Best Marketing Grants for Nonprofits in California

The Impact Projects Grants from the California Arts Council aim to empower local artists to address social issues within historically underserved communities. This program encourages collaborations between artists and community members to creatively tackle challenges such as economic disparity, health access, and social justice. Eligible organizations must have a proven history in arts programming and comply with specific guidelines to ensure community engagement and accessibility, fostering cultural expression unique to California's diverse populations.

The California State Coastal Conservancy is offering grants to support projects that aid the recovery of the southern sea otter along California's coast. These grants, funded by the California Sea Otter Fund, prioritize research and initiatives that evaluate sea otter reintroduction strategies and address critical recovery actions outlined in the Federal Sea Otter Recovery Plan, promoting the health of the nearshore ecosystem.

Project Lead The Way (PLTW)

Our Mission: Empower Students to Thrive in an Evolving World

Our Philosophy for Education: We believe all students – beginning at a young age – need access to real-world, applied learning experiences that empower them to gain the skills they need to thrive in college, career, and beyond.

We believe teachers play an immeasurable role in empowering students, and our programs provide teachers with the support and resources they need to devote more time to inspiring students.

ON Semiconductor Foundation

onsemi is a leading semiconductor manufacturer serving tens of thousands of customers across several markets with intelligent power and sensing technologies.

The ON Semiconductor Foundation, an onsemi Giving Now program, has named PLTW a strategic partner and made an additional investment to support grants for schools in onsemi communities to implement or expand the PLTW Biomedical Science program for the 2026-2027 school year.

PLTW Biomedical Science - New Program

Program Requirements

Grantee must offer at least one PLTW Biomedical Science course in the 2026-2027 academic year. Schools may implement any PLTW Biomedical Science courses of their choosing.

The Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program aims to support large-size law enforcement organizations in California, focusing on training and enforcement related to impaired driving laws, including those pertaining to cannabis. With approximately $13 million available, each grant can reach up to $1 million, requiring applicants to justify their budget requests and demonstrate measurable goals. This initiative seeks to enhance public safety by addressing the challenges posed by drug-impaired driving.

About the Pacific Northwest Kiwanis Foundation

Through Helping Hands Fellowships, memorial gifts, and bequests, the Foundation provides a variety of ways to leave a lasting legacy for the children and youth of the Pacific Northwest.

Every member of a Kiwanis club in the Pacific Northwest District is also a member of the Pacific Northwest Kiwanis Foundation.

Our Purpose

The Pacific Northwest Kiwanis Foundation is a non-profit charitable corporation founded in 1985 and endorsed by the Pacific Northwest District of Kiwanis International:

• To promote the sponsored youth groups of the Pacific Northwest Kiwanis District. These include: Circle K (college/university students); Key Clubs (high school students); Builders Clubs (middle school students); K Kids (elementary school students); and Aktion Clubs (adults with disabilities).
• To assist needy persons – particularly youth
• To assist worthy youth to attain vocational excellence
• To aid the handicapped and disadvantaged

Specific emphasis is directed to promotion and support of sponsored youth groups particularly through scholarships and leadership training.

Grants

The PNW Kiwanis Foundation provides support for children, youth, and the disabled in the Pacific Northwest through grants designated for Kiwanis-sponsored projects.

During the last 2 years the PNW Kiwanis Foundation gave away over $20,000 in grant money.

PNW Kiwanis Foundation New Club Opening Mini Grant

The PNW Kiwanis Foundation will provide a $500 mini grant to new clubs to help kick start their charitable giving. Clubs are required to provide us with a “bragging-rights” status report and pictures of how these monies were used after completion of their project.

Purpose

Grants provide limited opportunities for Kiwanis clubs to receive financial assistance with a key project benefiting children or youth in their community. Funded projects may also provide an opportunity to generate exposure for the Foundation and its activities.

Grants must be in keeping with the purpose of the Foundation, which generally is to support children and youth in the Pacific Northwest. Projects that fall outside the Pacific Northwest may be quite worthy of support but would not qualify for a grant from the Foundation.

Club Support

The Foundation does not want to support a project that is not supported by the local Kiwanis club. That is why all grant requests must be accompanied by a letter of support from the Kiwanis club.

The Bonnie Cardone Memorial Scholarship, offered by the Women Divers Hall of Fame, awards $1,500 to a woman diver enrolled in a U.S. or Canada degree program in journalism, graphic arts, photography, or videography. This scholarship aims to support those committed to using their education to benefit the ocean environment and community, promoting greater awareness and conservation efforts. Eligible applicants must demonstrate their dedication to these fields and their potential impact on marine ecosystems.

The Amplifying Impact Initiative aims to strengthen the role of community health workers (CHW/P/Rs) in California's health equity landscape. By connecting 28 CHW/P/R Medi-Cal providers with essential grants and resources over 18 months, this initiative seeks to enhance the workforce's capabilities and support culturally responsive health services. Participants will also gain access to high-quality job opportunities, promoting sustainability and growth within the CHW/P/R sector.

Creating Health Access for Next Generation Equity (CHANGE) Grant Program

Launched in 2023, the AstraZeneca Foundation’s signature Creating Health Access for Next Generation Equity (CHANGE) program works to improve access to quality healthcare.

Beginning April 1, 2026, the AstraZeneca Foundation will accept grant requests of $200,000 - $220,000 for review and consideration for its next cohort of CHANGE grant awardees. Organizations receiving funding in 2026 may be considered for renewed funding on an annual basis for two additional years, contingent upon meeting objectives, funding availability and approval by the Foundation’s Board of Trustees.

The intent of the grants is to provide general operating support for organizations working in innovative, collaborative ways at the community level to help improve access to quality healthcare in their community during the grant year and beyond. Our aim is for funded organizations to maximize the benefit to community members and community-based organizations and to work toward continuing their services beyond potential AstraZeneca Foundation funding.

Please see FAQs for additional guidelines.

About Community Alliance with Family FarmersOur mission is to build sustainable food and farming systems through policy advocacy and on-the-ground programs that create more resilient family farms, communities, and ecosystems. CAFF’s core values form the foundation on which we conduct our programs and activities. The values support our work, how we interact with each other, and how we fulfill our mission.

About California Underserved and Small Producer ProgramThe California Underserved and Small Producer (CUSP) Program is designed to facilitate support for small and medium scale California agricultural producers, or small and medium scale Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers (SDFR’s) through technical assistance with business planning and financial and marketing strategies, and also provides direct farmer grants for drought relief for those same priority groups. Funding:

• Farmers can receive up to $20,000 in CUSP funding in a 12-month period, regardless of the granting organization(s).
• Eligible producers may receive up to $20,000 in CUSP Drought Relief funds as well as up to $20,000 in CUSP Extreme Weather Relief funds (for a total of up to $40,000) within a 12-month period (from date of CDFA approval/verification)

The Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program aims to enhance data collection in Medical Examiner and Coroner's offices regarding DUI/DUID incidents. With approximately $11 million available, each grant application can request up to $2 million. The funds will support new initiatives or expand existing activities to ensure thorough investigations when fatalities occur due to vehicular incidents involving impaired drivers. Applicants must demonstrate a clear need and measurable goals for the proposed budget items.

The Bright Futures Scholarship, initiated by the Silicon Valley Community Foundation in 2010, supports students in California demonstrating academic promise. Eligible candidates include graduating high school seniors, current college students, and re-entry students with a minimum 2.0 GPA. This scholarship aims to enhance educational opportunities for those planning to enroll in two- or four-year institutions, providing vital financial assistance to deserving applicants.

The Elevance Health Foundation's Behavioral Health Grant aims to address significant challenges in mental health and substance use disorders. With a commitment of up to $90 million over three years, the Foundation seeks partnerships with nonprofits to enhance treatment access, promote prevention strategies, and alleviate loneliness among affected individuals. This initiative emphasizes innovative solutions and measurable outcomes, targeting both national and local programs, particularly in states with pressing health disparities.

Purpose

The Song-Brown program funds institutions that train primary care health professionals to provide healthcare in California’s medically underserved areas.

Description:

This grant opportunity will result in funding organizations to train primary carenurse practitioners and physician assistant trainees to work in underservedcommunities. Such strategies shall incorporate the following elements:

• Establishing procedures to identify, recruit and admit primary care nursepractitioner and physician assistant trainees who possess characteristicswhich would suggest a predisposition to practice in areas of unmet need, andwho express a commitment to serve in areas of unmet need.
• Implementing counseling and placement program to encourage trainingprogram graduates to enter practice in areas of unmet need.
• Providing a preceptorship experience in an area of unmet need to enhancethe potential of training program graduates to practice in such an area.

The Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program supports small and mid-size law enforcement agencies in California, providing approximately $13 million in funding for training and education on traffic laws related to driving under the influence of drugs, including cannabis. With a cap of $500,000 per application, the program aims to enhance enforcement efforts and improve community safety. Agencies with 100 to 500 employees are eligible to apply, emphasizing the need for measurable goals and justifications.

The Song-Brown Registered Nurse Education Program (CA) aims to fund organizations that train Registered Nurses (RNs) for underserved communities. Grants support pre-licensure RN programs to recruit students from Registered Nurse Shortage Areas (RNSAs) and prepare them for diverse environments. Eligible programs may receive funding for existing or expansion slots, with a maximum award of $300,000 for two years. This initiative enhances healthcare access in multicultural and low-income neighborhoods.

The Cannabis Tax Fund Grant Program supports California's Toxicology Crime Laboratories in enhancing DUI/DUID enforcement. With approximately $11 million available, grants aim to improve practices and provide necessary resources for testing and analysis of substances, including cannabis. Applicants are encouraged to propose measurable goals and justify their funding needs, with a maximum of $2 million per application to strengthen public safety and uphold traffic laws.

The Ralph J. Torraco Scholarship for Special Education, offered by the UNICO Foundation, provides two scholarships of $2,500 each for U.S. students pursuing degrees in Special Education. Eligible candidates must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and plan to continue their studies into the 2026-2027 academic year. This scholarship supports students with various disabilities, ensuring that education is accessible and equitable for all.

The Ford Scholarships provide significant financial support, up to $40,000 per year, for promising high school seniors and recent graduates from Oregon and Siskiyou County, California. This renewable scholarship aims to assist those facing barriers to higher education, regardless of GPA. The program offers comprehensive support, including personal guidance and a lifetime connection to a dedicated alumni community, ensuring that scholars are well-equipped to succeed in their academic pursuits.

The Ralph J. Torraco Scholarship for Veterinary Studies, offered by the UNICO Foundation, provides two scholarships of $2,500 each for students pursuing veterinary studies at accredited U.S. colleges. Eligible candidates must be U.S. citizens, enrolled full-time, and maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher. This opportunity supports diverse applicants and emphasizes community service, reflecting UNICO's commitment to Italian American heritage and educational advancement.

The Dollar General Literacy Foundation offers Adult Literacy Grants to support organizations providing essential literacy services to adults. Grants of up to $10,000 are available for programs in Adult Basic Education, GED preparation, and English language acquisition. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) organizations, schools, and libraries located within 15 miles of a Dollar General store. The foundation aims to enhance educational opportunities and foster personal growth through literacy.

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 Trauma Recovery Center Grant supports California organizations providing vital mental health and social services to survivors of violent crime. With an annual funding of $2 million from the Restitution Fund, this grant enables TRCs to offer comprehensive support tailored to individual needs, including clinical case management and trauma-informed treatment. The initiative aims to enhance accessibility for underserved victims, ensuring they receive the necessary resources and support to aid in their recovery.

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 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 Marian and Pink Happ Fund, established by Mr. Pinkus Happ, aims to support underprivileged children in California. With a history rooted in family business and community support, the fund provides an average of eight grants annually to 501(c)(3) organizations. The trustees, Wells Fargo Bank N.A., ensure that the funds are directed towards impactful charitable initiatives within the state, continuing Mr. Happ's legacy of generosity and commitment to children in need.

California Department of Public Health

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) works to protect the public’s health and shape positive health outcomes for individuals, families and communities. Public health is for everyone; not just in emergencies but in everyday life — from heart health and mental wellness to food safety and the prevention of infectious and chronic diseases. Our programs and services, in collaboration with local health departments, state, federal and private partners, touch the lives of every Californian and visitor, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

The California Tobacco Control Branch

The California Tobacco Control Branch leads statewide and local health programs, services and activities that promote an environment truly free of tobacco. ​

Statewide Priority Population Coordinating Center 

Purpose

This Request for Application (RFA) seeks to fund one (1) Statewide Priority Population Coordinating Center (PPCC), to coordinate and foster interactive and integrative collaboration and communication among California Department of Public Health, California Tobacco Prevention Program (CDPH/CTPP)-funded projects, as well as other state, regional, and local partners to address tobacco-related disparities. The PPCC will focus on each of the following population groups starting July 1, 2026: 1) African American/Black; 2) Asian American/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI); 3) Latino; 4) Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning (LGBTQ+); 5) Rural communities. Starting July 1, 2027, the PPCC will also incorporate collaboration and communication with American Indian and Alaska Native populations.

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.