Best Grants for Museums in California

The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) offers funding opportunities for clinical trials focused on regenerative medicine therapies, including stem cell and genetic therapies. This initiative aims to accelerate the development of innovative treatments for unmet medical needs, providing up to $15 million for clinical studies. CIRM emphasizes partnership and resource support to ensure project success, addressing the critical stages of clinical trial development within a 48-month project period.

The Associate Degree Nursing Scholarship Program (ADNSP) aims to address the nursing shortage in California by providing scholarships up to $8,000 for eligible applicants enrolled in Associate's Degree Nursing Programs. In return, recipients must commit to a 12-month service obligation in a qualified facility within a medically underserved area post-graduation. This initiative supports the training of Registered Nurses (RNs) who will deliver essential direct patient care, enhancing healthcare accessibility across the state.

The AW Environmental Grant Program, backed by American Water Works Company, Inc., aims to support community-driven projects focused on water conservation and the protection of vital water resources. Since 2012, the foundation has invested over $15 million in innovative initiatives that enhance access to clean water and promote responsible water usage in underserved communities. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) charities and educational institutions committed to environmental stewardship.

The Bachelor of Science Nursing Scholarship Program, managed by the California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI), aims to enhance California's healthcare workforce. Funded by a surcharge on RN licensure fees, it offers up to $10,000 to eligible nursing students in exchange for a 12-month service obligation in underserved communities. This initiative seeks to ensure a sufficient number of trained Registered Nurses provide essential care where it is most needed.

The Dr. Ralph and Marian Falk Medical Research Trust – Falk Catalyst Awards support high-risk, high-reward biomedical research with up to $350,000 in funding over one to two years. These awards aim to address critical scientific challenges and enable the translation of innovative research into clinical practices. Projects focus on identifying biological markers, therapeutic targets, and developing interventions to disrupt disease processes, ultimately improving treatment outcomes for patients.

The Community Planning and Capacity Building Grants, offered by the California Air Resources Board, provide up to $500,000 to assist communities in planning for equitable transportation solutions. These grants focus on early-stage planning, outreach, and workforce development, particularly benefiting Tribal governments, rural communities, schools, and first-time applicants. This funding aims to promote clean transportation initiatives and enhance local readiness.

The Literacy for Life Grants, funded by the California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom, aim to foster agricultural literacy among K-12 students in California. With grants up to $500, educators can initiate or expand projects integrating agriculture into their curriculum. This initiative not only supports educational growth but also recognizes outstanding educators making a significant impact on their students' learning experiences. Explore various project ideas to inspire innovative agricultural education in classrooms.

The Proposition 4 Grant Program, managed by the California Tahoe Conservancy, aims to enhance watershed health, forest restoration, and climate resilience in the Lake Tahoe Basin. Funded by a $4.1 billion bond approved in 2024, it allocates $54.5 million for various environmental initiatives. Through ongoing grant opportunities, the program seeks to mitigate climate impacts, support biodiversity, and improve public access to natural resources, ensuring sustainable management of California's precious ecosystems.

The Banner Bank Community Support Program offers grants to nonprofit organizations in Washington, Oregon, California, and Idaho focusing on housing, youth development, financial education, and economic growth. Priority is given to programs aiding low- and moderate-income populations. Organizations applying must not discriminate and should support essential community services. Applications are accepted year-round, with a review period of 45-60 days. However, certain areas, such as individual scholarships and political organizations, are ineligible for funding.

The INDIGO Program and FPIP are initiatives designed to support industrial decarbonization and improve grid operations while ensuring food production sustainability. These programs focus on funding projects that enhance electrical grid reliability, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and comply with state energy goals. They specifically target eligible industrial and food production facilities, promoting innovative solutions for environmental impact and operational efficiency.

The CFF School Garden Grants, funded by the California Fertilizer Foundation, aim to enhance agricultural education for California's youth through hands-on gardening experiences. This initiative supports public and private schools in implementing or continuing garden programs, fostering sustainability and environmental awareness. Applicants are encouraged to describe their projects, including classroom implementation strategies and educational goals related to plant nutrition. This program not only beautifies school campuses but also enriches students' understanding of agriculture.

The Milton and Sophie Meyer Fund Grant supports Jewish charities, primarily in the San Francisco Bay Area. Established by Milton Meyer, who lived from 1885 to 1978, the fund aims to foster arts, education, health, and human services. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) exempt and focus on Jewish community needs. This grant enhances community welfare through diverse program areas, embodying a commitment to support and uplift Jewish charities in California.

The Farm and Ranch Solid Waste Clean Up and Abatement Grant Program, administered by CalRecycle, offers up to $1 million annually for cleaning illegal solid waste sites on agricultural properties. Eligible sites must be zoned for agriculture and demonstrate a need for cleanup to address public health or environmental threats. Applications must include an EPPP Policy by the specified deadlines to ensure compliance with environmental standards.

The California Inflation Reduction Act Grants support Urban and Community Forestry projects aimed at enhancing tree canopy access and community engagement, particularly in disadvantaged areas. With a state allocation of $30.8 million, these grants promote climate resilience, combat extreme heat, and improve forest health. Funded by the USDA Forest Service, the initiative aligns with President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, ensuring equitable access to the benefits of urban trees and fostering community involvement in environmental stewardship.

The James M. Cox Foundation Grant offers support to nonprofit organizations focused on conservation, early childhood education, family empowerment, and health. Organizations must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt and located in areas where Cox Enterprises operates. Grant applications are accepted year-round, with deadlines before Trustee meetings. Preference is given to organizations with a history of local engagement. This foundation embodies the philanthropic spirit of its founder, James M. Cox, by giving back to the community.

The Division of Boating and Waterways Local Assistance Grant offers funding for the installation of pumpout and dump stations in California, addressing pollution from vessel sewage. This program, established under the Clean Vessel Act, supports both public and private entities, covering up to 75% of installation costs. Eligible recipients must ensure accessibility to all recreational vessels and provide necessary signage. The initiative aims to promote clean boating practices and enhance public awareness about proper sewage disposal.

Our Mission

East Bay Community Foundation partners with donors, social movements, and the community to eliminate structural barriers, advance racial equity, and transform political, social, and economic outcomes for all who call the East Bay home.

Our Vision

Achieving an inclusive, fair, and just East Bay will require transforming our region’s power structures to promote equity.

We strive to build a foundation that advances justice grounded in principles that are informed by the community and rooted in practices of anti-oppression.

Women’s Catalytic Fund

The Women’s Catalytic Fund (WCF) is an East Bay-based giving circle with a mission to fund California-based organizations working towards gender equity. The fund prioritizes investing in female-identifying, non-binary, and gender non-conforming leaders in primarily BIPOC communities. One of the main goals of WCF, made up of nine members, is to fund smaller organizations with budgets under a million dollars. They are also interested in catalytic projects that may not have received funding from other foundations.  

As a group of women who are passionate about intersectional feminism, WCF aims to provide funding for work happening at the grassroots level. Each biannual grant cycle, they allocate one-time $15,000 grants that can be put to use immediately, enabling innovative, experimental, and transformative work in California. They believe in supporting the many incredible individuals and organizations that are working to improve gender justice in their communities. 

By providing funding opportunities to those who may not have access to traditional philanthropic resources, the members of the Women’s Catalytic Fund strive to give these community-driven projects resources that can help them succeed.

Our intention is to give directly to frontline organizations when and where resources are most needed. To be considered for funding, initiatives, projects, actions or events must:

• Address gender-based inequity, gender-based violence, patriarchy, or transphobia. We define this as responding to the needs, or developing talent and leadership or independence of female-identifying, nonbinary, and gender non-conforming members of targeted communities.
• Be catalytic. We define this as having the potential to serve as a model or to have a ripple effect, accelerate change, be inventive or experimental
• Be intersectional and collaborative. We define this as crossing boundaries between organizations, issues, and identities in order to create change.
• Prioritize low-income women, women of color, or immigrant women, inclusive of all those identifying as female, and led by and representative of the community being served.

The Dogs for Joy Grant, funded by the Joy in Childhood Foundation, supports the integration of trained facility dogs in pediatric hospitals. These dogs provide emotional support, help children cope with medical procedures, and enhance overall well-being. The program aims to increase the presence of in-residence dogs, as research highlights their positive impact on reducing anxiety and improving patient outcomes. Grants typically cover multi-year funding, promoting innovative animal-assisted therapy approaches in healthcare settings.

The Douglas Foundation Grant aims to enhance equitable access to education, healthcare, and the arts, focusing on improving the lives of children and women in California. The Foundation accepts grant applications year-round from credible not-for-profit organizations, prioritizing those that effectively utilize at least 80% of their revenues for direct services. Preference is given to agencies serving disadvantaged communities, particularly in Los Angeles County, while ensuring that operational costs are minimized.

GFO-25-607 - Clean Transportation Program Hydrogen Infrastructure Project Opportunity (HIPO)

The purpose of this solicitation is to fund the deployment of hydrogen refueling infrastructure for light-, medium-, and/or heavy-duty on-road fuel cell electric vehicles.

This is a competitive grant solicitation. The California Energy Commission’s (CEC’s) Clean Transportation Program announces the availability of up to $45 million in grant funds for projects that will fund the deployment of hydrogen refueling infrastructure for light-, medium-, and/or heavy-duty on-road fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). 

Of the $45 million, up to $21.2 million is dedicated to light-duty hydrogen refueling infrastructure and up to $23.8 million is dedicated to light-, medium-, and/or heavy-duty hydrogen refueling infrastructure.  

The solicitation objectives are to:

• Deploy new hydrogen refueling infrastructure for light-duty (LD) vehicles, with an emphasis on stations located in Santa Monica/West Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento, and San Diego to alleviate market stress due to station demand, as well as medium-duty (MD) vehicles, or for heavy-duty (HD) uses including drayage, transit, and port operations. New hydrogen refueling infrastructure can also be a combination of the infrastructure types (mixed-use) listed above.
• Reopen temporarily non-operational (TNO) stations that would otherwise not return to open retail status.
• Provide additional funding for stations awarded under CEC Grant Funding Opportunity (GFO)-19-602 which are fully permitted and lacking capital to finish construction.
• Provide operations and maintenance (O&M) funding for the projects listed above once the station becomes open retail.

The Larry L. Hillblom Foundation offers the Start-Up Grant to support early-career researchers in California focused on diabetes and age-related brain and vision disorders. Grants of up to $120,000 per year for three years are available for projects that demonstrate innovative approaches to medical research. The foundation prioritizes funding for those affiliated with California institutions and encourages applications from those who have not held faculty positions for over a year.

The Nesting Bird Habitat Incentive Program (NBHIP) supports the restoration and maintenance of habitats for nesting waterfowl and game birds on public lands. Established in 2018, it is funded through hunting validation fees, generating approximately $2 million annually. For FY 2025-26, up to $850,000 is allocated for habitat projects, divided into maintenance of existing perennial grass ($150,000) and restoration/enhancement of habitats ($700,000), promoting biodiversity and ecological health.

The Gridiron Veterans Scholarship, provided by the Bob Woodruff Foundation, offers essential financial support for military veterans and first responders. This initiative focuses on wellness, rehabilitation, and recovery programs, ensuring participants can access mental health services, physical therapy, and holistic resources. The foundation prioritizes those facing emotional and physical challenges, empowering them to overcome barriers and improve their quality of life through customized, evidence-based support.

The NIOSH Miner Safety and Health Training Program aims to enhance health and safety training for miners in the Western United States. With mining fatalities significantly higher than the national average, this initiative seeks to address critical training needs by developing effective programs, increasing qualified instructors, and ensuring compliance with existing safety guidelines. By focusing on culturally appropriate training methods and collaborative efforts with other agencies, the program aims to reduce injuries and fatalities in the mining sector.

AgWest Farm Credit offers the Rural Community Grants program aimed at enhancing the economic and social well-being of rural communities in the western United States. Non-profit organizations can apply for grants up to $5,000 for various community projects, such as facility improvements and equipment purchases. Applications are reviewed monthly, and a letter of support from an AgWest employee or customer is required. The program is committed to fostering innovative solutions for rural challenges.

Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Grant Program

The Nutrition Services Division would like to announce this Request for Applications as a grant opportunity for all eligible school food authorities (SFA) to apply for the federal Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) for School Year 2026-27. This FFVP grant period is July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027. The purpose of the FFVP is for elementary schools to provide an additional, free fresh fruit or vegetable snack to students during the school day.

The California Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) is a reimbursement grant program funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and administered by the California Department of Education (CDE) Nutrition Services Division (NSD). The purpose of this program is to provide an additional free fresh fruit or vegetable snack to elementary school students during the school day as a supplement to (and not part of) the School Breakfast Program (SBP) and the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), and to teach students about good nutrition. The FFVP also encourages grantees to develop partnerships at the state and local level for support in implementing and operating the program.

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is inviting applications for the Community Engagement for the California Satellite Methane Project. This competitive grant, totaling $4.75 million, seeks third-party administrators to facilitate community understanding of methane pollution and the project's data. The initiative spans three regions: San Joaquin Valley, northern California, and southern California. The goal is to provide technical assistance and engage communities in addressing methane emissions and improving air quality.