California Capacity Building Grants

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is soliciting proposals to reduce whale mortality from fishing gear entanglement in Southern California. This grant directly aligns with NFWF's mission to sustain, restore, and enhance the nation's fish, wildlife, plants, and habitats for current and future generations by addressing a critical threat to cetacean populations. The program aims to provide compensatory restoration for injuries to cetaceans caused by the Refugio Beach Oil Spill (RBOS), thereby mitigating past environmental damage and fostering healthier marine ecosystems. The primary beneficiaries of this program are cetaceans in Southern California, particularly those susceptible to entanglement in fishing gear. The impact goals are to increase the capacity of the entanglement response network, improve documentation and disentanglement efforts, and broadly support activities that reduce serious injuries or mortalities from entanglements. This initiative contributes to the foundation's strategic priority of healthy oceans and coasts by safeguarding marine mammals. The program prioritizes several key areas to achieve its goals. These include directly enhancing entanglement response in Southern California, and potentially beyond if it benefits local cetaceans, coordinating with federal, state, and local resource agencies to improve the overall West Coast Marine Mammal Entanglement Response Program, and training and developing volunteer response capacity. Furthermore, proposals should outline how activities will contribute to the development of the overall capacity and infrastructure of the program. Expected outcomes include a more robust and efficient entanglement response network, a reduction in the number of entangled cetaceans, improved survival rates of entangled animals through effective disentanglement, and enhanced coordination among relevant agencies. Measurable results would likely involve metrics such as the number of successful disentanglements, the increase in trained responders, and the documented reduction in entanglement-related mortalities. An estimated $250,000 will be available for a Phase 1 project award, anticipated to last 1-2 years, with a priority geographic focus on the coastlines off Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, and Orange Counties.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to California-based nonprofit organizations and local governments to promote and preserve folk and traditional arts by directly funding artists and community projects rooted in cultural heritage.

The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County is launching its 2024 BUILD (building unity, infrastructure, leadership, and development) Grant Program, a direct reflection of its mission to strengthen charitable organizations within the county. This program specifically targets nonprofit agencies with an annual operating budget of $500,000 or less, aiming to bolster their capacity and infrastructure. The foundation's strategic priority is clearly to empower smaller, local nonprofits, recognizing their vital role in serving San Luis Obispo County residents. The primary beneficiaries of the BUILD Grant Program are these smaller nonprofit organizations, along with the communities they serve. The impact goal is to enhance the operational effectiveness and sustainability of these agencies, thereby improving their ability to deliver programs and services to the residents of San Luis Obispo County. By strengthening these organizations from within, the foundation seeks to create a ripple effect that ultimately benefits the broader community through more robust and impactful charitable work. The program prioritizes both general operating purposes and specific projects in several key areas. These include capacity building, staff or board training and development, communications or donor development efforts, and capital equipment improvement (such as hardware, software, or furniture). The foundation will specifically prioritize one-year grants, offering $5,000 to successful applicants. This focused approach ensures that funding directly addresses critical needs that contribute to an organization's long-term health and efficiency. Expected outcomes include improved organizational infrastructure, enhanced staff and board capabilities, more effective communication strategies, and modernized equipment, all contributing to increased operational efficiency and program delivery. While the description doesn't explicitly detail measurable results, the focus on tangible improvements in capacity, training, and equipment suggests that the foundation expects a clear, positive impact on the grantees' ability to fulfill their missions. The foundation's theory of change appears to be that by investing in the foundational strength of smaller nonprofits, it can catalyze greater community benefit and resilience in San Luis Obispo County.

The City and County of San Francisco offers "Grants for the Arts: Arts Services," a program designed to provide capacity building for San Francisco-based arts and culture organizations and/or artists. This grant aims to strengthen the arts community within San Francisco by offering support in various critical areas. While the specific foundation mission or theory of change is not explicitly stated in the provided text, the grant's focus on "capacity building" and supporting local arts organizations aligns with a broader goal of fostering a vibrant and sustainable cultural sector within the city. The target beneficiaries of this grant are San Francisco-based nonprofit organizations classified as 501(c)(3), 501(c)(4), or 501(c)(6), as well as individual artists through fiscally sponsored organizations. The program prioritizes a wide range of areas for support, including audience development, cultural competency and racial equity action plans, fiscal sponsorship, financial management and literacy, fundraising, grant writing, legal compliance, marketing, mentorship, nonprofit governance, professional development, regranting programs, space/capital planning, strategic and business planning, and technical assistance. The impact goals are to enhance the operational and strategic capabilities of these organizations and artists, ultimately contributing to a more robust and equitable arts ecosystem in San Francisco. Expected outcomes include improved organizational sustainability, increased professionalization of artists and arts organizations, enhanced audience engagement, greater financial stability, and more effective program delivery. Measurable results from the FY24 cycle indicate grant amounts ranged from $10,000 to $140,000, although these do not reflect future cycles. The grant duration is two years, from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2026, allowing for sustained capacity-building efforts and the potential for long-term impact on the beneficiaries. The grant's strategic priorities are clearly focused on empowering local arts and culture entities by addressing their diverse needs across operational and developmental aspects. The theory of change implicit in this grant is that by providing comprehensive capacity-building support in areas such as financial management, strategic planning, and racial equity, organizations will become more resilient, effective, and capable of serving their communities. This, in turn, is expected to lead to a more thriving and inclusive arts and culture landscape in San Francisco. Eligibility criteria, such as requiring a San Francisco corporate address and 501(c) status, underscore the commitment to local investment and accountability within the city's artistic community.

This funding provides financial support to local consortia to improve the quality of preschool programs in California, ensuring better access to high-quality education for low-income children.

The Public-Space Activation Fund (PAF) is a grant opportunity offered by the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs. The grant program aims to fund temporary, creative projects in public spaces within LA City neighborhoods where arts and culture are absent or scarce. The funding levels range from $600 to $45,000, depending on the category and complexity of the proposed projects. The grant is open for monthly submissions from October 2023 to July 2024. Eligible applicants include Los Angeles-based community entrepreneurs, independent artists, cultural activists, nonprofit organizations, and collaborative partnerships under the stewardship of one lead-agent. There are four categories under PAF: Neighborhood Expressions (NE), Arts and Social Wellness (ASW), International Festivals & Intercultural Foods (IFIF), and International Participation And Promotion Projects (IPAPP). Each category has specific requirements and funding ranges. The primary aim of PAF is to activate designated public spaces through creative-connectivity for well-defined audiences. The deadline for applications is July 31, 2024, at 12:00 am. For more information on eligibility requirements and application instructions, prospective applicants are encouraged to refer to the PAF program guidelines available at dcaredesign.org/artsactivate or contact Armando Smith at [email protected] or Ben Espinosa at [email protected].

The Tribal Solar Gap Funding Grant, offered by the Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund (TSAF), aims to support solar projects within American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) tribal communities. This grant is designed to address funding gaps, such as tribal cost-share requirements or leveraging other grant opportunities, for various solar initiatives. The TSAF's core mission is to serve, support, and strengthen AI/AN tribal communities through investments in solar energy development and sustainability, aligning directly with the grant's objective of enhancing tribal energy resilience and infrastructure. The grant encourages applications for up to $250,000 to facilitate the deployment of solar energy where existing funding gaps prevent project completion. The target beneficiaries of this grant are primarily federally recognized tribal governments, tribally-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, and tribally-controlled or operated schools in the lower 48 states and Alaska. The definition of "tribal-led" requires a majority (>51%) of the board of directors and leadership team to be American Indian or Alaska Native. Additionally, projects must serve communities designated as low-to-moderate income (LMI), as evidenced by eligibility for federal, state, or tribal low-income programs, or Census data. The impact goals are to strengthen tribal solar energy development, foster infrastructure that includes other renewable energy technologies like battery storage and clean mobility, and initiate new solar demonstration projects that enhance tribal community energy resilience. The grant prioritizes projects that are already positioned to deploy solar energy but face a cost-share gap. The funding areas specifically focus on "Solar Project 'Gap' Funding." The objectives are to enhance and strengthen tribal solar energy development and infrastructure, provide funding for larger-scale solar projects that benefit a significant number of tribal community members, and initiate new solar demonstration project systems. This strategic focus ensures that the grant effectively removes financial barriers, allowing ready-to-deploy projects to move forward and deliver tangible benefits to tribal communities. Expected outcomes and measurable results include the successful deployment of solar projects, increased access to clean energy for tribal communities, strengthened energy resilience, and the integration of other impactful renewable energy technologies. By addressing funding gaps, the TSAF's theory of change is that it will accelerate the implementation of solar energy solutions, leading to enhanced energy independence, economic development, and environmental sustainability within tribal nations. The grant's emphasis on larger-scale projects and new demonstration systems indicates a commitment to both immediate impact and long-term, scalable solutions.

Strategy Grants support projects that align with the foundation's goals of fostering thriving youth and families, promoting racial equity, building a just economy, and ensuring healthy ecosystems. Prioritized are proposals that address multiple goals, increase equity, and support vulnerable communities, particularly those led by or supporting Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Eligible projects can receive general operating, capital support, capacity building, or programmatic support. Average grants range from $15,000 to $25,000, with a focus on organizations serving Curry, Del Norte, Humboldt, and Trinity Counties.

The HALO Award is a capacity-building program designed to strengthen and sustain nonprofit organizations by supporting volunteer programs and recognizing volunteers for their exemplary work in Los Angeles County. The Carl & Roberta Deutsch Foundation is inspired by volunteers who go above and beyond to better their communities and the nonprofits that support them. The foundation’s desire is for the HALO Award to inspire nonprofits and philanthropy to invest in volunteer management, aligning with their mission to uplift community angels through dedicated support. The primary beneficiaries of the HALO Award are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations (or those sponsored by a 501(c)(3)) working with and serving Los Angeles County, as well as active and unpaid volunteers within those organizations who are not currently serving as board members. The program aims to strengthen and sustain nonprofit volunteer programs while honoring individual volunteers. The impact goals include enhancing the capacity of nonprofits to manage and leverage volunteer efforts and celebrating the significant contributions of volunteers to their communities. The program prioritizes investment in volunteer management and aims to foster a culture where volunteerism is recognized and supported. The core focus is on both organizational capacity building related to volunteer programs and individual recognition for outstanding volunteer service. The funding structure directly reflects these priorities: a $20,000 grant is provided to the nonprofit to strengthen, implement, and sustain its volunteer program, and a $5,000 award is given to the volunteer, distributed by the nominating nonprofit organization. Expected outcomes include more robust and effective volunteer programs within participating nonprofits, leading to greater community impact. Measurable results could involve an increase in volunteer retention, enhanced program efficiency due to improved volunteer management, and a demonstrable positive impact of recognized volunteers' efforts. The Carl & Roberta Deutsch Foundation's strategic priority is to empower both the organizations that harness volunteer power and the volunteers themselves, operating on a theory of change that by investing in and celebrating volunteerism, they can foster stronger, more vibrant communities.

This grant provides financial support to citrus growers in select California counties to implement sustainable farming practices that improve soil health, enhance climate resilience, and promote environmental stewardship, with a focus on assisting socially disadvantaged farmers, women, and veterans.

The California Wildlands Grassroots Fund (Cal Wildlands), administered by the Rose Foundation for Communities and the Environment, aims to preserve California's wildlands by supporting the work of activists and organizations dedicated to their protection. This aligns directly with the Rose Foundation's broader mission for communities and the environment by fostering grassroots efforts that lead to permanent conservation, restoration, and stewardship of natural habitats. The program's core objective is to safeguard California's wilderness and native biological diversity through strategic, community-driven initiatives. The primary beneficiaries of Cal Wildlands are small nonprofit organizations with annual expenses and income of $200,000 or less, as well as individual activists with a proven track record in protecting California's natural landscapes, ecosystems, plants, and wildlife. The fund specifically targets geographic areas and advocacy efforts that have not traditionally received significant financial support, including rural communities. The impact goals are centered on achieving permanent protection for wildlands, which are defined as natural habitats capable of supporting significant native plant and animal life, through legislation or deed restrictions. The fund prioritizes discrete, project-specific support with concrete sites and strategies, particularly those in geographic or issue areas historically underserved by financial and political support. It strongly emphasizes community-based advocacy and organizing, where campaigns are steered by affected community members and largely driven by volunteers. Other key priorities include projects that establish or combat critical precedents, innovative strategies, and efforts to build diverse constituencies for wildlands protection, especially by engaging communities of color and non-traditional stakeholders. Cal Wildlands supports a broad range of strategies and activities to achieve its objectives. These include grassroots organizing, public education, legislative advocacy, media campaigns, lawsuits, scientific research (including citizen science), coalition building, and developing partnerships. Supported activities range from communications campaigns and strategic planning to hiring technical and legal experts, training, and restoration. The expected outcomes involve tangible advancements in wildlands and open space protection, increased community engagement in conservation efforts, and the establishment of critical precedents that can influence future protection initiatives, ultimately contributing to the long-term preservation of California's natural heritage and biodiversity.

General Program Support (GPS) funding, provided by the Florida Department of State, aims to support Florida's arts and cultural organizations, both public and private, by funding their general program activities rather than specific projects. This aligns with the state's cultural objectives to promote, create, and present cultural exhibits, performances, educational programs, and events, or to provide professional services as a State Service Organization or Local Arts Agency. The program's mission is to further the state's cultural landscape and ensure access to arts and culture across Florida. The target beneficiaries of the GPS funding include a wide range of arts and cultural organizations. This encompasses organizations promoting excellence in arts education, those focusing on specific disciplines like dance, literature, media arts, museum, music, presenter, theatre, traditional arts, and visual arts, as well as designated Local Arts Agencies (LAAs) and State Service Organizations (SSOs). LAAs are public entities supporting arts and culture through advocacy and information dissemination, while SSOs are non-profit organizations providing services in at least 40 Florida counties. The impact goals are to enhance cultural programming, foster arts education, support local and statewide arts infrastructure, and ensure a vibrant arts and cultural sector throughout Florida. The program prioritizes various types of support, offering four main categories: Arts in Education program support, Discipline-based program support, Local Arts Agency program support, and State Service Organization program support. Specific eligibility criteria are in place, with higher funding requests ($25,000+ and $50,000+) requiring a history of completed grants with the Division of Arts and Culture, and for requests over $50,000, at least three years of completed programming and one paid, full-time staff member in a management position. Additional specific requirements exist for Arts in Education organizations (arts education mission), Museum disciplines (open 180 days/year, own/utilize objects, exhibit regularly), Professional Theatre (compensate artistic staff/actors), Local Arts Agencies (official designation in one or more counties), and State Service Organizations (reach at least 40 counties). The expected outcomes of the GPS funding include a stronger, more active arts and cultural community across Florida, increased access to diverse cultural experiences for residents and visitors, and sustained support for organizations vital to the state's cultural identity. Measurable results would include the number of cultural exhibits, performances, educational programs, or events conducted, the reach and impact of State Service Organizations and Local Arts Agencies, and the overall health and stability of funded arts and cultural organizations as evidenced by their programming and operational capacity. The grant period is July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, with grant sizes ranging from $1,000 to $150,000 based on proposal type and funding level. The Florida Department of State's strategic priority is to advance the cultural objectives of the state. The theory of change behind GPS funding posits that by providing general program support to qualified arts and cultural organizations, these organizations will be better equipped to conduct, create, produce, present, and sponsor cultural activities and educational programs. This, in turn, will lead to a more culturally enriched populace and stronger local and statewide arts ecosystems. The emphasis on general program support over specific projects reflects a belief that empowering organizations to pursue their core missions will yield more sustainable and far-reaching cultural benefits for Florida.

This program provides funding to small and mid-sized food businesses in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah to help them expand their market access and improve their operations.

The WeHo Community Arts Grant, offered by the City of West Hollywood, aims to support nonprofit arts organizations, individual artists, or artist collectives that have a history of supporting LGBQ, BIPOC, and/or female artists and audiences. This grant aligns with the City's mission to enhance the community through art-centered presentations and participatory programs, fostering cultural equity and providing access to specific communities. The overall strategic priority is to use the arts as a tool for community engagement, cultural recognition, and economic development within West Hollywood. The target beneficiaries of this grant are LA County-based artists, collectives, or non-profit arts organizations that meet specific criteria, including a history of supporting underrepresented groups in the arts. The grant specifically focuses on engaging West Hollywood residents and visitors, expanding arts audiences, and recognizing local cultural resources. The impact goals are to increase access to quality arts programming that is financially and geographically accessible, boost revenues for local businesses through arts-business partnerships, and generally increase participation in the arts through education. The grant prioritizes art-centered presentations and workshops that support community goals through cultural equity. Eligible projects must take place within West Hollywood or immediately adjacent areas and applicants must demonstrate a marketing and outreach strategy targeting West Hollywood residents. The City's theory of change appears to be that by investing in accessible and inclusive arts programming, they can create a more vibrant, engaged, and culturally equitable community, leading to broader social and economic benefits. Expected outcomes include increased engagement of residents and visitors with the arts, expanded arts audiences, and the discovery of new places for artmaking. Measurable results could include an increase in attendance at arts events, a rise in local business revenues attributed to arts programming, and a greater number of individuals participating in arts education. The total available funding for this category is $30,000, with a maximum award of $6,000 per organization, demonstrating a commitment to funding multiple impactful projects within the community.

This funding opportunity provides up to $2 million to a single organization to enhance statewide tobacco prevention efforts in California through communication, technical assistance, and support for local initiatives targeting high-risk populations.

The Workplace Safety Grants for Health Care Entities program, authorized by 2023 Session Law Chapter 70, Article 4, Section 109, is designed to enhance safety measures in health care settings. This includes establishing or expanding programs that train staff in de-escalation and positive support services. The program's core mission is to prevent workplace violence and foster long-term improvements in safety and stability for both staff and patients within health care environments. This aligns with broader strategic goals of creating secure and supportive health care systems. The program primarily targets various health care entities within Minnesota. Eligible applicants include long-term care facilities, acute care hospitals with 49 or fewer beds located in rural areas, critical access hospitals, medical clinics, dental clinics, and community health clinics. The impact goal is to significantly reduce incidents of workplace violence and improve the overall safety culture within these institutions, leading to better patient care and staff well-being. The program's key priorities are centered on implementing effective safety measures and providing comprehensive training. This includes de-escalation techniques and positive support services to equip staff with the necessary skills to manage challenging situations. The focus is on proactive prevention and creating environments where staff feel secure and empowered to deliver quality care. Expected outcomes include a measurable decrease in workplace violence incidents, improved staff morale, and enhanced patient safety. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) anticipates awarding approximately $1,500,000 through 30 grants in this funding cycle, with a maximum award of $50,000 per grant. Grant agreements are estimated to begin on October 1, 2024, and conclude on September 30, 2025, demonstrating a clear timeline for the expected results and program impact.

This grant provides flexible funding to small arts and cultural organizations in California to help sustain their core operations and programming, particularly those that serve diverse communities.

This grant provides funding to agricultural professionals and organizations in the Western U.S. to implement educational and demonstration projects that promote the adoption of sustainable farming practices based on previous research findings.

This funding opportunity supports Los Angeles-based organizations working on initiatives that create systemic change to improve the lives of children from prenatal to age 5 and their families.

This program provides financial support and resources to local arts agencies in California, helping them promote artistic access, equity, and cultural preservation within their communities.