Best Alameda County Grants for Nonprofits in California

The BNSF Railway Foundation provides grants to enhance community quality of life across 28 states, focusing on educational, cultural, and social service initiatives. With over $150 million contributed since 2000, the foundation emphasizes projects with strong local engagement and BNSF employee involvement. Eligible organizations include public charities, local governments, and tribal governments, while ineligible entities encompass religious organizations and those with discriminatory practices. Priority is given to environmental, health, and cultural projects.

The PLTW Launch grant, funded by Chevron, aims to enhance educational experiences for students in San Ramon by expanding Project Lead The Way programs. With a total award of $10,000 distributed over two years, the grant supports schools that commit to implementing at least two PLTW Launch modules. Since 2009, Chevron has invested over $17 million in PLTW, benefiting nearly 250,000 students and 8,100 teachers across multiple states. This initiative underscores Chevron's dedication to quality education.

The PLTW Gateway grant from Chevron aims to enhance educational opportunities in San Ramon, California, by expanding Project Lead The Way (PLTW) programs in local schools. With over $17 million invested since 2009, Chevron's support has transformed the educational landscape for nearly 250,000 students and 8,100 teachers across multiple states. This funding will facilitate the introduction of new units and training for teachers, ensuring sustainable growth and improved learning outcomes for K-12 students.

The June & Julian Foss Foundation, established in 1997, prioritizes support for children and young adults, especially those facing mental illness or physical disabilities. With a mission to foster healthy, responsible adults and promote family philanthropy, the Foundation emphasizes family strength, diversity, and self-worth. Grants typically do not exceed $5,000 and are directed towards programs that enhance self-sufficiency and recognize individual capabilities, while upholding values of integrity and respect.

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 Current Goals

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 Mini-Grants

Up to $500 for Alameda County restaurants, cafes, and retail food businesses to purchase reusable foodware for dine-in service.

What You Get

• Up to $500 in reusable foodware (plates, cups, utensils, etc.)
• Free hands-on support during your transition
• No complicated paperwork required.

What's Covered

Reusable items for dine-in service, including:

• Plates and bowls
• Cups and mugs
• Utensils (forks, knives, spoons, chopsticks)
• Serving trays and baskets

The PNC Foundation aims to enhance the lives of individuals in local communities through partnerships with nonprofit organizations. Their focus includes promoting educational opportunities, particularly for early childhood education, and supporting economic development initiatives. Grants are available for organizations that benefit low- to moderate-income families and enhance community growth. The foundation prioritizes programs that foster sustainability and diversity, ensuring a lasting impact on the communities they serve.

The BASIC Fund Scholarship provides essential financial assistance to families in California, covering 25-75% of private school tuition costs, up to $2,750 per student annually. Designed for families with children entering PreK-8th grade, the scholarship aims to support underserved communities, ensuring access to quality education. Families are required to contribute a minimum of $500 towards tuition and must maintain eligibility criteria, including income guidelines and active participation in their children's education.

The Niles Rotary Club Grant, established in 1937, supports local charitable projects in Fremont. With a focus on community significance, eligible non-profit organizations can apply for funding ranging from $500 to $5,000. The grant emphasizes measurable objectives and life-enhancing initiatives. The club also seeks matching funds from Rotary District and International to enhance its outreach, ensuring a lasting impact on the community.

The In-N-Out Burger Foundation supports organizations that aid children and youth affected by abuse and neglect, offering grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000. Eligible nonprofits must be 501(c)(3) registered, operational for at least two years, and demonstrate a commitment to the foundation's mission. Applications are considered for traditional, capital, and program support, focusing on sustainable solutions and clear objectives. Organizations must operate in areas with In-N-Out Burger locations to qualify.

The PLTW Launch - Program Expansion initiative by Burns & McDonnell aims to enhance access to STEM education in U.S. schools. This program focuses on empowering students by providing real-world learning experiences and essential skills. Grants will support schools in expanding PLTW programs during the 2026-2027 academic year, benefiting students from underserved communities. By fostering a deeper understanding of STEM, the initiative seeks to inspire the next generation of innovators and problem solvers.

The Harold Johnson Law Enforcement Scholarship honors the legacy of Police Chief Harold "Hal" Johnson by providing financial support to aspiring law enforcement professionals. Established for students in the greater San Francisco Bay Area, it encourages those with a passion for public service and a commitment to criminal justice. Eligible applicants include high school seniors and college students with a minimum GPA of 2.5, showcasing leadership qualities and financial need, ensuring a new generation of dedicated law enforcement personnel.

The 3VCF Community Impact Grants aim to empower local nonprofits in addressing critical community needs, particularly in mental health, health equity, and environmental sustainability. For 2024, Three Valleys Community Foundation is expanding its grantmaking focus to include diverse and innovative proposals that respond to pressing health issues. Collaborative efforts among organizations are encouraged to foster impactful solutions and promote community well-being.

The PLTW Gateway - New Program, in partnership with Burns & McDonnell, aims to enhance student engagement in STEM by providing teachers with essential resources and support. Starting in the 2026-2027 academic year, eligible schools can apply for grants to introduce and expand PLTW programs, fostering real-world skills through applied learning. This initiative targets schools with significant free and reduced-price lunch populations, promoting equity in education across various U.S. counties.

The PLTW Gateway - Program Expansion initiative, led by Burns & McDonnell in partnership with Project Lead The Way (PLTW), aims to enhance STEM education by increasing access to PLTW programs for students in eligible communities. This program empowers students through real-world applied learning experiences, promoting essential skills for college and careers. Grants will support schools in expanding their existing PLTW Gateway programs starting in the 2026-2027 academic year, fostering a brighter future through education.

The PLTW Engineering - New Program, supported by Burns & McDonnell, aims to empower U.S. students through STEM education. By offering at least one PLTW Engineering course in the 2026-2027 academic year, schools can enhance their curriculum and foster critical skills. This initiative not only increases access to valuable programs but also prepares students for future challenges in college and careers, ensuring they thrive in an evolving world.

The PLTW Engineering - Program Expansion initiative aims to enhance STEM education by increasing access to Project Lead The Way (PLTW) programs in communities served by Burns & McDonnell. This partnership focuses on empowering students through real-world learning experiences, helping them develop essential skills for future careers. Starting in the 2026-2027 academic year, grants will support schools in expanding their existing PLTW Engineering programs to foster greater participation and engagement in STEM fields.

The Richard Reed Foundation Grant supports small, innovative non-profit organizations in Colorado and Northern California that aim to improve community welfare through initiatives in mental health, child development, environmental impact, and animal welfare. The foundation focuses on organizations with a proven track record, clear goals, and sustainable funding. Grants typically range from $5,000 to $10,000, and the foundation encourages creativity and collaboration to foster significant community change.

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.

Our Work:

The Citi Foundation commits $20 million to help nonprofit housing developers overcome financial and operational barriers to building and preserving affordable housing in the U.S.

Apply for Funding

Citi Foundation primarily provides funding through open Requests for Proposals (RFP). This model enables us to engage and support a broad range of organizations across the globe to tackle some of the most pressing social issues of our time. Each RFP launched is accompanied by detailed information on goals, selection criteria and relevant application deadlines.

Housing Affordability

Citi's Blueprint for Housing Opportunity

Recognized as the number one affordable housing lender in the U.S. by Affordable Housing Finance magazine, Citi knows increasing supply is essential to addressing housing affordability — one of the defining economic challenges of our time. That’s why we are putting our capital, community impact and expertise toward helping more Americans access housing they can truly afford.

The Clorox Company Foundation

Founded in 1980, The Clorox Company Foundation has a mission to foster healthy and inclusive communities so people can be well and thrive. Since its inception, the foundation has awarded cash grants totaling nearly $145 million to nonprofit organizations. 

The foundation’s signature theme of health security is tied to its mission and The Clorox Company’s purpose: We champion people to be well and thrive, every single day.

Signature theme: Health Security

Health security is based on the belief that health and wellness is a basic human right. The Clorox Company Foundation focuses its philanthropy on efforts to help ensure equal opportunities for under-resourced people within our communities. We provide support to improve their overall physical and mental health and help them flourish.

Foundation Focus Areas

Based on the promise of health security, the foundation focuses on programs that support three areas:

• Transformative Change for Communities
  • Organizations that are working at the community level to address social determinants of health and equality issues.
• Youth Development/Education
  • Programs that increase equity of opportunity, access and outcomes to create lasting social impact.
• Sustainability
  • Organizations that focus on solving environmental issues that impact the communities where we live and work.

Organizations that:

• Educate and/or provide supplies to people/healthcare facilities.
• Conduct research regarding infection control/preventing the spread of germs and disease in a post-pandemic life.

Organizations that focus on emergency preparedness, response and recovery locally and nationally.

The foundation serves the communities surrounding our Oakland, California, headquarters as well as those surrounding our remote offices and manufacturing facilities. We also support public health on a global level through the American Red Cross and other partners, donating cash and disinfecting products to address pandemics such as COVID-19 and Ebola. 

The Fleishhacker Foundation's Small Arts Grants program offers crucial financial support to small and mid-sized arts organizations in the Bay Area. Designed for nonprofits with budgets between $100,000 and $749,999, this program promotes the presentation of new works by local artists across various disciplines, including theater and visual arts. Grants, typically around $5,000, can be used for a range of operational costs, fostering creativity and cultural expression within communities.

The Arts Performance and Exhibition Spaces (APEX) Grant supports arts and culture nonprofits in the Bay Area, offering flexible funding for operations and artist compensation. Grants range from $10,000 to $15,000, aimed at organizations with budgets between $500,000 and $2 million. The program prioritizes diverse artistic expressions and supports historically marginalized groups. Applications are due annually by January 15, with letters of inquiry due by December 1, promoting the production of new works by local artists.

The Miranda Lux Foundation Grant supports innovative pre-vocational and vocational education programs for youth under 18 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Established in 1955, the foundation honors Miranda W. Lux's legacy by funding proposals that enhance educational opportunities in technical and manual skills. Organizations must be tax-exempt under 501(c)(3) to apply. The foundation prioritizes unique initiatives that help prepare young people for the workforce while fostering academic enrichment and artistic development.

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.

Tim Griffith Foundation 

Misson: The Tim Griffith Foundation helps to strengthen our communities by providing support to those often overlooked in our society. Specifically, we strive to help those affected by addiction, loss, or without access to educational opportunities.

Grants

We provide a limited number of grants to nonprofits serving the San Francisco Bay Area in our focus areas of addiction recovery, violence prevention and grief support. 

• Grants are for one year; no multi-year commitments.
• Organizations that receive funding must provide a final report prior to applying for additional funding for a subsequent year.
• We require a follow-up report from the organization within 60 days from the end of the funded program to help us gauge the impact of our grant funding. 

Cytokinetics is dedicated to enhancing diversity in STEM education for underrepresented students in the San Francisco Bay Area and Greater Philadelphia Region. Their funding supports innovative educational programs, scholarships, and initiatives that promote equity and inclusion in science, technology, engineering, and math. By empowering the next generation of science leaders, Cytokinetics aims to create pathways to college and future success in the STEM fields.

The East Bay Fund for Artists Grant Program, initiated by the East Bay Community Foundation, supports individual artists and arts organizations in low-income communities of color. Since 2003, it has partnered with over 300 local artists and secured nearly $3.1 million in funding. The program aims to advance racial justice and social equity through new artistic works. It prioritizes diversity in artistic practices and ensures that BIPOC communities have access to culturally relevant art, promoting resilience and community empowerment.