Best Corporate Grants for Nonprofits in California

The Improving Students' Understanding of Geometry Grant, provided by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, aims to enhance students' comprehension and application of geometry through innovative activities. Eligible applicants include educators teaching at the Pre-K-8 level, with proposals integrating technology and linking geometry to various fields such as art and science. The grant seeks to foster a deeper appreciation of geometry, ensuring that students achieve a greater understanding of its relevance in everyday contexts.

The Somatic Mosaicism across Human Tissues (SMaHT) Program aims to enhance our understanding of biological processes driven by somatic mutations in human tissues through innovative technology development. Since its inception in 2023, the program has produced multi-omic datasets from human tissues representing all germ layers. The NIH is now advancing to Stage 2, focusing on collaborative efforts to refine and implement validated technologies for somatic mutation detection and functional interpretation, promoting rigorous and cost-effective methodologies.

The Advanced Mathematics Education Course Work Scholarship, offered by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, aims to enhance the teaching skills of educators in grades 9-12. This grant provides financial support for advanced courses in mathematics education, emphasizing specific mathematics topics. Eligible applicants must have at least three years of teaching experience and dedicate a significant portion of their day to teaching mathematics. This initiative seeks to foster high-quality mathematics instruction across schools.

Community West Bank Grant supports local nonprofit, civic, and trade organizations in Central California. Founded in 1980, the bank has a commitment to enhancing community vitality through donations and sponsorships. They prioritize funding for programs outside of capital campaigns, focusing on financial literacy, scholarships, and employee volunteerism. Organizations eligible for support must be qualified 501(c)(3) entities operating within their lending area. This initiative aims to strengthen the communities they serve from Sacramento to Bakersfield.

Arcata Foundation Fund Grant

The Arcata Foundation is dedicated to the enhancement of community life in the Arcata area. Arcata Foundation grants support community projects, with an emphasis on unique and specific projects, especially those that focus on youth and seniors. Grants average $500-1,000, with a maximum grant size of $2,00. 

Applicants will be notified of the status of their application approximately 8-10 weeks after the application deadline. Grants may not fund already incurred expenses; please be sure that your project does not start until after the expected notification date.

This funding opportunity announcement (FOA) invites applications for Animal and Biological Material Resource Centers (P40), aimed at enhancing biomedical research through providing essential resources such as laboratory animal colonies and informatics tools. The initiative supports both the continuation of existing resources and the development of new ones, emphasizing alignment with NIH Institutes and Centers. Applicants are encouraged to consult with NIH staff to ensure their proposals meet program priorities and competitiveness in the grant process.

Mellon Foundation

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation was established in 1969 to strengthen, promote, and defend the arts and humanities as essential to democratic societies. Throughout our history, Mellon has held true to our founding commitments, secure in our conviction that the arts and humanities are essential to the health of a multivocal and democratic society. From our earliest days, we have aspired to build partnerships with our grantees, offering expertise and counsel in addition to funding

In recent years, Mellon has expanded on these core principles by actively prioritizing social justice across all of our grantmaking. This strategic shift builds on our long history of advocating for and investing in expanded access to higher education, humanities, and the arts, and addressing historical inequities in these fields. Our vision for Mellon’s future includes a focus on justice for all in all that we do—rooted in the Foundation’s long-held historic belief in the impact and power of the arts and humanities. At Mellon, we make grants to actively support communities and ideas that unlock the power in the arts and humanities that helps connect us all.

Humanities in Place Grant Program

The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation actively works with our grantee partners and we are deeply immersed in the fields in which we invest. Our grants are designed to activate the spirit of learning through the creation and sharing of bold new ideas and the inspiration felt in art, expression, spaces, and scholarship. 

From Alaska to Guam and the Borderlands to the Midwest, America is a constellation of unique heritages, traditions, and stories. In communities of all sizes, people are striving to expand the ways we can understand and authentically engage with the history that is all around us. Our Humanities in Place grants fund place keepers, artists, institutions, and storytellers who shine a spotlight on historically overlooked sites, and the communities and stories that surround them. In doing so, they help broaden our shared understanding and open new paths to discover what unites us, what makes us unique, and what we can learn from one another.

The NIDA Avenir Program aims to cultivate innovative leaders in addiction science by funding exceptional early stage investigators (ESIs) embarking on pioneering research. Launched in 2015, this initiative encourages high-risk, high-reward mechanistic studies related to Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) across diverse scientific domains. Applications from new investigators and those outside addiction research are welcomed, fostering interdisciplinary approaches that enhance understanding of SUD mechanisms. The program supports ESIs who may lack preliminary data but demonstrate potential for impactful contributions.

The Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center aims to enhance services for individuals who are blind or have low vision through innovative technology development. This initiative focuses on overcoming rehabilitation challenges and environmental barriers, promoting independence and community living. A grant of five years will support ongoing research efforts, ensuring advancements in assistive technologies that empower the target population. The project aligns with the Rehabilitation Act's goals, emphasizing the importance of accessibility and inclusion.

Optica Foundation

Established in 2002, the Optica Foundation carries out charitable activities in support of the society’s student and early career communities. We cultivate the next generation of leaders and innovators as they navigate advanced degree programs and become active members of research, engineering and business worldwide. The foundation also works to secure the endowments for Optica’s awards and honors programs. The foundation is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit.

Corning Women in Optical Communications Travel Grant

The Corning Women in Optical Fiber Communications travel grants supports ten women to attend OFC. This need-based grant is available for women who are currently undergraduate or graduate students, working as post docs or in the first 1-5 years of their career. Grants are intended to help cover travel and registration costs to attend the OFC meeting in person.

Program Prize

Travel and Registration to attend OFC.

William Wayne Justice Center for Public Interest Law - The University of Texas School of Law

The William Wayne Justice Center for Public Interest Law was created in 2004 when the law school joined with Judge William Wayne Justice’s former law clerks and many admirers to establish it in his honor. The Justice Center is a comprehensive resource for students, faculty, alumni, and the community.

Since its inception, the Justice Center has steadily expanded its programming and scope. Dedicated to promoting a culture and habit of pro bono service by all students, the Justice Center includes the school-wide Richard and Ginni Mithoff Pro Bono Program. We also regularly undertake special projects that bring together research and pro bono work on topics as varied as real estate titles in the wake of natural disasters, expunging criminal records, and supported decision-making by persons with disabilities.

Baron & Budd Public Interest Summer Fellowships

In the summer of 2026, the Baron & Budd Public Interest Summer Fellowships Program will provide up to 4 fellows with a $8,000 stipend to work for at least 10 weeks under the supervision of an attorney at a qualified sponsoring organization.

The fellowships are supported by generous funding from Baron & Budd, PC.

This named fellowship is awarded through the Summer Public Service Program.

The BRAIN Initiative Connectivity across Scales (BRAIN CONNECTS) invites innovative research proposals aimed at advancing technologies for understanding brain connectivity. This funding opportunity supports specialized projects focused on creating comprehensive atlases of brain wiring, emphasizing human and non-human species. Successful applications will contribute to a network aimed at enhancing the analysis and interpretation of brain circuits, ultimately leading to better strategies for treating brain disorders. Proposals must demonstrate novel approaches to data collection and integration.

Golden Garden Scholarship

The Golden Garden Scholarship supports Buckingham and Louisa highschool seniors who plan to attend a two‑year community college or a four‑year university as full‑time students. Established to support first‑generation college students—particularly students of color—with financial need, the award provides $2,500 per year, renewable for up to four years, and seeks candidates who demonstrate an interest in the Arts & Humanities, have a minimum 2.75 high‑school GPA, and a commitment to healthy lifestyle choices. Recipients must reside in Buckingham or Louisa County, remain enrolled full‑time throughout the scholarship term, and uphold good character and citizenship.

The Mathematics Graduate Course Work Scholarship for Grades Pre-K-5 Teachers, offered by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, aims to enhance teachers' mathematics knowledge through graduate coursework. This grant supports educators currently teaching grades 6-8 who have at least three years of experience and plan to continue in teaching. Eligible applicants must adhere to specific guidelines, including the completion of project activities within a designated timeframe. Note that past recipients are not eligible to reapply.

The Field Initiated Projects Program (Development) aims to enhance the inclusion and self-sufficiency of individuals with disabilities through innovative research and development. This program supports the creation of tools, methods, and systems that assist people with disabilities, particularly those with significant support needs. With 16 grants available, the initiative will span 36 months, focusing on impactful projects that foster independence, employment, and community integration.

The Science of Science: Discovery, Communication and Impact (SoS:DCI) program aims to enhance the public value of scientific activities through interdisciplinary research. It encourages proposals that investigate the mechanisms of scientific discovery, improve understanding of communication and outcomes, and explore how science contributes to evidence-based policymaking and public value creation. SoS:DCI seeks to advance empirical research that informs these critical areas.

In just one application, our Common Scholarship Application provides students access to more than 150 scholarship opportunities with awards ranging from $1,000 to more than $5,000.

In 2025, San Diego Foundation awarded a record-breaking $5.5 million in scholarships to nearly 1,400 students.

Wen Bo Wang Scholarship

Be graduating high school seniors and plan to enroll full-time at an accredited four-year university in the United States in fall.

The National Endowment for the Humanities invites K-12 teachers and higher education faculty to apply for the Landmarks of American History and Culture and Summer Institutes program. This initiative aims to enhance humanities education through professional development opportunities, fostering a deeper understanding of historical and cultural landmarks. Participants will engage in enriching experiences designed to improve teaching practices and student learning outcomes in the humanities.

The Strategic Initiatives Grants (SIG) program, managed by the State Justice Institute (SJI), offers flexible funding to tackle pressing national court issues. This innovative initiative encourages collaboration between SJI and its grantees to develop effective solutions for state courts across the U.S. Applicants are urged to reach out to SJI for guidance on their concept papers, ensuring a tailored approach to addressing critical judicial challenges.

The State Justice Institute's Curriculum Adaptation & Training Grant aims to empower courts and national associations to tailor educational programs to local needs. With funding up to $40,000 for 12 months, it encourages innovative training for judges and court personnel. Applicants must provide a 50% match, including at least 20% in cash. Selection criteria focus on project goals, the necessity of funding, and the effective integration of new curricula into existing court systems, ensuring impactful judicial education.

The Allegheny County Airport Authority Charitable Foundation Scholarship Fund, established by The Pittsburgh Foundation, supports students pursuing careers in aviation. Eligible applicants must reside in specific Pennsylvania counties, demonstrate financial need, and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. Preference is given to military veterans. This initiative reflects the Foundation's commitment to enhancing educational opportunities and fostering community engagement within the aviation sector.

The Emerging Teacher-Leaders in Elementary School Mathematics Grants, provided by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, aim to enhance the mathematics content knowledge of dedicated elementary school teachers. This initiative focuses on developing teacher-leaders who will deliver ongoing professional development to fellow educators, thereby strengthening instructional practices. Eligible applicants include experienced classroom teachers or full-time mathematics coaches committed to improving mathematics education. The program supports projects that align with enhancing the mathematics learning environment.

In just one application, our Common Scholarship Application provides students access to more than 150 scholarship opportunities with awards ranging from $1,000 to more than $5,000. 

In 2025, San Diego Foundation awarded a record-breaking $5.5 million in scholarships to nearly 1,400 students.

William “Peasy” Johnson Scholarship

Plan to enroll full-time at an accredited four-year university, community college, or licensed career/technical school in the United States in fall.

The State Justice Institute offers Technical Assistance Grants to state and local courts for expert assistance in addressing operational challenges. Grants can provide up to $75,000 over 12 months, requiring a 50% match from applicants, with 20% in cash. Eligible entities include courts and regional associations, while ineligible expenses cover salaries and travel for court employees. The selection process emphasizes critical needs, sound approaches, consultant qualifications, and budget reasonableness, aiming to enhance court operations and compliance with federal requirements.

The Zemurray Foundation Grant aims to enhance community well-being by promoting educational and health opportunities, environmental sustainability, and cultural vibrancy. Eligible applicants include organizations recognized as tax-exempt by the IRS or those with a fiscal agent that meets this criterion. A letter of intent may be submitted for consideration, and selected candidates may be invited to submit a full proposal.

The Designing Innovative Lessons and Activities for Mathematics Teaching grant, sponsored by the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, aims to enhance K–8 mathematics education through collaborative writing and material development. With an initial award of $5,000 and potential for renewal up to $15,000, this grant encourages teams of educators to create engaging, non-routine lessons that focus on key mathematical themes. Eligible applicants include leadership teams from multiple schools, fostering innovation in teaching practices.

The State Justice Institute Project Grant aims to enhance the administration of justice in state courts through innovative projects. It supports education, training, and technical assistance initiatives that demonstrate a need for improvement. Projects are evaluated based on methodology, management capabilities, and potential long-term benefits. Eligible applicants include courts and related organizations, while funds cannot cover routine court operations or salaries of court employees.