California Employment Labor and Training Grants

This funding opportunity provides financial support to community-based organizations in California to promote workplace safety and educate workers about their rights under state labor laws.

The Possibility Grant Program, overseen by the Walter and Elise Haas Fund, is a unique initiative with a core mission to foster a more just and equitable society. This program distinguishes itself by empowering Bay Area Youth (BAY) Community Fellows, who serve as youth advisors, to design and decide the grants. This approach aligns directly with the Fund's strategic priority of uplifting youth and incorporating intergenerational perspectives into its grantmaking. The grants are specifically designed as general operating support, ranging from $100,000 to $500,000, with flexible terms of either one or two years, providing essential financial stability to recipient organizations. The target beneficiaries for the Possibility Grants are primarily small organizations located in Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco, San Mateo, or Santa Clara County in California. These organizations must be 501(c)3 entities or fiscally sponsored by one. The impact goals are centered on challenging systems of oppression through various avenues, including cultural education, Black liberation values, community-based care, healing, and art. The program seeks to support organizations that respond to the current domestic and global political climate, demonstrating an active commitment to social change and equity. The Fund prioritizes organizations that are actively working to challenge and dismantle systems of oppression. This includes fostering intergenerational connections to uplift youth, centering collaboration in their work, and seeking a strong intersectional impact. The focus is on entities that embody Black liberation values and utilize cultural education, community-based care, healing, or art as tools for social transformation. These priorities reflect the foundation's theory of change, which posits that by supporting grassroots organizations with these specific focuses, they can contribute to systemic change and the creation of a more equitable society. Expected outcomes include the strengthening of small organizations that are vital to their communities and are at the forefront of social justice efforts. The program aims to enable these organizations to sustain and expand their work in challenging oppression and fostering intergenerational connections. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond the general operating support, the emphasis on organizations actively working to dismantle systems of oppression and seeking intersectional impact suggests a qualitative assessment of their contributions to social equity and the empowerment of marginalized communities. The long-term impact envisioned is a Bay Area where youth are uplifted, collaboration is fostered, and systemic injustices are actively addressed.

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

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 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.

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.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to non-profit organizations and public agencies in California to deliver essential services aimed at improving the health, safety, and educational outcomes of children, youth, and young adults in Richmond and unincorporated North Richmond.

Funding and Duration: Grant amounts for the conventional program range from $100,000 to $500,000. The maximum grant duration is two (2) years, eight (8) months, and grant funds cannot be expended before November 1, 2025, or after June 30, 2028.   Projects submitted through the Additional Assistance for Historically Underrepresented Organizations (Additional Assistance) Program will range from $100,000 to $250,000. Program requirements and submission deadlines differ for Additional Assistance Program applicants. Please reference the 2025 Request for Concept Proposals - Additional Assistance Program or email [email protected] for more information.   CDFA reserves the right to offer an award amount different than the amount requested.    

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 California Fire Foundation (CFF) grant program is designed to actively address wildfire preparedness and prevention needs across California. This aligns directly with the foundation's mission to protect and enhance public safety, as well as the safety of California's firefighters and other first responders. By supporting projects in these critical areas, CFF aims to mitigate the growing threat of wildfires and safeguard communities throughout the state. The program seeks to fund initiatives that contribute to a more resilient California in the face of climate-caused disasters. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are California-based fire departments, firefighter associations, federally-recognized tribes, and local nonprofit organizations. Indirectly, the grant aims to benefit communities across California, with a specific focus on under-resourced communities at heightened risk and/or socially vulnerable populations. This includes low-income/impoverished individuals, minority status groups, those with limited English proficiency, people with disabilities, and seniors/older adults. The overarching impact goal is to reduce wildfire risk, enhance community safety, and support those most vulnerable to the effects of climate-caused wildfires and other disasters. The grant program prioritizes several key focus areas. These include vegetation mitigation and fuels reduction efforts, which directly address the physical conditions that contribute to wildfire spread. Additionally, the program supports education, planning, and community outreach campaigns to raise awareness and foster preparedness among residents. Finally, funding is available for the purchase of personal protective equipment or specialized firefighting equipment, directly enhancing the capabilities of first responders. In this cycle, a strong emphasis is placed on projects serving under-resourced communities and socially vulnerable populations in areas of heightened fire risk. Expected outcomes include a measurable reduction in wildfire occurrences and severity in funded project areas, an increase in community preparedness and awareness, and improved safety and operational effectiveness for fire departments and first responders. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond the qualitative impact, the focus on tangible actions like fuels reduction and equipment purchases implies a direct and observable improvement in wildfire resilience. The CFF's strategic priority is to support proactive measures that prevent disasters and protect the most vulnerable, reflecting a theory of change that early intervention and targeted support lead to safer, more resilient communities. The grant period for projects is typically 12 months, encouraging timely completion and demonstrable impact.

The Tustin Cares program, offered by the City of Tustin in partnership with the Orange County-Inland Empire Small Business Development Center (SBDC), presents the Main Street Digital Training & Grant Program. This initiative aims to provide vital training and funding to retail businesses, home-based businesses, and nonprofits within Tustin, specifically targeting an increase in their social media presence and overall revenue. While not explicitly stating a "foundation mission alignment," the program's focus on local business development and recovery suggests an alignment with broader community economic well-being and resilience, particularly in the wake of financial hardships. The target beneficiaries of the Main Street Digital Program are for-profit commercially-zoned brick-and-mortar retail businesses, home-based businesses, and nonprofits physically located in Tustin. Eligibility criteria specify that businesses must have had an active Tustin business license since the first quarter of 2023, possess a minimum of 2 employees and no more than 25 full-time equivalent employees as of December 31, 2023, and be in good standing with the City. Businesses that have participated in previous Main Street Digital Programs are ineligible, but those that received alternative COVID-19 related funding, such as EIDL or PPP loans, are eligible. The program's priorities and focuses are squarely on digital presence and revenue generation for small businesses and nonprofits. The SBDC has developed a virtual training program specifically designed to assist businesses with "Creating a Digital Presence." This emphasis highlights the City of Tustin's strategic priority to empower local enterprises with the tools and knowledge necessary to thrive in an increasingly digital marketplace, thereby fostering economic growth and stability within the community. Expected outcomes and measurable results include an enhanced social media presence and increased revenue for participating businesses and nonprofits. The program's theory of change appears to be that by providing targeted digital marketing training and financial assistance, local businesses will be better equipped to reach customers, expand their operations, and ultimately contribute to the economic revitalization of Tustin. The requirement for businesses to certify financial hardship due to COVID-19 and the $500 grant amount, which cannot exceed the amount of lost revenue, also suggest an immediate goal of alleviating pandemic-related economic strain.

This program provides funding to California cities and counties to create and improve initiatives that support individuals affected by cannabis criminalization, helping them enter the regulated cannabis market.

Private entities must be authorized to conduct business in the State of California, by either being registered with the California Secretary of State as a business located in California, being registered as a foreign (out–of–state or out–of–country) business or processing a business license issued by a California city, county, or city and county. Private, non-profit entities, in addition to being registered with the California Secretary of State, must also be registered with the California Department of Justice, and appear on their Registry of Charitable Trusts. If a non-profit entity is excluded from registering with the Department of Justice, proof must be provided with the application. Eligible applicants include: Collection Programs (CP) that are building workforce development for innovative redemption models. The Collection Program must be certified and in good standing with CalRecycle. Workforce Development innovative recycling redemption models include:• Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) • Bag Drop Projects Available Funds• $ 5,000,000 is available for this grant cycle, fiscal year 2022–23, subject to funding availability. • $ 750,000 is the minimum available for individual grant awards.• $ 2,500,000 is the maximum available for individual grant awards.

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.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for California-based industrial facilities and related entities to implement advanced technologies that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance energy efficiency, particularly benefiting low-income and disadvantaged communities.

The Proposition 47 Grant Program Proposal Package submission is available through an online portal submission process. Applicants must submit proposals through the BSCC Submittable portal by 5:00 P.M. (PDT) on June 10, 2024 Any technical questions concerning the RFP, the proposal process or programmatic issues must be submitted by email to: [email protected] A virtual grant information session will be held on Tuesday, April 30th, 2024 at 10:00 A.M. to provide clarity on RFP instructions and answer technical questions from prospective applicants. See the BSCC website for more information. GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR BSCC’s PROPOSITION 47 GRANT•Incorporate community partnerships and collaborations.•Encourage culturally competent services and approaches that foster the principles of restorative justice.•Define target populations, especially those populations that are:-traditionally underserved or inappropriately served through mental health and substance use disorder service providers, or-overrepresented within the criminal justice system, or-experiencing or at risk for homelessness•Expand access to culturally congruent quality mental health and substance use disorder services, including services for co-occurring mental health and substance use disorder needs and the use of evidence-based or community defined practices.•Identify and address known barriers to serving target populations, such as:-lack of jobs, housing, or employment•Prioritize client-focused/client-centered holistic programs and approaches, including healing strategies and trauma-informed care.•Expand and improve on efforts to divert individuals away from criminal justice involvement through increased diversion programs and improved behavioral health services or community supports.•Include community-based organizations with diverse staffing, including those who are system-impacted individuals, or who have varying educational levels and life experiences.•Demonstrate capacity building for service providers at every level.•Be mindful of regional equity and geographic diversity, including smaller and rural counties.•Collect program data and measure/evaluate outcomes and publish and share information.•Encourage community engagement, where members of the community participate in the identifying, informing, and shaping of policies, goals, services, and solutions. Services and programs proposed in response to this RFP must be designed to serve people who have been arrested, charged with, or convicted of a criminal offense and have a history of mental health or substance use disorders. Eligible applicants are public agencies located in the State of California.  To be eligible, a Lead Agency must subcontract with one or more non-governmental, community-based organization(s) for a minimum of 50 percent of the total grant award to demonstrate a shared partnership rooted in community engagement and economic equity. Small scope applicants can apply for up to $2M and large scope candidates can apply for $2-8M. The grant period is 10/1/24-6/30/28, the last 3 months to be used to finalize and submit the required Local Evaluation Report and program-specific compliance audit.