California State Grants

Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery · $500K–$4M

Businesses and nonprofits located in California can apply for this CalRecycle program, which funds rail-transportation projects that move empty glass beverage containers to certified California glass processing facilities. Grants range from $500,000 to $4,000,000 and can cover equipment, materials, transportation costs, rail line construction, and related personnel. Eligibility is geographically restricted: both the applicant and the transportation activity must be based in California, making this unsuitable for out-of-state organizations.

CA Department of Food and Agriculture · $1–$190K

Businesses, individuals, nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments can apply for this CA Department of Food and Agriculture program funding research into new management methods for controlling the beet leafhopper and curly top virus, with awards up to $190,000. Proposals must be submitted 30 days before posted Beet Curly Top Virus Control Board meetings, and funding priority goes to no-pesticide or DPR-approved pesticide approaches, making this a narrow, specialized agricultural research opportunity.

State Water Resources Control Board · Amount varies

Open to small businesses (fewer than 20 employees) in California that own or operate underground storage tanks (USTs) needing to comply with state upgrade, removal, or replacement requirements. Grants range from $3,000 to $70,000 (up to $210,000 for certain remote fueling stations), covering up to 100% of qualifying project costs. Eligibility is narrow: applicants must meet specific gasoline sales thresholds and compliance history requirements.

Department of Fish and Wildlife · Amount varies

California schools (via businesses, nonprofits, or public agencies applying on their behalf) not already affiliated with the National Archery in the Schools Program can apply for this CA Department of Fish and Wildlife equipment grant, which awards 12-20 new schools each year a starter archery kit (bows, targets, arrows, and maintenance equipment) rather than cash. Applications and a supporting Instructor letter are due July 30 each year, with awards announced by September 15; schools already running NASP are not eligible.

San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy · Amount varies

This California Proposition 68 program, administered by the San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy, funds projects that expand open space, improve water supply and quality, restore habitat and species, build trail networks, and improve flood protection through natural systems; nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments may apply. Applications are submitted in two phases (a Concept Proposal followed by a Full Application), and funding is limited to the RMC's California service region; no specific award amount or deadline is listed in this posting.

State Water Resources Control Board · $1–$1M

This California Orphan Site Cleanup Fund grant is limited to current property owners of eligible sites with unauthorized petroleum underground storage tank (UST) releases, covering assessment, investigation, and cleanup costs up to $1,000,000 per site. It is not open to nonprofits or the general public — only businesses and individuals who currently own the affected property qualify.

State Treasurer's Office · Amount varies

California's Charter School Facilities Program provides low-cost financing (50% grant, 50% loan) for constructing new charter school facilities or rehabilitating existing district facilities, drawing from a $1.4 billion state bond pool. It is jointly administered by the California School Finance Authority and the Office of Public School Construction, and is limited to nonprofit or public agency charter school entities in California; no specific award ceiling or deadline is listed here.

Wildlife Conservation Board · Amount varies

Open to nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments through the California Wildlife Conservation Board's Desert Conservation Program, but limited to projects in the Mojave and Colorado Deserts region of California. Funds land acquisition, restoration, and management to protect biodiversity, air/water quality, and climate resilience; applications are accepted on a continuous basis. No award amount or deadline is specified.

Department of Transportation · Amount varies

A loan program (not a grant), restricted to public agencies, for local airport projects such as hangars, general aviation terminals, utilities, fueling facilities, or matching a federal Airport Improvement Program grant. Loan terms run up to 17 years, with amounts based on project feasibility and the sponsor's financial situation. See the state's "State Dollars for Your Airport" guide for detailed eligibility.

Wildlife Conservation Board · Amount varies

Open to nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments through the California Wildlife Conservation Board's Regional Conservation Investment Strategies program, though public agencies typically lead these voluntary regional conservation planning efforts. Priority goes to areas lacking an existing conservation plan and to proposals that include matching funds (cash or in-kind) and demonstrate readiness. No specific award amount or deadline is listed.

Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy · Amount varies

Nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments in the San Fernando Valley area can apply for this Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy grant funded under California's Proposition 68 (2018), a $4 billion bond supporting drought, water, parks, climate, and coastal protection projects. No award amount or deadline is listed here; applicants should review the Conservancy's Proposition 68 Grant Program Guidelines for full details.

State Treasurer's Office · $1–$5B

A commercial paper (short-term debt) financing program for California nonprofit 501(c)(3) health facilities or public health facilities operating at least three years with demonstrated fiscal soundness. Funds construction, renovation, equipment, and refinancing of prior debt; notes must be issued in $100,000 denominations and carry a top-tier short-term credit rating. This is debt financing, not a grant, and requires three years of audited financials.

State Water Resources Control Board · $2M–$10M

Open to nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments operating public water systems in California, for construction of drinking water infrastructure like treatment facilities, storage, and distribution systems. Eligible community water systems may receive principal forgiveness (effectively grant funding) from $2 million up to 100% of project cost depending on the community served and local water rates; other financing carries 0% to roughly half the state bond rate. Applications are accepted continuously but undergo a detailed technical, legal, and financial review.

Department of Fish and Wildlife · Amount varies

Open broadly to individuals, nonprofits, public agencies, and California Native American tribes, this program funds habitat conservation projects tied to upland game birds through California's Upland Game Bird Account. Any proposal that meets the criteria in Fish & Game Code §3684 can qualify — eligibility isn't limited to established organizations. No specific award amount or deadline is listed, so applicants should confirm current cycle details with CDFW.

Department of Fish and Wildlife · Amount varies

Open only to public agencies and tribal governments (counties, cities, special districts, and Native American tribal governments) in California to pre-position oil spill response equipment near state waters. Total program funding is $400,000 available on a continuous application basis. Not open to nonprofits, businesses, or individuals, and limited to California coastal/waterway jurisdictions.

Ocean Protection Council · $250K–$750K

This Ocean Protection Council program funds only California Native American tribes and nonprofits for pre-planning and planning work to assess sea level rise impacts on tribal cultural resources, ancestral lands, and lifeways, with typical awards between $250,000 and $750,000. Applications are accepted on a rolling, quarterly, first-come first-served basis (non-competitive), making eligibility notably narrow and tribal-specific compared to general nonprofit grants.

Department of Water Resources · Amount varies

This forecasted California Department of Water Resources program will fund nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments to implement watershed-scale water conservation projects, such as irrigation efficiency upgrades, leak detection and repair, water-efficient landscaping conversions, and metering or monitoring improvements. Awards are expected to range from $3 million to $15 million. No application deadline has been set yet since the program is still in forecasted status, so applicants should watch for the official funding announcement. Not open to for-profit businesses.

CA State Library · Amount varies

A forecasted, not-yet-open opportunity for public libraries (run as nonprofits or public agencies) in California to fund USDA summer meal sites paired with literacy, nutrition, and arts programming. Applications are described as non-competitive — eligible libraries that apply are expected to receive funding — but award amounts and a formal deadline are not yet specified.

Department of Housing and Community Development · Amount varies

Open exclusively to California Tribal Entities -- other applicant types are not eligible. Funds development of multifamily rental housing for tribal communities, including new construction, rehabilitation, manufactured housing, or conversion of non-residential space, targeted at seniors, youth, and people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. No award amount or deadline is specified.

State Treasurer's Office · $1–$5B

A bond financing (loan) program for private, nonprofit, regionally accredited postsecondary schools operating in California for at least three years, with sufficient revenue or collateral to cover debt service. Funds construction, renovation, land acquisition, equipment, and refinancing, with no stated loan maximum but a nonrefundable application fee and issuance-based fees. Schools that factor race or ethnicity into admissions, or are not secular in curriculum, are excluded; this is debt financing, not a traditional grant.