California Serves Grant Program

The California Serves Grant Program is administered by the California Department of Education (CDE) with support from California Volunteers and funded through Assembly Bill 181, Section 71 of the Budget Act of 2022. This program reflects California’s ongoing investment in civic education and engagement through service-learning initiatives aligned with the State Seal of Civic Engagement (SSCE). The program's primary purpose is to provide grants to local educational agencies (LEAs)—including school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools—to expand access to service-learning opportunities that support students in earning the SSCE. The initiative grew out of a broader Civic Education Initiative that began in 2013, leading to the creation of a task force and subsequent development of the Blueprint for Action to enhance civic learning statewide. The formal adoption of the SSCE in 2020 provided a tangible recognition of students' civic knowledge and engagement. The California Serves Grant Program builds upon these developments by offering resources that help schools and districts implement meaningful service-learning aligned with the SSCE’s five criteria. Grant funds may be used for activities including paid planning time for educators, professional development, purchase of instructional materials, participation and travel costs for service-learning activities, and personnel expenses to coordinate these programs. The total available program funding is up to $5 million, with individual awards capped at $500,000 per LEA. LEAs applying as part of a consortium may request funding of up to $500,000 per participating member. However, previously funded LEAs still active in another grant cycle are not eligible. To be eligible, LEAs must serve students in grade twelve and have an unduplicated pupil count of at least 55%, as defined by state education code. The grant also emphasizes inclusion, prioritizing LEAs that have not previously received funding. All grantees must align their activities with CDE’s model uniform metrics and quality professional learning standards. Applications are due by December 1, 2025, and must be submitted through the CDE’s online portal. A Notice of Intent to Apply is required by November 17, 2025. The application must include a narrative, budget, and project timeline. Awards are expected to be announced in March 2026, and funds will be disbursed beginning May 2026. All expenditures must be completed by June 30, 2028. The program is recurring on an annual basis, with the next cycle expected to open in October 2026.

Applications should demonstrate alignment with the five SSCE criteria and service-learning principles; successful applications include a well-justified budget and evidence-based program design.