California Education Grants

This funding opportunity provides financial support for community-focused projects, such as centers for social services, libraries, and cultural institutions, requiring significant community backing and a portion of the budget to be secured before applying.

This funding opportunity supports K-12 youth-led projects in Humboldt County that focus on environmental sustainability and community responsibility, particularly for underserved and historically marginalized groups.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to researchers at California public universities to study the impacts of cannabis legalization and inform public policy through academic research.

The Rocky Mountain Power Foundation offers grants to support arts and culture projects including arts festivals, cultural heritage, museums, music, theater/drama, and visual arts. These grants aim to enrich communities within the Rocky Mountain Power and Pacific Power service territories, which include Utah, Wyoming, Southeastern Idaho, Oregon, Central/Southeastern Washington, and Northern California. Applicants are encouraged to create an account and submit their proposals through the online grant application portal, focusing on projects that align with the foundation's mission towards education, civic and community betterment, culture and arts, and health, welfare, and social services. Grant renewed every year. Annual deadline: September 15th

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.

This funding opportunity provides $4 million over three years to support health programs that reduce the impacts of port-related air pollution on vulnerable populations, including children, pregnant women, seniors, and individuals with respiratory or chronic illnesses in California.

The Artistic Legacy Grant (ALG), funded by the San Francisco Arts Commission, offers $10,000 to $100,000 for a 3-year period to support and celebrate an artist who has significantly contributed to San Francisco's arts and culture for at least 25 years, with funds to be used for professional development, artistic planning, sabbaticals, and other related costs.

The Kern Community Foundation's Women’s and Girls’ Fund is offering grants between $10,000 to $100,000 for one year to 501(c)(3) nonprofits in Kern County, California, that aim to enhance educational attainment and STEM interest for women and girls, with a focus on improving test scores, literacy, graduation rates, and vocational training opportunities.

The City of Claremont is currently accepting grant applications for the 2025 calendar year Community Based Organization (CBO) Program. Donor Name: City of Claremont State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 08/15/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The CBO Program’s mission is to partner with non-profit service providers in order to strengthen the social, economic, and family infrastructure in the Claremont community. Within the overall grant program there are two funding programs, General Services and Homeless Services/Critical Need, with separate funding sources. Funding will be awarded to those programs/projects that best address the community’s needs and priorities. The Community-Based Organization (CBO) Grant Program was designed to address the social service needs of Claremont residents by supporting nonprofit agencies in developing programs, which meet both new & emerging needs of the community. They are pleased to again offer the program in 2025. Grants for community based organizations are categorized two ways: Grants that provide funding for homeless services/critical need. Grants that provide funding for general services, including the categories of health and wellbeing, special needs, children/education, seniors, arts, and environmental. For more information, visit City of Claremont.

This fellowship provides financial support and professional development for leaders in California who are dedicated to advancing Environmental Justice in their communities.

WCSP provides scholarships to students in associate or bachelor’s degree programs that qualify them for WellnessCoach Certification through the education pathway in exchange for a 12-month service obligation providing CWC services in California. Eligible applicants may receive up to $35,000. The purpose of this program is to increase the number of CWCs providing direct services in California. The Wellness Coach profession is a new, certified position to increase our state’s overall capacity to support the growing behavioral health needs of our youth. It is designed to help build a larger and more diverse and representative behavioral health workforce in California that hasthe training and supervision needed to engage directly with young people where they live, study and work. Wellness Coaches will offer non-clinical services that support children and youth behavioral health and well-being. Services include wellness promotion and education, screening, care coordination, individual and group support, and crisis referral. The model will supplement and support existing behavioral health roles, fill gaps in the current behavioral health workforce, and create a larger and more diverse workforce with whom youth can connect.

Applicants are invited to apply for the Bothin Foundation Grant Program. Donor Name: Bothin Foundation State: California County: Marin County (CA), San Francisco County (CA), San Mateo County (CA), Sonoma County (CA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/18/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: Priorities Building Construction and Renovation  The foundation will fund any contracted labor directly associated with the project. This could include labor for removal or installation of materials or the hiring of expertise needed to complete the project, such as engineers or contractors. The foundation does not fund planning or needs assessments for capital projects. The foundation does not fund staff time for project management. The foundation only supports building renovations for buildings located in San Francisco, Marin, Sonoma, and/or San Mateo counties. Equipment and Furnishing The foundation considers funding furniture, program equipment, and medical equipment purchases. The foundation prioritizes requests to purchase equipment that will be used by or mostly benefit program participants. The foundation does not fund planning or needs assessments for capital projects. Technology The foundation considers funding furniture, program equipment, and medical equipment purchases. The foundation prioritizes requests to purchase equipment that will be used by or mostly benefit program participants. The foundation does not fund planning or needs assessments for capital projects. Vehicles The foundation prioritizes vehicle purchases that transport participants. Insurance, gas, advertising on van (wrap-around printing), and warranties are not covered by grants. Successful Applications  Completed within 12 months Grant fund capital projects that can be completed within 12 months of receiving a grant Durable capital investments Durable capital refers to things that last a long time before needing to purchase again. This could include things like purchasing vehicles, appliances, and computers, or painting buildings and renovating a bathroom. Direct service organization They fund direct service organizations that serve at least 50% disadvantaged children and youth, low-income families with children, and/or people with disabilities. When considering funding programs that exclusively serve those with disabilities, disability status and low-income status are given equal weight. $5,000 – $50,000 Grants in the range of $5,000 – $50,000, based on need. $50,000 is maximum grant size. Eligibility Criteria In order to be eligible for a grant from the Bothin Foundation, applicants must meet ALL of the following criteria: Be a public charity operating under an IRS 501(c)(3) status or be fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)(3) organization; Serve significant numbers of the residents of San Francisco, Marin, Sonoma, and/or San Mateo counties; Provide direct service to disadvantaged children and youth, low-income families with children, and/or people with disabilities; and Have not received a grant from the foundation in the last three full years. Limitations Grants are not made to individuals, religious organizations (except for non-sectarian programs), or K-12 schools that do not exclusively serve children with learning differences and developmental disabilities. The foundation generally does not fund hospitals. Occasionally, it will make exceptions for public and county hospitals and community clinics. The foundation does not fund endowment drives, events, program expenses, general operating expenses, annual appeals, videos, medical research, or scholarships. For more information, visit Bothin Foundation.

This funding opportunity supports projects that promote sustainable pest management practices to protect human health and the environment, particularly in underserved communities and agricultural areas near schools.

This funding opportunity supports projects that promote sustainable fertilizer use and efficient nutrient management practices in California agriculture, particularly benefiting socially disadvantaged farmers and farm workers.

The Community Foundation of Mendocino County is seeking applications for its Charles F. Flinn and Walker B. Tilley Fund for Sustainable Forestry. 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 Foundation’s primary purpose is to make grants to nonprofit organizations that are assisting public and small private (non-industrial) forest owners to maintain and enhance the economic, social, and environmental values of Mendocino County’s working forests and rangelands.  Criteria Key activities that will be funded include, but are not limited to: Research and demonstration (including re-measurement of plots). Public and youth education and outreach directed towards learning about using the forests for economic production, not conservation. Education (best management practices). Restoration of forests and watersheds, with a preference to projects related to forest restoration over stream restoration. Removal of invasive species. Mitigation of the impact of forest roads. Fire management (including Tan-Oak management). Fish and wildlife habitat protection and enhancement.  For more information, visit CFMC.

The City of Sacramento Office of Innovation and Economic Development is now accepting applications for grants to fund organizations that help start-up businesses and entrepreneurs in Sacramento Donor Name: City of Sacramento State: County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/09/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: Incubator and Accelerator Grants are focused on nurturing and supporting early-stage businesses with an end goal of the participants of the funded incubator and accelerator programs starting or growing their own business, spurring innovation, and stimulating economic development in the Sacramento region. Companies and non-profits are invited to apply to fund incubator and accelerator programs for a cohort of startups with high growth potential and innovative solutions. These programs should provide support through a combination of the following services:  Mentorship and Coaching: Guidance from experienced entrepreneurs, industry experts, and mentors on business development, strategy, marketing, fundraising and more;  Educational Programs: Training sessions or workshops on topics such as business planning, market research, product development, and financial management;  Product Development Support: Assistance or guidance on prototyping, testing, iteration, and product refinement based on market research;  Legal and Administrative Support: Assistance with legal, accounting, and administrative tasks such as business incorporation, intellectual property protection, and contracts;  Marketing and Branding Support: Assistance in identifying and reaching target audiences and customers through marketing and public relations strategies;  Strategic Partnerships: Connections with other startups, industry leaders, corporate entities, and business support organizations to expand access to resources and expertise; Access to Funding: Pitch training and hosting pitch events, demo days, and introductions to investors including venture capital firms, angel investors, and government grants; and  Office Space: Access to shared office space for startups to work and collaborate. Funding Information The City has allocated approximately $500,000 for this Incubator and Accelerator Grant solicitation. Grant requests may be for no more than $100,000. Proposed incubator or accelerator cohorts must be completed within a 12-month contract period.  Eligible Activities Examples of what expenditures this grant may be used for include:  Program development and delivery;  Salaries for staff delivering programming;  Stipends for volunteers and participants;  Training supplies and equipment;  Office space and co-working membership fees;  Marketing and public relations for program recruitment;  Food and non-alcoholic beverages provided to participants at the funded programs (costs cannot exceed 5% of the grant total);  Scholarships for program participants;  Software subscription fees; and Professional services Eligibility Criteria Applicants must meet the baseline requirements outlined below:  Applicants must operate from a fixed place of business within the Sacramento city limits, except as follows:  Applicants that do not operate from a fixed place of business within the city limits are eligible if grant-supported programming is provided within the city limits, and  Applicants must be in compliance with current and past City grants. For more information, visit City of Sacramento.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to educators in Klamath, Lake, Modoc, and Siskiyou counties for environmental and wildlife education programs aimed at children in grades K-6 and other youth under 18.

The Zoo Labs: FUND, administered in partnership with the Center for Cultural Innovation (CCI), is a funding and investment initiative designed to support Bay Area entrepreneurs who are launching or growing businesses centered around music. With a strong emphasis on culturally-rooted artist teams, the program offers unrestricted funding to music ventures that align with values of cultural preservation, innovation, economic empowerment, and community enrichment. In 2025, the FUND will distribute a total of $230,000 in grants, prioritizing artist teams that face barriers to accessing capital and are committed to contributing to the Bay Area's creative ecosystem. Zoo Labs: FUND provides grants in four tiers: $5,000, $15,000, $25,000, and $50,000, with award size contingent upon the team’s business development stage. Eligibility requires applicant teams of at least two individuals, including one culturally-rooted artist, who all reside full-time in specified Bay Area counties. Teams may include various roles such as content creators, producers, engineers, and advisors, and must be operating a music-centered business, whether as a nonprofit, sole proprietorship, or for-profit organization. Prior grantees may reapply if they meet reporting and mentorship obligations from previous awards. Applicants must complete an online submission through CCI’s Submittable platform between May 19 and July 7, 2025. Required materials include a team pitch video, business matrix, one work sample, and a budget with notes. Applications are assessed based on the strength of the team, artistry and craft, entrepreneurship, and internal and external community impact. An independent panel reflecting diverse backgrounds will review the materials and recommend grantees. The notification of awards is scheduled for September 8, 2025. In addition to receiving financial support, awardees gain access to mentorship opportunities through Zoo Labs: LEARN. These include on-demand courses, virtual networking sessions, and for higher-tier recipients, a strategy session with Zoo Labs Co-Founder Vinitha Watson. All grantees must attend a virtual orientation on October 15, 2025, and participate in at least one one-on-one business mentorship session. Recipients of $25,000 or $50,000 grants are also invited to serve as voluntary mentors to future applicants. The grant supports activities from September 2025 through September 2026. For assistance, applicants can contact CCI via email at [email protected] or phone at 415.288.0530. Additional technical support is available through Submittable. Information sessions and office hours are scheduled throughout June and early July to assist prospective applicants in preparing strong submissions. All applicants are encouraged to review the guidelines, FAQs, and application preview before seeking support. The Zoo Labs: FUND is made possible with support from Vinitha and David Watson and individual donors. Contributions are welcomed to expand the program’s reach. The FUND continues to invest in artistic legacies that reflect the diversity, resilience, and creativity of Bay Area communities.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and schools in San Diego County to enhance community access to music education and appreciation through various programs and performances, with a focus on benefiting North County residents.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to California-based non-profit organizations to deliver essential reentry services and housing assistance for individuals transitioning back into the community after incarceration.