California State Grants

San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy · $10K–$2M

Nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments can apply to this Rivers and Mountains Conservancy program for multi-benefit projects along the Lower Los Angeles River (roughly the river's lower 19 miles, from Vernon to Long Beach) that improve the environment, community access, and water resilience. Awards range from about $10,000 to $2,000,000, funded under Proposition 68. Applicants must first submit a Concept Proposal and, if invited, a Full Application; projects must be within the defined river area and consistent with the Lower LA River Revitalization Plan, and cost share is among the review factors.

State Treasurer's Office · $1–$5B

This is a California financing (commercial paper) program, not a typical grant: only nonprofit 501(c)(3) or public health facilities defined under the Authority's Act may participate, and they must have operated the same services for at least three years and demonstrate fiscal soundness to repay. Proceeds fund construction, renovation, land/facility acquisition, equipment, debt refunding, and start-up working capital, issued in $100,000 denominations up to very large amounts. Note this creates repayable debt with fees and rating requirements rather than free money, and brand-new organizations are not eligible.

CA Energy Commission · $500K–$5M

The CA Energy Commission provides state cost-share funding for the INDIGO (industrial decarbonization/grid) and Food Production Investment programs, supporting emissions-reduction and grid-benefit projects at industrial and food production facilities. Only public agencies and tribal governments are eligible to apply. Awards range from roughly $500,000 to $5,000,000; deadline is not specified here.

Department of Fish and Wildlife · Amount varies

This California Department of Fish and Wildlife grant supports California Native American tribes in oil-spill emergency preparedness, response, and recovery to protect their ancestral lands and communities. Eligibility is restricted to tribal governments, so other organizations and individuals cannot apply. Award amounts and deadlines are not stated in the listing.

Department of Fish and Wildlife · Amount varies

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife funds watershed cleanup, remediation, and enhancement projects, including road treatments, erosion/sediment control, and cleanup of damage from illicit cannabis operations, plus wildlife and habitat improvements. Nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments may apply; businesses and individuals are not listed as eligible. Funding amounts and deadlines are not specified here.

Department of Health Care Access and Information · Amount varies

Nonprofit and public-agency hospitals that qualify as small, rural, or Critical Access facilities in California can apply to this state program for grant funding and technical assistance to meet seismic safety retrofit requirements. Applicants must demonstrate they meet the small/rural/Critical Access definition and are at risk of closure for financial reasons, and must have current seismic compliance and project delivery plans on file with HCAI before funding is awarded. Eligibility is narrow and California-specific; available funds are allocated across participants based on need.

Department of Fish and Wildlife · Amount varies

Open to nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments for wildlife and fish corridor connectivity planning and implementation projects in California, consistent with the State Wildlife Action Plan and state connectivity and fish passage efforts. Administered by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife under a Nature-Based Solutions program. No award amount or deadline is stated, and projects are focused on California connectivity work, so confirm project alignment and current funding availability before applying.