California Arts Grants

The LA County Department of Arts and Culture is offering a two-year Organizational Grant Program for Los Angeles County nonprofit arts organizations to fund projects that increase accessibility, sustainability, and capacity in arts programming, with eligibility criteria including tax-exempt status, a primary mission in arts programming, and a minimum of two years of programming history in the county.

The City of San Carlos is offering a Childcare Grant Program, providing funding between $10,000 to $100,000 for local childcare centers, family childcare homes, and non-profit centers to fund capital improvement projects aimed at increasing childcare spaces, particularly for infants and children with special needs, with applications due by October 18, 2024.

This grant provides financial assistance to nonprofits in Mendocino County facing urgent needs or emergencies that hinder their ability to fulfill their mission.

Travel Paso is accepting applications for its 2025 Community Event Marketing Grant, aimed at supporting local events that align with its mission to promote Paso Robles, with a focus on collaboration, diversity, variety, and sustainability, and encourages applicants to outline their marketing strategies, event timing, measurement of overnight stays, and potential for partnership with Travel Paso.

The Community Foundation of Mendocino County is seeking applications for its 2024 Field-of-Interest Grant Program to inspire and steward generosity to foster vibrant, inclusive, and healthy communities throughout Mendocino County. Donor Name: Community Foundation of Mendocino County State: California County: Mendocino County (CA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/16/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The goal of the program is to provide grants to Mendocino County nonprofit organizations around specified areas of interest (e.g., the environment or human services), or specified geographical areas, or both. The 2024 Field-of-Interest Grant Program offers grant opportunities for local nonprofits with proposed projects or initiatives in the fields of arts and culture, children and youth, disaster relief, recovery, and resilience, economic development the environment, and healthy and inclusive communities. Arts and Culture Fund Children and Youth Disaster Relief, Recovery, and Resilience Economic Development Environment Healthy and Inclusive Communities Funding Information Grant range between $1,000-$6,500. Eligibility Criteria If you received a Field-of-Interest Fund Grant in the prior year, your organization is not eligible to apply for this round of funding, unless it is a school or community services district. Eligible organizations may apply for more than one category of funding, provided that the projects differ in scope and intent. Contact the Program Team with any questions about your eligibility. City and county entities will be considered on a request-by-request basis. All other applicant organizations must: Serve residents of Mendocino County or applicants not headquartered in Mendocino County must ensure that all grant dollars requested are spent within the County. Be legally chartered in California and in possession of a determination letter from the IRS declaring the organization a public charity that is exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3); or be a school district, tribe, or special district (e.g., community services, recreation, fire protection); or have an aligned mission with a fiscal sponsor. Have one year of operational history after receiving charitable status. Conduct business without discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, or religious affiliation. Eligible project expenses may include indirect or administration costs. Ineligibility  Applicants may not use grants for: Political contributions or to support political campaigns or lobbying. Influencing the outcome of or participation in any public election or to carry on, directly or indirectly, any voter registration drive. Purposes other than those which are religious, charitable, scientific, literary, or educational within the meaning of Section 170 (c)(2)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code. Purposes other than those stated in the grant award. For more information, visit CFMC.

The San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority, a regional government agency, allocates funds for restoring and enhancing wetland and wildlife habitats along the San Francisco Bay shoreline. Grants exceeding $1 million are available for projects lasting up to five years, with a deadline of September 20, 2024. Eligible projects must be located within the nine Bay Area counties—Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma—and align with priorities outlined in Measure AA. These priorities include maximizing positive environmental impacts, ensuring geographic distribution, leveraging additional resources, and benefiting economically disadvantaged communities. The Authority funds various project phases, including planning, construction, and scientific studies, provided they support habitat restoration, flood management, or public access initiatives. Projects must meet specific criteria related to improving water quality, enhancing wildlife habitats, providing flood protection, and improving public access. Eligible applicants include federal, state, and local agencies, tribal governments, nonprofits, and shoreline parcel owners in the San Francisco Bay Area. For more information, visit the San Francisco Bay Restoration Authority website.

This funding program assists nonprofit organizations in Bishop to deliver community services, arts activities, and events that benefit local residents.

The City of Stockton and Stockton Arts Commission are offering a grant of $10,000 to $100,000 for local artists and art organizations to fund projects that promote public engagement and access to various forms of art within the city, with funds being used for artist compensation, production, exhibit costs, marketing, rental cost, and supplies.

The Silicon Valley Community Foundation is accepting proposals for its 2024 Community Action Grants. Donor Name: Silicon Valley Community Foundation State: California County: San Mateo County (CA), Santa Clara County (CA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/06/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: SVCF’s Community Action Grants Program was established in response to recommendations from the community partners. Using a racial justice and equity lens, the Community Action Grants Program identifies and supports organizations across issue areas that foster creativity and help build the community’s power to promote an equitable, economically secure and vibrant Silicon Valley. Focus Areas This application is open to organizations engaged in the following focus areas: Arts and Culture Capacity-Building and Leadership Investment Environment Faith and Neighborhoods Health Local Journalism Movement– and Power-Building Applicant Criteria SVCF supports organizations led by people of color and allied organizations that prioritize community-based solutions. As such, organizations led by people of color and allied organizations are highly encouraged to apply. Organizations applying should have a clear focus on racial justice and a plan to center the community they are serving in leadership, design and implementation of programs. This RFP will only consider funding organizations with annual budgets under $3 million. Additional preference will be given to organizations with budgets under $1.5 million. Eligibility Requirements Geographic Requirement Organizations must serve San Mateo and/or Santa Clara counties. Organizations headquartered outside the two-county region may apply but should demonstrate significant service to these areas or partner with a local organization that does. Entity Eligibility Organizations with a 501(c)(3) designation, those that have a fiscal sponsor with a 501(c)(3) designation, public agencies, collaborations of nonprofit and public agencies, or other entities that have a designated charitable purpose will be considered. Equal Opportunity Organizations must not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, citizenship status, creed, religion, religious affiliation, age, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status or any other protected status. Religious Affiliations Organizations with religious affiliations will be considered for funding only if the project for which they seek support addresses the needs of the wider community without regard to religious beliefs. Organization Budget Organizations with current fiscal year (FY) budgets under $3 million are eligible for funding. Budgets for FY 2024 or FY 2024-2025 are required in the application. Funding Exemptions Funding will not be provided for: Capital improvements or budget shortfalls Event sponsorship or fundraising events Funding gaps due to organizational emergencies, such as office vandalism, resignation of an executive director or sudden loss of funding. For more information, visit SVCF.

The Community Foundation of Mendocino County is accepting applications for its Arts in the Schools Endowment Fund to support arts education in K-12 schools in perpetuity. Donor Name: Community Foundation of Mendocino County State: California County: Mendocino County (CA) Type of Grant: Endowment Deadline: 09/16/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Foundation’s goal of the Fund is to provide a consistent, stable funding source for arts in schools programs in Mendocino County and support the work of trained, professional artists in classrooms throughout the county. Eligibility Criteria Proposals may include: Selecting and placing artists in classrooms. Providing artists with training and other resources that facilitate high-quality arts education in K-12 classrooms. Individual artists must apply through an organization. The Community Foundation invites proposals from organizations, including educational institutions, to offer K-12 school-based arts programs. For more information, visit CFMC.

The Environmental Education and Conservation Fund seeks to raise awareness about the natural world through education and to address important conservation issues directly. Donor Name: Community Foundation of Mendocino County State: California County: Mendocino County (CA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/16/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Fund was created in 2018 by biologist Roger Foote and agronomist Chuck Vaughn to encourage the appreciation, conservation, and responsible use of the natural environment in Mendocino County. The Foundation’s goal of the fund is to provide support to organizations, including educational institutions, which offer conservation and/or education programs on issues including, but not limited to: Ecological understanding and natural resource management. The importance of the scientific method in addressing conservation issues. The effects of climate change and humans’ role in causing and addressing climate change. Caring for the land through land stewardship best practices. Habitat and watershed restoration. Providing and improving public access to natural lands so people from all walks of life can enjoy them. Criteria Educational projects may include (but are not limited to) day and residential outdoor schools and science camp programs, college-level programs in natural resource management, and natural history displays.  Eligible uses for education grants include: Equipment and teaching materials. Instructor compensation. Staff and volunteer training/conferences. Internships. Student transportation costs. Scholarships that allow more people to participate in programs. Conservation projects may include (but are not limited to) wildlife surveys, training for wildlife surveys, land docent trainings, habitat studies, habitat and watershed restoration projects, improving existing public access to conservation lands, internships for land stewardship and trail building, tree planting, native plant management, and invasive plant removal.  Eligible uses for conservation project grants include: Staff time for project management. Construction equipment and supplies. Engineering and design. Subcontractor services. Permit fees.  For more information, visit CFMC.

The 2024-25 State and Local Cybersecurity Grant from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services offers $100,000 to $500,000 to local governments and tribes in California to improve their cybersecurity infrastructure, with a focus on governance, assessment, mitigation, and workforce development, and a priority on implementing key cybersecurity best practices.

The 2024-25 State and Local Cybersecurity Grant from the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services offers $100,000 to $500,000 to California state agencies for projects aimed at improving cybersecurity governance, assessment, mitigation, and workforce development over a 3-year period.

The City of Culver City offers grants to support dance, music, and theatre performances. Donor Name: City of Culver City State: California County: Los Angeles County (CA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline:  09/12/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: This program brings performing arts to the community and helps make them accessible to everyone. The goal of the city is to support a variety of cultural experiences for Culver City, including its residents, businesses, artists, and visitors. Culver City wants everyone to have a chance to experience and enjoy the arts and our grants helps make this happen. We support a wide variety of artists and organizations, especially those who haven’t had many opportunities in the past. This includes people of different races, ethnicities, ages, abilities, orientations, genders, and backgrounds. The goal is to support a variety of cultural experiences for Culver City, including its residents, businesses, artists, and visitors. Eligibility Criteria Any dance, music, or theatre organization can apply, regardless of size. Your public mission must focus on dance, music, and/or theatre. You must be a non-profit organization – 501(c)(3) or partnered with a fiscal sponsor. Your organization must be based in Los Angeles County. (Fiscal sponsors must also be based in Los Angeles County.) You need to complete a Project Budget and SMU DataArts Funder Report. You need an outreach plan to attract people in Culver City to your show. Your performance cannot be part of a fundraiser or class. Each organization can only apply for one project and cannot apply for the Special Events Grant for the same project. Your performance must happen between January 1 and December 31, 2025. The performance venue must be accessible and ADA-compliant. For more information, visit City of Culver City.

Early Care Spaces is an open application grant program that provides grants of up to $100,000 to support organizations promoting early language and literacy development for Oakland children from birth to five years old. Donor Name: Kenneth Rainin Foundation State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/19/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: This new program will provide grants of up to $100,000 to support organizations promoting early language and literacy development for Oakland children from birth to five years old. Research suggests that the opportunity to help children grow and improve literacy is greatest from early care through second grade. The Rainin Foundation supports equitable approaches to literacy during these early years. Early Care Spaces commemorates the 15th anniversary of formal grantmaking and honors the vision of a world where all Oakland children read at or above grade level by third grade. This will be an annual program that aims to advance work that focuses on:  Supporting children to expand their vocabulary and comprehension skills and increase confidence in listening and speaking.  Opportunities that recognize parents and caregivers as leaders in their children’s education and increase their capacity to support early literacy.  Career advancement and upskilling for Black early care providers to lead language-rich, developmentally appropriate and culturally affirming care.  Early Care Spaces Grant Priorities Oakland’s early care funding landscape is shifting due to an influx of public dollars; however, gaps and needs still exist, particularly in informal care. The Rainin Foundation aims to support these needs through this funding opportunity. The Early Care Spaces grant program will prioritize the following: Early care provided outside of traditional education systems, including family resource centers and community spaces. While traditional systems (e.g., public and private preschools or Head Start programs) do not qualify for this opportunity, organizations that partner with them are welcome to apply.  Programs with deep connections to informal care providers or Family, Friend and Neighbor care.  Diverse organizations and providers that reflect the neighborhood and communities they serve.  Work that is happening in the Oakland flatlands, especially neighborhoods experiencing disinvestment and the displacement of BIPOC communities. Funding Information Applicants can request up to $100,000. Grant Period January 1, 2025-December 31, 2026. Eligibility Criteria  Foundation accepts applications from organizations that meet the following criteria. Grants are awarded to nonprofit organizations or 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsors. All fiscal sponsorships require a written agreement. Organizations must provide services for Oakland children, educators or families. While an organization can operate and provide services outside of Oakland, the funding can only go towards its Oakland-based programming. The Foundation does not fund: Initiatives or programs designed for children ages 6+. Capital campaign requests. Sports, athletic events or league sponsorship. Advertising or promotional sponsorship. Fraternal organizations. Organizations that discriminate based on religion, race, sexual orientation or gender. For more information, visit KRF.

The Legacy Business Recovery Grant Program offers grants of up to $20,000 to eligible Legacy Businesses that need financial assistance to aid in their recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Donor Name: Economic & Workforce Development Department (EWDD) State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/15/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Legacy Business Recovery Grant Program is funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocation to the City of Los Angeles. Applicants must explain how the grant funds will be used toward necessary COVID-19 recovery business expenses and make available documentation demonstrating that the grant funds were used toward those expenses. Funding Priorities EWDD will utilize a weighted selection process for grants to ensure equitable distribution across the selection of finalists and to prioritize City of Los Angeles geographic diversity and low-to-moderate income neighborhoods. Grant application submissions made from the following demographics will be more heavily weighted: Businesses located in low-and moderate-income communities (50% and 80% of Area Median Income or AMI), as defined by HUD Businesses owned by low- and moderate-income owners (50% and 80% of AMI), as defined by HUD Businesses facing an imminent threat of displacement. Funding Information Grant amounts of $10,000 will be provided for Legacy Businesses with one to five employees. Grant amounts of $20,000 will be provided for Legacy Businesses with six or more employees. Uses of Funds Eligible uses of funds to address the negative economic impacts caused by the COVID-19 crisis include: Employee payroll Rent, utilities, and insurance Working capital to reopen or continue operations Adapting to technologies Payment of outstanding business expenses incurred on or after March 3, 2021 Adaptive business practices needed to operate the business Legal fees to negotiate long-term lease agreements with their landlords. Eligibility Criteria Eligible Businesses: The business must be listed on the Legacy Business Registry The business must be a for-profit business located within Los Angeles city limits. Must be operating from a commercial, industrial, or manufacturing location and have a valid commercial lease (home-based businesses are not eligible) Annual revenue cannot exceed $3 million. If applicable, the business must be in good standing with the Secretary of State. The business must have an active Business Tax Registration Certificate (BTRC) with the City of Los Angeles that is current and in good standing. The business must demonstrate that the grant funds will be used for recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The business must disclose whether they have received funding from other federal, state, or local sources (including PPP and EIDL). Applicants who have received funding are still eligible, provided the funds are not currently being spent on the same expenses covered by the Legacy Business Recovery Grant. For more information, visit EWDD.

This program provides matching funds to business and property owners in Alameda for improving the exterior appearance of their buildings through enhancements like painting, signage, and architectural restoration.

The City of Culver City offers grants to support dance, music, and theatre performances. Donor Name: City of Culver City State: California County: Los Angeles County (CA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 08/12/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: This program brings performing arts to the community and helps make them accessible to everyone. Culver City wants everyone to have a chance to experience and enjoy the arts and the grants helps make this happen. They support a wide variety of artists and organizations, especially those who haven’t had many opportunities in the past. This includes people of different races, ethnicities, ages, abilities, orientations, genders, and backgrounds. The goal is to support a variety of cultural experiences for Culver City, including its residents, businesses, artists, and visitors. Funding Information Maximum grant request is $12,000. You need matching funds (equal to or more than what you request). Grant Period Your performance must happen between January 1 and December 31, 2025. What is Eligible?  Any dance, music, or theatre organization can apply, regardless of size. Your public mission must focus on dance, music, and/or theatre. You must be a non-profit organization – 501(c)(3) or partnered with a fiscal sponsor. Your organization must be based in Los Angeles County. (Fiscal sponsors must also be based in Los Angeles County.) You need to complete a Project Budget and SMU DataArts Funder Report. You need an outreach plan to attract people in Culver City to your show. Your performance cannot be part of a fundraiser or class. Each organization can only apply for one project and cannot apply for the Special Events Grant for the same project. The performance venue must be accessible and ADA-compliant. For more information, visit City of Culver City.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations that deliver essential services to seniors in Placer County, California.

The Santa Barbara Foundation is inviting applicants for its Tri-Counties Blood Bank Fund Grant. Donor Name: Santa Barbara Foundation State: California County: Santa Barbara County (CA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/30/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: Through an annual Request for Proposal (RFP) process, the Foundation will distribute the income generated from the Fund to qualified nonprofit organizations. The Fund is restricted to activities that support blood and blood-related products and services in accordance with the plan of disposition. Types of Support This RFP covers the implementation of Indigent Care Grants, Education Grants, and Scholarships as prescribed by the plan and described as follows: Indigent Care Grants To reimburse “qualified hospitals” for “un-reimbursed costs” directly related to providing blood or blood products to “qualified patients” within Santa Barbara County. Qualified hospitals” are hospitals with one or more licensed acute care facilities in the county that are organized as nonprofit public benefit corporations under the California Nonprofit Public Benefit Law, or as nonprofit corporations under the laws of another state, and that are described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.  Qualified patient” is a patient in a qualified hospital who is not covered by any form of private or government insurance whose income is 200% or less of the federal poverty line. “Unreimbursed costs ”are the qualified hospital’s direct cost of obtaining blood and blood products from a blood bank (i.e., the amount the qualified hospital actually pays to the blood bank for the blood or blood products), without regard to what the hospital charges its patients or their insurers for blood or blood products, and without regard to any expenses of the qualified hospital, including storage, handling, administrative fees, testing, etc. Education Grants and Scholarships Education grants are intended for: Advanced education in medical technology or nursing related to blood banking This supports any relevant training that could improve blood banking or the ability of hospital staff to work with the National Blood Foundation. It covers the full range of continuing education options, including in-service training. Physician education on techniques and development of transfusion medicine This covers the full range of enrichment and continuing education options including in-service training. Community education on blood and blood diseases This covers continuing education of medical practitioners as well as broad-based education targeting the general population.  For example, community education might include the following: educating school-age children about blood and blood-borne diseases; conducting broad-based educational programs to reach the community-at-large in the event of a critical shortage of blood; the dissemination of new information to the community concerning a blood-borne disease. Scholarships are intended for Post-doctoral education in a non-medical discipline related to blood and blood banking This program is only available to post-doctoral candidates enrolled at UCSB in departments such as, but not limited to, Molecular, Cellular, Developmental Biology; Chemistry and Chemical Engineering. Medical education in the specialties of hematology/oncology. Project Period The grant period is up to one year from the award date. A final report is required and due within 13 months of the grant award, preferably no later than 30 days following the project completion. Eligibility Criteria Organizations must be certified as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or use a fiscal sponsor with 501(c)(3) tax status. Applications that do not contain a valid EIN (tax ID) number will not be considered. Organizations using a fiscal sponsor must include a one-page letter signed by the fiscal sponsor’s executive director signifying the intent to serve as such and describing the relationship between the fiscal sponsor and the sponsored organization. Hospitals operated by the federal government (i.e., veterans administration hospitals) and facilities operated by the State of California (i.e., hospitals operated by the Department of Corrections) are not eligible to apply. The geographic service area for the Fund is Santa Barbara County. Qualified applicants may apply for an Indigent Care Grant, Education Grant, and/or Scholarship. If you are applying in more than one category, separate applications are required for each. For more information, visit Santa Barbara Foundation.