Best Alameda County Grants for Nonprofits in California

The Neighborhood Builders Program, supported by Bank of America, empowers 501(c)(3) nonprofits through a two-year leadership development initiative. Participants receive funding, training, and networking opportunities to enhance their impact in communities. Since its inception, the program has invested over $346 million, training more than 4,000 leaders. The initiative focuses on advancing social mobility and economic opportunities, ensuring affordable housing, and fostering resilient communities. This program is vital for nonprofits aiming to strengthen their leadership and community engagement.

The Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation offers Local Impact Grants to nonprofit organizations in 11 markets, providing $225,000 to support local programs addressing community issues. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits with a revenue exceeding $100,000 and must operate in one of the specified television markets. The grants aim to empower youth through education, promote diverse storytelling, and enhance community engagement. This initiative underscores Comcast's commitment to fostering inclusion and equitable opportunities for underserved communities.

The S. H. Cowell Foundation Grant focuses on supporting public and nonprofit organizations in Northern and Central California that address acute poverty and promote racial equity. The foundation prioritizes place-based strategies to fund initiatives that foster child development, family empowerment, and youth leadership. By building on community strengths, it aims to create equitable access to essential services and enhance the overall well-being of families and children, ensuring their voices are integral to program design and implementation.

The Mary A. Crocker Trust Grant focuses on enhancing education and environmental stewardship in the Bay Area. It supports innovative educational programs for pre-collegiate students and funds local projects aimed at improving environmental practices, such as waste management and sustainable agriculture. Priority is given to organizations with strong ties to the Bay Area, fostering a passion for lifelong learning and advocacy for the natural environment.

The Lois Lenski Covey Foundation offers Literacy Program Grants aimed at advancing literacy and fostering a love of reading among underserved children. Grants support innovative programs in regions including Baltimore, New York City, and San Francisco, with amounts ranging from $2,000 to $10,000. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) charities and schools. The foundation encourages new ideas and partnerships, prioritizing programs that engage children through regular interaction with skilled staff.

The HAF: Native Cultures Fund Grant supports California Indian culture through initiatives led by Native peoples, fostering the transmission of knowledge, art, and traditions across generations. This partnership includes the Humboldt Area Foundation and aims to preserve and revitalize Indigenous cultures, arts, and languages. Grants are available for projects that reflect California Indian values and practices, ensuring cultural continuity and community engagement.

The Brown-Forman Grants aim to enhance community vitality through strategic funding focused on arts, essential living standards, and responsible living. Emphasizing support for nonprofit organizations, the Foundation prioritizes initiatives that improve well-being, education, and environmental sustainability, particularly in Louisville, Kentucky. Organizations seeking funding must align with these goals and demonstrate measurable project outcomes. The Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests or applications from ineligible entities, ensuring that resources are directed towards fostering impactful community engagement.

The Brinker International Charitable Giving Program focuses on giving back to communities through support for kids, hunger, and education. Organizations eligible for funding must be 501c(3) non-profits and submit requests at least six weeks prior to events. The program does not support individuals, political or religious organizations, or explicit discrimination policies. Funding is provided through monetary donations or in-kind contributions like dining certificates.

The Fleishhacker Foundation offers Small Arts Grants to support small and mid-sized arts organizations in the Bay Area. These grants are designed for fiscally sponsored organizations, allowing them to access funding without traditional nonprofit status. Eligible applicants must meet specific budgetary requirements and demonstrate alignment with the foundation's mission. The program emphasizes support for historically marginalized artists and communities, ensuring that diverse artistic voices are represented in the cultural landscape.

The PVF Excursion Grants provide funding of up to $1,000 for one-day classroom excursions, aimed at enriching educational experiences for students in low-income communities. Eligible applicants include preschool and TK-3 teachers in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties. This initiative helps cover costs for transportation, admission, and meals, allowing students to explore places like museums, beaches, and parks. Note that overnight trips are not funded.

The PVF Science Resource Grants, offered by the Philanthropic Ventures Foundation, provide funding up to $500 for TK-12 teachers at low-income public schools in select California counties. These grants aim to enhance science instruction through hands-on materials, focusing on life sciences and chemistry. Eligible applicants can request grants for items such as safety goggles, lab coats, and microscopes, with a limit of three grants per school and one per teacher, encouraging collaborative applications.

The PVF Social Worker/CASA Grants program supports vulnerable youth in foster care by providing grants of up to $500 to Social Workers and Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs). These funds can address critical needs such as medical care, educational supplies, and extracurricular activities. Applications are open for the 2026-2027 school year, and eligible applicants include Social Workers and CASAs in various California counties. The Foundation is dedicated to innovative grantmaking that maximizes philanthropic impact.

The PVF Special Education Grants, offered by the Philanthropic Ventures Foundation, provide funding up to $500 for public school teachers and therapists serving special education students from TK to 12th grade. These grants support classroom supplies, educational field trips, and professional development aimed at enhancing teaching resources and student independence. Eligible applicants include teachers from low-income schools in select California counties, with a limit of three grants per school and one per teacher.

The PVF Technology, Engineering and Design Thinking Resource Grants offer funding of up to $1,000 for TK-12 teachers in low-income public schools across specific California counties. These grants support innovative projects in Technology, Engineering, and STEAM curriculum through hands-on learning and expert guidance. Applications for the 2026-2027 school year are now open, encouraging collaborative efforts among teachers to maximize the impact of the resources provided.

The Grants for Aquatic Center Education Program aims to enhance boating safety education in California by providing funding to non-profit organizations, colleges, and local agencies. The grants support on-the-water training, covering essential topics such as boating laws and environmental stewardship. Eligible applicants must demonstrate a commitment to safe boating practices and have qualified staff. This initiative promotes public access to waterways while ensuring a safer recreational boating environment.

The Veterans Artist Residency Program at Kala Art Institute offers unique opportunities for veterans in the arts. This program supports innovative work across various mediums such as printmaking, digital media, and sculpture. Selected artists receive 1-4 months of studio access, a cash award of $1,000, housing for out-of-area artists, and participation in community events. The residency fosters a collaborative environment, encouraging artistic growth and community engagement.

The Kala Fellowship Program offers innovative artists a unique residency experience. Funded by the Kala Art Institute, this fellowship provides financial support of $3,000, extensive studio access, and a collaborative community. Artists can engage in specialized training in printmaking and digital media, culminating in participation in an annual group exhibition. With over 30 years of tradition, the program emphasizes creativity and artistic excellence, fostering diverse media exploration and project completion.

The Community Progress Makers Fund, an initiative by the Citi Foundation, aims to empower local organizations by providing $50 million in unrestricted funding. This program, established in 2015, will support 50 selected community organizations over three years with grants of $1 million each, alongside technical assistance and opportunities for collaboration. The fund prioritizes organizations with strong community ties and a proven impact in areas such as affordable housing, economic development, financial health, and workforce readiness.

The Listos California Regional Grant (LM) Program aims to enhance disaster preparedness in California's Coastal Region. This initiative supports nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status that serve diverse populations across multiple counties, particularly those at higher risk of disasters. By offering resources and training, the program seeks to empower communities disproportionately affected by emergencies, fostering resilience and recovery efforts. Eligible applicants can independently implement projects or collaborate with local nonprofits to maximize impact.

The Morris Stulsaft Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of Bay Area children and youth by funding organizations that provide quality early childhood education for ages 0 to 5. The foundation prioritizes strong leadership and community engagement, supporting programs that incorporate a whole-child approach, engage parents, and promote teacher development. Grants are available for organizations serving low-income households in the San Francisco Bay Area, with a focus on sustainable, impactful initiatives.

StopWaste

StopWaste is a public agency serving the 1.7 million diverse residents of Alameda County. Formed in 1976, we work on behalf of 17 member agencies—the County, 14 cities, and 2 sanitary districts—committed to advancing environmental sustainability and building healthy, equitable, climate resilient communities in Alameda County. Our vision is focused on an Alameda County in which people thrive and are empowered to utilize resources and energy in ways that are good for the health of our communities, our local economy, and the planet.

StopWaste's work is guided by three long-term goals: building a healthy local food system that eliminates waste, advancing a thriving circular economy, and accelerating innovation in the built environment. We prevent wasted food, recover surplus food to nourish communities, and keep materials in circulation through reuse, repair, recycling, and composting—while helping communities across Alameda County cut pollution, save money, and meet California’s climate and waste goals.

Surplus Food Donation Equipment Grants

SFDE Grant supports Alameda County non-profit organizations that recover, transport, store, and distribute surplus edible food to community members. The program prioritizes investments that strengthen edible food recovery infrastructure and improve the safe, efficient, and dignified distribution of recovered edible food. 

SFDE grant funding is intended to support equipment with a demonstrated connection to edible food recovery activities. It is not intended to support general nonprofit operations or facility improvements. Applications are reviewed based on project need, operational readiness, food recovery impact, community benefit, and alignment with SFDE funding priorities. 

The LGBTQ Donor Engagement Grant Program by Horizons Foundation aims to support large LGBTQ-focused organizations in the SF Bay Area with annual budgets over $1 million. Organizations can apply for up to $5,000 to fund fundraising events or alternative donor engagement activities. Criteria include inspiring programming, relationship-building strategies, and inclusivity across the LGBTQ spectrum. Eligible nonprofits must have a home office in the SF Bay Area and meet specific funding criteria.

StopWaste

StopWaste is a public agency serving the 1.7 million diverse residents of Alameda County. Formed in 1976, we work on behalf of 17 member agencies—the County, 14 cities, and 2 sanitary districts—committed to advancing environmental sustainability and building healthy, equitable, climate resilient communities in Alameda County. Our vision is focused on an Alameda County in which people thrive and are empowered to utilize resources and energy in ways that are good for the health of our communities, our local economy, and the planet.

StopWaste's work is guided by three long-term goals: building a healthy local food system that eliminates waste, advancing a thriving circular economy, and accelerating innovation in the built environment. We prevent wasted food, recover surplus food to nourish communities, and keep materials in circulation through reuse, repair, recycling, and composting—while helping communities across Alameda County cut pollution, save money, and meet California’s climate and waste goals.

Reusable Foodware Grants

StopWaste offers grants to help replace single-use disposable foodware with reusable systems in closed-environment dining facilities. Controlled settings with high meal volumes are ideal for reusable alternatives — items are used on-site, collected, washed, and returned for reuse.

Up to $50,000 for schools, colleges, institutions, and large venues to replace single-use items with durable, reusable foodware and dishwashing systems.

The Fisheries Restoration Grant Program (FRGP) in California, established in 1981, addresses the decline of wild salmon and steelhead trout populations and the deterioration of fish habitats. Through competitive grants, FRGP has invested millions into various coastal projects, fostering collaboration among federal and local governments, tribes, nonprofit organizations, and private landowners. This initiative aims to restore vital ecosystems and promote sustainable fisheries for future generations.

The Morris Stulsaft Foundation offers the Participation in the Arts Grant for organizations serving youth ages 5 to 18 in the Bay Area. This grant focuses on providing essential arts education, promoting creativity, and fostering community connections among economically vulnerable children. Programs must include at least 15 hours of immersive art experiences and align with California's educational standards. The foundation prioritizes strong leadership in organizations to ensure impactful programming for under-served populations.

The Peggy and Jack Baskin Foundation, established in 2008, focuses on achieving gender and racial equity through grants primarily for nonprofit organizations in Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties. They emphasize intersectional feminism and support initiatives that empower women and gender-expansive individuals of color. The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals and prefers organizations with diverse decision-makers and equitable personnel policies. Funding areas include reproductive rights, legal advocacy, and gender economic justice.

The Division of Boating and Waterways offers the Sewage Management Education and Outreach Grant Program to educate Californians about proper boat sewage disposal. Established under the Clean Vessel Act of 1992, this program funds pumpout stations and promotes public awareness in targeted regions including the San Francisco Bay Delta and Southern California Coastal Counties. Grants will support education, outreach, and monitoring efforts to ensure safe and environmentally friendly boating practices.