Browse grants

Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery · Amount varies

California's Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) offers this grant to public agencies and tribal governments to clean up illegal solid waste dumping on farm and ranch property in California, covering costs like disposal, equipment, personnel, and public education for site remediation projects lasting about two years. Only public agencies and tribal governments may apply directly; private landowners are not eligible applicants even though the sites may be privately owned. The application deadline is October 7, 2026.

Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation · $750K–$4.5M

Nonprofits, public agencies, tribal governments, community-based organizations, and public higher education institutions in California can apply, but only as part of a coalition — every application needs a Lead Applicant plus at least one Co-Applicant. It funds heat-related infrastructure planning and demonstration projects ($750,000–$1.2 million) or implementation of already-planned heat infrastructure ($3 million–$4.5 million). At least 40% of funding is reserved for projects benefiting Disadvantaged Communities, with 10% of that share going to Severely Disadvantaged Communities. Applicants must first submit a Pre-Application Interest Form via Submittable (window closes July 21 or August 11, 2026) before the Full Application is due October 13, 2026.

Public Utilities Commission · $50K–$100K

Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) nonprofit community-based organizations with a demonstrated track record addressing the digital divide, partnered with a low-income urban or rural public school or district. The California Public Utilities Commission will award about three grants of $50,000 to $100,000 (roughly $200,000 total) for projects that address broadband access, affordability, device access, or digital-skills training. Applicants must be in good standing with the California Franchise Tax Board, submit at least three letters of recommendation, and already have a partnership agreement with the beneficiary school or district. Applications are due by October 31, 2026.

CA Department of Education · $50K–$203.5K

California's After School Education and Safety (ASES) program, created by Proposition 49, funds before- and after-school literacy, academic enrichment, and safety programs for K-9 students, with awards of $50,000-$203,500. Only public agencies partnering with schools are eligible, in this Round 2 of the 2025-26 RFA. The deadline is December 3, 2026.

Department of Parks and Recreation · $200K–$8.5M

Open to California cities, counties, districts, joint powers authorities, and nonprofit organizations, funding acquisition, design, and construction of new or renovated parks in underserved, climate-vulnerable communities. Grants range from $200,000 to $8,500,000, can cover 100% of project costs, and require no matching funds. Applications are due online by December 17, 2026.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Coastal Conservancy · Amount varies

Open to nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments for projects along the California coast, San Francisco Bay, and coastal watersheds. Funds feasibility studies, land acquisition, planning, design, permitting, and construction for beaches, parks, trails, habitat restoration, and climate resilience projects, but does not cover ongoing operations or maintenance. Most funding is awarded through a rolling pre-application process; geographically limited to coastal California, and no set award amount or deadline is listed.

State Treasurer's Office · Amount varies

California businesses, nonprofits, individuals, public agencies, and tribal governments building or expanding a manufacturing facility involving recycled feedstock, advanced manufacturing, alternative energy, or advanced transportation technologies can apply to CAEATFA for a sales and use tax exclusion on qualifying equipment purchases. This is a tax exclusion rather than a direct cash grant, so applicants should confirm it fits their funding needs; no dollar cap or deadline is specified here.

Baldwin Hills & Urban Watersheds Conservancy · Amount varies

Nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments can apply to this Baldwin Hills & Urban Watersheds Conservancy Consolidated Grant Program, which prioritizes projects delivering measurable climate resilience or recreational access benefits to disadvantaged communities and vulnerable populations in its region. No specific award amounts or deadlines are listed, so applicants should confirm current funding rounds directly with the Conservancy.

Wildlife Conservation Board · Amount varies

Open to nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments through the California Wildlife Conservation Board's Wildlife Corridor and Fish Passage program. Funds construction of wildlife crossings, removal of fish passage barriers, and related planning projects, with priority given to sites on state-identified wildlife movement or fish passage priority lists. No specific award amount or deadline is provided.

State Water Resources Control Board · $250K–$500K

Nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments operating public water systems in California can apply to the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund for planning support, covering costs like feasibility studies, engineering plans, and environmental review. Small disadvantaged community water systems can receive up to $500,000 in principal forgiveness/grant funding, while other systems may only qualify for loans with subsidized interest rates rather than outright grants; applications are accepted on a continuous basis with no fixed deadline.

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

Open to nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments through the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy, funding multi-benefit projects along the Lower Los Angeles River (within 1.5 miles of its lower 19 miles). Awards range from $10,000 to $2 million for projects supporting community economics, health, equity, public space, and water/environmental resilience. Applications go through a two-phase process: an initial Concept Proposal followed by an invited Full Application.

Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy · Amount varies

Nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments in the Coachella Valley and surrounding mountains can apply for this Proposition 4-funded grant supporting climate risk reduction, habitat and watershed restoration, wildfire risk reduction, and improved public access to parks and trails. The process starts with a Letter of Intent/Pre-Application Consultation Form, and projects benefiting disadvantaged or vulnerable communities receive priority; specific award amounts and deadlines are not listed here.

Department of Fish and Wildlife · Amount varies

California schools (via businesses, nonprofits, or public agencies applying on their behalf) not already affiliated with the National Archery in the Schools Program can apply for this CA Department of Fish and Wildlife equipment grant, which awards 12-20 new schools each year a starter archery kit (bows, targets, arrows, and maintenance equipment) rather than cash. Applications and a supporting Instructor letter are due July 30 each year, with awards announced by September 15; schools already running NASP are not eligible.

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

This California Proposition 68 program, administered by the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy, funds projects that expand open space, improve water supply and quality, restore habitat and species, build trail networks, and improve flood protection through natural systems; nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments may apply. Applications are submitted in two phases (a Concept Proposal followed by a Full Application), and funding is limited to the RMC's California service region; no specific award amount or deadline is listed in this posting.

Wildlife Conservation Board · Amount varies

Open to nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments through the California Wildlife Conservation Board's Regional Conservation Investment Strategies program, though public agencies typically lead these voluntary regional conservation planning efforts. Priority goes to areas lacking an existing conservation plan and to proposals that include matching funds (cash or in-kind) and demonstrate readiness. No specific award amount or deadline is listed.