Best Operating Grants for Nonprofits in California

About Us

The Recycling Partnership is a team of experts, practitioners, and thought leaders who are deeply invested in protecting our natural resources, creating more sustainable communities, and delivering on our mission of building a better recycling system. We work alongside communities, companies, and policymakers to enact meaningful change across the entire recycling industry.

We firmly believe that if you want to recycle, you should be able to recycle. A robust and accessible recycling system is how we achieve this goal. A better system will deliver the true economic and environmental benefits that our people, our communities, and our entire recycling industry deserve.

This is our mission. This is our purpose. This is who we are. 

Grants for Processors/Materials Recovery Facilities (MRF)

Designed to help equipment manufacturers and MRFs boost throughput and increase capacity. 

The Robert and Virginia Stanton Endowment Grant, established in 1994, prioritizes funding for 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations serving Monterey County. This grant emphasizes one-time special or capital projects that enhance community benefit, particularly in arts, education, and public infrastructure. Notable priorities include support for the restoration of buildings designed by Robert Stanton and various cultural institutions. In 2025, only invited agencies will be considered, ensuring focused contributions to impactful community initiatives.

Cytokinetics is dedicated to supporting local communities in the San Francisco Bay Area and Greater Philadelphia Region by providing access to essential services that address food and housing insecurity. Their funding initiatives aim to foster stability and resilience among at-risk populations, emphasizing charitable donations to qualified 501(c)(3) organizations that align with their corporate giving priorities. This support helps build strong connections between Cytokinetics and the communities they serve.

The Paul L. Busch Award, provided by the Water Research Foundation, honors individuals for innovative research in water quality. This prestigious award supports promising researchers with a $100,000 grant to advance their work. The selection process is inclusive, with no restrictions based on race, gender, or nationality, and encourages applications from diverse candidates. Recipients are expected to collaborate with U.S.-based organizations, fostering practical applications of their research in the water environment.

The Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation Grant supports nonprofit organizations focused on ending hunger and reducing food waste. Since its inception, the foundation has allocated over $59 million to enhance food security through innovative programs and community engagement. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits addressing critical needs such as food access, nutrition education, and support for vulnerable populations. This initiative aims to create equitable food systems and ensure that no one goes hungry.

The Coastal Fund (CF) Grant at the University of California, Santa Barbara, supports initiatives that connect people with coastal ecosystems through funding. With a budget sourced from student fees, the fund prioritizes projects benefiting the UCSB student community. Grants typically range from $3,000 to $15,000, with a total allocation of approximately $200,000 each quarter. The fund encourages collaborative proposals that enhance environmental protection and promote equitable student opportunities.

The Recycling Partnership offers grants for community recycling programs, providing nearly $50 million to support 370 communities since 2014. Their mission is to create a robust and accessible recycling system that benefits people and the environment. Eligible applicants include publicly, privately, and non-profit owned MRFs in the U.S. This initiative aims to enhance curbside, drop-off, and multifamily recycling, ensuring that everyone can participate in sustainable practices.

The Bothin Foundation Grant supports nonprofits with capital investments in social services, youth development, arts, and environmental programs, focusing on those serving disadvantaged children, low-income families, and individuals with disabilities in specific California counties. Eligible projects include building renovations, equipment purchases, and vehicle requests, with a preference for immediate, impactful needs. Organizations must be 501(c)(3) compliant and have a direct service focus, ensuring community benefit and sustainability.

About Foam Recycling

The process to recycle foam is like that of other recyclables. In the case of foam products, a special compactor – called a “densifier” – may be used in the processing of the material. Foam products are over 90% air, so densifying it allows the material to be transported more cost-effectively. To give you an example, a 48-foot truckload of baled foam polystyrene weighs only around 16,000 pounds, whereas a truckload of densified foam polystyrene weighs 40,000 pounds.

Innovative alternatives are being developed and deployed that are categorized as chemical recycling (vs. mechanical recycling). This will take the plastic resin back to its base state – in the case of foam PS, back to a styrene monomer. With chemical recycling, increased organic contamination will only impact the amount of foam for recovery (yield), but will not impact the recyclability of the plastic.

Foam Recycling Coalition Grant Program

Funding Source: Funding for the grant program comes from contributions from members of the Foam Recycling Coalition, a special interest group of the Foodservice Packaging Institute.

Grant Amounts: Funding amounts will be made on a case-by-case basis and will be dependent on equipment needs. The maximum amount per grant is $50,000.

Cash Match: No cash match is required, but additional costs by the grantee may be incurred for related items such as site preparation, provision of conveying system and electrical infrastructure, freight, and other installation costs.

The Pierce's Disease and Glassy-winged Sharpshooter Board offers grants to support research and outreach aimed at safeguarding California vineyards from serious pests and diseases. Prior funding has varied from $4,300 to $383,000, with projects typically lasting one to three years. Emphasis is placed on solutions that effectively address pest issues, encouraging multi-disciplinary teams to enhance the impact of their work on winegrape health.

The Coachella Valley Open Space Acquisition Program aims to protect wildlife and cultural resources while enhancing recreational and educational opportunities. Grants are awarded to acquire conservation lands within the Coachella Valley and surrounding mountains or to improve existing conservation areas. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments, with priority given to projects supporting the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan.

The Ann W. Dooley Advancement Scholarship supports individuals aged 18-25 with intellectual disabilities who reside in Boone, Ogle, Stephenson, or Winnebago County. This scholarship encourages empowerment through education, enabling recipients to enhance their life skills for employment and independence. Established in memory of Ann Dooley, a dedicated educator, this scholarship honors her legacy of service and commitment to helping others. Applicants must provide verification of their disability and enrollment in a post-secondary program.

The AAAAI Distinguished Layperson Award recognizes non-medical citizens for their significant contributions to the field of allergy, asthma, and immunology. Established by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI), this annual award honors individuals who have promoted public education, supported research, and influenced positive change in legislation related to allergies. This acknowledgment reflects the growing importance of citizen volunteers in advancing the specialty and improving patient care.

The AAAAI Distinguished Clinician Award honors individuals with a significant impact on allergy, asthma, and immunology. Recognizing those dedicated to patient care and clinical research, the award emphasizes excellence in diagnosing and treating allergic diseases. Recipients are selected based on their extensive clinical research and contributions to the field, including published works and presentations at national and international meetings. This prestigious recognition reflects the important role of clinicians in advancing allergy and immunology practices.

The Carl and Marilynn Thoma Foundation offers Special Project Funding to support innovative initiatives in the arts, particularly in under-resourced areas. This grant encourages collaborative projects that enhance community engagement and education, focusing on art exhibitions and scholarships in the greater Texas Panhandle. By fostering leadership and creativity, the Foundation aims to empower individuals and organizations to make a lasting impact in the fields of art and art history.

The AAAAI Allied Health Recognition Award honors non-physician members who have significantly contributed to allergy and immunology education or research. As part of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, this award emphasizes the importance of allied health professionals in advancing patient care. Eligible recipients include AAAAI Allied Health members who demonstrate excellence in their field, ensuring that contributions to the specialty are recognized and celebrated.

This funding opportunity from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute aims to enhance health decision-making through comparative clinical effectiveness research, focusing on critical areas such as cancer, maternal health, and mental health. The initiative encourages robust observational studies that utilize existing data to derive patient-centered insights. Applications must address specific themes approved by PCORI and demonstrate potential benefits to the U.S. healthcare system, thus ensuring relevance and stakeholder engagement in research efforts.

The Sustainable Forests and Communities Grant aims to foster environmentally and economically sustainable forest communities in the U.S., particularly where the Weyerhaeuser Family has interests. It prioritizes projects enhancing the environment, economy, and community through sustainable practices. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt entities operating in forested areas, focusing on integrated approaches that value forest ecosystem services. This initiative encourages local job creation, sustainable economic activities, and innovative partnerships to achieve sustainability goals.

The Jane Deming Fund Grant, managed by the Orange County Community Foundation, focuses on supporting musical activities and education for under-served youth in Orange County. The grant is dedicated to projects that involve stringed instruments, provide tuition for music camps, purchase instruments for promising students, and produce performances that reach new audiences. This fund reflects Jane Deming's commitment to enhancing community engagement through music.

The US Dept. of Health & Human Services, through the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, is set to announce a funding opportunity focused on HIV research for pediatric and maternal populations. This initiative aims to foster innovative clinical trials addressing critical research areas in HIV, inviting collaborations from experts in various fields. Applications are not currently solicited, but potential applicants are encouraged to prepare for this opportunity.

The Hope APFED/AAAAI Grant Award aims to support innovative research projects related to Eosinophilic Disorders, excluding asthma, rhinitis, and eczema. This initiative encourages collaboration between the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and the American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders, providing a platform for independent researchers to secure future funding. Applicants must be AAAAI members and hold relevant academic positions, ensuring a commitment to advancing knowledge in allergy and immunology.

The Proposition 68: Rivers and Streams Grant Program aims to restore and protect vital river and stream ecosystems in the Klamath-Trinity Watershed. With a funding of at least $5 million, projects focus on enhancing habitats for salmon and steelhead through activities like reconnecting floodplains, restoring riparian areas, and improving fish passage. This initiative emphasizes ecological restoration and sustainable management practices to benefit both wildlife and local communities.

NAFC Open Grant/Product Donation Applications

The National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (NAFC) is the only nonprofit 501c(3) organization whose mission is solely focused on the issues and needs of the medically underserved throughout the nation and the more than 1,400 Free and Charitable Clinics that serve them. The NAFC has earned the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar and a 4-Star rating from Charity Navigator. Founded in 2001 and headquartered near Washington, D.C., the NAFC is working to ensure that the medically underserved have access to affordable quality healthcare and strives to be a national voice promoting quality healthcare for all. For more information about the NAFC, including how to become a member, please visit https://www.nafcclinics.org.

Breast Cancer Screening & Prevention Initiative

The Breast Cancer Screening & Prevention Initiative, supported by the McKesson Foundation and administered by the NAFC, aims to expand access to lifesaving breast cancer screening and prevention services for uninsured and medically underserved. Through this initiative, the NAFC will provide $30,000 grants to members to establish or strengthen breast cancer screening programs in alignment with evidence-based guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and the American Cancer Society. Funding will support activities such as improving patient identification and referral systems, increasing access to mammography services through partnerships or mobile units, strengthening staffing and technology capacity, and providing patient education and case management to ensure follow-through with recommended screenings. By enhancing early detection and preventive care, the initiative seeks to reduce barriers to care and improve health outcomes for women who might otherwise go without critical cancer screening services.

The Medical and Graduate Student Preceptorship provides a unique opportunity for students to engage in rheumatology through either clinical or research experiences lasting 4 to 8 weeks. Participants will observe practices in a shadowing role, gaining invaluable insights without direct patient management. The program supports students with financial awards of $2,000 or $4,000, depending on the duration of their preceptorship, and includes additional funds for travel expenses to attend professional conferences.

The Down Syndrome – Aim High Scholarship, offered by The Community Foundation for the Greater Capital Region, empowers students pursuing careers in special education or therapy for individuals with Down Syndrome. This scholarship supports dedicated individuals committed to improving the lives of others through education and professional development. Since 1968, the foundation has focused on enhancing community well-being, making this scholarship a vital resource for aspiring professionals in the field.

The Rheumatology Scholarship supports undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students in attending ACR Convergence 2025, a premier event for rheumatology. Awardees gain exposure to innovative research and networking opportunities, enhancing their understanding of rheumatic diseases. The scholarship includes $2,000 for travel expenses and complimentary registration, encouraging future professionals to explore careers in this essential field. This initiative aims to strengthen the rheumatology workforce, ensuring better care for patients with musculoskeletal diseases.

The Rheumatology Scholarship – Workforce Expansion aims to recruit future rheumatology professionals by supporting students and residents from underserved areas to attend ACR Convergence 2025. Awardees receive $2,000 for travel, registration, and a one-year ACR/ARP Membership. This initiative fosters networking opportunities and educational experiences crucial for enhancing patient care in rheumatology. It is part of a broader campaign to address the growing shortage of rheumatologists and improve patient access to care.