California Private Grants

The Living Cultures Grant, offered by the Alliance for California Traditional Arts, is designed to sustain and strengthen traditional arts across California. This program aligns directly with the Alliance's mission by supporting the nurturing of cultural continuity, sustaining cultural practices, and engaging communities through public programs. The grant's focus on traditional arts, which are deeply rooted in shared heritage, language, religion, occupation, or region, reflects the foundation's strategic priority of preserving and promoting the diverse cultural expressions within the state. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are individual artists/culture bearers and California-based nonprofits, Tribal Nations, and other community groups who actively practice traditional arts. The program aims to achieve several impact goals: fostering cultural continuity through learning and practice, sustaining cultural practices by providing necessary resources for purchases and services, and engaging communities through public programs that share these traditions. The theory of change suggests that by providing financial support to these practitioners and organizations, traditional arts will continue to thrive, be passed down through generations, and enrich the cultural landscape of California. The grant prioritizes proposals that demonstrate clear plans for nurturing cultural continuity, sustaining cultural practices, and engaging communities. This includes projects across various traditional art forms such as dance, music, foodways, material arts, and oral traditions. The Alliance seeks to ensure that these deeply rooted artistic expressions, reflective of a community's shared values and experiences, continue to be vibrant and accessible. Expected outcomes include the continued practice and transmission of traditional arts, increased community engagement with cultural heritage, and the preservation of diverse artistic forms. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond the scope of funded activities (e.g., projects should run between November 1, 2024, and October 31, 2025), the inherent goal is to see a thriving ecosystem of traditional arts. For individual artists, the grant supports their practice directly, while for organizations, it supports activities that further their cultural programs and community outreach, aiming for a sustained impact on California's traditional arts landscape.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and government entities that serve children and community projects in Long Beach and Avalon, California.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), in partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is soliciting proposals to reduce whale mortality from fishing gear entanglement in Southern California. This grant directly aligns with NFWF's mission to sustain, restore, and enhance the nation's fish, wildlife, plants, and habitats for current and future generations by addressing a critical threat to cetacean populations. The program aims to provide compensatory restoration for injuries to cetaceans caused by the Refugio Beach Oil Spill (RBOS), thereby mitigating past environmental damage and fostering healthier marine ecosystems. The primary beneficiaries of this program are cetaceans in Southern California, particularly those susceptible to entanglement in fishing gear. The impact goals are to increase the capacity of the entanglement response network, improve documentation and disentanglement efforts, and broadly support activities that reduce serious injuries or mortalities from entanglements. This initiative contributes to the foundation's strategic priority of healthy oceans and coasts by safeguarding marine mammals. The program prioritizes several key areas to achieve its goals. These include directly enhancing entanglement response in Southern California, and potentially beyond if it benefits local cetaceans, coordinating with federal, state, and local resource agencies to improve the overall West Coast Marine Mammal Entanglement Response Program, and training and developing volunteer response capacity. Furthermore, proposals should outline how activities will contribute to the development of the overall capacity and infrastructure of the program. Expected outcomes include a more robust and efficient entanglement response network, a reduction in the number of entangled cetaceans, improved survival rates of entangled animals through effective disentanglement, and enhanced coordination among relevant agencies. Measurable results would likely involve metrics such as the number of successful disentanglements, the increase in trained responders, and the documented reduction in entanglement-related mortalities. An estimated $250,000 will be available for a Phase 1 project award, anticipated to last 1-2 years, with a priority geographic focus on the coastlines off Santa Barbara, Ventura, Los Angeles, and Orange Counties.

This funding opportunity supports organizations and initiatives that enhance life opportunities for underserved youth and families in San Diego County, particularly in the City Heights area.

The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County is launching its 2024 BUILD (building unity, infrastructure, leadership, and development) Grant Program, a direct reflection of its mission to strengthen charitable organizations within the county. This program specifically targets nonprofit agencies with an annual operating budget of $500,000 or less, aiming to bolster their capacity and infrastructure. The foundation's strategic priority is clearly to empower smaller, local nonprofits, recognizing their vital role in serving San Luis Obispo County residents. The primary beneficiaries of the BUILD Grant Program are these smaller nonprofit organizations, along with the communities they serve. The impact goal is to enhance the operational effectiveness and sustainability of these agencies, thereby improving their ability to deliver programs and services to the residents of San Luis Obispo County. By strengthening these organizations from within, the foundation seeks to create a ripple effect that ultimately benefits the broader community through more robust and impactful charitable work. The program prioritizes both general operating purposes and specific projects in several key areas. These include capacity building, staff or board training and development, communications or donor development efforts, and capital equipment improvement (such as hardware, software, or furniture). The foundation will specifically prioritize one-year grants, offering $5,000 to successful applicants. This focused approach ensures that funding directly addresses critical needs that contribute to an organization's long-term health and efficiency. Expected outcomes include improved organizational infrastructure, enhanced staff and board capabilities, more effective communication strategies, and modernized equipment, all contributing to increased operational efficiency and program delivery. While the description doesn't explicitly detail measurable results, the focus on tangible improvements in capacity, training, and equipment suggests that the foundation expects a clear, positive impact on the grantees' ability to fulfill their missions. The foundation's theory of change appears to be that by investing in the foundational strength of smaller nonprofits, it can catalyze greater community benefit and resilience in San Luis Obispo County.

The Berkeley FILM Foundation (BFF) is offering its 2024 General Grant program, aligning with its mission to support films that demonstrate social consciousness and highlight diverse narratives. The foundation prioritizes stories of oppression or historical mistreatment, celebrations of underrepresented communities, films addressing environmental degradation or climate change, educational films on lesser-known science, health, or local history, and profiles of individuals who challenge norms or fight the status quo. This strategic focus aims to leverage the power of film to raise awareness, foster understanding, and inspire change around critical societal issues, reflecting a theory of change that impactful storytelling can drive social progress. The grant program targets filmmakers who reside or work in specific Bay Area cities: Berkeley, Emeryville, Albany, El Cerrito, Richmond, or Oakland. Applicants must be primary creators (Director or Producer) of the work, at least 18 years old, and have resided or worked in a qualified city for at least one year. This geographic and role-based eligibility ensures that the foundation's resources directly benefit the local filmmaking community and support original creative visions. By empowering these local storytellers, BFF aims to strengthen the regional film ecosystem and amplify voices from within these communities. BFF provides grants across production, post-production, and distribution stages of film projects, specifically excluding pre-production or development phases. This focus on later stages suggests a strategic priority to support projects that are already off the ground and have a clearer path to completion and audience engagement. Regular grants typically range from $2,500 to $15,000, with special awards such as The Saul Zaentz Award ($25,000), The Al Bendich Award ($20,000), The Saul Zaentz Award for Underserved Communities ($25,000), and two Jonathan Logan Elevate Awards ($25,000 each). These larger awards likely reflect an intent to provide more substantial support for projects with exceptional promise or those that align strongly with specific foundation initiatives, such as supporting underserved communities. Expected outcomes of the program include the completion and dissemination of documentary films that align with BFF's mission. Measurable results would likely involve the number of films funded, their successful completion and distribution, and the themes they explore. The eligible genres, Short Documentary (40 minutes or less) and Long Documentary (over 40 minutes), further define the scope of projects BFF seeks to support, indicating a clear strategic priority for non-fiction storytelling. By investing in these documentary films, BFF aims to achieve its impact goals of fostering social consciousness, shedding light on untold stories, and promoting dialogue on important environmental, social, and historical topics.

The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County is offering its Senior Dance Grants Program, aligning with its mission to support community building and social interaction. This program is specifically designed to fund 501(c)(3) organizations that offer music and dancing programs aimed at seniors. The grant duration is up to one year, with individual awards ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, and a maximum grant award of $10,000 per concentration. This initiative underscores the Foundation's strategic priority to foster programs that directly benefit specific demographics within San Luis Obispo County, thereby contributing to its broader theory of change which emphasizes community well-being through engagement and support for local non-profits. The target beneficiaries of this program are seniors within San Luis Obispo County, with a primary goal of encouraging social interaction and community building. The Foundation's focus is on programs that use music and dancing as a medium to achieve these objectives. The expected outcomes include increased social engagement among seniors, improved community connections, and enhanced quality of life through participation in structured, enjoyable activities. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond the funding amounts and grant duration, the emphasis on "social interaction and community building" suggests that successful applicants would demonstrate how their programs contribute to these areas, potentially through participation rates, feedback, or observed improvements in social connectivity. Eligibility for the Senior Dance Grants Program requires applicants to possess current 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status or a memorandum of understanding for fiscal sponsorship. The Foundation has a clear set of exclusions, indicating its priorities and what it deems outside the scope of its funding. These exclusions include grants to individuals, organizations that discriminate, fraternal organizations (unless for community-wide programs), governmental organizations, and those with indirect administrative costs exceeding 15% of the awarded funds. The Foundation also excludes funding for fundraising events, religiously affiliated organizations (unless open to all), political campaigns, organizations outside San Luis Obispo County (unless for specific local benefit), debt repayment, endowment funds, and scholarships or research. These exclusions highlight the Foundation's strategic priorities: to support programs that are inclusive, directly benefit the community, operate efficiently with reasonable administrative costs, and focus on direct program delivery rather than fundraising or political activities. By carefully defining what it will not fund, the Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County ensures that its resources are directed towards programs that most effectively align with its mission of enhancing community life, particularly for seniors, through direct and impactful interventions in San Luis Obispo County.

This grant supports collaborative partnerships among cultural nonprofits, local businesses, and government entities in California to establish and promote new cultural districts that celebrate and preserve local cultural assets.

The City of Gresham Community Enhancement Grants aim to uplift the quality of life for residents within the Gresham community. This grant program is directly aligned with the city's mission to foster a thriving, vibrant, and safe environment for all its inhabitants. By supporting projects that address various community needs, the City of Gresham demonstrates its commitment to proactive community development and sustained well-being, effectively serving as the foundation for local progress. The grant targets a broad range of beneficiaries, including seniors, youth, the unemployed, the homeless, and the general public who benefit from improved public spaces and safety. Impact goals are centered on creating more inclusive, healthier, and safer neighborhoods. The program explicitly aims to improve neighborhood appearance, preserve natural environments, enhance public safety, provide recreational opportunities, and particularly benefit underserved populations, addressing critical gaps in community resources and services. The program's priorities and focuses are diverse, encompassing park and senior programs, youth initiatives, community runs, job skills and work opportunities, safety and aesthetic improvements, wildlife preservation, and the celebration of Gresham's heritage. Eligible activities are broad, encouraging innovative projects that contribute to these focus areas. The emphasis is on tangible improvements that directly enhance community life and foster a sense of belonging and civic pride. Expected outcomes include a more engaged and healthier community, improved environmental quality, increased public safety, and expanded access to recreational and educational opportunities. While specific measurable results are not detailed, the nature of the eligible activities suggests that outcomes could be measured through participation rates in programs, reported improvements in neighborhood safety and cleanliness, and the number of individuals gaining employment or job skills. The city's strategic priority is to empower community-led initiatives that drive positive change at a local level, reflecting a theory of change that grassroots efforts, supported by local government, are the most effective way to build a resilient and thriving community.

This program provides coaching and community support for fundraisers of color at small nonprofits in Sacramento and Yolo counties, focusing on those addressing health and racial disparities.

This funding opportunity supports nonprofit organizations that provide stable housing and empower low- and moderate-income communities, focusing on vulnerable populations such as working families, youth, seniors, and veterans.

The Veterans grant program, funded by El Dorado County and administered by the El Dorado Community Foundation, aims to support the veteran community at large. This aligns with the foundation's mission to facilitate impactful local initiatives, by providing financial assistance for operations, programs, or property improvements/repairs specifically benefiting veterans. The foundation acts as a conduit for county funds, ensuring they reach eligible organizations dedicated to supporting this vital demographic. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are organizations or groups that serve individual veterans within El Dorado County, California. While individuals are not directly eligible for grants, the program is designed to ultimately benefit veterans by supporting the organizations that provide them with essential services and resources. The impact goals include enhancing the quality of life for veterans through various support mechanisms, such as program funding and infrastructure improvements, ensuring their needs are met within the community. Key priorities for the program include funding nonprofits and ensuring accountability in the use of funds. Preference is given to organizations with established programs and a track record of consistently applying for other grants or engaging in separate fundraising efforts, indicating sustainability and commitment. A significant focus is also placed on compliance, requiring organizations to be recognized charitable concerns by the IRS (including 501(c) corporations, churches, government agencies, and schools) and to be in compliance with the IRS, CA SOS, FTB, and CA DOJ. Expected outcomes include the successful implementation of veteran-supportive programs, improved facilities, and enhanced operational capabilities for organizations serving veterans. Measurable results could be tracked through final impact reports, which are a mandatory requirement for previous grants before new funding is released. The grant amounts, ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, are intended to provide meaningful support that can lead to tangible improvements for the veteran community. The foundation's strategic priorities, as demonstrated by this program, revolve around community investment and targeted support for specific demographics. The theory of change appears to be that by strategically funding established and compliant organizations, the foundation can effectively leverage resources to address critical community needs, in this case, those of veterans. The emphasis on sustained engagement (organizations must sit out 1.5 years between requests) and financial prudence (funds do not need to be used in the year requested but long-term use must be specified) further underscores a commitment to long-term, impactful change rather than short-term fixes.

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response (CDFW-OSPR) is offering a grant program through its Environmental Enhancement Fund (EEF). The EEF acquires funds from spill violations, aligning with California’s Lempert-Keene-Seastrand Oil Spill Prevention and Response Act. This initiative directly supports CDFW-OSPR's mission to protect and restore California's natural resources by funding projects that enhance, restore, or acquire habitat for wildlife. The primary beneficiaries of these grants are various entities including nonprofit organizations, cities, counties, districts, state agencies, and, where permitted, federal agencies. The ultimate impact goal is to benefit fish and wildlife populations by improving their habitats and restoring ecosystem functions. All eligible groups and projects are strongly encouraged to apply, fostering a broad approach to environmental enhancement. The program prioritizes environmental enhancement projects that are located within or immediately adjacent to waters of the state, as defined in California Government Code (of Section 8670.3). These projects must also demonstrate measurable outcomes within a predetermined timeframe and be specifically designed to acquire, restore, or improve habitat or restore ecosystem function, or both, for the benefit of fish and wildlife. The selection committee, composed of representatives from the California Coastal Conservancy, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and CDFW-OSPR, will evaluate proposals based on these criteria. Expected outcomes include tangible improvements in habitat quality, increased biodiversity, and enhanced ecosystem resilience. Projects are required to have measurable outcomes, ensuring accountability and demonstrating the effectiveness of the funded initiatives. The selection committee is specifically seeking projects with a minimum requested grant award of $500,000, indicating a focus on substantial and impactful projects. All projects must be completed by April 1, 2031, providing a clear timeframe for implementation and results. This strategic approach reflects a theory of change where targeted investment in habitat restoration and acquisition directly leads to the recovery and enhancement of California's diverse fish and wildlife populations.

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.

The Community Foundation San Luis Obispo County is offering grants to individuals seeking self-sufficiency and requiring transitional assistance to overcome short-term or one-time barriers. This program aligns with the foundation's mission, established through a testamentary gift by former Mayor Ron Dunin and his wife Helen, to assist those attempting to help themselves, echoing their own experiences as immigrants who received crucial support. The Dunins' goal was to give back to the community and help San Luis Obispo County residents in need, a sentiment deeply embedded in the foundation's strategic priorities and theory of change, which centers on empowering individuals to achieve independence through timely, targeted support. The target beneficiaries are individuals striving for self-sufficiency in San Luis Obispo County who face a temporary obstacle. The impact goals are to provide "a leg up" through one-time assistance that removes significant barriers to self-sufficiency. The program focuses on individuals who have demonstrated initiative in helping themselves and aims to fill gaps in existing support networks, rather than supplanting other funding or addressing ongoing needs. Expected outcomes include a measurable reduction in specific barriers to self-sufficiency for as many individuals/families as possible, with sufficient support provided to ensure effective barrier removal. Funding priorities include one-time assistance that creates a substantial difference in removing hurdles to self-sufficiency, targeted at those actively trying to improve their circumstances. The foundation prioritizes aid that provides "a leg up" for long-term impact, rather than short-term or ongoing needs. This assistance should benefit as many individuals/families as possible while still being robust enough to overcome the identified barrier. Crucially, the support must fill a gap in the existing support network and not replace other available funding. The foundation's theory of change emphasizes the power of strategic, one-time interventions to catalyze self-sufficiency. By collaborating with organizations that have established relationships with target populations, possess the capacity to administer hardship assistance, and can maximize direct aid while leveraging existing infrastructure, the program aims to achieve a high return on investment. The foundation's strategic priority is to support charitable organizations whose programs directly benefit San Luis Obispo County residents, ensuring that grant funds are efficiently and effectively deployed to foster community well-being and individual empowerment. The maximum grant award is $5,000, with a one-year grant period.

The Community Fund for Carmel Valley is dedicated to supporting nonprofit organizations that demonstrate strong leadership and capacity to deliver essential community resources and services within the Carmel Valley and Cachagua regions. This grant program is aligned with the foundation's mission to foster community well-being and development by addressing local needs and enhancing the quality of life for residents. The fund prioritizes initiatives that build community, improve local infrastructure, expand youth and senior programming, and support educational, cultural, and historical programs for residents. The target beneficiaries of this grant program are the residents of Carmel Valley and Cachagua, with a particular focus on those requiring basic needs assistance such as food and housing security, and youth programs. The program also seeks to support organizations providing services directly located within these communities, ensuring ease of access for residents. The overall impact goal is to strengthen the social fabric of these communities, provide critical support for vulnerable populations, and enhance community resilience, particularly in areas of emergency prevention and response. Priorities for funding include community development initiatives that aim to build local capacity and address specific community needs. Youth and senior programs are a key focus, with the goal of expanding existing services and creating new opportunities for these demographic groups. Resident programs, encompassing education, culture, and history, are also given significant consideration to enrich the lives of community members. Special attention is given to organizations addressing basic needs and those involved in emergency preparedness and response, such as education for disaster preparedness and neighborhood organizing. Expected outcomes include improved community infrastructure, increased access to vital services for youth and seniors, enhanced educational and cultural opportunities, and a more prepared and resilient community in the face of emergencies like fires and other disasters. While specific measurable results are not detailed in the provided information, the focus on tangible outcomes like expanded programming and improved infrastructure suggests that the foundation seeks to support initiatives with clear, positive impacts on the community. The foundation's strategic priorities are clearly centered on community empowerment and direct local impact. The eligibility criteria emphasize support for 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations, public programs (e.g., schools, parks, public health), and church-sponsored activities that benefit beyond their membership. Organizations and collaboratives that are not legally incorporated may also apply with a fiscal sponsor. This demonstrates a strategic commitment to ensuring broad access to funding for a diverse range of community-serving entities. The foundation's theory of change appears to be rooted in the belief that by investing in local organizations with strong leadership and capacity, it can directly contribute to building stronger, more resilient, and self-sufficient communities in Carmel Valley and Cachagua.

The Tribal Solar Gap Funding Grant, offered by the Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund (TSAF), aims to support solar projects within American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) tribal communities. This grant is designed to address funding gaps, such as tribal cost-share requirements or leveraging other grant opportunities, for various solar initiatives. The TSAF's core mission is to serve, support, and strengthen AI/AN tribal communities through investments in solar energy development and sustainability, aligning directly with the grant's objective of enhancing tribal energy resilience and infrastructure. The grant encourages applications for up to $250,000 to facilitate the deployment of solar energy where existing funding gaps prevent project completion. The target beneficiaries of this grant are primarily federally recognized tribal governments, tribally-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, and tribally-controlled or operated schools in the lower 48 states and Alaska. The definition of "tribal-led" requires a majority (>51%) of the board of directors and leadership team to be American Indian or Alaska Native. Additionally, projects must serve communities designated as low-to-moderate income (LMI), as evidenced by eligibility for federal, state, or tribal low-income programs, or Census data. The impact goals are to strengthen tribal solar energy development, foster infrastructure that includes other renewable energy technologies like battery storage and clean mobility, and initiate new solar demonstration projects that enhance tribal community energy resilience. The grant prioritizes projects that are already positioned to deploy solar energy but face a cost-share gap. The funding areas specifically focus on "Solar Project 'Gap' Funding." The objectives are to enhance and strengthen tribal solar energy development and infrastructure, provide funding for larger-scale solar projects that benefit a significant number of tribal community members, and initiate new solar demonstration project systems. This strategic focus ensures that the grant effectively removes financial barriers, allowing ready-to-deploy projects to move forward and deliver tangible benefits to tribal communities. Expected outcomes and measurable results include the successful deployment of solar projects, increased access to clean energy for tribal communities, strengthened energy resilience, and the integration of other impactful renewable energy technologies. By addressing funding gaps, the TSAF's theory of change is that it will accelerate the implementation of solar energy solutions, leading to enhanced energy independence, economic development, and environmental sustainability within tribal nations. The grant's emphasis on larger-scale projects and new demonstration systems indicates a commitment to both immediate impact and long-term, scalable solutions.

This grant provides funding to nonprofit organizations and government units for programs that enhance community facilities, health, education, and overall well-being in San Bruno, California.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to tribal governments, nonprofits, and educational institutions for solar energy projects that enhance energy independence and benefit low-to-moderate income communities.

The California Fire Foundation (CFF) grant program is designed to actively address wildfire preparedness and prevention needs across California. This aligns directly with the foundation's mission to protect and enhance public safety, as well as the safety of California's firefighters and other first responders. By supporting projects in these critical areas, CFF aims to mitigate the growing threat of wildfires and safeguard communities throughout the state. The program seeks to fund initiatives that contribute to a more resilient California in the face of climate-caused disasters. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are California-based fire departments, firefighter associations, federally-recognized tribes, and local nonprofit organizations. Indirectly, the grant aims to benefit communities across California, with a specific focus on under-resourced communities at heightened risk and/or socially vulnerable populations. This includes low-income/impoverished individuals, minority status groups, those with limited English proficiency, people with disabilities, and seniors/older adults. The overarching impact goal is to reduce wildfire risk, enhance community safety, and support those most vulnerable to the effects of climate-caused wildfires and other disasters. The grant program prioritizes several key focus areas. These include vegetation mitigation and fuels reduction efforts, which directly address the physical conditions that contribute to wildfire spread. Additionally, the program supports education, planning, and community outreach campaigns to raise awareness and foster preparedness among residents. Finally, funding is available for the purchase of personal protective equipment or specialized firefighting equipment, directly enhancing the capabilities of first responders. In this cycle, a strong emphasis is placed on projects serving under-resourced communities and socially vulnerable populations in areas of heightened fire risk. Expected outcomes include a measurable reduction in wildfire occurrences and severity in funded project areas, an increase in community preparedness and awareness, and improved safety and operational effectiveness for fire departments and first responders. While specific measurable results are not explicitly detailed beyond the qualitative impact, the focus on tangible actions like fuels reduction and equipment purchases implies a direct and observable improvement in wildfire resilience. The CFF's strategic priority is to support proactive measures that prevent disasters and protect the most vulnerable, reflecting a theory of change that early intervention and targeted support lead to safer, more resilient communities. The grant period for projects is typically 12 months, encouraging timely completion and demonstrable impact.