Browse grants

Department of Water Resources · Amount varies

This forecasted California Department of Water Resources program will fund nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments to implement watershed-scale water conservation projects, such as irrigation efficiency upgrades, leak detection and repair, water-efficient landscaping conversions, and metering or monitoring improvements. Awards are expected to range from $3 million to $15 million. No application deadline has been set yet since the program is still in forecasted status, so applicants should watch for the official funding announcement. Not open to for-profit businesses.

CA State Library · Amount varies

A forecasted, not-yet-open opportunity for public libraries (run as nonprofits or public agencies) in California to fund USDA summer meal sites paired with literacy, nutrition, and arts programming. Applications are described as non-competitive — eligible libraries that apply are expected to receive funding — but award amounts and a formal deadline are not yet specified.

Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development · $600K–$3M

Local health departments and community-based nonprofit organizations in California can apply, with at least 50% of each year's funding reserved for qualified nonprofits. California's GO-Biz awards $600,000 to $3,000,000 to support job placement, mental health and substance use disorder treatment, reentry legal services, and related services for communities disproportionately affected by the War on Drugs. Funding is drawn from cannabis tax revenue and program priorities can shift each fiscal year, so this is a fairly narrow, population-specific opportunity rather than a general-purpose grant.

San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy · $50K–$2M

Open to nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments for wildfire prevention planning, fuel load reduction, invasive species management, and forest health projects in the San Gabriel Mountains, Foothills, and nearby urban wildland areas of California. Awards range from $50,000 to $2,000,000, with a two-phase Concept Proposal then Full Application process. Limited to projects within the Conservancy's designated Southern California service area.

Baldwin Hills & Urban Watersheds Conservancy · Amount varies

This $48 million California Proposition 4 climate resilience program, administered by the Baldwin Hills & Urban Watersheds Conservancy, funds projects that reduce climate risks to communities, fish, wildlife, and natural resources, with priority for disadvantaged and severely disadvantaged communities, tribes, and vulnerable populations; nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments may apply. Projects are evaluated against the Conservancy's Community and Climate Resilience framework and must demonstrate measurable benefits and community engagement; funding is limited to the Conservancy's California service area. No specific per-award amount or deadline is listed in this posting.

San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy · $50K–$2M

Open to nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments for Lower Los Angeles River watershed projects in California that must meet at least four of thirteen statutory objectives, such as fish passage restoration, climate adaptation, or reducing water pollution, under Proposition 1. Awards range from $50,000 to $2,000,000. Eligibility is limited to projects addressing the Proposition 1 objectives within the Lower LA River watershed.

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

Open to nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments applying to Prop 68 funding programs through the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy. This is a technical-assistance program, not a direct cash grant: it provides application help, mentoring, and grant-writing support, with priority access for applicants in High-Need or Very-High-Need Areas. No award amount or deadline applies since this funds assistance services rather than projects.

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

This California Proposition 1 grant program, administered by the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy, funds watershed protection, river parkway restoration, wetland and habitat restoration, wildfire fuel treatment, and water quality projects; nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments may apply. Each proposed project must meet at least four of the thirteen listed program objectives, and funding is geographically limited to the RMC's service region in California. No specific award amount or deadline is listed in this posting.

Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy · Amount varies

Open to nonprofits and public agencies for projects addressing recreation/tourism, historic and cultural preservation, or environmental education in California's Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta region, with priority for disadvantaged/severely disadvantaged communities. This is an ongoing, noncompetitive process requiring a concept proposal before a full application; partnerships are encouraged but not required. No specific award amount or deadline is listed, and scope is limited to the Delta region.

State Water Resources Control Board · Amount varies

Open to nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments, this California SAFER Program funding targets counties and their partners to build proactive regional programs addressing drinking water problems for households served by state small water systems and domestic wells. Funds are not awarded directly to individual households. No specific award amount or deadline is listed, and the geographic scope is limited to California.

Ocean Protection Council · $200K–$1.5M

Open to businesses, nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments in California through the Ocean Protection Council's SB 1 Sea Level Rise Adaptation Grant Program (Track 1), funding planning activities like vulnerability assessments, data collection, and adaptation plans. Awards range from $200,000 to $1.5 million, and Track 1 proposals are accepted on a rolling, non-competitive quarterly basis. A companion technical assistance program is also available for applicants facing imminent sea level rise threats.

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

Nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments can apply to this San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy program funded by Proposition 4 (2024), a $10 billion bond for climate resilience, drinking water, wildfire prevention, and drought preparedness. The process requires a Concept Proposal first, followed by an invitation-only Full Application if selected by RMC staff; award amounts and deadlines are not specified, and a pre-application consultation with RMC staff is strongly recommended.

Governor's Office of Emergency Services · Amount varies

Open primarily to California state agencies, local governments, special districts, and federally recognized tribes, with some private nonprofits also eligible. Funds hazard mitigation plans and projects that reduce damage from future disasters, administered by Cal OES after a Presidential Disaster Declaration; applicants must have (or apply to develop) a FEMA-approved Local Hazard Mitigation Plan. Planning grants are capped at $150,000 for single jurisdictions and $250,000 for multi-jurisdiction plans; project funding depends on ongoing federal disaster declarations.

San Diego River Conservancy · Amount varies

Nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments can apply to this San Diego River Conservancy program funded under Proposition 4 for multi-benefit projects such as land conservation, flood and fire risk reduction, water quality improvement, wildlife habitat restoration, trail completion, and tribal cultural preservation along the San Diego River. Award amounts and deadlines are not specified, so applicants should confirm current funding limits and timelines with the Conservancy.

State Water Resources Control Board · Amount varies

Open to nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments in California operating or serving drinking water systems, with priority given to small disadvantaged communities facing water access or safety gaps. Up to $130 million per year is available over ten years (through fiscal year 2029-30) for emergency needs, compliance assistance, and system consolidation; complementary loan programs offer partial-to-full principal forgiveness for qualifying disadvantaged communities. No fixed per-project award amount is listed.

San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy · $50K–$2M

Nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments can apply to this San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy program (Proposition 4) for multi-benefit projects like open space creation, habitat restoration, green space in disadvantaged communities, watershed protection, and wildfire resilience, with awards ranging from $50,000 to $2,000,000. The RMC especially encourages projects that leverage multiple funding sources and include robust community engagement, though no specific deadline is listed here.

San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy · $50K–$2M

Open to nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments for projects benefiting the Lower Los Angeles River area in California, funded through the Conservancy's Non-Bond Priority Grant Program. Awards range from $50,000 to $2,000,000, and applications follow a two-phase Concept Proposal then Full Application process. Limited to projects within the Lower LA River program area.