State Opportunity Zone Benefits Grants

This program provides financial assistance to eligible organizations for the design, purchase, or installation of backup power systems to ensure reliable electricity during emergencies.

This grant, under the authority of Public Act 53 of 2022, is part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, designated to enhance public outdoor recreation facilities through the development, renovation, or redevelopment of local parks and trails. The funding aims to modernize these facilities and promote public recreation, equity, tourism, and economic recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible subrecipients must maintain an active SAM registration and use the funds in accordance with the established terms, including meeting deadlines for expense obligations and expenditures by specific dates in 2024 and 2026 respectively.

The CalMoneySmart program, funded by the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, is designed to boost financial empowerment among California's unbanked and underbanked populations by providing up to $200K annually for two years to eligible nonprofit organizations. These funds support activities like financial education, empowerment services, and the development of financial products aimed at improving financial literacy and economic security. The program emphasizes adherence to the principles of effective financial education to ensure impactful outcomes.

The CalMoneySmart program aims to enhance financial empowerment among unbanked and underbanked Californians by funding nonprofit organizations. Through financial education and empowerment services, it seeks to reduce disparities, improve financial literacy, and foster wealth-building opportunities. The program awards grantees up to $200K per year for two consecutive fiscal years to promote financial stability and security statewide. ; Grant funds may only be used for the following financial education and empowerment services for the targeted at-risk unbanked and underbanked populations: 1) Designing, developing, or offering, free of charge to consumers, classroom or web-based financial education and empowerment content intended to help unbanked and underbanked consumers achieve, identify, and access lower cost financial products and services, establish or improve their credit, increase their savings, or lower their debt. 2) Providing individualized, free financial coaching to unbanked and underbanked consumers. 3) Designing, developing, or offering, free of charge to consumers, a financial product or service intended to help unbanked and underbanked consumers identify and access responsible financial products and financial services, establish or improve their credit, increase their savings, or lower their debt. Every project funded with a grant from the Financial Empowerment Fund shall meet the following criteria: 1) Promote and enhance the economic security of consumers. 2) Adhere to the five principles of effective financial education described in the June 2017 report issued by the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau titled “Effective financial education: Five principles and how to use them.” Grant awards will be announced for a two-year period covering two consecutive fiscal years. Funds for each fiscal year are disbursed separately and any unexpended funds must be returned to the DFPI. Disbursement of funding for the second fiscal year is contingent on submission of a satisfactory annual report. A mandatory in-person training for grantees will be held during the grant cycle. Final details will be included in the grant agreement.   Grantees may use no more than 15 percent of the grant to cover administrative (indirect) costs. Failure to comply shall render the Applicant ineligible for a grant during the subsequent fiscal year and until the noncompliance is corrected.  A grantee may subcontract services that it has agreed to provide under the grant agreement, so long as those services are conducted on behalf of the grantee. Subcontract arrangements must be clearly described in the scope of work and budget. Accepting grant funds with the intent of distributing those funds to other nonprofit organizations (for example, sub-grants or fiscal sponsorship) is not allowed. Grant funding may not be used for financial incentives for individuals. Prohibited incentives include, but are not limited to, match funding for savings accounts, participant stipends, or gift cards with a cash value. Grantees are required to submit preliminary and final annual reports, in a form and by a date specified by the Commissioner of Financial Protection and Innovation, documenting: 1) The specific uses to which grant funds were allocated, 2) The number of individuals aided through use of the funds, 3) Quantitative results regarding the impact of grant funding, and 4) Any other information requested by the Commissioner. Failure to submit satisfactory reports shall render the Applicant ineligible for any DFPI grant during the subsequent fiscal year and until the required report is submitted. 

The Volunteer Fire Capacity (VFC) Program is a federally funded grant program that allows California to provide local and rural fire departments with minor firefighting, training, communications and safety equipment for their volunteer firefighters. The VFC Program is not intended for major equipment (fire engines, vehicles, etc.) or Capital repairs. The VFC Program has a 50/50 match requirement which means that the applying department must be able to meet the intended grant award, dollar for dollar. Awards for departments are set at a minimum of $500 with a maximum of $20,000. Amounts may be adjusted based on the grant funding available. For additional information please contact Megan Esfandiary at [email protected] or Bryan Giambrone at [email protected].

This program provides financial support to municipalities for revitalizing underutilized areas, creating jobs, and boosting local economies through the development of designated zones.

This program provides funding to local governments in Nebraska for transportation projects that create or retain jobs and attract private investment in the state.

This program provides financial assistance to rural communities in Idaho for infrastructure projects that promote economic development and job creation.

The Opportunity Zone Mini Grant Program for Colorado offers up to $2,000 to support communities in accessing professional services. Eligible service categories include legal assistance, accounting, financial services, investment banking, economic development and planning, investment facilitation, measurement and evaluation, community engagement and input, marketing and design, as well as other miscellaneous services. Communities are responsible for selecting the vendor and setting the service agreement for the project. For more information, visit: https://grantsforus.io/type-of-eligible-entity/organizations/nonprofit-organizations/opportunity-zone-mini-grant-colorado

The NYFIRST medical school grant program aims to support the recruitment or retention of exceptional life science researchers at New York State medical schools. The program offers a maximum grant of $1.0 million, with a requirement for grantees to provide $2 in matching funds for every $1 of NYFIRST program assistance. Eligible expenses include laboratory establishment or upgrades, purchase of capital equipment and specialized supplies, and working capital for professional staff costs. Eligible applicants are limited to medical schools in New York State, and the recruited or retained Principal Investigator must have a history of translational research and be pursuing innovative solutions for unmet clinical needs with a clear path to commercialization. Additionally, the talent must demonstrate a history of entrepreneurship, be tenured or on a tenure track, hire from outside New York State or retain full-time scientists or doctoral students/post-doctoral fellows, and have potential for significant life sciences economic development benefits in New York State. For detailed eligibility requirements, funding criteria, and application guidelines, potential applicants should refer to the Life Sciences Initiative Program Guidelines for the New York Fund for Innovation in Research and Scientific Talent (NYFIRST) Program.

CAL FIRE's Wood Products and Bioenergy team seeks to maintain and enhance the wood products infrastructure of California to promote healthy resilient forests throughout the state by supporting a diverse set of business development and workforce development projects.  ; Eligible business development projects include facilities, operations, and professional services that support the restoration of healthy, resilient forests.   Eligible workforce development projects include universities, colleges, government and community organizations, and businesses that aim to increase workforce capacity in the fields of logging, fuels treatment, transportation, manufacturing, or other support services that bolster the development of a resilient forest sector workforce.   Research and development projects related to both business and workforce development will also be considered. Check out the Wood Products website and subscribe for updates.     

This grant provides funding for projects that improve wildlife and fish passage by constructing or modifying infrastructure, restoring habitats, and removing barriers, particularly in areas affected by drought.

This funding opportunity supports public agencies in California to create regional conservation plans that protect and restore habitats for vulnerable species through collaborative efforts and the use of scientific data.

This funding opportunity supports projects that enhance public access to California's natural areas, prioritizing initiatives for boating, hunting, fishing, and wildlife-oriented recreation, aimed at benefiting all residents.

This program provides funding to local agencies and nonprofit organizations for projects that restore, enhance, and improve public access to the natural and recreational resources of the American River Parkway.