California grants for Independent school districts

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.     

Draft program proposals are available on the program website.  This will be updated once final criteria are adopted.

Hydrogen can serve as a zero-carbon energy carrier and act as a potential replacement for fossil fuels in hard-to-electrify applications, particularly for the transportation, industrial, and electricity generation sectors. For the purposes of this solicitation, clean hydrogen is defined as hydrogen produced from water using eligible renewable energy resources, as defined in Public Utilities Code 399.12, or produced from these eligible renewable energy resources. To achieve sustainable wide-scale deployment, hydrogen must be produced cleanly at increased scale and reduced cost. This solicitation aims to reduce the cost burden of clean hydrogen production through large-scale, centralized production coupled with storage, delivery, and pre-determined offtakers to support a comprehensive hydrogen value chain. Expected outcomes include the development and deployment of low-carbon, cost-competitive hydrogen production from renewable energy sources and reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in hard-to-electrify sectors.   The 2022 California Air Resources Board (CARB) Scoping Plan estimates that by 2045, demand for low-carbon hydrogen increases nearly two-fold the current levels of fossil hydrogen – or a 1,700-fold increase in existing low-carbon hydrogen supply – especially to support emerging end uses such as heavy-duty vehicles, power generation, industrial process heat, and synthetic fuels for aviation. Hydrogen produced from water using renewable energy resources or produced directly from renewable energy resources can provide low-carbon energy and act as an alternative to fossil gas, helping meet California's GHG reduction goals of 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2045.     

The program prioritizes Projects that benefit vulnerable and LMI populations as well as those located inside the Most Impacted and Distressed area (MID) or documented to impact the MID. Per the grant requirements program funds must benefit the MID and 50 percent of the program funds are required to benefit LMI persons. Additionally, for CDBG-MIT funds to be used as the non-federal cost share local match, the Project must be a HUD eligible activity and must meet a HUD national objective, per CDBG-MIT rules and regulations. Similarly, the Project must fully comply with all applicable federal rules and regulations, to include Davis Bacon and related acts, Section 3, Section 504, procurement, environmental review, and all other CDBG-MIT, cross-cutting, state and local applicable statutes, rules, and regulations. Jurisdictions within the MID that do not meet the allocation requirements are still eligible to submit Projects towards a 20 percent set aside. Applicants will then be required to submit Project applications which will be reviewed against eligibility thresholds to ensure they meet program requirements. The following Jurisdictions will be eligible to apply towards the 20 percent set aside:o City of Agoura Hillso City of Andersono City of Calabasaso City of Chicoo City of Gridleyo City of Lakeporto City of Los Angeleso City of Orovilleo City of Shasta Lakeo City of Westlake Villageo Tribal Entities located within the MID  

Arts Integration Training projects should be designed to pave a pathway for increased equitable student learning in, through, and about the arts. This may be realized in a specific classroom, in all classrooms across a school site, or as a central strategy for a district or countywide arts plan. The project must be planned and implemented with collaboration between a nonprofit arts organization, teaching artists, and the educational entity, with fullcommitment from all participants.

The United States Department of Energy’s (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program was originally created by the Federal Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 and expanded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). New funding wBIL as allocated to the program in 2021 under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) with the broad goals to reduce carbon emissions and energy use, improve energy efficiency, and increase community investment and local workforce development. IIJA funding made available in 2021 under the EECBG (2021 EECBG) allocated funds directly to state and certain local jurisdictions that met program criteria, with approximately $4.5 million allocated to the State. Of the funds allocated to the State, $4,070,070 are available for the LGBDC.

The Alfred E. Alquist Hospital Facilities Seismic Safety Act (Health and Safety Code (HSC) Section 129675) requires that hospitals be constructed to remain open and safely provide services to the public after an earthquake. The Small and Rural Hospital Relief Program will administer this new grant program to eligible small, rural, or Critical Access hospitals that have limited funds for seismic safety retrofit requirements. Ten percent of the funds from the California Electronic Cigarette Excise Tax will be allocated to HCAI to fund the new program (HSC Section 130075). The SRHRP supports qualified small, rural and Critical Access hospitals by providing state grant funding and technical assistance to help meet seismic safety standards and preserve access to general acute care for the communities they serve. The program is being developed to assist qualified facilities with technical assistance for development of seismic improvement program planning, project planning and development, and financial grants to apply towards implementing each facility’s unique compliance program. The first step in qualifying for the program will be the application process, which will be used to determine if facilities meet the qualifications as either a small, rural or Critical Access hospital at risk of closure for financial reasons. Program applicants will be required to have current seismic compliance plans and agreed-upon project delivery plans on file with HCAI’s Seismic Compliance Unit prior to acceptance of funding package applications. A process will be employed to optimize use of available funds across all program participants based on need and adherence to approved project schedules.

This grant cycle has been designed for smaller projects that complement existing and/or regional HHW programs in California. Grant applications must include one or more of the following types of projects: HHW public education and outreach for general audiences (may include extended producer responsibility [EPR] information).Implementation of sustainable EPR collection opportunities, to include but not limited to: (1) Promotion of an ongoing retail take-back program such as batteries or fluorescent lamps at local hardware stores, businesses, or government facilities.(2) Promotional collection events hosted at businesses or government facilities.(3) Promotional public education and outreach materials specifically for local retail take-back programs. (4) Project to: Determine and implement the most safe and cost effective methods for collecting propane gas cylinders and/or marine flares.Implement effective education programs and identify effective incentives that reduce the disposal of household hazardous waste. The incentives must be something reusable to replace HHW being disposed (does not include monetary or SWAG incentives, rechargeable batteries, adapters, valves, caps or other accessories for refilling propane canisters).(5) Set-up and operation of temporary or mobile collection program for one-day or multi-day collection events for the following except for those materials that are currently covered by another recycling/collection program (e.g. covered electronic waste, cell phones, thermostat, etc.): Common HHW materials and universal waste.Marine flaresPropane gas cylinders up to 5 gallonsSolar panels as a pilot project. Awardees are required to collect and report data on type/style of panels, manufacturer, volume, and the method of disposal.(6) New or expanded curbside and/or door-to-door collection programs to allow for the collection of new and eligible HHW materials. (7) Minor improvements to an existing HHW facility. (Examples include but are not limited to: storage bins, signage, painting, paving, shelving, etc.). Purchase of personal protection equipment. (8) 8-hour refresher Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response Standards (HAZWOPER) training. Projects that do not fall within one of these eight categories will not be eligible for grant funding. A Resolution is required by the secondary due date.  

The Equity Leads were established in 2023 under Senate Bill 114, Section 79 (Chapter 48 of the Statutes of 2023) as part of the California Statewide System of Support as a key lead initiative, with a $2 million annual investment. The Equity Leads will partner with local educational agencies (LEAs) to identify barriers to opportunities implementations and services to meet the identified needs of all pupils, including by addressing disparities in opportunities and academic outcomes. Additionally, Equity Leads will identify existing resources (including support for educator preparation, recruitment, retention, and professional development) and monitor the impact of the implementation of local control and accountability plan goals. Equity Leads will prioritize support to schools receiving Equity Multiplier Funding.

Introduction EEM projects must contribute to mitigation of the environmental effects of transportation facilities. The California Natural Resources Agency (Agency) prescribes procedures and criteria to evaluate grant project proposals and submits a list of projects recommended for funding to the California Transportation Commission (CTC). The CTC awards grants to projects from Agency’s list. Related Transportation Facility EEM projects must mitigate, either directly or indirectly, the environmental impacts of a) the modification of an existing Transportation Facility or b) the construction of a new Transportation Facility (hereafter Related Transportation Facility or RTF). The EEM project can be the required mitigation for the RTF or enhancement to mitigation required for the RTF. Statewide Project Goals Agency grant programs assist state and local entities to develop more sustainable communities, increase adaptability to climate change using nature-based strategies, and protect biodiversity in compliance with Executive Order N-82-20, the Pathways to 30 x 30 California, and the Natural and Working Lands Climate Smart Strategy. Projects that demonstrate the following multiple benefits will be more competitive: • Improved air and/or water quality. • Reduced consumption of natural resources and energy. • Increased reliability of local water supplies. • Increased adaptability to climate change. • Increased protection and restoration of biodiversity Eligible Projects Examples The list below isn't comprehensive, but provides examples of project elements that meet statutory conditions. Urban Forestry: • Planting of trees and plants along urban streets and medians. • Greening existing public lands and structures, including school campuses and urban parks. • Greening vacant lots and abandoned sites. • Restoration of urban creeks. Resource Lands: • Removal of invasive and restoration of natural plant species. • Enhancement or restoration of natural areas such as inland wetlands, forests, oak woodlands, mountain meadows, creeks, and streams with riparian or riverine fish or wildlife habitat, wildlife corridors and fish passages, coastal estuaries, grazing land and grasslands. • Acquisitions in fee title or through conservation easements to safeguard regional water supplies, protect riparian and wildlife habitats, conserve agricultural lands for secure wildlife migration corridors, and provide public access for compatible wildlife/nature-oriented recreation by the wider community. • Acquisitions to preserve in perpetuity Resource Lands for agricultural uses, open space, wetlands, biodiversity, etc. Mitigation Projects Beyond the Scope of the Lead Agency: Project examples listed under Urban Forestry and Resource Lands categories may be eligible for the Mitigation Projects Beyond the Scope of the Lead Agency category, if the mitigation or enhancement measures for the RTF were infeasible or beyond the jurisdiction and/or authority of the Lead Agency for the RTF. Project Criteria Questions Applicants must choose only one project category and respond to all questions in the selected category. If a question doesn't apply to the project, indicate Not Applicable with a brief explanation.

- Qualified fiscal sponsors, such as social service agencies or medical providers, must apply on behalf of clients for medical or health care related needs in Humboldt County. - The Angel Fund does not provide reimbursements and seldomly approves grants exceeding $500. Most grants fall within the range of $50 - $300. - The committee meets every Tuesday to review applications, with a two-week turnaround time required for application review and check processing. - Eligible expenses include items such as air purifiers, counseling for mental and behavioral health, eyeglasses and vision services, local bus passes, medical and dental travel expenses, prescriptions, and physical therapy equipment. - Ineligible expenses include adult dental care, car payments, childcare, counseling (long-term), hearing aids, rent, utility bills, weight loss programs, and more. For more information about the application process, potential applicants can refer to the virtual tutorial provided at the following link: [Application Process Tutorial](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QOBWzmykC21vYwyo2GSnegsfAp9B9k6Y/view?usp=share_link)

This funding provides $45 million to support educators and enhance learning resources for children in Pre-K through Grade 3 across California, focusing on early mathematical development.

In 2021, the California state legislature appropriated $3 million in funding to the Department to develop a Wolf-Livestock Compensation Pilot Program to help minimize the impact of gray wolves on livestock producers. The pilot program offers compensation to eligible livestock producers specific to the following primary areas of need (prongs):  Prong 1. Direct Loss - Compensation for verified livestock losses (confirmed/probable wolf) incurred on or after September 23, 2021. Prong 2. Nonlethal Deterrents - Compensation for the use of nonlethal deterrence methods to deter wolf presence near livestock. The Department supports the use of various deterrent tools and techniques as part of a robust, integrated deterrence strategy. Technical assistance may be available through CDFW, County Agricultural Commissions, UC Cooperative Extension, USDA Wildlife Service, and other agency partners. Prong 3. Pay for Presence - Compensation for indirect losses associated with the impacts of wolf presence on livestock in known pack territory. Extenuating circumstances may exist whereby CDFW will consider eligibility for wolf presence outside of known pack territory on a case-by-case basis.

This program provides funding to established arts organizations in California to mentor and develop new local arts agencies in four underserved counties, enhancing community access to arts and cultural activities.

The Kings County Association of Governments in California is offering a non-competitive grant of over $1 million through the REAP 2.0 Local Suballocation Grant Program to support projects that accelerate infill development, affirm furthering fair housing, and reduce vehicle miles traveled, with eligible applicants including local governments, housing authorities, school districts, and more.

This funding opportunity is designed for California-based archives to preserve and make accessible collections that highlight the history and contributions of the LGBTQ+ community in the state.

The Coastal Conservancy funds a wide variety of projects along the California coast, San Francisco Bay, and in coastal watersheds to increase availability of beaches, parks and trails for the public, protect and restore natural lands and wildlife habitat, preserve working lands, and increase community resilience to the impacts of climate change. The Conservancy will fund most stages of a project including: pre-project feasibility studies, property acquisition, project planning including community involvement, design, environmental review, permitting, construction, and project-related monitoring. We do not fund operation and maintenance activities. Most Conservancy grants are awarded through this rolling pre-application solicitation. This includes Climate Ready, Wildfire Resilience, and all regional grant programs.  Explore the Coast, Coastal Stories, and some other grant programs are NOT awarded through this rolling process.

This grant provides funding to farmers and ranchers for the cleanup and remediation of solid waste on their properties, helping to address illegal disposal issues and promote environmental sustainability.

This funding initiative provides financial support to programs that improve access to construction apprenticeships for women, non-binary individuals, and underrepresented populations in California.

This grant provides matching funds to states for acquiring land or conservation easements to protect habitats for endangered species, supporting efforts to reduce conflicts between conservation and land use.