California Private Grants

The Zellerbach Family Foundation is accepting applications for the Community Arts grant, offering $5,000 to $15,000 to underfunded artists and arts organizations in Alameda, Contra Costa, and San Francisco Counties, California, who engage in diverse, community-focused art projects within specified disciplines and maintain an annual budget under $2 million.

This grant provides financial support to small and mid-size arts organizations in the Bay Area to help local artists create innovative projects that engage and benefit their communities.

This grant provides financial support to young social innovators in California who are developing creative solutions to community challenges across various fields, including education, health, and technology.

This grant provides funding to faith-based organizations in select Bay Area counties to support programs that promote racial and economic equity, civic engagement, and community services for low-income residents and communities of color.

This funding opportunity provides $4 million over three years to support health programs that reduce the impacts of port-related air pollution on vulnerable populations, including children, pregnant women, seniors, and individuals with respiratory or chronic illnesses in California.

This fellowship provides financial support and professional development for leaders in California who are dedicated to advancing Environmental Justice in their communities.

This grant provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in California focused on the welfare of domesticated animals, library science, and causes aligned with the values of its founders.

This grant provides funding to nonprofits that serve the El Dorado Hills community, encouraging innovative projects that address unmet local needs.

The Santa Barbara Foundation is offering the Towbes Fund for the Performing Arts Grant, ranging from $10,000 to $100,000, to nonprofit organizations in Santa Barbara County, California, that aim to enhance the performing arts sector by addressing demand, promoting cultural competence, and dismantling barriers for marginalized communities, with the grant being used for general operations, program support, and expansion of existing or pilot programs.

The San Francisco Arts Commission (SFAC) is offering Special Project Grants of $100,000 to $500,000 for a 3-year period to arts nonprofit organizations for youth arts programs, arts service organizations, and Asian and Pacific Islander arts and culture programming, with the application deadline set for October 9, 2024.

This grant provides financial support to small and mid-sized arts organizations in San Francisco that are deeply connected to their communities, helping them cover essential operating costs and foster artistic expression.

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.

The Community Grant program focuses on the unique needs of the community and supports non-profit organizations that improve the quality of life for all those who live, work, learn or play in San Carlos. Donor Name: Community Foundation of San Carlos State: County: All Counties 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: The 2024 grant round will focus on funding organizations that address the physical, mental, social, and other basic needs of community members and uplift the lives of all who live, work, learn or play in San Carlos.   Grant Size The grants range from $2,000-$15,000. Grant Duration This is currently one-year grant. Eligibility Criteria 501©(3) Nonprofits Serve community members who live, work, learn or play in San Carlos Most recent fiscal year operating expenses of less than $1.5m Focused on addressing physical, mental, social and other basic needs of community members Total Funds for this round: $100k. Ineligibility The Foundation will not fund the following in this grant round: Organizations with an annual operating budget over $1.5 million. Organizations whose main activity is fundraising. Foundations Fundraising events Political or religious activities Deficit funding or cash reserves Basic research For more information, visit CFSC.

This program provides financial support to nonprofit organizations in Mendocino County facing urgent challenges that hinder their ability to serve the community effectively.

Travel Paso is accepting applications for its 2025 Community Event Marketing Grant, aimed at supporting local events that align with its mission to promote Paso Robles, with a focus on collaboration, diversity, variety, and sustainability, and encourages applicants to outline their marketing strategies, event timing, measurement of overnight stays, and potential for partnership with Travel Paso.

Hunter Industries and KidsGardening are working together to offer the Water Wise Garden Grant to support public and charter schools in San Diego County planning to teach about water conservation, water stewardship, and responsible water management through gardening. Donor Name: KidsGardening State: California County: San Diego County (CA) Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 09/13/2024 Size of the Grant: Less than $1000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: Funding Priorities The selection of winners is based on demonstrated need and program impact. KidsGardening considers a variety of factors when determining needs, including: Socioeconomic & Sociodemographic Factors How does the program exist within or engage a community that has been systematically denied resources, whether physical assets and money or representative leadership and community services? Organizations affected by multiple socioeconomic and sociodemographic factors are given priority. Program Funding and Support Does an organization have access to consistent, substantial monetary support or prior grant funding? Or are pre-existing resources (financial or otherwise) limited? Organizations experiencing the latter are given priority. Impact Will grant funding dramatically expand learning opportunities for program participants? Does the intended impact reflect the needs of the community? Organizations working with greater than 50 youth will be given priority. Funding Information In 2025, five elementary schools in San Diego County will be awarded $1,000 in funding and an irrigation supply kit valued at $500. Eligibility Criteria Any public or charter elementary school located in San Diego County serving at least 15 youth is eligible to apply. Applicants must be planning to use the funds to install new or improve an existing youth garden. Organizations: Support, work with, or serve communities with a majority of individuals that are under-resourced (systematically denied resources and opportunities based on race, gender, ethnicity, income level, abilities, geographic location, etc., or currently experiencing hardship such as a natural disaster, etc.) Have fifteen or more youth participate in the garden program. For more information, visit KidsGardening.

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.

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.

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.