California Environment Grants

The Innovation Fund by Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors in California offers grants over $1 million to stimulate innovative public service projects and programs in areas like equitable access to services, economic vitality, and environment, available to IRS tax-exempt organizations operating in Contra Costa County, with application deadline on 10/07/2024.

This funding opportunity supports small and mid-sized organizations and individual artists in San Francisco who are connected to historically marginalized communities, helping them sustain their work and remain in the city.

This funding opportunity supports projects that engage youth and adults in California through education and stewardship related to the coast and its watersheds, particularly targeting underserved communities.

The Community Impact Arts Grant (CIAG) program, funded by the LA County Department of Arts and Culture, offers financial support ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 to nonprofit organizations and municipal departments in Los Angeles County, whose primary mission is outside of the arts, to enhance community wellbeing and solve civic problems through high-quality arts and culture programs.

This program provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Mendocino County, California, for projects that enhance arts and culture, support children and youth, promote disaster relief and resilience, foster economic development, protect the environment, and create healthy and inclusive communities.

This funding opportunity supports educational and stewardship projects that connect diverse California communities to the coast and ocean, particularly those historically underserved in marine education.

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 grant provides funding for projects in California that utilize tire-derived aggregate for various applications, such as retaining walls, stormwater management, and landfill enhancements, aimed at promoting sustainable waste tire recycling.

This grant provides funding to farmers and ranchers for the cleanup and remediation of solid waste on their properties, helping to address illegal disposal issues and promote environmental sustainability.

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.

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 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.

This grant provides funding to nonprofits in Mendocino County to create enriching outdoor experiences for disadvantaged youth and adults, promoting personal growth, environmental stewardship, and community engagement.

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 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 County of San Luis Obispo is seeking applications for its Continuum of Care Builds Program to address and reduce persons experiencing homelessness by adding new units of Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH). Donor Name: County of San Luis Obispo State: California County: San Luis Obispo County (CA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 09/04/2024 Size of the Grant: More than $1 million Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The Continuum of Care program, authorized by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act, as amended by the Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing (HEARTH) Act of 2009 is administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The CoC Builds program will make awards to new Permanent Supportive Housing projects, in order to address both the immediate need for shelter and the underlying factors contributing to homelessness, leading to better outcomes for individuals and communities alike. Goals HUD’s Strategic Plan sets the direction and focus of their programs to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality, affordable homes for all. The CoC Builds program supports HUD’s Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years (FY) 2022-2026 to accomplish HUD’s mission and vision. You are expected to align your application to the applicable strategic goals and objectives below. The following are the goals and objectives from HUD’s Strategic Plan applicable to the CoC Builds program: Support Underserved Communities.  Fortify support for underserved communities and support equitable community development for all people.  Reduce Homelessness. Strengthen Federal, State, Tribal, and community implementation of the Housing First approach to reducing the prevalence of homelessness, with the ultimate goal of ending homelessness.  Ensure Access to and Increase the Production of Affordable Housing.  Ensure housing demand is matched by adequate production of new homes and equitable access to housing opportunities for all people. Increase the Supply of Housing. Enhance HUD’s programs that increase the production and supply of housing across the country. Advance Sustainable Communities. Advance sustainable communities by strengthening climate resilience and energy efficiency, promoting environmental justice, and recognizing housing’s role as essential to health. Strengthen Environmental Justice. Reduce exposure to health risks, environmental hazards, and substandard housing, especially for low-income households and communities of color. Integrate Health and Housing. Advance policies that recognize housing’s role as essential to health. Funding Information Maximum Funding Available for New PSH (Permanent Supportive Housing) Projects: $4,750,000 Maximum Amount That Can Be Used for Supportive Services for the PSH Project: $1,000,000 Eligibility Criteria The following types of project applicants will be eligible under the local CoC Builds program competition:  Nonprofit organizations having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Public housing authorities  City or township governments For more information, visit County of San Luis Obispo.

The San Diego County Bar Foundation provides grants to improve public awareness of the legal system, the administration of justice and the delivery of legal services through distribution of its funds. Donor Name: San Diego County Bar Foundation State: California County: San Diego County (CA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/01/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: By offering an effective means for the legal community to engage in law-related philanthropy, the San Diego County Bar Foundation strengthens the profession by providing lawyers the opportunity to contribute to the quality and benefit of San Diego County. Based on the belief that justice serves as the great equalizer in the society, they ensure access to justice by investing in legal aid and public interest organizations along with expertise, leadership and advocacy. They serve as a leader in the community and a model bar foundation nationwide. They maintain the highest level of commitment to the permanence of the Bar Foundation and its work by building law- related philanthropy. Core Values Access to Justice  Equal access to justice is central to the democratic society, integral to the efficient functioning of the justice system and a critical part of the safety net for the vulnerable in the society. They support the legal and non-legal community through the diligent grant making process and the on-going fundraising efforts in order to create a healthier and stronger community environment. Service – The focus always centers on providing equal access to justice, public awareness and advocacy to the underserved and vulnerable as well as increasing public awareness of these needs through on-going education.  Accountability – They are the conscientious stewards of the Foundation’s funds to ensure that they are put to the best use. The donors and the legal community have confidence in the due diligence process and know that their funds will benefit the designated community partners. The sustainability is guaranteed through the growing endowment.  Integrity – They maintain honesty in word and deed, civility in the interactions and communications, and demonstrate fairness to all. No conflict of interest.  Permanence – They preserve the longevity of the Foundation and ensure the legacy through the continual growth in the endowments. Grant Period Generally, grant awards will be for a period not to exceed one year. Eligibility Criteria  Legal aid and public interest non-profits providing services within the county of San Diego are eligible to apply. Limitations Grants will NOT be made in support of the following: Organizations which are not tax exempt as described in section 509 (a) (1) and 170B (1) (a) of the Internal Revenue Code Religious, Political or lobbying purposes Organizations whose primary function is to allocate funds to other charitable organizations or projects Projects outside of San Diego County Loans. For more information, visit SDCBF.

This program provides funding to landowners of working forests and rangelands in California to protect and manage their properties while allowing them to retain ownership and certain rights, promoting conservation of important environmental and cultural values.

CalRecycle is seeking projects that implement new programs or enhance existing programs to provide convenient beverage container recycling opportunities in various locations statewide. Eligible projects include:• Multi-family residential dwellings (five units or more).• Public colleges/universities, non-profit colleges/universities, and public K-12 school districts.• Curbside Residential Program locations (excluding single stream).• Community events including, but not limited to, those sponsored by local jurisdictions.• Parks/recreational areas.• Purchase of water refill stations, including installation, replacement of current infrastructure, plumbing, maintenance, additional attachments or modifications, or related educational and outreach activities/materials promoting water refill stations.• Litter reduction and cleanup along the United States-Mexico border where the waste stream includes beverage containers that will be recycled. o Out of State beverage containers collected as part of the litter abatement and cleanup projects cannot be funded under this grant program. Ongoing collection programs may include the following activities as a component of the grant project:• Temporary Community events (i.e., recycling or collection events sponsored by local jurisdictions, Earth Day events).• Drop-off, Collection Program, or Community Service Program.• Education and Outreach related to beverage container recycling. Note: Education activities and/or materials (signage, flyers, curriculum, etc.) related to the beverage container recycling project are capped at 25 percent of the total grant award. • Funding must have a direct connection to the California Redemption Value (CRV) of beverage containers and the overall program. If non-CRV items are included in the grant, they are subject to proportional cost. For example: a three-bin system with composting, paper and CRV recycling, can only be funded at one third of the cost. A mixed recycling bin will be funded proportionately based on the CRV content of materials collected. Priority funding will be given to Tribal Entities and applicants with litter abatement projects along the United States-Mexico border. Applicants who meet the criteria will be given priority and will be considered for funding first.

The Clean Power Alliance provides Community Benefits Grants to organizations working to advance clean energy, green jobs, environmental education and stewardship, and energy equity and diversity in the communities that CPA serves. Donor Name: Clean Power Alliance State: California County: Los Angeles County (CA), Ventura County (CA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/13/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: Priority Focus Areas The CBG is available to projects and organizations focused on advancing clean energy, sustainability, and resiliency through the following pathways: Research Environmental and Social Justice Communities Workforce Development Education The CPUC identified environmental and social justice communities as those where residents are: Predominantly communities of color or low-income Underrepresented in the policy setting or decision-making process Subject to a disproportionate impact from one or more environmental hazards and Likely to experience disparate implementation of environmental regulations and socioeconomic investments in their communities On the ground, targeted communities typically include but are not limited to: Disadvantaged Communities, located in the most environmentally burdened California census tracts, as determined by the 25 percent highest scores (75th percentile) when using the CalEnviroScreen tool All Tribal lands Low-income households (household incomes below 80 percent of the area median income) and Low-income census tracts (census tracts where aggregated household incomes are less than 80 percent of area or state median income). Funding Information Awards will range from $15,000 to $30,000. Grant Period  One-Year grant. Geographic Areas The CPA service territory: Agoura Hills Hermosa Beach  Sierra Madre  Alhambra  Malibu  Simi Valley  Arcadia  Manhattan Beach  South Pasadena  Beverly Hills  Moorpark  Temple City  Calabasas  Monrovia  Thousand Oaks  Camarillo  Ojai  Unincorporated Los Angeles County  Claremont  Oxnard  Unincorporated Ventura County  Carson  Paramount  Ventura  Culver City  Redondo Beach  West Hollywood  Downey  Rolling Hills Estates  Westlake Village  Hawaiian Gardens  Santa Paula  Whittier  Hawthorne  Santa Monica Eligibility Criteria Eligible applicants must be an IRS-designated 501(c)(3) non-profit organization serving the areas where CPA provides electricity.  Previous Community Benefits Grant recipients are eligible to apply for the 2024-2025 grant cycle. However, previous grant recipients are ineligible to receive funds more than two years in a row.  For more information, visit CPA.