Best Grants for Preschools in California

The California Community Reinvestment Grants Program aims to support communities disproportionately affected by past drug policies. Established under Proposition 64, this initiative provides funding for essential services such as job placement, mental health treatment, and legal support. By promoting health, wellness, and economic justice, the program focuses on advancing trauma-informed care and ensuring accountability to stakeholders. Through these efforts, the program seeks to rectify historical inequalities and foster community resilience.

The CARESTAR Grant Program aims to transform emergency and prehospital care in California by prioritizing equity, community involvement, and innovation. By partnering with local organizations, the program focuses on empowering individuals and communities, ensuring they receive appropriate care without fear. It also supports research, collaboratives, and initiatives to build a diverse workforce and influence policies that promote equitable healthcare access, especially for marginalized groups. This program is committed to systemic change with racial equity at its core.

The Orphan Site Cleanup Fund Grant, administered by the California State Water Resources Control Board, offers crucial financial support for the cleanup of sites contaminated by leaking petroleum underground storage tanks. This program is designed for applicants without a financially responsible party and who are ineligible for the UST Cleanup Fund. Funding can reach up to $1 million, covering various response actions including site assessments and corrective action plans, ensuring environmental safety and compliance.

The ACT on Health Equity Community Solutions Challenge Grant, backed by the Astrazeneca Foundation, aims to enhance health equity by funding community-based nonprofit programs. Since its inception in 2021, it has allocated over $2.6 million to initiatives addressing nutrition, healthcare access, and lung health for historically marginalized populations. Eligible US-based 501(c) organizations can apply, with a focus on projects serving underserved communities and improving health outcomes through targeted support.

The Climate Adaptation Planning Grant, part of California's Sustainable Transportation Planning Grants, provides $3 million to support local and regional efforts in addressing climate vulnerabilities in transportation infrastructure. This grant encourages the development of adaptation plans that aim to mitigate damage from climate change and extreme weather. Open to applicants with ongoing or new adaptation efforts, it fosters strategic planning for roads, railways, and other critical transport systems across the state.

The California Deaf and Hard of Hearing Grant aims to provide essential employment and training services tailored for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. By enhancing access to specialized counseling, interpretive services, and job placement opportunities, the program ensures equitable support in job readiness and retention. It targets those actively seeking employment, facilitating their integration into the workforce while upholding a commitment to effective communication and advocacy.

The Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) Program plays a vital role in California's climate strategy by funding projects that promote affordable housing and sustainable transportation. By reducing reliance on personal vehicles, it aims to decrease greenhouse gas emissions. The program supports new construction, renovation of affordable housing, and transportation infrastructure, including transit amenities and safe walking and biking options, thereby fostering equitable access to essential services for all residents.

The Women’s Foundation of California Grant focuses on fostering a multiracial, feminist democracy by supporting grassroots organizations led by women of color and gender expansive individuals. This grant prioritizes initiatives that address racial, gender, economic, and environmental justice, promoting a healthier and more equitable California. Special consideration is given to organizations employing advocacy and narrative change strategies, particularly those serving rural areas with limited resources.

The Wheeler Charitable Trust Grant, established by Ruth A. Wheeler and Henry O. Wheeler in 1982, focuses on supporting education and various charitable causes primarily in California and Washington. Applications are accepted year-round, with a deadline of July 1 for annual review in August. The Trust aims to uphold the values of generosity and resilience exemplified by its founders, funding areas such as arts, health, and human services.

The U.S. Wildland Fire Service Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP) invites proposals for regional fire science exchanges across nine designated regions in the U.S. This initiative aims to promote the sharing of fire science knowledge and practices over a two-year period. Eligible applicants can focus on regions including Alaska, Appalachians, Great Basin, North Atlantic, Northern Rockies, Northwest, Oak Woodlands, Pacific Islands, and Southwest. Proposals must be specific to one region.

The Department of the Interior's Wildland Fire Service Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP) invites proposals for the FLAMES award, aimed at master and doctoral students in wildland fire studies. This initiative enhances research relevance by connecting students with fire management practices, providing experiential learning opportunities, and fostering mentorship. Students will gain valuable insights into management and policy, preparing them for impactful careers in fire science. The program emphasizes peer-learning and professional development in the context of wildland fire management.

The Floating Restroom Grant Program, coordinated by the California Department of Boating and Waterways, aims to enhance recreational boating by providing floating restroom units at lakes and reservoirs statewide. This initiative, rooted in the Clean Vessel Act, ensures the preservation of water quality by preventing sewage discharge. Eligible government entities can access funding for the development and maintenance of these restrooms, which must be kept operational for at least ten years, thus supporting both public health and environmental integrity.

Our Mission

The Sundance Institute is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the discovery and development of independent artists and audiences. Through its programs, the Institute seeks to discover, support, and inspire independent film and media artists from the United States and around the world, and to introduce audiences to their new work.

Graton Artist Opportunity

The Sundance Institute | Graton Artist Opportunity serves to cultivate a stage for artists from federally and non-federally recognized California Indian tribes to tell their stories through film. Artists will receive access to curated courses from the Sundance Collab platform, which provides a virtual destination for emerging artists to learn craft and career strategies and to build community through courses, workshops, advisor sessions, extensive resources, and virtual community gatherings.

Why is this opportunity available only to artists with tribal affiliations in California?

The Graton Artist Opportunity is made possible as part of a $4 million endowment from the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria to facilitate support for Indigenous Californians.

California is one of the most tribally diverse states in the nation. While many films are made on their ancestral lands, the California Native perspective is underrepresented on and behind the screen. This opportunity aims to identify and cultivate California Native filmmakers to share their stories.

What benefits do I receive as part of this opportunity?

With the support of Sundance Institute and the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria, Graton artists will receive support to curate a Sundance Collab program to help advance their project or deepen their professional goals. In addition to the individual support, the Graton artist will receive yearlong access to Sundance Collab.

Do I need a project to apply?

No, you do not need a project to apply. This opportunity can support you at any stage in your career or project development.  

The Henry L. Guenther Foundation Grants support charitable organizations in California, focusing on improving social conditions and human welfare. Funding is aimed at diverse projects including medical services, youth opportunities, and community programs. Grants are awarded for 12 months, and any unspent funds must be returned. Eligible applicants include qualified tax-exempt organizations, while individuals and changes to grant scopes are not accepted. This foundation enhances the quality of life for Southern California residents by backing impactful initiatives.

The Strategic Partnerships Grants, provided by the California Department of Transportation, support multimodal transportation planning activities through a competitive application process. Grants range from $75,000 to $500,000 and focus on addressing transportation deficiencies on the State highway system. Various planning activities are encouraged, including climate adaptation and sustainable community initiatives, aiming to meet California's greenhouse gas reduction targets by 2030 and 2050.

The Sustainable Transportation Planning Grants support local and regional planning efforts aimed at enhancing active transportation, safe routes to schools, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and 2050. With a total funding of $29.5 million, these competitive grants also include subcategories for climate adaptation planning and strategic partnerships. Eligible projects must align with state goals and contribute to comprehensive transportation strategies, with grant amounts ranging from $50,000 to $700,000.

The Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Program, initiated by the California Department of Transportation, aims to enhance the state's multi-modal transportation system while addressing climate change. Funded by Senate Bill 1, it allocates approximately $25 million annually to support local and regional planning initiatives. The program emphasizes partnerships with Metropolitan Planning Organizations and offers grants ranging from $100,000 to $500,000, fostering strategic projects that improve transportation infrastructure and promote sustainable communities.

The Cannabis Equity Grants Program for Local Jurisdictions aims to promote economic justice for those impacted by cannabis criminalization by providing support to local governments. With $15 million available for fiscal year 2025-2026, the program helps reduce barriers to entry in the regulated cannabis industry for equity applicants and licensees. By offering technical assistance and funding, it seeks to create fair opportunities and address systemic inequalities, thus supporting the transition to a legal cannabis market.

The Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) for Federally-Recognized Tribes in California aims to enhance security projects. For fiscal year 2024, the program focuses on addressing high-priority preparedness gaps to bolster tribal capabilities in preventing and responding to terrorism. Funds must support statewide preparedness activities, ensuring tribes can effectively mitigate risks and recover from potential threats. This initiative is crucial for improving community safety and resilience against acts of terrorism.

The Empty Glass Beverage Transportation Grant Program aims to enhance the transport of empty glass beverage containers to processing facilities in California via rail. With an annual budget of $1,000,000 from the Beverage Container Recycling Fund, this program supports projects that improve rail transport efficiency, including equipment purchases, construction of new rail lines, and related personnel costs. Eligible projects must ensure operations are conducted by California-based businesses.

Project Lead The Way is offering a rolling grant for schools to implement the PLTW Biomedical Science program for the 2026-2029 academic years. Eligible schools can receive up to $14,000 to cover participation fees and training costs. This grant encourages public, private, and charter schools across the U.S. to enhance their science curriculum, supporting students with engaging, hands-on learning experiences. Schools must commit to offering specific courses during the grant period to qualify for funding.

The Slave 2 Nothing Foundation supports 501(c)(3) organizations addressing human trafficking and substance abuse in states with In-N-Out Burger locations. Their mission is to empower individuals to overcome enslavement by providing essential resources and support. The foundation follows a rigorous vetting process for grant applications, emphasizing the importance of impactful solutions and community engagement. They encourage eligible nonprofits to apply annually, promoting sustainable support for vital services aimed at healing and freedom.

The California Casualty Music & Arts Grant supports K-12 public schools facing budget cuts that threaten their music and arts programs. Eligible applicants, who must be active employees of public K-12 schools and members of specified educator associations, can request grants of $250 for music or arts needs. This initiative aims to enhance creative education across the states, excluding AK, HI, MA, MI, NY, and WI. Applications received by July 15 will be notified by November 30.

Urban Greening 2026

Urban Greening Grant Program funds projects that use nature-based solutions to mitigate the urban heat island effect, rising temperatures, and extreme heat impacts in urban areas.

The 2026 Urban Greening Grant Program will solicit Step 1 Concept Proposals (between May 4-June 4) and extend invitations to submit Step 2 Full Proposals in July 2026.

Successful projects will green and cool communities and offer multiple benefits including sequestering carbon, limiting stormwater runoff, providing habitat and preserving biodiversity, protecting public health during extreme heat, increasing equity, and expanding economic and workforce opportunities. Funded projects are expected to advance the goals of the State’s Extreme Heat Action Plan and Nature-Based Solutions Climate Targets.

Urban Greening projects must comply with all the following:

• Be located in an urban area;
• Provide public benefit; and
• Provide public access

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 Senate Bill 1 Sea Level Rise Adaptation Grant Program, administered by the California Ocean Protection Council, aims to support coastal communities in developing and implementing nature-based adaptation projects against sea level rise. Recognizing the urgent threat posed by climate change, the program provides essential funding for local governments to enhance resilience and protect critical infrastructure, public health, and biodiversity along California's coastline and San Francisco Bay.

The FFY 2024 State & Local Cybersecurity Grant aims to aid local governments and federally recognized tribes in enhancing cybersecurity measures. By addressing risks to information systems and critical infrastructure, the program seeks to improve resilience and operational continuity. Funded through the IIJA, the grant focuses on governance, assessment, mitigation, and workforce development, ensuring that organizations are equipped to respond effectively to cybersecurity challenges and threats in their communities.