California Natural Resources Grants

This grant provides funding to support local governments and organizations in developing plans to protect agricultural lands from being converted to non-agricultural uses, ensuring the sustainability and economic viability of regional agriculture and food systems.

This funding opportunity is designed to help protect valuable agricultural lands by providing financial support for the purchase of conservation easements and land titles, benefiting farmers and land conservation organizations.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for land acquisition projects that help with the planning and implementation of conservation efforts aimed at protecting natural communities and habitats in California.

The Effectiveness Monitoring Committee (EMC) is seeking project proposals that: (1)   Address one or more of the EMC’s Research Themes and Critical Monitoring Questions and; (2)   Address natural resource protection issues that are important for California forestlands. The critical monitoring questions are organized under 12 Research Themes. Four prioritized critical questions were determined by vote amongst the current EMC members at the beginning of each calendar year:  Are the FPRs and associated regulations effective in...  Question 1h: managing WLPZs to reduce or minimize potential fire behavior and rate of spread? Question 6c:  managing fuel loads, vegetation patterns and fuel breaks for fire hazard reduction? Question 6d: managing forest structure and stocking standards to promote wildfire resilience? Question 12a: improving overall forest wildfire resilience and the ability of forests to respond to climate change (e.g., in response to drought or bark beetle; reducing plant water stress) and variability, and extreme weather events (evaluate ecosystem functional response to fuel reduction and forest health treatments)? I.       FUNDING AVAILABILITY. Funding available for newly proposed projects is anticipated as follows: $973,392 over three FYs beginning in 2024/25, comprising: $173,232 in FY 2024/25; $375,160 in FY 2025/26; and $425,000 in FY 2025/26. II.     AWARD LIMITATIONS. Applicants requesting more than the stated annual amount available for funding will not be considered. In the case that EMC funding for the full three years is awarded to one new project, project solicitation may not occur in the subsequent two FYs. While the EMC may choose to fund projects that span multiple FYs up to the annual funding cap, the EMC generally prefers to fund multiple research projects annually. Proposers should keep this in mind when developing their project and annual budget requests. Longer-term projects (greater than three years) may re-apply for funding for additional years through the competitive grants process advertised in the EMC’s Request for Proposals. Annual allocations are dependent upon demonstrated progress towards project completion pursuant to the project schedule and workplan.  a.      ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES. Eligible projects will test one or more specific FPRs or other rule or regulation under the Board’s jurisdiction and which addresses one or more of the EMC’s Research Themes and Critical Monitoring Questions. Proposed projects must clearly apply to management activities on private timberlands in California. Projects on public land may be eligible for EMC funding provided they clearly apply to the activities and systems that also exist on non-federal timberland. b.      ELIGIBLE ORGANIZATIONS. Eligible applicants are local, state, and federal agencies including federal land management agencies; institutions of higher education; special purpose districts (e.g., public utilities districts, fire districts, conservation districts, and ports); Native American tribes; private landowners; for-profit entities; and non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations.

This funding opportunity is designed to support projects that improve forest management and reduce wildfire risks in the Truckee and Donner Summit areas, benefiting local communities and enhancing their preparedness for wildfires.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) through the Solano County Farm Bureau is pleased to announce funding availability for Healthy Soils Program Block Grant Pilot Program. Donor Name: Solano County Farm Bureau State: California County: Alameda County (CA), Contra Costa County (CA), Sacramento County (CA), Solano County (CA), Yolo County (CA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/31/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The objectives of the HSP are to increase statewide implementation of conservation management practices that improve soil health, sequester carbon and reduce atmospheric greenhouse gases (GHGs) by providing financial incentives to California growers and ranchers to implement agricultural management practices that sequester carbon, reduce atmospheric GHG emissions and improve soil health. The Healthy Soils Program (HSP) provides financial incentives in the form of grants to farmers and ranchers to implement conservation management practices that sequester carbon, reduce atmospheric greenhouse gases (GHGs), and improve soil health. A few eligible practices include: Mulching – Compost Cover Crops Reduced Tillage Riparian, Herbaceous & Woody Plantings Windbreaks Filter Strips Whole Orchard Recycling Funding Information The California Climate Investments (CCI) appropriated $50 million. The maximum award is $100,000 The grant term is three years.  Eligibility Criteria California farmers, ranchers, agricultural business entities, and California Native Americans, are eligible to apply. Nonprofit organizations as agriculture operations are eligible to apply. Grant Recipients must be at least 18 years old. Cannabis cultivation operations are not eligible to apply. Hemp cultivation operations are eligible to apply. Project Eligibility Requirements Projects must be located on agricultural operations in California. For the purposes of this program, an agricultural operation is defined as row crops, vineyard, field and tree crops, commercial nurseries, nursery stock production, and greenhouse operations producing food crops, or flowers as. Projects located on grazing lands (including grasslands, rangelands, and pastures. Grant funds cannot be used for projects that use potted plants and plant growth media other than soil. Grant funds cannot be used for research and product development activities. All entities receiving grant funds must have a physical California business address. Awards are limited to one per agricultural operation using a unique tax identification number per round of funding, including applications submitted to Block Grant Recipients. Applications from Alameda, Contra Costa, Sacramento, Solano and Yolo County producers can apply with priority to those qualifying as socially disadvantaged.  For more information, visit CDFA.

Akonadi Foundation’s So Love Can Win Fund provides general support grants to Oakland’s organizers, storytellers, culture bearers, and healers who seek to ignite and implement a radical collective vision of freedom and racial justice. Donor Name: Akonadi Foundation State: California County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline:  06/07/2024 Size of the Grant: $1000 to $10,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: So Love Can Win Fund provides grants to organizations, initiatives and projects in Oakland that have a focus in one of the following strategies: Organizing– Base-building organizations that mobilize, support, develop, and build power with their members. Arts & Culture– Cultural formations that use culture as a tool for racial justice movement building. Healing– Healing justice collectives and organizations providing accessible and relevant healing, wellness and self-care practices using an anti-racist political frame in service of movement building. Voice– Oakland-focused journalism or narrative efforts that highlight racial justice movement building and/or issues impacting Black, Indigenous or people of color communities with an emphasis on promoting community leadership, mutual aid, and cultural resilience. Funding Information $500,000 in available funding to be dispersed in one round. $10,000 general support grants. On occasion, the foundation may consider funding proposals at a higher level, such as coalitions or partnerships that are applying under one proposal. Eligibility Criteria To be eligible for a 2024 So Love Can Win grant, applicants must: Be an organization, group, formation or collective Be based in Oakland Demonstrate a history of work with Black, Indigenous, people of color in Oakland Have 501(c)(3) status or are fiscally sponsored. Akonadi is continuing its partnership with the Social Good Fund, which will waive its normal fiscal sponsorship fees to groups that have been approved for a So Love Can Win grant and are in need of a fiscal sponsor Akonadi Foundation will prioritize grant support to the following: Organizations with budgets under $500,000. Organizations that advance the leadership of women, trans, queer and non-binary communities; immigrant and undocumented communities; and people who are formerly/currently incarcerated and their families. For more information, visit Akonadi Foundation.

The Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District is seeking applications for its Community Spaces Matching Grant Program. Donor Name: Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District State: California County: Sonoma County (CA) Type of Grant: Grant | Matching Grants Deadline: 06/24/2024 Size of the Grant: More than $1 million Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The program focuses on protecting land and creating open spaces within cities and communities, through partnerships with local public agencies, nonprofits and federally recognized tribal organizations. Community Spaces projects have the potential to transform neighborhoods, providing places to recreate, find solitude, hold public gatherings, grow local food, and to experience and learn more of the importance of natural resources and agriculture. Funding Information The Board of Directors have authorized an annual budget of $3,000,000 for MGP project. Eligible Activities The Matching Grant Program has three categories of eligible project types:  Acquisition  Improvement  Acquisition/Improvement combination projects Eligibility Criteria Public agencies  Federally recognized tribes  Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status For more information, visit Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation.

The California Energy Commission (CEC) is seeking applications to deploy advanced decarbonization and/or grid support technologies at California industrial facilities to promote electrification and reduce GHG emissions produced from the industrial sector. Donor Name: California Energy Commission (CEC) State: California County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/03/2024 Size of the Grant: More than $1 million Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: This solicitation will target technologies that have the potential to demonstrate cost-effectiveness and scalable to multiple industrial facilities with potential to increase confidence for adoption. The program’s goal is to deploy cutting-edge, emerging technologies at California industrial facilities to promote electrification and load flexibility, reduce fossil fuel and thermal energy usage, and reduce criteria air pollutants and carbon footprints. This program is open to existing industrial facilities, utilities, equipment manufacturers, energy service companies, project aggregators, and project developers who propose to implement projects in California’s industrial sector. Entities, facilities, and projects that are associated with the production or processing of oil and gas are ineligible. The CEC’s INDIGO Program will assist California’s industrial facilities in achieving the following: Emission Reductions: Adopt electrification and other eligible decarbonization technologies to reduce annual GHG emissions and other criteria air emissions at industrial processing facilities. Electrical Grid Support: Adopt commercially available and emerging technologies needed to support grid reliability, especially during net peak periods. Benefits to Priority Populations: Reduce criteria air pollutants and have direct community engagement and support, especially in low income or disadvantaged communities. Project Focus This solicitation focuses on deploying industrial decarbonization technologies that are cutting-edge emerging technologies. The proposed technology(ies) and project must achieve at least one of the following goals at the industrial demonstration site(s). Additional points could be awarded for meeting multiple goals. Electrify some or all industrial processes Maximize GHG emission reductions Drive scalability and application of project technology to other facilities/industries/processes Reduce electrical demand during net peak periods Provide air pollution benefits to priority populations. Funding Information There is up to $46,200,000 available for grants awarded under this solicitation. The minimum funding amount for each project is $4,000,000. The maximum funding amount is $10,000,0000. Eligibility Criteria  Applications to the INDIGO Program are open to existing industrial facilities located in California and to utilities, equipment manufacturers, energy service providers, aggregators, and developers who are implementing cutting-edge, emerging technologies in California industries. The applicant may include multiple industrial facilities located in California in one application. Food and beverage industries and related support facilities that are receiving funding for the same project, or portions of the same project, from the CEC’s Food Production Investment Program (FPIP) are ineligible for funding from the INDIGO Program or to use funds received from FPIP as match funds. For more information, visit CEC.

The California State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD) is seeking applications for Cycle 47 of its Program Development Grants (PDG). Donor Name: California State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD) State: California County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/10/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 1 Year Details: California’s State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD) advocates for, promotes and implements policies and practices designed to achieve self-determination, independence, productivity and inclusion in all aspects of community life for Californians with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families. Its goal and mission are to improve the lives of people with I/DD (PwI/DD) in measurable ways through engaging in and promoting self-advocacy, capacity-building, and systems change. One of the many ways the Council (SCDD) works to achieve its State Plan objectives is by awarding Program Development Grants to community-based organizations to research, develop and/or implement innovative programs and promising or best practices throughout the state and its local communities. 2022 – 2026 State Plan Goals Self-Advocacy By 2026, the Council will maintain and/or increase the number of people with intellectual/developmental disabilities to become strong self-advocates, peer trainers and community leaders. Systems Change/Advocacy By 2026, the Council will lead in partnership with family/self-advocates and others to protect and enhance civil rights to improve community-based systems and be more fully inclusive and supportive of people with intellectual/developmental disabilities and their families. Capacity-Building/Advocacy By 2026, the Council will increase partnerships with and support of more people with intellectual/developmental disabilities and their families, so they know their rights and can advocate for and receive supports and services. Funding Information The Council has approved a total fund of $300,000 to be allocated for one or more Cycle 47 grants. Grant Period: October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2025.  Eligibility Criteria The Council will award funding, on a competitive basis, to California-based agencies and organizations that represent and/or serve individuals with intellectual, developmental and/or cross-disabilities. Eligible Applicants include: Local government agencies Non-government organizations Tribal organizations Community-based non-profits Established coalitions that are classified as 501(c)(3) tax exempt under the Internal Revenue Services (IRS) Code For more information, visit SCDD.

Are you thinking about incorporating reading into your summer program in Oakland? The OLC can help you make your project come to life with an Action Grant. Donor Name: Oakland Literacy Coalition (OLC) State: California City: Oakland Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/10/2024 Size of the Grant: Less than $1000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Summer is almost here and the OLC is gearing up for another round of Reading Everywhere Action Grants. OLC have a large quantity of new, free, high interest books to give to select community and faith based organizations. Grantees will be able to come pick out books from the office for your students and they will award up to $500 in action grant funds for accompanying activities. Who Should Apply? Oakland-based community organizations and faith-based organizations that work with preschool through high school age children are encouraged to apply for events in community-based (not school-based) spaces. They also welcome applications from informal neighborhood and/or cultural groups and childcare providers. Your organization does NOT need to have a literacy or education component in order to apply. They believe that literacy happens everywhere and they LOVE working with all kinds of organizations to reach kids where they are and inspire a love of reading. Organizations may apply on behalf of one or more sites/locations but are required to submit separate applications for each. For more information, visit OLC.

The California Natural Resources Agency is accepting proposals for the California Museum Grant Program. Donor Name: California Natural Resources Agency State: California County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/22/2024 Size of the Grant: More than $1 million Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The intent of this program is to solicit proposals for program projects or capital projects that assist and enhance museums that are deeply rooted in, and reflective of, previously underserved communities. The Museum Grant Program has approximately 27.7 million available and may be awarded over multiple rounds depending on the competitive pool. Funding shall be prioritized for museums severely affected by COVID-19 and that serve historically underserved communities or students subject to Title I of the Federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Additionally, projects must meet one of the following priorities: serving pupils and teachers at schools eligible to be served under Part A of Title I of the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act; serving children in low-income communities; supporting museums in engaging or collaborating with underserved communities; advancing preservation of at-risk cultural and natural collections and historic buildings; improving access; supporting the ethical stewardship of culturally sensitive art and artifacts, including, but not limited to, engaging in consultations with California Indian tribes or repatriation; or educating the public about critical issues affecting Californians. Funding Information Grant proposal requests must be between $50,000 and $500,000 for program projects; and $100,000 to 1 million for capital projects. Eligible Projects  All projects must support at least one of the following to be eligible: capital projects, exhibits, educational programs, outreach programs, public programs, curriculum, publications, marketing and collections care. Applicants must select one of the following project types: Capital project Program project. Eligible Applicants  Public agencies and nonprofit organizations that operate a museum, own a museum, or partner with a museum located in the State of California, may apply. Public agencies are defined as federal agencies, state agencies, cities, counties, districts, association of governments, joint powers agencies or tribal organizations. Federally recognized Native American Tribes, or non-federally recognized Native American Tribes within the State of California are eligible as public agencies. Nonprofit organizations are defined as any nonprofit public benefit corporation that is formed pursuant to the Nonprofit Corporation Law (commencing with Section 500 of the Corporations Code), qualified to do business in California, and qualified under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, that has, among its principal charitable purposes, the preservation of historical or cultural resources for cultural, scientific, historic, educational, recreational, agricultural, or scenic opportunities; and must be registered with the California Secretary of State and California Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General Registry of Charities and Fundraisers. Museums are defined as public or private nonprofit institutions that are organized on a permanent basis for essentially educational or aesthetic purposes and that own or use tangible objects, care for those objects, and exhibit them to the general public on a regular basis. Projects can be proposed for museums of any size and discipline. In general, museums fall within the following categories: art museums and art centers; children’s/youth museums; cultural museums and cultural centers; general museums; history and historical museums (including historical societies, historic preservation organizations, historic houses/sites, and history museums); living collections (such as arboretums, botanical gardens, nature centers, zoos, aquariums, and wildlife conservation centers); and science and technology museums (including planetariums, discovery centers, natural history/anthropology museums and natural science museums). Applicants must also: have the institutional and financial capacity to complete the project and produce the deliverable described in their proposal; be able to demonstrate adequate charter or enabling authority to carry out the type of project proposed; be free of any legal challenges that could undermine progress on the project; and be in compliance and good standing on all previously awarded State grants. For more information, visit CNRA.

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 solicitation is to fund a project that will evaluate the feasibility of using existing underground gas storage facilities to store clean renewable hydrogen in California. Donor Name: California Energy Commission (CEC) State: California County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 06/28/2024 Size of the Grant: More than $1 million Grant Duration: 3 Years Details: This project will develop technical and economic assessments of storing and retrieving hydrogen blends and/or pure hydrogen as well as California-specific decision-making tools, risk mitigation strategies, market and policy recommendations, and community engagement approaches related to those facilities. Project Focus  Research under this solicitation will support comprehensive technical and economic feasibility assessments of at least two existing underground gas storage facilities in California for their potential to store clean renewable hydrogen. The project is encouraged to assess a selection of geographically diverse sites (i.e., a Northern California site and Southern California site). The project must meet the following requirements: Engage with local communities and Community Based Organizations (CBOs) located around the selected sites for the study and assess the communities’ awareness of and support for underground hydrogen storage. Leverage feedback and learnings from this engagement to inform an experimental design responsive to community interests and concerns. Inform communities of project results and potential impacts of underground hydrogen storage. Study the characteristics of two selected sites representing existing underground gas storage facilities in California and conduct experiments to assess potential impacts of introducing hydrogen to the selected sites. Experiments should be inclusive of use cases involving storage as well as retrieval of hydrogen blends and sufficiently pure hydrogen for separation and end-use needs. Proposals for small-scale pilot testing or field experiments are eligible but must include a robust risk mitigation strategy. At a minimum, experiments should examine: Well integrity including the direct impacts to equipment and mechanical barriers from hydrogen exposure, and the impacts of subsurface environmental and microbial changes following hydrogen injection. Deliverability and reservoir dynamics such as permeability, viscosity, injection and withdrawal optimization, and potential hydrogen losses due to leakage, microbial activity, and time-dependent changes in the subsurface environment. Necessary mitigation measures (e.g., material selection, inspection tools, operational changes) to ensure safety and reliability. Conduct a quantitative risk assessment and techno-economic analysis for converting the selected underground gas storage facilities to store clean renewable hydrogen . This assessment will: Compare costs and risks of potential use cases, considering interactions with connected gas infrastructure (e.g., storage and delivery of hydrogen blends, storage of hydrogen blends with separation at the surface, storage and distribution of pure hydrogen). Estimate levelized cost of hydrogen storage, levelized total capital costs, and operations and maintenance costs for the selected sites, leveraging existing frameworks such as the Local-Scale Framework for Techno-Economic Analysis of Subsurface Hydrogen Storage,  considering California-specific characteristics. Develop recommendations for Gas IOUs, CBOs, policymakers, and relevant stakeholders to support decision making on next steps pertaining to the role of underground hydrogen storage in California, which may include additional R&D or demonstrations. Optional but desired project elements include: Compare the levelized cost of hydrogen storage and life-cycle emissions between underground hydrogen storage and alternative storage options like hydrogen carriers and conversion of hydrogen into synthetic methane. In addition to studying existing underground gas storage facilities, also examine potential of storing hydrogen in saline aquifers in preferable locations that allow for reuse of existing gas pipeline infrastructure. Funding Information There is up to $3,000,000 available for the grant awarded under this solicitation. The minimum funding amount for the project is $2,500,000. The maximum funding amount is $3,000,000. Grant Period November 1, 2024 – September 30, 2027. Eligibility Criteria  This solicitation is open to all public and private entities. Demonstration projects in this solicitation must be located in the service territory of a California gas Investor Owned Utility (Gas IOU), which includes Pacific Gas and Electric Company, San Diego Gas & Electric Company, and Southern California Gas Company. All projects in this solicitation must benefit Gas IOU ratepayers. For more information, visit CEC.

The District’s Clean Air Grant (CAG) Program provides monetary grants to private companies and public agencies to clean up their heavy-duty engines beyond that which is required by law or regulation through repowering, replacing, or retrofitting their engines, vehicles, or equipment. Donor Name: Placer County Air Pollution Control District State: California County: Placer County (CA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/31/2024 Size of the Grant: Not Available Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Grants may also fund infrastructure projects to support California’s transformation toward zero and near-zero emission technologies. A portion of Clean Air Grant Program funds is reserved for projects located within or benefitting low-income communities. Project Categories  Agricultural Portable and Stationary Engine Repower and Infrastructure Only Tier 3 diesel engines are eligible to apply. Engines must be in full compliance with State regulations prior to applying. Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Eligible project types include battery charging stations, natural gas, and hydrogen fueling. Infrastructure projects will be subject to a competitive bid process. Individual and Residential projects not eligible for funds Heavy-Duty On- and Off-Road Equipment Replacement, Repower, and Retrofit Only Small Fleets, as defined by ARB’s Off-Road Regulation, are eligible to apply for off-road funding. Large and Medium off-road fleets are no longer eligible for grant funds. School Bus Replacement Fleets must be in full compliance with State regulations prior to applying. Types of Projects that Qualify for Clean Air Grants Infrastructure projects that enable emission reductions and projects that reduce surplus emissions from heavy-duty on-road and off-road equipment qualify, including on-road trucks over 14,000 gross vehicle weight. Examples of potential projects include: Off-Road Equipment Construction and Farm Equipment Forklifts Locomotives Stationary Agricultural Equipment Other Agricultural Sources On-Road Vehicles Emergency Vehicles Public Agency/Utility Vehicles School Buses Solid Waste Collection Vehicles Transit Fleet Vehicles Infrastructure Battery Charging Stations Alternative Fueling Stations Stationary Agricultural Pump Electrification. Heavy-duty diesel vehicles subject to a compliance deadline within two years and off-road diesel equipment subject to a compliance deadline within four years are not eligible to apply. Guiding Principles The District will apply the following guiding principles to their local CAP Incentives Program: Reduce emissions through investments that benefit impacted communities Projects will consider air toxics, criteria air pollutants, and greenhouse gas benefits Community outreach and support are essential Ensure emissions reductions are in excess of laws or regulations Prioritize zero-emission technology and infrastructure Consider special projects for sensitive receptors Transparency in project selections and reporting Consider both cost-effectiveness and exposure reduction in funding. For more information, visit Placer County Air Pollution Control District.

This program provides funding for projects that restore and enhance fish and wildlife habitats across the state, targeting local governments, conservation organizations, and other eligible entities involved in environmental restoration efforts.

This grant provides funding for projects that improve wildlife and fish passage by constructing or modifying infrastructure, restoring habitats, and removing barriers, particularly in areas affected by drought.

This funding opportunity supports projects that improve stream flows in California to benefit fish and wildlife, particularly in critical watersheds for salmonids and areas affected by climate change.

This grant provides funding to support the preservation and enhancement of the San Joaquin River's natural and cultural resources, focusing on property acquisition, habitat restoration, and improvements for public access and recreation.

This grant provides funding for projects that aim to protect and restore riparian habitats in California, targeting organizations and groups involved in environmental conservation and habitat restoration.