Best Escondido Grants for Nonprofits in California

Growing Green Spaces Grant

The Growing Green Spaces 2026 Grant Program provides funding for community-led initiatives that support community health and climate resilience by growing green spaces. Requests can be between $15,000 and up to $40,000.

Background

The Growing Green Spaces (GGS) program at San Diego Foundation (SDF) expands access to parks, green infrastructure and community gardens to support healthy neighborhoods and climate resilience. Building on the foundation of the Outdoor Access, Climate, and Food Initiatives, GGS deepens San Diego Foundation’s commitment to climate resilience by emphasizing the multiple co-benefits of green spaces, including outdoor education, sustainable food production, public health and social cohesion. GGS supports community-driven climate solutions that protect, restore and reimagine shared spaces as essential infrastructure for climate resilience, public health and local economic vitality. GGS prioritizes projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, strengthen climate adaptation and deliver co-benefits such as improved air quality and reduced urban heat. Emphasis is placed on initiatives led by or in deep partnership with communities impacted by climate change.

The program centers local leadership and long-term stewardship, recognizing that communities are best positioned to design and sustain green spaces that meet local needs and deliver lasting environmental and social benefits.

Escondido, California nonprofits and public agencies preparing youth ages 16–25 for independence through life and employment skills can access funding through The San Diego Foundation’s Oceanside Community Foundation Grant. Awards of US $10,000 - US $25,000 support 12‑month projects that benefit Oceanside residents through youth services, job readiness, and life skills training.

Nonprofit organizations and public institutions running food access and nutrition education programs in Escondido, California can access funding via Bayer Fund, as part of its San Diego County eligibility. Grants support comprehensive, behavior-changing initiatives that improve healthy eating, address malnutrition, and increase food security for underserved communities, including families with young children.

The San Diego Foundation

We enable donors and nonprofit partners to tackle the most critical needs facing San Diegans.

For 50 years, donors, nonprofits, communities, government and civic leaders have trusted San Diego Foundation to transform lives and have partnered with us for lasting change that moves our region forward.

As San Diego’s largest regional community foundation, it’s our job to understand the pulse of our local communities better than anyone, enabling donors and nonprofit partners to tackle the most critical needs facing San Diegans.

Community Scholarship Program

Since 1997, the Community Scholarship Program has awarded $59.5 million to more than 15,400 students, making our program the largest non-university scholarship provider in San Diego County. By offering financial assistance, the program helps students dedicate more time to their studies, stay enrolled and complete their degrees.

Tom and Terry Lewis Scholarship

Tom and Terry Lewis Scholarship applicants should:

• Be graduating high school seniors
• Plan to enroll full-time at an accredited four-year university in San Diego County in fall
• Have a cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
• Plan to major in science, technology, engineering or mathematics
• Be a United States citizen
• Have a demonstrated financial need
• Special consideration may be given to students who have participated in extracurricular activities or community service, or have work experience.

Bob Kelly Scholarship

During his 20 years as President and CEO of San Diego Foundation (SDF), Bob Kelly built an enduring legacy that has seen SDF become the regional leader for information about charitable giving and a strong voice for civic engagement. Among a number of significant achievements as President and CEO, Bob was instrumental in building the Community Scholarship Program which is now the largest scholarship provider in San Diego County outside of the university system.

When establishing his own scholarship, Bob wanted to recognize the important role that both San Diego City College and UC San Diego play in the education of so many San Diegans. His hope is to provide a unique scholarship opportunity to those students who may not have been the top of their class, but have since taken advantage of their own “second chance” and are on the path to success.

This scholarship may be used for tuition, books, fees, room & board, and other educational expenses.

The scholarship may be renewable (depending upon available funds) for up to two years of undergraduate coursework at UC San Diego provided the student maintains a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, good citizenship, and continues to have financial need.

• Average number of awards: 2
• Average amount: $3,500

The Julius Sumner Miller Foundation Grant supports projects that enhance science education, particularly in physics, and improve health care for the elderly in southern California's South Bay region. The Foundation prioritizes programs that address critical needs, provide measurable impacts, and are non-discriminatory. Grants are awarded annually, with multi-year options available based on project goals and outcomes. Eligible organizations must hold IRS 501(c)(3) status and cannot be private foundations.

The Jeffrey D. Sollender Scholarship, established by the Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego, honors outstanding high school seniors in the region excelling in entrepreneurship and community service. Awarding up to $20,000 over four years, it supports tuition, fees, and living expenses for those with a minimum 3.2 GPA and a family income below $80,000. This scholarship continues Jeff Sollender's legacy of fostering potential and positive impact in the community.

The Trade Corridor Enhancement Program aims to enhance infrastructure on significant trade corridors in California, supporting efficient freight movement. With approximately $300 million in annual state funding, it focuses on improving safety, reducing congestion, and increasing rail capacity. Projects must align with regional transportation plans and demonstrate readiness and community benefits. This competitive program not only addresses freight system factors but also prioritizes environmental impacts and economic growth, ensuring a sustainable transportation future.

Escondido public and charter elementary schools in San Diego County planning youth gardens that teach water conservation and stewardship can access funding through KidsGardening. Awards of US $1,000 - US $2,250 plus an irrigation supply kit support installing or improving school gardens, with priority for under-resourced communities and programs serving larger numbers of youth.

The San Diego Women’s Foundation is launching the SDWF-Expanding Affordable, Accessible, and Quality Child Care Grant to address the critical shortage of affordable child care for infants and toddlers (ages 0-4). This initiative aims to support nonprofit organizations that enhance access to quality child care, particularly for families with limited options. The foundation prioritizes efforts that contribute to long-term improvements in the child care landscape, ensuring that all families can find safe, developmentally supportive environments for their children.

About

The University of California Humanities Research Institute facilitates experimental, interdisciplinary humanities scholarship through partnerships, research initiatives, and competitive grants.

Grants

As a grantmaking organization, UCHRI primarily funds UC faculty and graduate students who participate in innovative research and projects that engage a variety of disciplines and stakeholders.

Supplemental Multicampus Faculty Working Group Graduate Student Fund

The UCHRI Supplemental Multicampus Faculty Working Group Graduate Student Funding provides financial resources to create or augment support of research-driven, graduate student engagement in Multicampus Faculty Working Groups. Prospective PIs as well as successful applicants from last year who are applying for a renewal grant are eligible to apply for supplemental funding for a graduate student stipend that will allow the substantive inclusion of one or two graduate students in the project. Please note that for administrative reasons, the graduate student(s) must be from the PI’s campus.

Supplemental funding is intended to allow graduate students to participate significantly in large-scale research projects, to receive sustained mentorship from the professors involved in the project and build on their own research, and to help them gain research and project management skills. Full integration means that PIs and project members share the full scope of the project with graduate students, including how it was conceived, what its future will be, and how its budget operates. Graduate students should be both collaborators and mentees and their participation in the project should be carefully considered and diligently managed.

UCHRI has funded integrated graduate student participation in many research-based projects in the past. Graduate students have helped to set the research agenda, used data from research projects to write scholarly articles, engaged with community members around research issues, and shared pedagogical and methodological resources through studio-built websites and workshops.

Integrated graduate student collaboration can take many forms, but grantees are especially encouraged to consider:

• Co-authorship of published materials based on the project
• Management or leadership of a smaller subset of the larger project (serving a particular community or dealing with a particular issue)
• Creation and maintenance of a website/blog/podcast or other multi-modal, public-facing tool to bring attention to the project and share methods and findings
• Participation in planning large seminars, workshops, and conferences and moderating or presenting on panels
• Assisting in grant and budget preparation if the participants decide to extend the project and seek additional funding from other sources

Booz Allen Foundation

Empowering the next generation through advanced technology

Our mission is to leverage the power of advanced technology to improve generational resilience and inspire the future workforce.

At the Booz Allen Foundation, we’re dedicated to empowering human potential and driving wider social impact in a spirit of passionate service. Driven by a purpose to be a force for positive change, we help imagine, invent, and deliver new ways to better serve the public and the world. The Foundation was established in 2017 as a separate legal entity. It holds tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax code and is focused on empowering social change by uniting nonprofit, industry, and government partners.

Our Program Areas

Our philanthropic investments today focus on championing advanced technology readiness and literacy while maintaining a steadfast commitment to the safety and wellness of students. This commitment is ever-present in our drive for innovation

We focus on empowering military-connected youth with advanced technology skills to thrive in a digital future.

We’re focusing resources and efforts in specific neighborhoods in Washington, DC, and San Diego to amplify impact.

We’re proud to support amazing nonprofits that are committed to advancing technology readiness in their communities.

BASF Corporation, a leading chemical company based in Florham Park, New Jersey, is committed to charitable giving that aligns with its corporate social responsibility goals. The focus areas include science education, environmental sustainability, and health and safety. Donations are only made to eligible non-profit organizations under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, ensuring that contributions support initiatives that enhance the quality of life in BASF communities and promote a sustainable future.

The Neighborhood Reinvestment Program offers grants to County departments, public agencies, and non-profit organizations for various community needs, including education, environmental awareness, and public safety. Eligible non-profits must focus on one or more specified areas, while public agencies can enhance community quality of life. Priority is given to capital projects and one-time expenses. Grant funds cannot be used for prohibited purposes such as religious activities or political campaigning.

The Variety Sunshine Coach Grant Program aids children with special needs in Southern California by providing essential resources for mobility, education, and healthcare. Celebrating over 30 years, this initiative offers specially equipped Sunshine Coaches to transport children to necessary services. Organizations must be 501(c)(3) and demonstrate a commitment to serving children aged 0-18. By removing barriers, the program ensures inclusivity and opportunity for every child in the community.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations running structured youth sports programs in Southern California can use this funding for program costs, staffing, sports equipment, facility renovations, or testing new sports-based youth development models. LA84 Foundation prioritizes low-cost, equity-centered programs for underserved youth, including girls and young women, in counties such as San Diego, which includes Escondido.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations running structured sports programs for youth under 18 in Southern California can apply for LA84 Foundation large grants of more than US $10,000. Grants from LA84 Foundation help Escondido, California youth services and sports nonprofits cover program costs, staffing, sports equipment, facility renovations, and testing new sports-based youth development models, with a focus on equity and underserved young people.

The Variety SoCal Grant aims to provide vital support to organizations dedicated to assisting children with special needs in Southern California. With a focus on health care, education, and mobility, the grant seeks to empower 501(c)(3) organizations that demonstrate a strong commitment to serving children aged birth to 18. By ensuring that at least 65% of total expenses are directed towards program services, the grant fosters impactful initiatives tailored to the unique needs of these children.

San Diego County AVID high school students pursuing U.S. post-secondary education can receive scholarship support for college costs. The San Diego Foundation provides Escondido and regional students with US $1,000 - US $5,000 through the SDIAS Mahatma Gandhi Scholarship for AVID Students, emphasizing first-generation college-goers with strong academics and financial need.

Graduating high school seniors in or from foster care in Escondido, California, planning postsecondary education can apply for the San Pasqual Academy Scholarship, awarding US $1,000 - US $5,000 for tuition or related costs. Eligible students must be U.S. citizens with at least a 2.5 GPA and enrolling in an accredited U.S. college, university, or technical school.

Students from Escondido, California in or formerly in foster care who plan to attend a four-year university can receive scholarship support for higher education costs. With a mission to improve opportunity, San Diego Foundation provides San Diego County students with US $1,000 - US $5,000 through the Sanor-Graves Scholarship, prioritizing financial need, academic achievement, and community commitment.

Students pursuing higher education in Escondido, California and across San Diego County can access the San Diego Kiwanis Foundation Scholarship to continue undergraduate or career technical studies locally. Grants from The San Diego Foundation support financially needy students at UC San Diego, Point Loma Nazarene, University of San Diego, or San Diego City College with awards of US $1,000 - US $5,000.

San Diego County undergraduates preparing for K–3 teaching careers can receive scholarship support for their education through the Rubie Eileen Chapman Elementary Scholarship. Escondido, California students at San Diego State University majoring in liberal studies or child development with financial need and a 3.0+ GPA may be eligible for US $1,000 - US $5,000 awards.

The Pfizer Emergent Leader Award recognizes up to eight individuals in the second year of their graduate studies or post-doctoral research in fields such as organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, and chemical biology. This award supports female-identified individuals and provides a $1,500 stipend for travel expenses to present research at the ACS Spring Meeting. Awardees will be honored at the WCC Luncheon and the ‘Just Cocktails’ reception, promoting inclusivity in science.

In just one application, our Common Scholarship Application provides students access to more than 150 scholarship opportunities with awards ranging from $1,000 to more than $5,000.

In 2025, San Diego Foundation awarded a record-breaking $5.5 million in scholarships to nearly 1,400 students.

Millie Vancio Professional Nursing Scholarship

Millie Vancio spent most of her career in the Critical Care theatre as a staff nurse, charge nurse and department manager. She was always amazed by the ability, strength and resourcefulness of the nurses with whom she worked and supervised.

Knowing how challenging it can be to work a full-time schedule and participate in a degree program Millie established the Millie Vancio Professional Nursing Scholarship fund to assist nurses in their pursuit of either a BSN or Master’s degree (MSN or MA) within the field of Nursing or healthcare. This is her way of offering support and saying “Thank you” to working nurses who continue to enhance the profession of Nursing.

Recipients will be asked to submit a copy of their Registered Nursing license as verification of working as a registered nurse and prior to receiving the scholarship.

This scholarship may be used for tuition, books, fees, room & board, and other educational expenses.

This scholarship may be renewable (depending upon available funds) for up to one additional year (including if they are using the first year of an award to finish a BSN and the second year to begin a Master’s program), provided that the scholarship recipient continues to pursue a degree in Nursing or healthcare and maintains a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.

• Average # of awards: 2
• Average amount of award: $1000

The Colburn Foundation Grant supports organizations dedicated to classical music, emphasizing excellence in education, performance, and preservation of the genre. The foundation invites applications primarily from 501(c)(3) organizations that engage in classical music activities. Before applying, prospective applicants must confirm eligibility with the foundation's Administrator to ensure alignment with funding priorities, as support is generally limited to the Los Angeles community.

The William Male Foundation Grant supports individual artists in San Diego County, providing funding between $1,000 and $5,000 for artistic development, training, and project execution. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and demonstrate artistic potential through recommendations and work samples. The foundation prioritizes artistic merit, financial need, and community impact. Applications are open year-round, with decisions made biannually on April 1 and October 1.