California grants for Nonprofits

The 2024 Farm-to-School Competitive Grants Program, offered by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, aims to increase the promotion and use of New York State produced foods in K-12 school cafeterias. This initiative seeks to build relationships between New York farmers, food hubs, producers, processors, and distributors with schools, ultimately benefiting school-age children by enhancing the quality of food served and fostering local agricultural connections. The program aligns with a broader mission of improving nutrition, exposing students to new, local culinary experiences, and increasing agricultural education opportunities. Target beneficiaries for this program include K-12 School Food Authorities, charter schools, not-for-profit organizations, and Indian tribal organizations within New York State. The impact goals are centered on increasing the volume and variety of New York State farm products purchased by schools and served in school meal programs. Secondary goals include fostering agricultural education and improving student nutrition through exposure to local foods. The program prioritizes projects that increase the purchase of New York specialty crops, build relationships between schools and New York farm product suppliers, and encourage agricultural and nutrition education, gardening activities, and relationship building with local agricultural food businesses and farmers. Projects that partner with producers or food processors are strongly encouraged, highlighting a focus on strengthening the entire farm-to-school supply chain. Challenges addressed by the program include seasonality, inconsistent quality/quantity, processing/packaging needs, complex bidding processes, distribution logistics, lack of equipment/skills for fresh produce, connecting diverse populations with culturally appropriate foods, and insufficient training for culinary staff. Expected outcomes and measurable results revolve around the increased procurement and serving of New York State farm products in school meal programs. The program, which has been in place since 2015, anticipates that successful projects will demonstrate a greater integration of local foods into school meals. While specific metrics are not detailed, the objective to "increase the volume and variety" implies a quantitative measure of growth in local food purchasing. The total funding available is $1,500,000, with individual grant awards ranging from $50,000 to $100,000, and $300,000 set aside for first-time recipients, indicating a strategic effort to expand participation and impact over the two-year project duration (September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2026).

The purpose of the Program is to fund CASA Programs in California to provide more children in foster care with a CASA volunteer who will advocate for the services and support needed by children who have experienced abuse and neglect.

The Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD) is offering grants to support San Francisco’s residents, businesses, visitors, and workers by providing critical economic and workforce development resources. This Request for Proposals (RFP) encompasses four distinct program areas, with an anticipated total funding of $2.38 million for initial grant awards. The grants are designed to support programs delivered through three key OEWD divisions: Business Development, Community Economic Development (formerly Invest In Neighborhoods), and Workforce Development. The target beneficiaries of these programs include various communities within San Francisco. For Community Economic Development, the focus is on Castro cultural activation, specifically uplifting Queer and Transgender Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Workforce Development programs target workers through the Industries of Opportunity-Worker Cooperative Program and youth and young adults through the Industries of Opportunity-Youth and Young Adult Food Sovereignty program. Business Development programs aim to benefit the broader community through Union Square Park Programming. The grant prioritizes specific areas with defined funding allocations. Community Economic Development programs, focusing on Castro cultural activation, have a funding of $30,000. Workforce Development programs include $950,000 for the Worker Cooperative Program ($425,000 per program year) and $400,000 for the Youth and Young Adult Food Sovereignty program ($200,000 per program year). Business Development programs, specifically for Union Square Park Programming, are allocated $1,000,000. Successful proposals are expected to be funded for up to six years, concluding no later than June 2030, which indicates a long-term commitment to the initiatives. The eligibility criteria require applicants to be a nonprofit 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), or 501(c)(6) organization, registered with the IRS and in good standing with relevant California state entities, and eligible to do business with the City and County of San Francisco. Expected outcomes include economic growth, workforce development, and community empowerment within the targeted areas of San Francisco, aligning with OEWD’s mission to support the city's residents and economy.

The City of Palo Alto is currently inviting applications for its Emerging Needs Fund (ENF), designed to support nonprofit organizations aiding Palo Alto residents through unexpected or urgent funding requirements. This initiative focuses on alleviating emergency, critical, or emerging human service needs. Priority is given based on the severity of the need, with a portion of funds reserved specifically for emergency situations. Eligible needs range from unforeseen events disrupting essential services to the development or expansion of programs enhancing the quality of life for vulnerable populations. Funding decisions are made based on the immediate need, and organizations may not receive funds more than once within a two-year timeframe. Application deadlines vary with the type of need addressed.

This funding opportunity is designed to support organizations in Napa County that focus on wildlife conservation, education, and habitat improvement projects, particularly those benefiting school-aged children.

The Community Sports Grant, funded by the City of Thousand Oaks in California, offers $2,000 to $7,500 to non-profit community and school groups for upgrading sports facilities or purchasing equipment, requiring 100% matching funds and excluding uniforms, with applications due by October 3, 2024.

The Los Angeles County Regional Park and Open Space District is offering a grant of $100,000 to $500,000 for public agencies and nonprofit organizations to acquire land for the creation or expansion of parks, wildlife corridors, trails, and access facilities, with a focus on high-need, rural, and regional areas.

This funding opportunity is designed for research institutions affiliated with the Desert Southwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit to study vegetation health and water use in the Lower Colorado River's riparian areas using remote sensing technologies.

The 2024 General Grants Program, managed by The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County, offers general operating support (unrestricted grants) to eligible nonprofits. This program directly aligns with the Foundation's mission to support charitable organizations whose programs primarily benefit San Luis Obispo County residents, thereby improving the overall quality of life in the community. The flexibility of general operating support allows recipient organizations to allocate funds where they are most needed, supporting their foundational work and ensuring the sustained delivery of critical services within the county. The program targets a broad range of beneficiaries across San Luis Obispo County, focusing on direct services for those in need. Specifically, the grants aim to impact individuals benefiting from services related to arts, environment, health & human services, and seniors and people with disabilities. The overarching impact goal is to strengthen the local nonprofit ecosystem, enabling these organizations to more effectively address key community challenges and enhance the well-being of the county's residents. The program prioritizes several key focus areas. In the arts, it supports organizations that promote the creation, engagement, and appreciation of diverse art forms and local history. Environmental grants concentrate on education and sustainability, including efforts in climate mitigation, sustainable agriculture and forestry, and water and land conservation. Health & Human Services funding is directed towards improving the quality of life through basic needs provision and social service programs. Finally, a dedicated focus area supports organizations providing direct services for individuals with disabilities and/or seniors. Organizations can apply for either a one- or two-year grant, with maximum amounts of $12,000 and $24,000 respectively, and a clear preference for these durations. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed in the provided text, the expected outcomes are tied to the successful implementation of programs within the focus areas, leading to improved community engagement in the arts, enhanced environmental sustainability, better access to basic needs and social services, and improved quality of life for seniors and people with disabilities. The Foundation's strategic priority is clearly to invest in organizations that directly serve and benefit San Luis Obispo County residents, fostering a healthier and more vibrant community.

This grant provides $1 million to a qualified nonprofit or educational institution in California to develop a project aimed at improving health outcomes and reducing disparities for low-income and marginalized communities in San Diego and Imperial Counties.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for land acquisition projects that help with the planning and implementation of conservation efforts aimed at protecting natural communities and habitats in California.

This program provides funding to California-based organizations and businesses to promote sustainable farming practices and improve access to healthy food in diverse communities.

This funding opportunity supports a variety of organizations in California to develop and implement safer, sustainable pest management practices that protect public health and the environment while promoting economic vitality.

Grantees will be asked to focus on prevention and early intervention efforts with the end goal of increasing access to mental health services for veterans and their families.  Proposals funded under CVHI must be inclusive, equitable, and available to all veterans regardless of age, period of service, type of service, discharge status, or disability rating. Applicants must be able to meet the eligibility requirements of California Military and Veterans Code Section 881 to be considered for funding, and proposals must aim to expand the state’s capacity to provide mental health support to veterans and to fill gaps in mental health services. Applicants are required to select the program areas they are proposing and provide a description of the proposed activities and how the proposed activities would increase mental health access for California veterans. This NOFA allows for flexibility in program design to fit the specific needs of veterans and their families across the state, Outreach, Peer Support, Case Management, Outpatient Clinical Treatment, and Innovative Approaches will be eligible for funding and are further defined in the NOFA. The Grantee staff and leadership will be expected to maintain significant engagement with CalVet for monthly check-ins, operations assistance, reporting, and evaluation. Applicants are encouraged to ensure they are budgeting for appropriate levels of staff, time for data collection and reporting, time spent in CVHI meetings and trainings, and appropriate facility requirements (office space, group space, hardware and software equipment, supplies, overhead). Through an Application process responsive to the NOFA, awarded Grantees will provide clear and convincing evidence of adequate personnel, facility, and organizational capacity to effectively carry out their proposed project. The successful Applicant will describe how they meet minimum qualifications, including their breadth of experience working with Veterans, with special emphasis on treating veterans with mental health concerns. 

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is offering the 2024-2025 Natural Community Conservation Planning Local Assistance Grant (NCCP LAG) Program. This grant program is specifically designed to support the implementation of Natural Community Conservation Plans (NCCPs) across California. Its legal authority is rooted in Fish and Game Code section 1501.5(b), which empowers CDFW to provide funding for critical activities like the preservation, restoration, and enhancement of fish and wildlife habitats. The program's core mission aligns directly with the CDFW's broader goal of conserving California's diverse natural communities and species. The primary beneficiaries of the NCCP LAG program are local public agencies, tribes, and non-profit organizations that are actively involved in or have a keen interest in executing Eligible Projects related to NCCP implementation. The program prioritizes projects submitted by "Implementing Entities" – those responsible for putting the plans into action once permitted – by awarding them additional points during the proposal evaluation phase. While the focus is on California, entities outside the state are also eligible to apply, broadening the potential for collaboration and impact. The program's priorities and focus areas are clearly defined to ensure effective NCCP implementation. These include immediate management actions on newly acquired NCCP reserve lands, restoration and enhancement of habitats or species populations, and the design and execution of biological monitoring programs. Other crucial areas are the development of individual reserve management plans, new or updated mapping activities to support NCCP management or monitoring, and targeted studies for adaptive management to evaluate and adjust conservation strategies. Additionally, the grant supports other non-land acquisition priority tasks identified by applicants and implementing partners that are essential for successful NCCP execution. The expected outcomes of the NCCP LAG program are a more robust and effective implementation of NCCPs throughout California. Measurable results will stem from the successful completion of eligible projects, such as acres of habitat restored, the establishment of effective biological monitoring programs, improved reserve management, and enhanced understanding of species and habitat responses through targeted studies. The overarching impact goals are the preservation, restoration, and enhancement of fish and wildlife habitats, ultimately contributing to the long-term conservation of California's natural heritage. The CDFW's strategic priorities are evident in its annual offering of these grants for the "highest priority tasks," which are collaboratively identified with NCCP implementing partners and federal wildlife agencies, ensuring a targeted and impactful approach to conservation.

This program provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Turlock to support services that assist low- to moderate-income individuals, such as food assistance, homeless services, and youth programs.

This program provides financial incentives to certified glass cullet processors in California to expand their processing capacity and promote the use of recycled glass in new beverage containers.

This grant provides funding to various organizations to expand career education and training in allied health occupations for adults from disadvantaged backgrounds and healthcare workers facing advancement barriers.

The Strengthening the Sector grants program, offered by The Music Man Foundation, is designed to provide initiative-based support to organizations that are actively catalyzing systemic change at the policy level. This program aligns with the foundation's mission by focusing on efforts that reflect music within the organization's activities, underscoring a commitment to arts and community vitality. The foundation seeks to empower non-profit organizations that have a proven track record of mission-aligned programming and have sustained at least one paid employee since March 2023. This strategic focus ensures that the grants support established entities capable of driving significant and lasting change. The target beneficiaries for this program are non-profit organizations that are actively engaged in music-related efforts and operate with a service jurisdiction that includes Los Angeles County, the state of California, or the entire United States. However, it's crucial that programs not focused on California will not be eligible, highlighting a specific geographical priority for the foundation's impact. The primary impact goal is to foster systemic change at the policy level within the arts and community vitality sectors, with a particular emphasis on music's role. The foundation aims to support initiatives that lead to sustainable impacts and demonstrate a clear understanding of the systems they seek to influence. The program prioritizes initiatives that involve advocacy training and tools to build capacity for individuals to proactively influence issues impacting arts and community vitality. Additionally, it focuses on research collection and action plans designed at a scale that can impact policy and field-wide practices. Key focuses include demonstrating accomplishments in systems change, a clear connection between initiatives and systemic change, and a well-defined vision for future intentions. Music must be a primary component of the initiative's efforts, and strategic collaborations or partnerships that reflect intentional efforts to influence system dynamics are highly valued. Expected outcomes include organizations achieving demonstrable accomplishments in systems change and creating sustainable impacts through their programming. Grant recipients are expected to have a clear understanding of the system they aim to impact and be well-positioned to drive that change. Measurable results will stem from the organization's capacity to identify and track progress towards key milestones, both for the organization itself and for the broader system it is impacting. The Music Man Foundation's strategic priorities are deeply rooted in fostering policy-level systemic change, leveraging music as a core element, and supporting organizations with a strong capacity for execution and a clear theory of change that links their initiatives to tangible, lasting impacts.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in South Santa Clara County for projects that positively impact areas such as education, technology, and the arts.