California Workforce Development Grants

The City of Vallejo received American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to establish a grant program aimed at supporting local small businesses severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This initiative directly aligns with the city's commitment to economic recovery and resilience, seeking to mitigate the negative financial repercussions experienced by its business community. The program's core mission is to provide crucial financial assistance, specifically targeting security improvements, thereby fostering a safer and more stable operating environment for eligible businesses within Vallejo. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are for-profit and non-profit brick-and-mortar businesses situated in Vallejo. To qualify, businesses must possess a valid Vallejo business license, employ 20 or fewer individuals, and provide receipts for purchases made between January 1, 2023, and September 24, 2024. The program's impact goals are focused on enhancing the physical security of these businesses, thereby reducing vulnerability to crime and creating a more secure commercial landscape. The program prioritizes funding for security improvements, with grants available up to $3,000 for items such as cameras, locks, and window enhancements. This focus addresses a critical need for small businesses that may lack the resources to invest in such protective measures independently. The expected outcomes include a tangible increase in the security infrastructure of participating businesses, leading to a safer environment for employees, customers, and business assets. Measurable results will be directly tied to the utilization of grant funds for approved security upgrades. Success will be determined by the number of businesses receiving grants, the types of security improvements implemented, and potentially, a reduction in reported incidents related to security vulnerabilities among grant recipients. The City of Vallejo's strategic priority through this program is to strengthen its local economy by supporting its small business sector, recognizing that a resilient business community is vital for overall city prosperity and recovery from the pandemic's economic downturn. The underlying theory of change is that by providing targeted financial aid for essential security enhancements, the city can empower small businesses to protect their assets, maintain operations, and contribute to the broader economic stability and revitalization of Vallejo.

The Early Care Spaces grant program, spearheaded by the Kenneth Rainin Foundation, is an open application initiative offering grants of up to $100,000. Its core mission aligns directly with the foundation's vision of a world where all Oakland children read at or above grade level by third grade. This program specifically targets early language and literacy development for Oakland children from birth to five years old, recognizing the critical window for literacy growth from early care through second grade. The foundation's strategic priority is to support equitable approaches to literacy during these formative years. The program's impact goals are multifaceted, focusing on expanding children's vocabulary and comprehension, increasing confidence in listening and speaking, and empowering parents and caregivers as leaders in their children's education. A key component of the foundation's theory of change is also the career advancement and upskilling for Black early care providers, enabling them to offer language-rich, developmentally appropriate, and culturally affirming care, thereby addressing systemic inequities. Early Care Spaces prioritizes funding for early care provided outside of traditional education systems, such as family resource centers and community spaces, while still welcoming organizations that partner with traditional systems. The program also places a strong emphasis on initiatives with deep connections to informal care providers or Family, Friend and Neighbor care. Furthermore, it seeks to support diverse organizations and providers that truly reflect the neighborhoods and communities they serve, with a particular focus on the Oakland flatlands, areas experiencing disinvestment and displacement of BIPOC communities. The expected outcomes include increased access to high-quality early literacy support for Oakland's youngest children, especially in underserved communities, and the strengthening of the informal care sector. Measurable results would likely include improvements in children's language and literacy skills, increased parental engagement in early education, and enhanced capacity and leadership among Black early care providers. This annual program, commemorating the foundation's 15th anniversary of formal grantmaking, aims to address existing gaps in Oakland's early care funding landscape and contribute to long-term literacy success for all children in the city.

ERF was established to increase collaboration between Cal ICH, Local Jurisdictions, and Continuums of Care (CoCs) for the following purposes: • Assist Local Jurisdictions in ensuring the safety and wellness of people experiencing homelessness in encampments.• Provide grants to Local Jurisdictions and CoCs to resolve critical encampment concerns and transition individuals into safe and stable housing.• Encourage a data-informed, coordinated approach to address encampment concerns.

The Arts Council for Long Beach offers two types of microgrants: Project Microgrants and Professional Development Microgrants. The Project Microgrants are designed for local projects that are free, open to the public, and directly benefit Long Beach residents. These projects are expected to support community representation and cultural respect, encourage cultural diversity, and/or enhance underserved communities. The Professional Development Microgrants assist Long Beach artists with funding for opportunities such as workshops or conferences, aiming to enhance the artist's or organization's ability to serve Long Beach residents, particularly in underserved areas. The overall mission alignment of the Arts Council is to promote and support arts and cultural activities that benefit the Long Beach community. The primary target beneficiaries of these microgrants are Long Beach residents, artists, and organizations within the city. The impact goals are centered around fostering cultural diversity, community representation, and enhancing the lives of residents through accessible arts and cultural experiences. For Professional Development Microgrants, the goal is to strengthen the capabilities of individual artists and arts organizations, which in turn enhances their service to the Long Beach community. Both grant types emphasize supporting underserved communities and populations within Long Beach, ensuring equitable access to arts and cultural benefits. The priorities and focuses of the Arts Council for Long Beach include supporting publicly accessible arts and cultural presentations in any art form, single events or series of events, arts and cultural festivals, arts education programs, traditional folk arts presentations, public art, and initiatives that promote the Long Beach arts and cultural sector. For professional development, funding prioritizes opportunities that enhance the applicant's ability to serve Long Beach residents, with specific provisions for conference fees and equipment/tools for art making. The emphasis is on projects that are free, open to the public, and directly beneficial to the local community. Expected outcomes include an increase in diverse and culturally representative arts projects, enhanced professional skills for Long Beach artists, and a more vibrant and accessible arts and cultural sector for all Long Beach residents. Measurable results could involve the number of projects implemented, audience attendance at free public events, the number of artists participating in professional development, and the demonstrable benefits to underserved communities. The Arts Council's strategic priorities align with a theory of change where targeted financial support for local arts and artists directly contributes to community enrichment, cultural engagement, and the professional growth of the city's creative talent. This investment is seen as a catalyst for a more inclusive and thriving cultural landscape in Long Beach.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Sacramento-based nonprofit cultural organizations and for-profit creative businesses to develop workforce training and internship programs for underserved youth and young adults aged 16-24.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations in California, Oregon, and Washington that create career pathways and development programs for young people aged 11 to 24, with a focus on fostering career readiness and personal growth.

The Department of Toxic Substances Control's (DTSC) Site Mitigation and Restoration Program Office of Brownfield manages the Equitable Community Revitalization Grant, which provides approximately $185 million in grants through a competitive process for investigations and cleanup of brownfields, in disadvantaged, vulnerable communities, to protect public health and provide opportunities for community revitalization.

The District of Columbia Child and Family Services Agency (CFSA) invites applications for funding to support community-based organizations in implementing place-based initiatives. The overarching goal is to improve the well-being and stability of families through community-driven efforts. This aligns with a mission to empower local communities by providing resources and services that directly address their specific needs and strengths, fostering self-sufficiency and improved family outcomes. The grant program aims to establish and support Family Success Centers, which will serve as accessible hubs for neighbors to utilize computers, access various resources and services, and participate in classes and trainings. Each center is designed to be unique, reflecting the specific strengths and goals of its community, ensuring that the support provided is relevant and impactful. This model focuses on localized solutions, recognizing that effective family support is best achieved when tailored to the community it serves. Target beneficiaries for these initiatives are families within the District of Columbia, with a particular focus on those who can benefit from enhanced access to resources and services that improve well-being and stability. The impact goals include fostering stronger, more resilient families and communities by addressing multiple aspects of family life. This approach seeks to create a network of support that is easily accessible and responsive to the evolving needs of residents. The program prioritizes non-profit, community-based organizations that can demonstrate their ability to meet identified needs and commit to implementing program measures over the grant period. Eligible organizations include non-profit, private, public, and faith-based entities. Partnerships between organizations are encouraged to facilitate comprehensive service delivery. Expected outcomes include increased access to vital resources, improved family well-being, enhanced community stability, and the development of sustainable, community-led initiatives. Measurable results will likely include metrics related to service utilization, program participation, and indicators of family and community stability and well-being. Funding information indicates that eligible organizations can receive up to $325,000 in the 12-month base year, with the potential for an additional $325,000 per year for up to four option years, for a maximum grant duration of five years. This sustained funding is intended to support the long-term implementation and impact of these place-based family support initiatives. The strategic priority is to invest in local organizations that are deeply embedded within the communities they serve, thereby leveraging existing community strengths and relationships to achieve lasting positive change.

The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County's "Access for All Fund" is dedicated to supporting charitable organizations that primarily benefit San Luis Obispo County residents, aligning directly with the foundation's overarching mission. This grant program specifically targets the disability community within the county, aiming to advance access and promote inclusion across several critical areas. The foundation's strategic priority is to foster a more equitable and accessible community for individuals with disabilities, with the Access for All Fund serving as a key mechanism to achieve this. The program's focus areas include advancing access to Health & Wellness, expanding capacity for Housing & Home Access, creating and supporting Community Participation/Inclusion, and promoting Accessible Workspaces and growing Employment Opportunities. For Health & Wellness, the goal is to improve access to healthcare services, equipment, and activities promoting physical and mental health. In terms of Housing & Home Access, the program seeks to increase options for accessible and affordable housing, along with modifications and equipment for independent living. Community Participation/Inclusion aims to ensure accessible events, physical and virtual spaces, inclusive programming, and accessible transportation. Finally, Accessible Workspaces and Employment Opportunities look to foster inclusive work environments through educational outreach, needs assessments, employee training, and improved access to services. The expected outcomes and measurable results of the Access for All Fund are directly tied to these focus areas. For example, increased access to health services and wellness activities, a greater number of accessible and affordable housing options, enhanced community participation through accessible events and spaces, and improved employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. The foundation prioritizes one-year grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, with a specific amount of $5,000 available to award during the 2024 grant-making cycle. This funding approach is designed to support impactful, focused projects that can demonstrate tangible progress within a year. The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County's theory of change through the Access for All Fund is that by investing in organizations that address the specific needs of the disability community, they can significantly improve the quality of life, independence, and overall inclusion of these residents. By supporting programs that advance access in health, housing, community participation, and employment, the foundation believes it can create a more equitable and supportive environment, leading to long-term positive societal impacts within San Luis Obispo County. Eligibility criteria mandate tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) or a fiscal sponsorship, ensuring that funds are directed to legitimate charitable endeavors.

The Clean Power Alliance (CPA) offers Community Benefits Grants (CBG) to support organizations that are advancing clean energy, fostering green jobs, promoting environmental education and stewardship, and championing energy equity and diversity within the communities served by CPA. This grant program directly aligns with CPA's mission to drive sustainability and resiliency through various pathways, reflecting their strategic priority to invest in community-level initiatives that complement their core energy services. The CBG program targets several key beneficiaries, particularly focusing on environmental and social justice communities. These include areas predominantly inhabited by communities of color or low-income populations, those underrepresented in policy and decision-making processes, and communities disproportionately affected by environmental hazards. Specifically, targeted communities include disadvantaged communities (based on CalEnviroScreen scores), all Tribal lands, and low-income households or census tracts. The impact goals are to alleviate environmental burdens, promote equitable access to clean energy benefits, and empower these communities through education and workforce development. The program prioritizes projects and organizations that advance clean energy, sustainability, and resiliency through specific focus areas: Research, Environmental and Social Justice Communities, Workforce Development, and Education. These priorities are designed to address systemic inequalities and foster a just transition to a clean energy economy. The expected outcomes include increased community engagement in clean energy initiatives, the development of a skilled green workforce, improved environmental literacy, and a reduction in environmental disparities in historically underserved areas. Awards for this grant range from $15,000 to $30,000, with a grant duration of one year. Eligible applicants must be IRS-designated 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations operating within the CPA service territory, which encompasses numerous cities and unincorporated areas in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties. While previous grant recipients can apply for the 2024-2025 cycle, they are ineligible to receive funds for more than two consecutive years. This structure aims to ensure a broad reach of funding and sustainable impact across the service areas.

This funding opportunity provides financial support and resources to help immigrants and individuals with limited English proficiency in California start or grow small businesses that address social challenges in their communities.

The Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) is offering the 2023-2024 Public-Space Activation Fund (PAF), a grant program aimed at supporting activities that revitalize public spaces within the City of Los Angeles, California. This initiative aligns with the DCA's mission to enrich the cultural life of the city by fostering community engagement and providing accessible cultural experiences. The grant seeks to fund projects that transform public areas into vibrant hubs of activity, reflecting a commitment to broad public benefit and cultural accessibility. The primary beneficiaries of the PAF are the residents and visitors of Los Angeles, particularly those who participate in or attend the various public events and activities supported by the fund. The impact goals include enhancing community cohesion, celebrating cultural diversity, and providing opportunities for cross-cultural learning. By supporting a range of accessible events, the fund aims to improve the quality of public life and create inclusive environments for artistic and cultural expression. The PAF prioritizes projects falling under four main categories, with specific emphasis on International Festivals & Intercultural Foods (IFIF). IFIF grants, typically ranging from $7,500 to $10,000, are designed for pop-up or festival-style events such as community picnics, outdoor festivals, block parties, and food/food-truck festivals. Additionally, creative enhancements to farmers' markets that incorporate live performing arts and cultural activities are highly encouraged. These projects are expected to embrace multicultural themes and feature entertainment suitable for family-friendly, street-adjacent spaces like public parks, schoolyards, and parking lots. Expected outcomes include a measurable increase in public attendance at cultural events, greater community participation in organized activities, and a visible enhancement of public spaces. The success of IFIF projects, for instance, will be measured by their ability to promote opportunities for cross-cultural learning and engage diverse audiences through multicultural entertainment. The DCA's strategic priority is to activate public spaces, and this grant program serves as a direct implementation of that theory of change, believing that by funding accessible cultural events, they can foster a more connected and culturally rich urban environment.

The City of Lubbock’s Cultural Arts Grant Program, administered by Civic Lubbock, Inc., offers financial support to local cultural organizations. This program aims to fund projects that actively promote tourism and enhance the arts and humanities within Lubbock. Funding is sourced from the Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT), collected from local hotels, motels, and bed and breakfast inns. The program’s mission is directly aligned with the legal stipulations governing the use of HOT revenues, which mandate that funds be utilized for expenditures that promote tourism and the arts. To be eligible for funding, projects must demonstrate a direct promotion of tourism and the convention and hotel industry, specifically aiming to attract tourists and hotel guests to Lubbock. Additionally, projects must involve the encouragement, promotion, improvement, and application of various art forms, including instrumental and vocal music, dance, drama, folk art, creative writing, and visual arts, among others. The target beneficiaries are 501(c)3 tax-exempt cultural organizations or government equivalents that have been actively pursuing their goals for at least one year. The program's priorities and focuses are clearly outlined: enhancing the arts, boosting tourism, and supporting organizations in good standing with both the City of Lubbock and Civic Lubbock, Inc. The expected outcomes include an increase in tourism, a richer cultural landscape in Lubbock, and the successful execution of diverse art-related projects. Measurable results would likely include increased hotel occupancy rates, visitor numbers, and the number and quality of cultural events offered to the public. The City of Lubbock's strategic priority, as reflected in this grant program, is to leverage its Hotel Occupancy Tax revenue to foster economic growth through tourism and cultural development. The underlying theory of change is that by investing in cultural arts, the city can create a more attractive destination for visitors, thereby stimulating the local economy and improving the quality of life for its residents. The 2024 Grant Cycle will support projects taking place between September 1, 2024, and August 31, 2025. Certain restrictions apply, prohibiting the use of grant funds for accumulated debt, general operational expenses, fundraising, or capital improvements.

This program provides financial support to property owners and businesses in downtown Bishop to improve building aesthetics, restore historic features, and stimulate economic growth through private investments.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and government agencies in California to create and expand service opportunities specifically for young men and boys, promoting their engagement in community service and personal development.

This grant provides financial support to local nonprofits in Orange County that promote renewable energy awareness and environmental stewardship.

The Legacy Business Recovery Grant Program, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocation to the City of Los Angeles, offers grants of up to $20,000 to eligible Legacy Businesses. This initiative is designed to provide crucial financial assistance to aid these businesses in their recovery from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The program's core mission aligns with broader efforts to support local economies and preserve established community businesses, recognizing their historical and cultural value. It underscores a commitment to helping businesses adapt, reopen, and sustain operations in a challenging economic landscape. The primary beneficiaries of this program are Legacy Businesses listed on the Legacy Business Registry, operating within Los Angeles city limits, and functioning from commercial, industrial, or manufacturing locations with a valid commercial lease. Home-based businesses are not eligible, and annual revenue cannot exceed $3 million. The impact goal is to facilitate the recovery and continued operation of these vital businesses, ensuring their survival and contribution to the local economy and community fabric. Businesses must demonstrate how the funds will be used for COVID-19 recovery expenses, with a focus on necessary expenditures. Funding priorities emphasize equitable distribution across finalists, with a particular focus on City of Los Angeles geographic diversity and low-to-moderate income neighborhoods. Grant application submissions from businesses located in or owned by individuals in low- and moderate-income communities (50% and 80% of Area Median Income as defined by HUD) are more heavily weighted, as are businesses facing an imminent threat of displacement. This weighted selection process reflects a strategic priority to support businesses in areas with greater need and vulnerability, aligning with a theory of change that targeted investment can produce more equitable and impactful recovery outcomes. Expected outcomes include the sustained operation of Legacy Businesses, job retention, and economic stabilization within affected communities. Measurable results will be tied to how grant funds are utilized, with eligible uses encompassing employee payroll, rent, utilities, insurance, working capital for reopening or continued operations, adapting to new technologies, payment of outstanding business expenses incurred after March 3, 2021, adaptive business practices, and legal fees for lease negotiations. Grant amounts are tiered based on employee count: $10,000 for businesses with one to five employees and $20,000 for those with six or more. This structure ensures that assistance is tailored to the operational scale of the businesses, contributing to their effective recovery and resilience.

The program prioritizes Projects that benefit vulnerable and LMI populations as well as those located inside the Most Impacted and Distressed area (MID) or documented to impact the MID. Per the grant requirements program funds must benefit the MID and 50 percent of the program funds are required to benefit LMI persons. Additionally, for CDBG-MIT funds to be used as the non-federal cost share local match, the Project must be a HUD eligible activity and must meet a HUD national objective, per CDBG-MIT rules and regulations. Similarly, the Project must fully comply with all applicable federal rules and regulations, to include Davis Bacon and related acts, Section 3, Section 504, procurement, environmental review, and all other CDBG-MIT, cross-cutting, state and local applicable statutes, rules, and regulations. Jurisdictions within the MID that do not meet the allocation requirements are still eligible to submit Projects towards a 20 percent set aside. Applicants will then be required to submit Project applications which will be reviewed against eligibility thresholds to ensure they meet program requirements. The following Jurisdictions will be eligible to apply towards the 20 percent set aside:o City of Agoura Hillso City of Andersono City of Calabasaso City of Chicoo City of Gridleyo City of Lakeporto City of Los Angeleso City of Orovilleo City of Shasta Lakeo City of Westlake Villageo Tribal Entities located within the MID  

The United States Department of Energy’s (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program was originally created by the Federal Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 and expanded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). New funding wBIL as allocated to the program in 2021 under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) with the broad goals to reduce carbon emissions and energy use, improve energy efficiency, and increase community investment and local workforce development. IIJA funding made available in 2021 under the EECBG (2021 EECBG) allocated funds directly to state and certain local jurisdictions that met program criteria, with approximately $4.5 million allocated to the State. Of the funds allocated to the State, $4,070,070 are available for the LGBDC.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Santa Barbara for social services, infrastructure improvements, and economic development projects that assist low- and moderate-income residents.