California grants for nonprofits and the organizations that serve them.
A free, curated directory of open funding across California — state portals, community foundations, private funders, and corporate giving programs. Compiled from public information, written in plain language, with a link back to every funder so you can verify before you apply.
- 48
- Funding sources
- 48
- Distinct funders
- 32
- Open or rolling
Last reviewed August 2026 · Next review November 2026
Showing 48 of 48 funding sources
- $15,000 – $100,000Applications due Aug 15, 2026
Pacific Life Foundation Community Grants
Pacific Life Foundation · California (Orange County emphasis)
Multi-year program grants and larger capital grants across arts, education, environment, health and community development, concentrated where the company has operations.
- $5,000 – $3,000,000Letter of inquiry due Aug 25, 2026
Transformative Community Project Grants
Del E. Webb Foundation · California, Arizona & Nevada
Capital and major-project grants for established public charities with a demonstrated record of sustainable operations. The wide range reflects a mix of small program and large capital awards.
- $5,000 – $20,000Applications due Sep 15, 2026
Henry Mayo Newhall Foundation Grants
The Henry Mayo Newhall Foundation · California
Modest, workhorse grants for education, health, human services and cultural programs, with a long history of funding small California organizations.
- Amount not publishedApplications due Sep 30, 2026
Bader Foundation Education Grants
Robert & Toni Bader Charitable Foundation · California
Education-focused grantmaking, including programs that improve access and outcomes for underserved students.
- Amount not publishedApplications due Sep 30, 2026
Bertin Family Foundation Grants
Bertin Family Foundation · California
Family foundation grantmaking to California nonprofits across community and human-services work; award sizes are not published.
- $250 – $10,000Applications due Sep 30, 2026
Hesed Foundation Community Support
Hesed Foundation, Inc. · California
Small grants suited to grassroots organizations and first-time grantseekers — a realistic entry point for groups without a long funding history.
- $1,000 and aboveApplications due Sep 30, 2026
Perdue Foundation Community Programs
Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation · Company operating communities
Community giving in hunger relief, education and youth programs, prioritizing places where the company employs people.
- Up to $1,000,000Pre-proposal due Oct 25, 2026
Citi Foundation Community Investments
Citi Foundation · Statewide (national program)
Large-scale investments in economic mobility — youth workforce readiness, small business growth and financial inclusion — usually through structured national challenges.
- $100,000 – $1,000,000Letter of inquiry due Nov 3, 2026
Southern California Youth & Family Programs
W. M. Keck Foundation · Southern California (Los Angeles emphasis)
The foundation's Southern California program funds youth development, education and family services alongside its national science and engineering research grants.
- Amount not publishedLetter of inquiry due Feb 4, 2027
S. Mark Taper Foundation Flexible Funding
S. Mark Taper Foundation · Southern California
Unrestricted and flexible grants to Southern California nonprofits, with a stated preference for organizations that other funders overlook.
- $3,000 – $7,500Applications due Feb 6, 2027
Teichert Foundation Community Programs
Teichert Foundation · Northern & Central California
Small, accessible community grants in the regions where the construction company operates, including youth programs and workforce readiness.
- Amount not publishedApplications due Apr 24, 2027
Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation Youth Grants
Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation · California service areas
Digital equity, youth leadership and media-skills programming in the communities the company serves, often paired with in-kind media support.
- Approximately $10,000Applications due May 1, 2027
James C. Stewart Charitable Foundation Grants
James C. Stewart Charitable Foundation · California
Broad-purpose program grants at a consistent award size, typically to established California charities.
- $10,000 – $50,000Applications due May 2, 2027
Child Abuse Prevention Grants
In-N-Out Burgers Foundation · California and other operating states
Focused funding for organizations preventing and responding to child abuse and neglect, including foster youth support and family stabilization.
- Amount not publishedApplications due Jul 1, 2027
Doyle Foundation Community Grants
The Doyle Foundation, Inc. · California
Broad community grantmaking with wide latitude in subject matter; a good fit for organizations whose work crosses funder categories.
- $5,000 – $10,000Applications due Jul 31, 2027
John and Maria Laffin Trust Health Grants
John and Maria Laffin Trust · California
Health-focused program grants to California nonprofits, sized for direct-service organizations rather than large institutions.
- Amount not publishedRolling letters of interest
Advancing Wellness Grants
The California Wellness Foundation · Statewide
Core operating support for organizations working at the intersection of health, economic security and workforce development for underserved Californians.
- Amount not publishedAnnual cycles
AmeriCorps & Service-Based Youth Grants
California Volunteers, Office of the Governor · Statewide
Funds AmeriCorps programs, the California Climate Action Corps and the College Corps, placing paid service members with host nonprofits and public agencies.
- Amount not publishedPeriodic open calls
Better Careers Initiative
The James Irvine Foundation · Statewide
Funds workforce organizations that move low-income Californians into jobs paying family-supporting wages, and the policy work that scales those models.
- Amount not publishedThree application periods per fiscal year
California Competes Tax Credit & Grant
Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) · Statewide
Income tax credits — and, in some years, a cash grant program — for businesses that commit to creating jobs and making capital investment in California.
- Amount not publishedRolling
California Grants Portal
State of California · Statewide
The state's single index of every grant offered by a California state agency, searchable by category, eligible applicant and deadline. Start here before any other state search.
- Amount not publishedRolling / periodic solicitations
CalOSBA Technical Assistance & Microbusiness Programs
California Office of the Small Business Advocate · Statewide
Funds the network of small business technical assistance centers and periodically opens grants for microbusinesses and nonprofit intermediaries serving underserved entrepreneurs.
- Amount not publishedRolling
Community Donations & Sponsorships
The Amgen Foundation · Ventura County & San Francisco Bay Area
Non-healthcare community giving for humanitarian, social, education and community programs where Amgen has a significant employee presence.
- Amount not publishedRolling — submit at least 60 days before the event
Community Sponsorships & Donations
The Bicycle Hotel & Casino · California
Event sponsorships and in-kind donations for California community service organizations. One request per organization per year.
- Amount not publishedBy invitation
Crankstart Foundation Grants
Crankstart · Bay Area
Bay Area economic mobility, education access and housing security. Known for large, flexible, multi-year commitments to a relatively small set of partners.
- Amount not publishedRolling
Employment Training Panel (ETP) Contracts
California Employment Training Panel · Statewide
Reimburses employers and training agencies for job-skills training delivered to incumbent California workers. Funded by the Employment Training Tax, not general fund appropriations.
- Amount not publishedPeriodic open calls
Heising-Simons Foundation Grants
Heising-Simons Foundation · Statewide with Bay Area emphasis
Education (especially early learning), climate and clean energy, science, and human-rights grantmaking, with several open request-for-proposal cycles each year.
- Amount not publishedPeriodic solicitations
High Road Training Partnerships & Workforce Innovation Grants
California Workforce Development Board · Statewide
Competitive awards for industry partnerships that pair worker voice and job quality with skills training in construction, care, transportation and climate sectors.
- Amount not publishedRolling
IBank Loan Guarantees & Nonprofit Financing
California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank · Statewide
Not a grant, but the state's primary source of loan guarantees for small businesses that cannot qualify conventionally, plus tax-exempt financing for 501(c)(3) facilities.
- Amount not publishedPeriodic open calls
Local Grantmaking Program
David and Lucile Packard Foundation · Santa Clara, San Mateo, Monterey & Santa Cruz counties
Place-based support for children, families and community organizations in the foundation's home counties, alongside national environment and science programs.
- Amount not publishedRolling
Majestic Realty Foundation Grants
Majestic Realty Co. · California and other company regions
Community giving in youth development, education, health, family support and violence prevention, tied closely to employee volunteerism.
- Amount not publishedRolling
NorCal SBDC Advising & Training
Northern California Small Business Development Center Network · Northern California
Free one-on-one consulting and low-cost training for small businesses, including capital readiness coaching that materially improves grant and loan applications.
- Amount not publishedRolling
Place-Based Youth & Family Grants
S. H. Cowell Foundation · Northern & Central California
Long-term, place-based investment in high-poverty communities: K-12 education, family supports, youth development and economic advancement, with an explicit focus on resident voice.
- Amount not publishedRolling
Ralph M. Parsons Foundation Grants
Ralph M. Parsons Foundation · Los Angeles County
General operating and capital support across human services, education, health and civic culture for organizations serving vulnerable Angelenos.
- Amount not publishedPeriodic solicitations
San José Office of Economic Development Programs
City of San José · San José
Storefront activation, façade improvement, business assistance and cultural-district grants, plus technical assistance delivered through community partners.
- Amount not publishedRolling
SBA San Francisco District Programs
U.S. Small Business Administration · Northern California
Counseling, SBA-guaranteed lending, contracting certifications and periodic grant competitions delivered through the district office and its resource partners.
- Amount not publishedRolling
Schnurmacher Foundation Program Grants
Charles and Mildred Schnurmacher Foundation · United States, including California
Program and project support across human services, education, health, performing arts and scientific research. Project-specific requests fare better than general operating asks.
- Amount not publishedRolling
Shaw's Foundation Community Funding
Shaw's Supermarkets Charitable Foundation · Company operating areas
Hunger relief, youth and education, and health and nutrition program support, reviewed by regional teams after online submission.
- Amount not publishedRolling
Sidney Stern Memorial Trust Grants
Sidney Stern Memorial Trust · California
Broad charitable, educational, medical and scientific grantmaking to well-managed organizations. No grants to individuals, political candidates or lobbying.
- Amount not publishedRolling
Smart & Final Charitable Foundation Grants
Smart & Final Charitable Foundation · California, Arizona & Nevada
Community giving across hunger relief, health and wellness, education, youth sports and disaster relief in the store footprint.
- Amount not publishedBy invitation / periodic calls
Sobrato Philanthropies Grants
Sobrato Philanthropies · Santa Clara & San Mateo counties
Economic mobility, English-learner education and immigrant integration, with an unusual willingness to make multi-year general operating grants.
- Amount not publishedRolling
Sunwest Bank Community Grants
Sunwest Bank Charitable Foundation · Los Angeles & Orange counties
Food, housing, health, safety and education services for vulnerable children and families, with preference for organizations where bank employees volunteer.
- Amount not publishedPeriodic open calls
SVCF Community Grants
Silicon Valley Community Foundation · San Mateo & Santa Clara counties
Grantmaking concentrated in economic security, housing stability and early childhood, alongside a very large donor-advised fund network that gives across the region.
- Amount not publishedPeriodic open calls
The San Francisco Foundation Grants
The San Francisco Foundation · Five-county Bay Area
Racial equity and economic inclusion grantmaking across people, place and power — including rapid-response and multi-year general operating support.
- Amount not publishedPeriodic open calls
Valley Health Foundation Community Grants
Valley Health Foundation · Santa Clara County
Supports community health programs connected to the Santa Clara County safety-net system, including youth wellness and health-career pathways.
- Amount not publishedRolling
Water & STEM Community Funding
Pentair Foundation · California and other eligible regions
Water access and quality, swim safety, and STEM pathways for youth — a narrow but consistently funded set of priorities.
- Amount not publishedPeriodic solicitations
WIOA Discretionary & Specialized Workforce Grants
California Employment Development Department · Statewide
Federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act dollars passed through the state for targeted populations — dislocated workers, justice-involved adults, and disconnected youth.
- Amount not publishedRolling
work2future Workforce Services
work2future (Santa Clara County workforce board) · Santa Clara County
Local WIOA board funding on-the-job training reimbursements, incumbent worker training, and youth employment services through contracted providers.
How to use this directory
A starting point, not an application.
Every entry is compiled from publicly available funder information — funder websites, state grant portals, and IRS Form 990 filings. SVCED does not administer these funds and cannot influence any decision. Award ranges, deadlines and eligibility change without notice, so confirm the details on the funder's own site before you invest time in an application.
Small business owners and community organizations in Santa Clara and San Mateo counties can get free help preparing an application through our Small Business Technical Assistance program, or learn the fundamentals free through SVCED Learning.
Know a California funder we've missed, or spot something out of date? Tell us and we'll review it in the next update.