Browse grants

Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development · $50K–$500K

The Quantum FAST Challenge, run by California's Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development, funds two kinds of projects: education/workforce development to build a quantum-technology talent pipeline, and applied use-case demonstrations pairing researchers and students with industry partners. Listed eligible applicant types are 'Other Legal Entity' and 'Public Agency' — standard nonprofit and small-business categories aren't explicitly named, so organizations outside government or an established legal-entity structure should confirm fit with the funder before applying. Awards range from $50,000 to $500,000, with applications due 2026-10-20.

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.

Department of Fish and Wildlife · Amount varies

Open to nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments in California conducting research or technological innovation on the environmental impacts of cannabis cultivation. Funds projects on water use, land management, native species, and community engagement related to cultivation practices. No award amount or deadline is listed in the posting, so applicants should confirm current funding levels and timelines with CDFW before applying.

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.

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.

CA Energy Commission · Amount varies

Businesses, individuals, public agencies, and tribal governments in California may apply for this CA Energy Commission program, which provides cost-share funding to match federal geothermal energy grants (energy, science, technology, and R&D projects). No award amounts or deadlines are listed here, and applicants should consult the program's application manual for full eligibility rules and required documentation.

CA Department of Food and Agriculture · $1–$190K

Businesses, individuals, nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments can apply for this CA Department of Food and Agriculture program funding research into new management methods for controlling the beet leafhopper and curly top virus, with awards up to $190,000. Proposals must be submitted 30 days before posted Beet Curly Top Virus Control Board meetings, and funding priority goes to no-pesticide or DPR-approved pesticide approaches, making this a narrow, specialized agricultural research opportunity.

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.

Department of Fish and Wildlife · Amount varies

Open broadly to individuals, nonprofits, public agencies, and California Native American tribes, this program funds habitat conservation projects tied to upland game birds through California's Upland Game Bird Account. Any proposal that meets the criteria in Fish & Game Code §3684 can qualify — eligibility isn't limited to established organizations. No specific award amount or deadline is listed, so applicants should confirm current cycle details with CDFW.

CA Energy Commission · Amount varies

Available to individuals and public agencies, this program provides state matching funds ('cost share') for specific federal clean-energy funding opportunities listed by the CA Energy Commission — it is not standalone project funding on its own. Applicants generally need to already be pursuing or have won one of the referenced federal opportunities. No fixed award amount or deadline is given here.

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.