of California children's hospitals); no other applicants are eligible. Awards can be large (up to roughly $98 million per private nonprofit hospital, less issuance and administrative costs), supporting facilities serving critically ill children. Applications are accepted on a rolling monthly basis. Eligibility is extremely narrow, limited to the named hospitals.

State Water Resources Control Board · Amount varies

Nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments can apply to California's State Water Resources Control Board SAFER program for funding to address safe and affordable drinking water needs, prioritizing small disadvantaged communities, systems out of compliance with health standards, consolidations, and interim/long-term solutions for at-risk systems and domestic wells. Funding is for California drinking water projects and is prioritized by urgency and disadvantaged-community impact. Award amounts and deadlines are not stated in the listing; financing may include grants and low-interest loans depending on the funding source.