Browse grants

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.

Department of Parks and Recreation · $1K–$10K

This California grant is open only to public agencies (cities, counties, districts) that previously received Boating and Waterways funding for a project — it is not for nonprofits, businesses, or individuals. It pays for installing or replacing signs that are obsolete, damaged, missing, or needed for safety at those existing facilities, with awards ranging from about $1,000 to $10,000. Applications are due February 1, 2027.

Department of Parks and Recreation · Amount varies

Open only to public agencies in California (not nonprofits, businesses, or individuals), this program funds the creation or improvement of public non-motorized boat launching access, such as small hand-launched boat ramps, parking lots, and restrooms. No award amount is listed in this record, so applicants should confirm funding levels with the funder. Applications are due February 1, 2027.

Department of Parks and Recreation · Amount varies

This California grant is restricted to local government agencies and funds construction or improvement of boat launching facilities — ramps, restrooms, boarding floats, shore protection, and vehicle/trailer parking — plus related engineering, permitting, and inspection costs. It is not open to nonprofits, businesses, or individuals, and no award amount is specified in this record. Applications are due February 1, 2027.

Department of Parks and Recreation · Amount varies

This California program is limited to public agencies that operate DBW-funded boat launching facilities and covers repairs or ramp extensions needed after flood, wildfire, accident damage, or drought-related low water levels. It is not open to nonprofits, businesses, or individuals, and no award amount is specified in this record. Applications are due February 1, 2027.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy · Amount varies

Nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments can apply to this Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy program for regional wildfire prevention, forest health, and forest resilience projects that reduce risk to populated areas near wildlands. Funds are available for encumbrance through June 30, 2028 and liquidation through June 30, 2031, but no specific award amount or application deadline is listed here.

Tahoe Conservancy · Amount varies

Open to nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments for near-shore environmental improvement projects in the Lake Tahoe Basin, particularly managing aquatic invasive species or improving public access to sovereign land. The program allocates approximately $350,000 annually, so awards are likely modest relative to total demand. Geographic scope is limited to the Lake Tahoe Basin in California.

Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy · Amount varies

Nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments in California can apply for this Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy funding tied to the Randall Preserve, aimed at reducing climate impacts on disadvantaged communities and expanding outdoor recreation. Funds are available through June 30, 2028; no award amount or deadline has been specified, so applicants should confirm current availability directly with the Conservancy.

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.

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.

Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank · Amount varies

Open only to public agencies in California, this IBank program provides infrastructure loans (not grants) ranging from $1 million to $65 million for projects like water/wastewater systems, roads, public transit, and other public infrastructure, with terms up to 30 years and no competitive scoring (first-come, first-served). Applications are accepted year-round. Not open to nonprofits, businesses, or individuals, and requires eventual loan repayment.