Best Grants for Preschools in California

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) is offering restoration grants to address climate change impacts on fish and wildlife habitats. The program, supported by $35 million from the Budget Act of 2022, aims to enhance biodiversity, promote climate resiliency, and improve public access to natural resources. Eligible projects include water conservation initiatives, habitat restoration, and strategies aligned with the State Wildlife Action Plan. These grants are crucial for preserving California's ecological heritage.

The Joseph H. Stahlberg Foundation, honoring its founder's legacy, offers grants to 501(c)(3) organizations engaged in medical, psychiatric, or psychological research, particularly focusing on dementia, autism, and Alzheimer’s disease. With nearly $2 million in charitable funds, the foundation aims to support impactful research efforts. On average, four grants are awarded annually, ensuring Mr. Stahlberg's commitment to helping those in need continues to make a difference in the community.

About the CDE

Belief & Purpose

Guiding beliefs, principles, and performance benchmarks of the California Department of Education.

California will provide a world-class education for all students, from early childhood to adulthood. The Department of Education serves our state by innovating and collaborating with educators, schools, parents, and community partners. Together, as a team, we prepare students to live, work, and thrive in a multicultural, multilingual, and highly connected world.

Tobacco-Use Prevention Education: County Technical Assistance

The Tobacco-Use Prevention Education County Technical Assistance Funds provide funding to county offices of education to provide leadership, administrative oversight, training, and technical assistance (TA) to all local educational agencies (LEAs) in the county. TA focuses on: tobacco-free school policies, support to LEAs on tobacco-use prevention education and instruction, staff professional development, family and community engagement, interagency partnerships, cessation support and referrals, and program assessment. A portion of TA funds are to be directed to identifying and reducing disparities among disparate youth populations.

Purpose

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Office of Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability (OARS) 2026 Dairy Plus Program will award competitive grants to California dairy farms for the implementation of advanced manure management practices that address both methane emissions and nitrogen and salt surplus.

Description

The 2026 Dairy Plus Program will provide supplemental funding opportunities for projects in previous and in-progress Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP) and Dairy Digester Research and Development Program (DDRDP), and for projects in the process of implementing a system that is equivalent to approved AMMP and/or DDRDP practices (i.e., AMMP-like and/or DDRDP-like practices). 

About the Library

Established in 1850, the California State Library is the central reference and research library for state government and the Legislature. The library collection includes more than 4 million titles, 6,000 maps, and 250,000 photographs. It has an extensive collection of documents from and about the state’s rich history and is one of the major genealogical reference libraries on the West Coast. It also holds significant collections from Mexico, the United Kingdom and Europe, with manuscripts dating back to the 13th and 14th centuries. The State Library is both a State and Federal Depository Library, providing free and open access to government information, and is a U.S. Patent and Trademark Resource Center. It is home to the Bernard E. Witkin State Law Library and the Braille and Talking Book Library. It also directs state and federal funds to support local public libraries and statewide library programs and services.

Digital Literacy and Access

The Digital Literacy and Access opportunity provides funds to help California public libraries improve access to high-speed broadband and improve digital literacy in their communities, through digital navigation services for library users, digital literacy training opportunities for the public, and AI and/or internet safety. The Digital Literacy and Access opportunity provides funds to help California public libraries improve access to high-speed broadband and improve digital literacy in their communities, through digital navigation services for library users, digital literacy training opportunities for the public, and AI and/or internet safety classes.

Purpose

As many as two million Californians experience slow or no internet access at home, which can mean limited access to essential online activities like banking, healthcare, homework, remote work, and job seeking. Without high-speed internet at home, however, these Californians can rely on one anchor institution that offers free, reliable broadband: local public libraries. 

Public libraries provide access to digital resources and the skills to safely use those resources, which are key components of the Broadband for All Initiative (external link). The goals of this opportunity are to help libraries improve access to high-speed broadband and improve digital literacy in their communities.

The Tribal Nature-Based Solutions Climate Bond 2026 Solicitation aims to support California Native American tribes by funding the return of ancestral lands, habitat restoration projects, and enhancing wildfire resiliency. With approximately $9.2 million available, this program encourages multi-benefit initiatives such as land acquisition and local assistance. Funds may be allocated for various purposes, including contracts and grants, promoting sustainable solutions that benefit both the environment and indigenous communities.

About Us

Department of Children, Youth, and Families

DCYF is a cabinet-level agency that works to support children, youth, and families. It oversees the state’s child welfare, juvenile rehabilitation, and early care and education programs.

DCYF Early Childhood Equity Grant

The Fair Start for Kids Act, passed by the Washington State Legislature in 2021, directs DCYF to distribute funds to support inclusive and culturally and linguistically specific early learning and early childhood and parent support programs across the state. The funds are distributed through the Early Childhood Equity Grant program.

The Early Childhood Equity Grant helps support culturally responsive programming so that children have access to diverse care that meets their needs.

Background

The Early Childhood Equity Grant helps support culturally responsive programming so that children have access to diverse care that meets their needs. Grant funds must be used to incorporate inclusive practices, culturally and linguistically supportive and relevant practices, or both into early learning program design, delivery, education, training, and/or evaluation.

DCYF asked providers to choose one of the following goals for their project: preventing suspension and expulsion; increasing the use of research-informed social-emotional teaching practices; increasing the use of culturally and linguistically responsive practices and decreasing bias in the classroom; offering ongoing child assessment and developmental screening; or connecting families to service and supports that meet health, mental health, financial, or other needs. Providers were also able to generate their own goal. After choosing a goal, providers described a project that would help their facility meet that goal. They then provided information about the funding they would need to complete that project.

California Governor's Office of Emergency Services

With over 38 million residents (12 percent of the US population), the State of California is the most populous state in the nation and has the third largest land area among the states (163,695 square miles). California is culturally, ethnically, economically, ecologically, and politically diverse, and maintains the eighth largest economy in the world with 13 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product. California also faces numerous risks and threats to our people, property, economy, environment and is prone to earthquakes, floods, significant wildfires, prolonged drought impacts, public health emergencies, cybersecurity attacks, agricultural and animal disasters, as well threats to homeland security. Cal OES takes a proactive approach to addressing these risks, threats, and vulnerabilities that form the basis of our mission and has been tested through real events, as well as comprehensive exercises that help us maintain our state of readiness to plan for and mitigate impacts.

Intimate Partner Violence Prevention (FD) Program Supplemental

Purpose

To create or expand Intimate Partner Violence, Sexual Assault, and Teen Dating Violence prevention programs.

Description

The purpose of the Intimate Partner Violence Prevention (FD) Program is to prevent intimate partner violence, including teen dating violence, and sexual assault.

Requires Matched Funding: 20%

California Department of Education

California will provide a world-class education for all students, from early childhood to adulthood. The Department of Education serves our state by innovating and collaborating with educators, schools, parents, and community partners. Together, as a team, we prepare students to live, work, and thrive in a multicultural, multilingual, and highly connected world.

Public Charter Schools Grant Program Start-Up Subgrant

Purpose and Background

The PCSGP is a subgrant program funded by the federal Charter Schools Program (CSP), authorized under Title IV, Part C of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) (20 United States Code [U.S.C.] 7221–7221j (External Link). The PCSGP is a discretionary grant program. California was awarded approximately $93 million in grant funds for 2024–29. States that are awarded these federal funds distribute them in subgrants to charter school developers, known as PCSGP Start-Up Subgrants in the state of California, to assist in the development and initial operations of newly established or conversion charter schools as well as to assist in the expansion and replication of high-quality charter schools.

PCSGP Start-Up Subgrants identify funding levels and terms into three subgrant types: New School (Planning and Implementation), Replication, and Expansion. For FY 2026, the CDE has an approved pipeline and budget to award approximately 26 subgrants. The actual number and type of subgrants awarded during each RFA competition may vary based on demand. If all authorized awards are not approved for funding, the CDE may open additional RFA competition events for new applicants until allocated funds have been awarded.

About NCRC

The National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) is a nationwide network of nearly 800 organizations and champions working for a Just Economy, where all Americans can build wealth and provide for their families with stability and dignity.

Our vision: To solve America’s historic racial and socio-economic wealth, income and opportunity divides. This vision is the foundation of the Just Economy Pledge.

NCRC Field Empowerment Fund (FEF) - Housing Counseling Services

The Field Empowerment Fund (FEF) empowers NCRC network members to level up established service lines.

The Housing Counseling Services series within FEF supports HUD-approved housing counseling agencies in driving homeownership, such as through pre-purchase counseling. In addition, the program builds agency knowledge on heirs’ property challenges to better equip first-time and low-income homebuying households with the know-how to retain intergenerational wealth.

In doing so, FEF-HCS aims to help underserved families begin their homeownership journey, with an additional goal of ensuring foresight into the long-term future of their home purchase.

The FEF-HCS series is funded in partnership with Key Bank and HSBC, and targets communities within the Key Bank and HSBC branch footprints.

Through these partnerships, $2.5 million in Key Bank geographies and $1.5 million in HSBC geographies has been allocated for the subgrants for direct-to-client housing counseling services that will be awarded in three rounds in the FEF-HCS track.

Funding Support

Awardee agencies will receive subgrants to support their housing counseling services to clients.

Knowledge Building

Awardee agencies will attend a training session on heirs’ property challenges and best practices, hosted by NCRC National Training Academy. Bolstering counselor knowledge on this topic will ensure that your agency is not only serving clients in their personal wealth-building journey now, but also helping them preserve that wealth in generations to come.

The Western Big Game Seasonal Habitat and Migration Corridors Fund, managed by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), aims to enhance big game habitats and migration routes on federal, private, and Tribal lands. With an anticipated funding of $3 million, projects will focus on improving habitats for species like elk and mule deer, fostering biodiversity and climate resilience. This initiative supports sustainable wildlife populations and prioritizes collaborations with key partners such as the U.S. Department of Interior.

The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) offers the Beverage Container Redemption Innovation Grant Program to support funding for reverse vending machines. This initiative, part of Senate Bill 101, aims to enhance recycling efforts in unserved areas. Projects eligible for funding must align with Public Resources Code 14578 (a)(1) requirements, promoting a circular economy and reducing waste through innovative recycling solutions.

The Joint Institute for Wood Products Innovation Grant for FY 2025-2026, sponsored by the California Board of Forestry, aims to enhance sustainable forest restoration efforts across California. This grant focuses on projects that support long-term ecosystem sustainability, carbon storage, and innovative wood products. Eligible activities include research and development in biomass utilization and workforce development, with a preference for projects that meet current state needs in advancing wood and biomass utilization.

The Redemption Innovation Grant Program, managed by the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, aims to support innovative recycling initiatives by funding start-up costs for various recycling projects. Eligible applicants include certified recycling centers and new businesses looking to establish themselves in California. Projects must address unserved zones and comply with existing regulations, contributing to California's commitment to a circular economy by increasing recycling rates and reducing waste.

Beverage Container Recycling Grants

The Beverage Container Recycling Grant (BCRG) Program aims to reach and maintain an 80% recycling rate for all California Refund Value (CRV) beverage containers – aluminum, glass, plastic, and bi-metal.This grant program encourages market development and expansion activities for beverage container materials by helping organizations establish convenient recycling and litter abatement projects. 

Eligible costs are limited to the following:

• Personnel costs directly related to the start-up/implementation of the project are capped at 25% of the total grant award, such as:
• Recycling coordinator salaries or wages for those directly involved, students, consultants
• Purchase of equipment or materials related to infrastructure such as:
• Beverage container recycling bins/receptacles
• Cluster bins
• Lids
• Receptacle liner
• In-unit totes (multi-family residential dwellings)
• Pads/enclosures to accommodate centralized roll-off, balers, scales, optical sorters (for municipality operating its own Material Recovery Facility)
• Equipment modifications
• Signage
• Brochures
• Installation costs for equipment
• Service cart for use in collection of materials
• Laptops, computers, etc.

California Department of Parks and Recreation

The California Department of Parks and Recreation, popularly known as State Parks, is honored to provide access to parks and open spaces and contribute to a healthier and richer quality of life for Californians and for people all over the world who visit the golden state’s natural wonders.

Mission

To provide for the health, inspiration and education of the people of California by helping to preserve the state's extraordinary biological diversity, protecting its most valued natural and cultural resources, and creating opportunities for high-quality outdoor recreation.

Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program

Since 1965, statewide grants administered by The office of Grants and Services have created and improved over 8,000 parks. We look forward to continuing this legacy with grantees to improve the quality of life for communities throughout California.

Parks are unique places where children can play, families and friends bond, people exercise, older adults socialize, youth are mentored, cultures are celebrated, and everyone connects with nature. For these reasons and more, vibrant parks funded by this program will create humane and healthier communities. Building successful parks in underserved communities is “a work of art.” The Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program (also referred to as Statewide Park Program or SPP) embraces meaningful engagement with residents where park designs represent each community’s unique recreation needs and creativity.

Intent

This competitive grant program creates new parks and new recreation opportunities in underserved communities across California.

The Washington Federal Foundation offers Community Impact Grants to support nonprofits serving low- and moderate-income populations. Focus areas include sustainable housing, economic development for small businesses, community revitalization, and job training programs. Eligible organizations must operate for at least 12 months and primarily serve LMI communities near a WaFd Bank branch. Note that funding is not available for medical endeavors, animal welfare, or arts projects unless they directly benefit LMI populations.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture is inviting proposals for the Adaptive IPM for Invasive Agricultural Pests grant program. This initiative aims to develop integrated pest management strategies that can be implemented swiftly when new invasive pests threaten California's agriculture. With $500,000 available for one award, the program seeks to enhance existing IPM strategies and explore new control measures to combat pesticide resistance and ensure a sustainable agricultural environment.

The F-gas Reduction Incentive Program (FRIP) aims to incentivize the adoption of ultra-low-global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant technologies in commercial and industrial sectors. By promoting these climate-friendly technologies, FRIP intends to reduce fluorinated gas emissions and support California's efforts to meet greenhouse gas reduction targets as mandated by Senate Bill 1383. The program focuses on achieving economies of scale to facilitate wider market adoption and enhance environmental sustainability.

The CCI Quick Grant program offers financial support to artists and nonprofit arts organizations in San Francisco and San José. Eligible applicants can receive up to $600 annually for professional development activities, such as workshops and conferences. The program aims to enhance the administrative capacity and business skills of participants, ultimately strengthening the financial resilience of their artistic practices and organizations. Applications are accepted monthly, with deadlines on the 15th.

The Southwest Border Resource Protection Program (SWBRPP) offers financial assistance to various entities, including the National Park Service, educational institutions, and local agencies. The goal is to enhance resource stewardship and promote international cooperation along the U.S.-Mexico border. This program addresses significant ecological and cultural resource damage caused by illegal activities, supporting scientific research and conservation projects to protect and preserve our shared heritage.

The Michelson Smart Justice Initiative offers Smart Justice Spark Grants aimed at reducing recidivism and supporting the re-entry of system-impacted individuals through enhanced access to education and employment. The initiative focuses on expanding pathways for incarcerated individuals pursuing firefighting careers and improving higher education programming in prisons. It seeks innovative projects that promote policy advocacy, ensure educational quality, and facilitate housing for reentering individuals, ultimately contributing to successful reintegration into society.

Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy Proposition 68 Grant Program

The Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy is pleased to assist non-profit organizations, local public agencies, and tribes by providing grant funding for projects that preserve open space and habitat, increase public access to it, and help create healthy and climate resilient communities.

Funding for Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy grant programs is periodically authorized by the California State Legislature. During the pre-application consultation, Conservancy staff will discuss current opportunities. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

The CA Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) Grant Program, managed by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control, offers grants to local governments, tribal entities, and nonprofits for assessing and cleaning up brownfields. Eligible applicants can utilize funds for environmental cleanup activities, including contamination mitigation and engineering controls. This program aims to foster community health and environmental restoration through effective site management and remediation efforts.

The Beet Curly Top Control Grant Program, established by the California Department of Food and Agriculture, aims to manage the economic impact of beet curly top virus through innovative projects. Funding is available for new management methods targeting the beet leafhopper, the virus's primary vector, with an emphasis on environmentally friendly practices. All proposals must align with the Committee's annual research budget and are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

The CalMoneySmart Grant program, managed by the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, offers annual grants up to $200,000 for nonprofit organizations. Its goal is to provide essential financial education and empowerment services to unbanked and underbanked Californians. Initiated by Senate Bill 455 in 2019, the program has expanded funding to enhance economic security and promote financial stability among vulnerable communities, ultimately fostering wealth-building and financial independence.

The CAL FIRE Forest Health Research Program aims to enhance forest resilience in California by funding critical research in forest health and fire science. This initiative, part of the California Climate Investments, supports studies that address vital topics such as wildfire management, ecological impacts, and socio-economic factors. By prioritizing scientific research, the program ensures that actionable insights are available for forest management decisions to combat climate change effects and promote biodiversity.