Best Grants for Museums in California

The H. Hugh Vincent, MD Family Scholarship for Physicians of the Future provides $10,000 in tuition assistance to medical students nearing the end of their studies. Sponsored by the American Medical Association Foundation, it aims to support students who show commitment to advocacy, rural practice, or specialties like anesthesiology and critical care. Eligible applicants must be enrolled in accredited California medical schools and demonstrate financial need, regardless of AMA membership.

The Tucson Cactus and Succulent Society Research Grant offers funding for research projects involving cacti and succulents, aligning with the organization's mission of education and knowledge dissemination. Grants support projects lasting up to one year, with the possibility of extensions. Budgets must detail all expenses, and co-funding is encouraged. This initiative aims to enhance understanding and appreciation of these unique plants within the Sonoran Desert ecosystem.

The Dorothy Rupe CNA Program Grant, offered by the Arthur N. Rupe Foundation, supports California Community Colleges in enhancing certified nursing assistant and home health aide programs. Grants of up to $50,000 aim to improve student outcomes through financial assistance for low-income students and instructional support, addressing workforce needs for compassionate healthcare professionals. This initiative fosters economic opportunities for underrepresented groups while ensuring quality training in essential healthcare skills.

The Hind Foundation Standard Grant supports impactful community projects in California since 2006. Funding areas include ecosystem conservation, historical landmark restoration, music and visual arts, wildlife protection, and land conservation. Eligible nonprofit organizations must be California-based, have a 501(c)(3) designation, and demonstrate community support. Projects must provide lasting benefits, align with funding areas, and secure adequate matching funds. Grants are not available for previously funded projects or for educational and administrative costs.

The Beverage Container Recycling City/County Payment Program, administered by CalRecycle, allocates $10.5 million for fiscal year 2024-25 to support cities and counties in California. The funding aims to enhance beverage container recycling and litter cleanup efforts through curbside programs, public education, and cooperative regional projects. Eligible applicants include cities and counties, with minimum awards of $5,000 for cities and $10,000 for counties, based on population metrics.

The Save the Redwoods League Research Grant supports innovative research aimed at protecting redwood forests amidst environmental changes. Proposals that contribute to conservation or restoration science for coast redwood and giant sequoia forests are encouraged, particularly those led by Indigenous communities. Eligible applicants include nonprofits and public agencies. The League prioritizes projects that demonstrate matching funds and has a strict policy against funding indirect costs.

California 501(c)(3) nonprofits and government agencies can seek funding for workforce development, sustainability, and thriving community initiatives through Marathon Petroleum. Grants support projects like vocational and technical education, environmental conservation, disaster preparedness, first responder support, youth development, and basic needs. Museum organizations with qualifying programs in these areas may be eligible, especially in communities where the company operates.

The Washington Federal Foundation offers Community Service Micro Grants aimed at supporting nonprofits that assist low- and moderate-income communities. Eligible organizations must have been operational for at least 12 months and be located near a WaFd Bank branch. The grants focus on essential services like housing assistance, financial literacy, and basic needs support, while excluding medical, animal welfare, and arts-related funding unless tied to employment for low-income populations.

Purpose

The selected EPTA PY 25-26 awardee will provide developmental evaluation and technical assistance to projects providing skills trainings to target populations who face unique challenges to accessing employment opportunities. This grant funding provides a valuable opportunity to leverage the evaluation outputs and implement necessary adaptations to support workforce development projects that benefit the individuals and communities they serve.

Description

This grant aims to provide specialized support to help ETPP PY 25-26 projects work better and help program awardees to achieve successful project outcomes. This grant supports a thorough analysis of PY 25-26 ETP Programs, the evaluation will follow best practices for rigorous, transparent, and reproducible analysis, and provide outputs of the evaluation, such as real time interventions, progress reports, and analysis findings. The selected PY 25-26 EPTA awardee will coordinate communities of practice with other technical assistance (TA) providers and assist ETP Program awardees with elevating best practices,  enhancing awardee knowledge and skills, providing targeted assistance, sharing resources, and promoting effective program and administrative practices.   Proposals must be received by 3 p.m. PST on January 5, 2026. An informational webinar will be held on December 8, 2025 at 1:30 p.m. PST. Pre-registration is required. The EDD encourages applicants to submit a notice of intent to apply by December 15, 2025, noon PST to WSBSFP3@edd.ca.gov. The SFP will be posted on EDD's Workforce Development Solicitations for Proposals website.

The AdvoCare Foundation, established in 1993, aims to promote health and wellness for children through its grant program. Focused on year-round initiatives, the foundation supports local communities where AdvoCare distributors operate. Grants typically last one year with an average funding of $25,000, although multi-year support may be available. The foundation prioritizes programs that foster positive health changes and encourages collaborative efforts with previous grantees.

The Wildfire Resilience Initiative Grant Program, funded by the Gordon E And Betty I Moore Foundation, addresses the urgent need for wildfire resilience in Western North America. With increasing threats from extreme wildfires due to climate change and human activity, this initiative aims to transform fire's role from a destructive force to a beneficial element. By supporting research, early interventions, and community preparedness, the program seeks to foster a collaborative approach to enhancing ecosystem health and community safety.

California Commission for Behavioral Health

Proposition 63, approved by California voters in 2004, created the Mental Health Services Oversight and Accountability Commission to drive transformational change across the state’s mental health system.

The Commission oversees the implementation of the far-reaching initiative, which imposed a 1 percent income tax on wealthy residents to pay for mental health services and established a framework for continuous improvement of mental healthcare in the state.

Partnering with public and private mental health agencies at all levels, the Commission works to ensure that people get the care they need in a timely, comprehensive, effective, and culturally competent manner. In everything, it vigorously promotes community collaboration.

Innovation Partnership Fund (IPF) Request for Application (RFA)

The Commission for Behavioral Health (CBH) is thrilled to announce the official release of the Innovation Partnership Fund (IPF) Request for Application (RFA), marking the first round of a significant multi-year investment. This initiative, established through the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA), aims to award up to $20 million in grants this year to drive bold, equity-centered innovations within California’s public behavioral health system.

This groundbreaking fund is designed to invest in solutions that will fundamentally improve how mental health and substance use disorder services are delivered, experienced, and sustained across the state, with a strong focus on supporting county behavioral health departments. This RFA was built upon extensive community and system partner feedback ensuring that the initiatives supported reflect the real-world needs of Californians. It was also developed in collaboration with the California Health & Human Services Agency, the California Department of Health Care Services, the California Department of Public Health, and the California Department of Health Care Access and Information.

This first round of IPF offers two distinct grant categories, each with specific eligibility requirements: Category 1 – Small Grants; and Category 2 – Large Grants.

Category 1 – Small Grants

Grant awards of less than $500,000.

A minimum of 8 grants will be awarded, with a total of $4 million available. These grants are exclusively open to community-based organizations, non-profit entities, and/or tribal organizations.

Key Application Requirements

To be considered for this fund, applicants’ proposed solutions must:

• Be innovative by advancing new or scaled culturally competent models, practical community-centered solutions, demonstrating a clear break from the status quo, or being ready for real-world implementation;
• Address the needs of BHSA Priority Populations, including underserved, low-income, and communities impacted by other behavioral health disparities;
• Apply to and support county behavioral health programs, either directly or indirectly; and
• Address key Cross-Cutting Elements, including Equity, Financial Sustainability, Lived Experience and Community Leadership, Alignment with Statewide Transformation Efforts, and Agility/Quality Improvement Integration.

The Site Cleanup Subaccount Grant Program, established by Senate Bill 445, aims to fund projects that address surface water and groundwater contamination. Priorities include projects that significantly threaten human health or the environment, particularly in disadvantaged communities. The program also considers the cost and environmental benefits of proposed projects and the availability of other funding sources. Environmental justice is emphasized by evaluating the CalEnviroScreen scores of project locations.

The California Commission for Behavioral Health announces the Innovation Partnership Fund (IPF) Request for Application (RFA) for Large Grants, offering up to $20 million this year. This initiative aims to fund innovative, equity-centered solutions that enhance mental health services across California. Grants range from $500,000 to $5 million, targeting county behavioral health departments and addressing the needs of underserved populations. Applicants are encouraged to develop community-centered models that demonstrate significant improvements in service delivery.

The California Department of Housing and Community Development has launched the Permanent Local Housing Allocation Program: Formula Component NOFA, providing ongoing funding to local governments for housing and homelessness initiatives. This program, established under Senate Bill 2, aims to address unmet housing needs in communities by allocating 70% of collected funds. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, ensuring timely support for eligible projects that enhance local housing solutions.

The Tobacco Grant Program in California, established under Proposition 56, aims to reduce illegal sales and marketing of tobacco products to minors. Administered by the Office of the Attorney General, it has provided about $184.7 million in funding since 2017 to local law enforcement agencies. This reimbursement grant program evaluates funding based on submitted proposals, ensuring financial support for effective tobacco enforcement efforts across the state.

The Mathias Graduate Student Research Grant Program offers funding up to $3,000 for graduate research at UC Natural Reserve System (NRS) reserves. Open to all graduate students from UC campuses, it encourages independent research projects and helps students develop skills in proposal writing and budget management. Awardees can present their findings at the Mathias Symposium. Since 1988, the program has supported over 500 students with more than $1 million in funding, fostering diverse research disciplines.

The Sills Family Foundation provides grants to nonprofits focused on early childhood education, environmental justice, arts and culture, and support for families in crisis. They prioritize programs benefiting communities affected by the criminal justice system, as well as refugees and asylees. Grants typically range from $10,000 to $25,000, with an emphasis on systemic change and community-based solutions. The foundation operates primarily in metro New York City and California, accepting applications for one-year grants only.

The Del E. Webb Foundation Grant offers financial support ranging from $5,000 to $3,000,000 for nonprofit organizations operating in Arizona, California, or Nevada. The foundation prioritizes projects that enhance self-sufficiency and have long-term benefits, particularly in child and health initiatives. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) public charities and demonstrate a commitment to community service. The application process involves submitting a Letter of Intent, followed by a formal application if invited.

The Honda USA Foundation's Mobility Pillar Award aims to empower individuals with disabilities by funding programs that enhance access and mobility. The foundation supports nonprofit organizations and schools that provide therapeutic, adaptive, and comprehensive care programs, as well as mobility modifications and assistive technology. Applications are accepted from U.S.-based organizations with 501(c)(3) status or fiscal sponsors, ensuring that the joy of mobility is accessible to all.

About

The University of California Humanities Research Institute facilitates experimental, interdisciplinary humanities scholarship through partnerships, research initiatives, and competitive grants.

UC Underrepresented Faculty Mentorship Fellowship, 2026-27

The UC Underrepresented Faculty Mentorship Fellowship is an intercampus faculty mentoring program serving the ten campuses of the University of California. Our fellowship program pairs junior and mid-career applicants from the humanities and qualitative social sciences with their desired senior mentors from other UC campuses. The aim is to build spaces of support, to share best practices and challenges, and to respond to unspoken expectations in the academy. In addition to providing mentorship training, the program facilitates monthly one-on-one meetings, provides quarterly professionalization workshops based on the needs and preferences of the group, and brings mentors and mentees together for at least one in-person event at UCHRI. Mentors and mentees each receive $1,500 in research funds as well as travel costs for meetings at UCHRI on the UC Irvine campus.

Open to all faculty at the University of California, this program aims to enhance campus climate, retention, and faculty success by connecting scholars across the system who are attuned to the needs, interests, and experiences of underrepresented and underserved communities and their contributions to the university. Applicants will be selected based on their ability to demonstrate one or more of the following:

• Navigation of one or more barriers, on behalf of themselves or others, such as being a first-generation college student, growing up in an underserved geographic area or community, and overcoming linguistic, cultural, or ableist challenges
• Demonstrated research regarding or service in underserved and systems-impacted communities

The Charles and Ruth Billingsley Foundation Grant supports a variety of charitable causes primarily in San Diego County, California. Established in 1988, this private foundation aims to enhance community welfare through funding in areas such as arts, education, health, and human services. Organizations eligible for support must qualify as 501(c)(3) exempt entities. Applications are accepted year-round with a deadline of June 30 for review in July.

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 Eugene and Nell Petrucci Fund #1, established in 1945 by The Pittsburgh Foundation, offers scholarships to graduating seniors from specific local schools. It aims to support students pursuing higher education at accredited institutions, with a focus on those demonstrating financial need. Managed by one of the oldest community foundations in the U.S., this fund reflects a commitment to enhance educational opportunities and improve the quality of life in the region.

Our Mission

The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts seeks to enrich the quality of life of the people of our region by:

• Encouraging philanthropy
• Developing a perpetual, flexible endowment
• Assessing and responding to emerging and changing needs
• Serving as a resource, catalyst, and coordinator for charitable activities
• Promoting efficiency in the management of charitable funds

The Scholarship Program

The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts administers over 160 scholarships. Some of the funds help students from a particular school or area; others provide financial assistance to those pursuing a specific field of study; still others assist students that are most in need. Students who apply to the Scholarship program may be eligible for many of these funds.

• Scholarships may be used to offset tuition, fees, room and board, and other items included as part of the cost for attending the institution. 
• Most scholarships are for students who live in Franklin, Hampshire, and Hampden Counties. However, some are also available to students who live in Berkshire County and Hartford County in Connecticut.
• We offer scholarships to those who attend on either a full-time or part-time basis. 
• Any student who plans to enroll for the upcoming fall semester, in any year of college as an undergraduate or graduate student and who will attend an accredited post-secondary school in the United States may apply.
• Scholarships are provided for one academic year and are not automatically renewed each year. You can reapply to our program every year you are going to attend college, and the application you submit that year will be considered for all scholarships for which you are eligible.

Anthony A. Renaud Memorial Scholarship Fund

To support graduating high school seniors from Hampden County or students enrolled at Mount Carmel School in Springfield who have a parent who is deceased; preference for those who have had a parent die from heart disease.

The CA-AFCS-SD/San Diego Scholarship Fund, supported by The San Diego Foundation, provides financial assistance to California students pursuing degrees in Family and Consumer Sciences. This scholarship prioritizes applicants who have lived in San Diego County for at least one year and covers various majors such as Nutrition and Hospitality. Eligible candidates include high school seniors and college students, with awards adjusted based on enrollment status at accredited institutions.

South Dakota Community Foundation

As a statewide community foundation, we work with donors, nonprofits and community leaders to strengthen philanthropy in South Dakota every day.

Scholarships

At South Dakota Community Foundation (SDCF), we proudly manage more than 350 scholarship funds in partnership with generous donors who are committed to supporting students. These scholarships offer countless opportunities to help ease the financial burden of continuing their education.

Coach Russ Morrell Memorial Scholarship

To provide financial support in assisting aspiring South Dakota students in their efforts to achieve degrees from institutions of higher learning.

For high school athletes, coaches are a part of daily life, but it is a rare privilege when that daily interaction grows into mutual respect and admiration. Coach Russ Morrell inspired that type of relationship with young people over the 40 years he taught and coached in the communities of Irene, Burke, Bon Homme and Wagner. The scholarship’s goal is to assist South Dakota students in their efforts to earn degrees from post-secondary institutions.