California Youth Grants

The Water Wise Garden Grant, a collaborative effort between Hunter Industries and KidsGardening, aims to support public and charter schools in San Diego County. This initiative aligns with the broader mission of promoting water conservation, water stewardship, and responsible water management through the engaging medium of gardening. By fostering an understanding of these critical environmental concepts at an early age, the grant contributes to the development of environmentally conscious citizens and resilient communities. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are public and charter elementary schools within San Diego County that serve at least 15 youth. The program specifically targets organizations that support, work with, or serve communities with a majority of under-resourced individuals, defined as those systematically denied resources and opportunities based on factors like race, gender, ethnicity, income level, abilities, or geographic location, or those currently experiencing hardship. The overarching impact goal is to dramatically expand learning opportunities for program participants and to ensure the intended impact reflects the needs of the community, particularly in areas where resources are limited. Funding priorities for the Water Wise Garden Grant are based on demonstrated need and program impact. KidsGardening prioritizes organizations affected by multiple socioeconomic and sociodemographic factors, as well as those with limited access to consistent and substantial monetary support or prior grant funding. Furthermore, organizations working with greater than 50 youth are given priority, indicating a focus on maximizing reach and educational impact. The grant also emphasizes the importance of using funds to install new or improve existing youth gardens, ensuring tangible and sustainable educational environments. The expected outcomes include enhanced learning opportunities for students regarding water conservation and sustainable gardening practices. Measurable results for 2025 will see five elementary schools in San Diego County each awarded $1,000 in funding, coupled with an irrigation supply kit valued at $500. This combination of financial support and practical resources is designed to facilitate the creation or enhancement of gardens that serve as living classrooms, fostering hands-on learning and practical application of water-wise principles. The theory of change underpinning this grant posits that by investing in youth garden programs within under-resourced communities, children will develop a deeper appreciation for environmental sustainability and become advocates for responsible water management.

The Oakland Literacy Coalition (OLC) is offering "Reading Everywhere Action Grants" to incorporate reading into summer programs in Oakland. These grants aim to foster a love of reading by providing new, free, high-interest books and up to $500 in funds for accompanying activities. The OLC believes that "literacy happens everywhere" and actively works with diverse organizations to reach children in community-based settings, aligning with a broad mission to inspire reading beyond traditional school environments. The target beneficiaries for these grants are preschool through high school-aged children in Oakland. The OLC encourages applications from Oakland-based community and faith-based organizations, as well as informal neighborhood/cultural groups and childcare providers. The program prioritizes reaching children in non-school-based spaces, emphasizing accessibility and engagement where children naturally gather. A key focus of the Reading Everywhere Action Grants is to distribute a large quantity of new, free, high-interest books to select community and faith-based organizations. Grantees will have the opportunity to select books from the OLC office. The accompanying activity funds are designed to facilitate engaging reading experiences. The OLC's strategic priority is to integrate literacy into various community settings, reflecting a theory of change that by meeting children where they are and providing appealing resources, a love of reading will be cultivated. The expected outcomes include increased access to books for Oakland's youth and the successful implementation of reading-focused activities during the summer. While specific measurable results are not detailed in the provided information, the program aims to inspire a love of reading and promote literacy in diverse community contexts. Organizations may apply for multiple sites but must submit separate applications for each, indicating a desire to broaden the program's reach and impact across Oakland.

This grant provides financial and volunteer support to nonprofit organizations in the Sacramento area that focus on youth development and promote diversity, equity, and community empowerment.

This funding opportunity supports local nonprofit organizations in Long Beach, California, to lead a one-day volunteer project that beautifies the exterior of their facilities, enhancing community spaces through visible improvements.

The Richmond Fund for Children and Youth is offering a three-year grant ranging from $100,000 to $500,000 to non-profit organizations and public agencies that provide services in areas such as mental and physical health, learning needs, and community safety to children, youth, and young adults in Richmond and unincorporated North Richmond, California, with a focus on those most impacted by harm, inequity, and lack of access to support and services.

The Alameda Countywide Clean Water Program is offering Community Stewardship Grants to fund projects that prevent stormwater pollution, improve local watersheds, creeks, and the San Francisco Bay, and include a public outreach component. This initiative directly aligns with the program's mission to enhance environmental health through community engagement and education. Projects must be implemented within Alameda County. The grants target a wide range of beneficiaries, including teachers and student groups, service clubs, community groups, environmental groups, youth organizations, homeowner associations, and non-profit organizations. The program aims to foster a collective effort in environmental stewardship, empowering various community sectors to contribute to a healthier local ecosystem. For-profit groups and public agencies are not eligible, emphasizing the program's focus on grassroots and non-commercial community efforts. The program prioritizes creative and innovative projects that prevent or educate about stormwater pollution. Specific focuses include litter reduction, outreach and education on topics such as household hazardous waste disposal and Integrated Pest Management, development of outreach materials, public art projects, creekside restoration and enhancement, stormwater detention projects (e.g., rain gardens, cisterns, bioretention areas), coastal and creek cleanups, and wildlife habitat enhancement. These diverse project types reflect a comprehensive approach to improving water quality and ecological well-being. Expected outcomes include a reduction in stormwater pollution, improved health of local watersheds and the San Francisco Bay, and increased public awareness and engagement in environmental protection. Measurable results could include the number of community members reached by outreach efforts, the volume of litter removed, the area of habitat restored, or the number of stormwater detention systems implemented. The program's strategic priority is to leverage community-led initiatives to achieve tangible environmental improvements and cultivate a culture of environmental responsibility within Alameda County. The underlying theory of change posits that by empowering and educating local communities, sustainable practices for water quality and watershed health will be widely adopted. Individual grant amounts range from $500 to $6,000, with a total of $30,000 available in grant funding. This funding structure is designed to support a variety of projects, from smaller, localized efforts to more extensive community initiatives. Applicants who are not formal 501(c)(3) non-profits are required to secure a fiscal sponsor, ensuring proper financial management and accountability for the grant funds.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations in Gilroy and South County for projects that enhance community welfare across various sectors, including education, health, and the arts.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and schools in Long Beach to support programs that promote the physical, mental, and spiritual development of youth and individuals.

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.

This funding opportunity is designed for community organizations in Sacramento County to provide essential employment services to justice-involved youth with disabilities, helping them gain skills and secure meaningful jobs.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in select U.S. markets that focus on youth education, storytelling, and community engagement initiatives.

This program provides funding to community groups and local organizations in Santa Rosa for projects that improve neighborhoods and foster community engagement, such as clean-ups, public art, and gardens.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations that assist migrant and seasonal farmworkers, focusing on enhancing job training, education, employment services, housing stability, and youth development initiatives.

The Community Foundation for Monterey County offers grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to support initiatives that increase awareness, promote acceptance, and improve the quality of life for the LGBTQ+ community in Monterey County, CA, with a focus on arts and culture, education, civil rights, health, mental health, organizational capacity building, and programs for youth and seniors.

This program provides funding to local nonprofit organizations that support the social, family, and economic well-being of residents in Claremont, including students of the Claremont Unified School District.

The A Blood Bank of the Redwoods Legacy Fund is a grant program established to create a lasting legacy for the Blood Bank of the Redwoods, which has served North Bay communities since 1949. Administered in partnership with Community Foundation Sonoma County, the Fund aims to support initiatives that contribute to a stable blood supply. The Community Foundation of Mendocino County's mission aligns with this goal by fostering community well-being and supporting vital services. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are organizations, including educational institutions, that are actively working to increase a stable blood supply. The primary impact goal is to strengthen the blood supply through community engagement. This includes reaching out to diverse populations, educating the public on the importance of blood donation, and engaging youth in blood donation efforts to cultivate future donors. The program's priorities and focuses include outreach, education, and youth engagement. Funding can be used for salaries or wages, marketing/promotional expenses, and stipends or incentives, all of which must directly relate to the proposed project. This focus ensures that the grants directly support activities that contribute to a more robust and reliable blood supply in the North Bay communities. Expected outcomes include an increase in blood donations, a more informed public regarding blood supply needs, and greater participation from youth in blood donation initiatives. While specific measurable results are not detailed in the provided information, the focus on direct project-related expenses implies an expectation of tangible improvements in blood supply stability. The foundation's strategic priority is to uphold the legacy of the Blood Bank of the Redwoods by continuing its critical work through community-based programs.

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.

The Tobacco Grant Program, administered by the Office of the Attorney General, California Department of Justice, aims to foster a healthier California by curtailing illegal cigarette and tobacco sales and marketing to minors. This highly competitive program, enabled by Proposition 56, allocates funds to applicants with robust enforcement capabilities. Funded agencies will focus on enforcing tobacco-related laws, conducting retailer and online inspections, and enhancing local coordination and education efforts.

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.