Search Through Grants for Rural Development in California in the U.S.

What does this program do?

This program provides affordable funding to develop essential community facilities in rural areas. An essential community facility is defined as a facility that provides an essential service to the local community for the orderly development of the community in a primarily rural area, and does not include private, commercial or business undertakings.

What is an eligible area?

Rural areas including cities, villages, townships and towns including Federally Recognized Tribal Lands with no more than 20,000 residents according to the latest U.S. Census Data are eligible for this program.

How may funds be used?

Funds can be used to purchase, construct, and / or improve essential community facilities, purchase equipment and pay related project expenses.

Examples of essential community facilities include:

• Health care facilities such as hospitals, medical clinics, dental clinics, nursing homes or assisted living facilities.
• Public facilities such as town halls, courthouses, airport hangars or street improvements.
• Community support services such as child care centers, community centers, fairgrounds or transitional housing.
• Public safety services such as fire departments, police stations, prisons, police vehicles, fire trucks, public works vehicles or equipment.
• Educational services such as museums, libraries or private schools.
• Utility services such as telemedicine or distance learning equipment.
• Local food systems such as community gardens, food pantries, community kitchens, food banks, food hubs or greenhouses.

Grant Approval

Applicant must be eligible for grant assistance, which is provided on a graduated scale with smaller communities with the lowest median household income being eligible for projects with a higher proportion of grant funds. Grant assistance is limited to the following percentages of eligible project costs:

Maximum of 75 percent when the proposed project is:

• Located in a rural community having a population of 5,000 or fewer; and
• The median household income of the proposed service area is below the higher of the poverty line or 60 percent of the State nonmetropolitan median household income.

Maximum of 55 percent when the proposed project is:

• Located in a rural community having a population of 12,000 or fewer; and
• The median household income of the proposed service area is below the higher of the poverty line or 70 percent of the State nonmetropolitan median household income.

Maximum of 35 percent when the proposed project is:

• Located in a rural community having a population of 20,000 or fewer; and
• The median household income of the proposed service area is below the higher of the poverty line or 80 percent of the State nonmetropolitan median household income.

Maximum of 15 percent when the proposed project is:

• Located in a rural community having a population of 20,000 or fewer; and
• The median household income of the proposed service area is below the higher of the poverty line or 90 percent of the State nonmetropolitan median household income. The proposed project must meet both percentage criteria. Grants are further limited.

Background

De Colores Rapid Response Fund (RRF) has been established at PDF in honor of retired Development Officer, Ray Santiago. In his many years working in the farmworker movement, “De Colores,” a traditional Mexican folk song that celebrates nature and diversity, was and still is one of Ray’s favorite tunes. It is a great example of solidarity.

Ray recalls, “If I remember correctly, the song came to the Americas from Spain back in the 16th or 17th century. The song became very popular within the Latino community for special celebrations and occasions. It became the anthem of the United Farm Workers in California in the early 1960s. In time, it became the anthem of the larger farmworker movement, including the Farm Labor Organizing Committee (FLOC) in the Midwest, Florida and Texas. We would cross arms and sing it at rallies and picket lines. It’s a very uplifting song and always brought comfort to me.”

De Colores RRF is looking to impact positive, dynamic-shifting opportunities, rather than provide emergency response for humanitarian crises or technical assistance. It is designed to make funds available for quick, short-term delivery to hot spots of opportunity for organizing in marginalized urban and rural communities.

Criteria for grants from the fund include:

• Organizing in U.S. grassroots communities, with a focus on communities of color, poor and working class; 
• Opportunities for strategic intervention (i.e. Ferguson and Baltimore moments);
• Opportunities to impact new and strategic shifts (i.e. Occupy); and
• Opportunities to amplify the effects of in-the-moment issues (i.e. Hurricane Maria or #MeToo). The event or situation you are responding to was unanticipated and requires urgent action that is well thought out with clear goals and desired outcomes.

What does this program do?

This program helps eligible communities prepare, or recover from, an emergency that threatens the availability of safe, reliable drinking water.

What kind of event can qualify as an emergency?

• Drought or flood
• Earthquake
• Tornado or hurricane
• Disease outbreak
• Chemical spill, leak or seepage
• Other disasters

How may the funds be used?

• Water transmission line grants up to $150,000 to construct waterline extensions, repair breaks or leaks in existing water distribution lines, and address related maintenance necessary to replenish the water supply
• Water source grants up to $1,000,000 are to construct a water source, intake or treatment facility

Why does USDA Rural Development do this?

This program helps prevent damage or restore households and business' access to clean, reliable drinking water in eligible rural areas and towns following natural disasters. Funding can improve the natural environment and encourage manufacturers and other businesses to locate or expand operations.

Purpose

These guidelines establish the process, procedures, and criteria through which the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) will award and administer competitive grants with funds made available by Public Resources Code section 80132, subdivisions (d), (e)(2), and (g), for projects that improve a community’s ability to adapt to the unavoidable impacts of climate change; improve and protect coastal and rural economies, agricultural viability, wildlife connectivity, or habitat; develop future recreational opportunities; or enhance drought tolerance, landscape resilience, and water retention in accordance with statewide priorities (PRC §80130).

Fish and Wildlife Improvement Grants

Improvement of conditions for fish and wildlife in streams, rivers, wildlife refuges, wetland habitat areas, and estuaries.

Proposition 68

The California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, And Outdoor Access For All Act Of 2018 (Proposition 68) funding for CDFW grants for projects that:

• improve a community's ability to adapt to the unavoidable impacts of climate change
• improve and protect coastal and rural economies, agricultural viability, wildlife corridors, or habitat
• develop future recreational opportunities, or
• enhance drought tolerance, landscape resilience, and water retention

The CDFW Watershed Restoration Grants Branch distributes Proposition 68 funds on a competitive basis to projects that address these priorities:

• River and Stream Restoration - Restoration of rivers and streams for fisheries and wildlife
• Southern Steelhead Habitat Restoration - Restoration of Southern California Steelhead habitat
• Fish and Wildlife Habitat Restoration - Improvement of conditions for fish and wildlife in streams, rivers, wildlife refuges, wetland habitat areas, and estuaries

Proposition 68 funds supports three types of projects: 1) planning, 2) implementation, and 3) acquisition projects.

Fish and Wildlife Improvement Grant Program

Funding is available for PRC section 80132(g) for to improve conditions for fish and wildlife in streams, rivers, wildlife refuges, wetland habitat areas, and estuaries. Eligible projects include acquisition of water from willing sellers, acquisition of land that includes water rights or contractual rights to water, short- or long-term water transfers or leases, provision of water for fish and wildlife, or improvement of aquatic or riparian habitat conditions. 

• Improve conditions for fish and wildlife in streams, rivers, wildlife refuges, wetland habitat areas and estuaries;
• Acquisition of water from willing sellers;
• Acquisition of land that includes water rights of contractual rights to water;
• Short- or long-term water transfers or leases;
• Provision of water for fish and wildlife; and
• Improvement of aquatic or riparian habitat conditions. 

Funding

Funding for competitive grants will be contingent upon fund availability. Proposition 68, passed by California voters in June 2018, amended the PRC to add, among other articles, section 80132, subdivisions (d), (e)(2), and (g), authorizing the Legislature to appropriate up to $25,000,000 to CDFW to restore and protect rivers and streams in support of fisheries and wildlife, including $5,000,000 in the KlamathTrinity watersheds; up to $30,000,000 to CDFW to restore Southern California Steelhead habitat; and up to $30,000,000 to CDFW to improve conditions for fish and wildlife in streams, rivers, wildlife refuges, wetland habitat areas, and estuaries; respectively. 

Proposition 68

The California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, And Outdoor Access For All Act Of 2018 (Proposition 68) funding for CDFW grants for projects that:

• improve a community's ability to adapt to the unavoidable impacts of climate change
• improve and protect coastal and rural economies, agricultural viability, wildlife corridors, or habitat
• develop future recreational opportunities, or
• enhance drought tolerance, landscape resilience, and water retention

The CDFW Watershed Restoration Grants Branch distributes Proposition 68 funds on a competitive basis to projects that address these priorities:

• River and Stream Restoration - Restoration of rivers and streams for fisheries and wildlife
• Southern Steelhead Habitat Restoration - Restoration of Southern California Steelhead habitat
• Fish and Wildlife Habitat Restoration - Improvement of conditions for fish and wildlife in streams, rivers, wildlife refuges, wetland habitat areas, and estuaries

Proposition 68 funds supports three types of projects: 1) planning, 2) implementation, and 3) acquisition projects.

Rivers and Streams Grant Program

Funding is available in PRC section 80132(d) to restore and protect rivers and streams in support of fisheries and wildlife, including, but not limited to, reconnection of rivers with their floodplains, riparian and side-channel habitat restoration, and restoration and protection of upper watershed forests and meadow systems that are important for fish and wildlife resources.

• Restoring, protecting or enhancing riparian, and aquatic, habitat;
• Reconnecting historical flood plains;
• Installing or improving fish screens;
• Modernizing stream crossings, culverts, and bridges;
• Providing fish passage;
• Restoring river channels;
• Improving ecological functions;
• Improving local watershed management;
• Restoration and protection of upper watershed forests and meadow systems; and
• Removing sediment or trash.

Funding

Funding for competitive grants will be contingent upon fund availability. Proposition 68, passed by California voters in June 2018, amended the PRC to add, among other articles, section 80132, subdivisions (d), (e)(2), and (g), authorizing the Legislature to appropriate up to $25,000,000 to CDFW to restore and protect rivers and streams in support of fisheries and wildlife, including $5,000,000 in the KlamathTrinity watersheds; up to $30,000,000 to CDFW to restore Southern California Steelhead habitat; and up to $30,000,000 to CDFW to improve conditions for fish and wildlife in streams, rivers, wildlife refuges, wetland habitat areas, and estuaries; respectively.

Proposition 68

The California Drought, Water, Parks, Climate, Coastal Protection, And Outdoor Access For All Act Of 2018 (Proposition 68) funding for CDFW grants for projects that:

• improve a community's ability to adapt to the unavoidable impacts of climate change
• improve and protect coastal and rural economies, agricultural viability, wildlife corridors, or habitat
• develop future recreational opportunities, or
• enhance drought tolerance, landscape resilience, and water retention

The CDFW Watershed Restoration Grants Branch distributes Proposition 68 funds on a competitive basis to projects that address these priorities:

• River and Stream Restoration - Restoration of rivers and streams for fisheries and wildlife
• Southern Steelhead Habitat Restoration - Restoration of Southern California Steelhead habitat
• Fish and Wildlife Habitat Restoration - Improvement of conditions for fish and wildlife in streams, rivers, wildlife refuges, wetland habitat areas, and estuaries

Southern Steelhead Grant Program

Funding is available for PRC section 80132(e)(2) for restoration of Southern California Steelhead habitat consistent with the Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Steelhead Restoration and Management Plan and the National Marine Fisheries Service’s Southern California Steelhead Recovery Plan. 

• Providing fish passage;
• Modernizing stream crossings, culverts, and bridges; and
• Restoring or enhancing habitat. 

Projects that remove significant barriers to steelhead migration and include other habitat restoration and associated infrastructure improvements will be the highest priority (PRC §80132[e][2]).

Funding

Funding for competitive grants will be contingent upon fund availability. Proposition 68, passed by California voters in June 2018, amended the PRC to add, among other articles, section 80132, subdivisions (d), (e)(2), and (g), authorizing the Legislature to appropriate up to $25,000,000 to CDFW to restore and protect rivers and streams in support of fisheries and wildlife, including $5,000,000 in the KlamathTrinity watersheds; up to $30,000,000 to CDFW to restore Southern California Steelhead habitat; and up to $30,000,000 to CDFW to improve conditions for fish and wildlife in streams, rivers, wildlife refuges, wetland habitat areas, and estuaries; respectively. 

Grant Funding Priorities

We aspire to a future where all  rural families provide childcare with a nurturing, safe, and stable foundation for life. A child’s early years are the most critical time for setting a positive trajectory for life. Research shows that trusted relationships with caring adults make all the difference. We want to help families access the supports they need.

What we prioritize:

• Parent and caregiver supports build nurturing and healthy attachments that allow children to thrive. Our communities have identified a need for programs that better match the demographics of families and the emotional needs of children. We prioritize home visiting, parenting education, early childhood mental health and other community supports for parents and caregivers.
• Family financial stability helps parents access programs that exist to assist low-income families, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit. We also offer educational scholarships for parents.
• Child abuse prevention protects children and improves outcomes for future generations. We fund and partner with local organizations and regional and statewide networks to prevent abuse and neglect, build awareness and strengthen systems that bring stability and safety to the most vulnerable among us.Grants aligned with our Education impact area aim to ensure that rural children have the supports and opportunities they need to succeed in their education. Our emphasis is on early childhood education, helping children start strong in their early grades, and preparing students for the transition from high school to postsecondary education or a career.

We envision a future in which all rural young people experience educational success. Education has always been at the top of The Ford Family Foundation’s priorities. We invest in high-quality, affordable early childhood education all the way to our scholarship programs, which have helped thousands of aspiring college students achieve their dreams.

Our emphasis is on ensuring that children and their families benefit from targeted support across two key transitions — from the early years to the schoolroom, and from K-12 to educational and career opportunities after high school.

What we prioritize: 

• Early childhood education allows children to develop the habits, skills and healthy brains that will help them succeed academically as they enter their K-12 school pathway.
• P-3 alignment helps children and families transition from early childhood education settings to more structured classrooms. This ensures children can read independently, problem solve and manage their social-emotional needs.
• Supports and pathways build K-12 students’ knowledge, skills and awareness to plan for life after high school and to improve their long-term economic opportunities.
• Postsecondary completion for students, especially those who are the first in their families to attend and complete college, improves economic and social outcomes for them and their families.

We commit to a future where rural communities are vibrant places that provide opportunities for everyone to thrive.  The Ford Family Foundation is a community building organization. We support rural residents as they work together to develop a shared vision for their community’s future and implement plans that enable them to attract and retain a diverse population, especially working-age families.

What we prioritize:

• Community building catalyzes efforts by rural residents to address needs and improve their communities. Community building fosters leadership, relationships, capacity and collective action to create well-being for all, especially children and families. From scholarship alumni to business leaders, community builders are everywhere. Learn more about the rural Community Building Approach.
• Community economic development builds a vibrant rural economy, improves the economic well-being of families and makes the community a place where people choose to live. Rural business retention and expansion is at the heart of our work in this area.
• Organizational capacity building across the region supports a range of stable and effective organizations that contribute to more resilient rural communities. Nonprofits are the backbone of providing essential services to rural families.

Good Neighbor grants

They’re called Good Neighbor grants for a reason. Good neighbors help each other, learn from each other and lift each other up.

Good Neighbor grants are designed to support the initiatives that matter in your community in a way that works for your organization, including unforeseen emergencies that interrupt programming or services. We fund both program and capital requests.

For Good Neighbor Grants, applicants should note the following:

• 25% committed before applying (in-kind can play a role but strongest requests have other funding at the table)
• Can request up to 1/3 for programs/operations and up to 50% for capital
• Clearly need to see the community at the table where services will be provided
• We also look for a clear plan in place for sustainability
• You will typically hear back from us in six to 10 weeks

Grant amount: Up to $25,000

Grant examples

• Emergency repairs to essential equipment at a food bank, library, fire hall or other community service provider
• Updates to facilities at a beloved community gathering place, including ADA accessibility and technology
• Community events such as celebrations, clean-ups or summer festivals (Events and celebrations must be free to the public and multi-day or annual, such as a music or art series.)
• New or special programs for the children and families in your communities
• Studies or research on a community need
• Playgrounds or recreational facilities
• Translation of materials or outreach to special populations
• Basic needs for vulnerable children and families
• Feasibility studies for economic development projects (e.g., business incubator, makerspace, commercial kitchen)

Larger funding requests

For requests that exceed $25,000, applications should be aligned with our funding priorities. We fund programs, operations and capital projects. 

Grant Funding Priorities

Family

Grants aligned with our Family impact area help strengthen connections between a parent or other primary caregiver and a child. We focus on ensuring that children have nurturing attachments from their earliest years, including preventing child abuse and neglect. We also focus on promoting financial stability so that families have the resources they need to care for their children.

Current grant funding examples

• Children’s mental health supports
• Parenting support programs
• Domestic violence programs and shelters for families with children
• Child abuse prevention and intervention programs
• Supports for children in foster care
• Maternal-child health programs
• Two-generation family literacy programs
• Family financial education and access
• Earned Income Tax Credit access and utilization
• Scholarships for parents to complete their college education
• Statewide networks and systems reform to support all of the above

Education

Grants aligned with our Education impact area aim to ensure that rural children have the supports and opportunities they need to succeed in their education. Our emphasis is on early childhood education, helping children start strong in their early grades, and preparing students for the transition from high school to postsecondary education or a career.

Current grant funding examples

• Child care and early childhood education
• Early literacy programs
• Family engagement in their children’s education
• Programs that support social-emotional learning
• Youth development and summer learning programs
• Programs supporting students of color and marginalized populations
• College and/or career preparation programs
• Scholarships for aspiring low-income rural and urban students to attend and complete college
• Programs to support low-income, first-generation rural student success beyond high school

Community

Grants aligned with our Community impact area support conditions that help children and families thrive in rural communities. This includes focusing on their local economies, social capital, community visioning and planning capacity, and public gathering spaces.

Current grant funding examples

• Community building and engagement efforts
• Community centers and convening spaces
• Community social service centers (Where direct youth programming is provided)
• Arts and culture centers
• Libraries
• Rural health centers (Federally Qualified Health Centers)
• Disaster resiliency planning and fire halls
• Community economic development planning, feasibility studies
• Community supports for entrepreneurs, including start-ups, business retention, and youth and women entrepreneurs
• Business development services

Applying for a capital project?

We offer support for large capital projects (usually up to $250,000) aligned with our impact areas. Capital grants can fund up to one-third of a project’s total budget. Successful applications include significant community support in the form of local or regional dollars. Fifty percent of the budget should be raised before applying. This process can take three to six months.

Capital projects aligned with our impact area are limited to the following:

• Community centers and gathering spaces
• Social services centers (when direct youth programming is provided)
• Libraries
• Children’s museums or children’s exhibitions
• Small business incubators
• Fire halls
• Rural health centers (Federally Qualified Health Centers)
• Art and cultural centers

In addition, we support capital projects aligned with our Family and Education impact areas.

What we support

We look for projects rooted in Oregon and Siskiyou County, California that aim to make a difference in the lives of rural children, ensuring the family, educational and community supports they need to thrive.

Grant Funding Priorities

Family

Grants aligned with our Family impact area help strengthen connections between a parent or other primary caregiver and a child. We focus on ensuring that children have nurturing attachments from their earliest years, including preventing child abuse and neglect. We also focus on promoting financial stability so that families have the resources they need to care for their children.

Current grant funding examples

• Children’s mental health supports
• Parenting support programs
• Domestic violence programs and shelters for families with children
• Child abuse prevention and intervention programs
• Supports for children in foster care
• Maternal-child health programs
• Two-generation family literacy programs
• Family financial education and access
• Earned Income Tax Credit access and utilization
• Scholarships for parents to complete their college education
• Statewide networks and systems reform to support all of the above

Education

Grants aligned with our Education impact area aim to ensure that rural children have the supports and opportunities they need to succeed in their education. Our emphasis is on early childhood education, helping children start strong in their early grades, and preparing students for the transition from high school to postsecondary education or a career.

Current grant funding examples

• Child care and early childhood education
• Early literacy programs
• Family engagement in their children’s education
• Programs that support social-emotional learning
• Youth development and summer learning programs
• Programs supporting students of color and marginalized populations
• College and/or career preparation programs
• Scholarships for aspiring low-income rural and urban students to attend and complete college
• Programs to support low-income, first-generation rural student success beyond high school

Community

Grants aligned with our Community impact area support conditions that help children and families thrive in rural communities. This includes focusing on their local economies, social capital, community visioning and planning capacity, and public gathering spaces.

Current grant funding examples

• Community building and engagement efforts
• Community centers and convening spaces
• Community social service centers (Where direct youth programming is provided)
• Arts and culture centers
• Libraries
• Rural health centers (Federally Qualified Health Centers)
• Disaster resiliency planning and fire halls
• Community economic development planning, feasibility studies
• Community supports for entrepreneurs, including start-ups, business retention, and youth and women entrepreneurs
• Business development services

Technical Assistance grants

Strengthen your organization’s internal capacity to make a positive impact with a Technical Assistance grant. These grants can be used to attend a conference, develop leadership expertise, engage in strategic planning or hire an outside consultant with specialized expertise. You will typically hear from us in six to 10 weeks.

Grant amount: Up to $5,000

Grant examples

• Paying for staff members to attend a training or conference that builds their skills and capacity or hiring a trainer for your board and/or staff
• Contracting with a consultant to develop a strategic plan, create a transition plan for outgoing leadership or set up new organizational financial systems
• Hiring a facilitator to carry out community engagement activities to inform your organization’s project or program
• Contracting with a consultant to develop a capital campaign plan

The Baldwin Hills Conservancy is an independent State agency within the Natural Resources Agency of the State of California. State law established the Baldwin Hills Conservancy in 2000 (division 22.7 of the Public Resources Code commencing with section 32550). Its jurisdiction includes the land currently located in Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area (KHSRA); the Baldwin Hills Community; the surrounding property bordered to the south by Slauson Avenue and to the east by La Brea Avenue, including the spur of land extending from Stocker Street to an area between La Brea Avenue and Crenshaw Boulevard; Ballona Creek and adjacent property within a quarter mile of Ballona Creek on either side; and from the Santa Monica Freeway (Interstate 10) to the Marina Freeway (Interstate 90). The Baldwin Hills Conservancy mission is to:

• Acquire open space and manage public lands;
• Provide recreation, restoration and protection of wildlife habitat; and
• Enhance the public’s enjoyment and educational experience on public lands in the territory in a manner consistent with the protection of lands and resources in the area.

Purpose of Proposition 1

• Protect and increase the economic benefits arising from healthy watersheds, fishery resources and in-stream flow.
• Implement watershed adaptation projects in order to reduce the impacts of climate change on communities and ecosystems.
• Restore river parkways throughout the state, including but not limited to projects pursuant to the California River Parkways Act of 2004 and urban river greenways.
• Protect and restore aquatic, wetland and migratory bird ecosystems including fish and wildlife corridors and the acquisition of water rights for in-stream flow.
• Fulfill the obligations of the state of California in complying with the terms of multiparty settlement agreements related to water resources.
• Remove barriers to fish passage.
• Collaborate with federal agencies in the protection of fish native to California and wetlands in the central valley of California.
• Implement fuel treatment projects to reduce wildfire risks, protect watersheds tributary to water storage facilities and promote watershed health.
• Protect and restore rural and urban watershed health to improve watershed storage capacity, forest health, protection of life and property, storm water resource management, and greenhouse gas reduction.
• Protect and restore coastal watersheds including but not limited to, bays, marine estuaries, and near shore ecosystems
• Reduce pollution or contamination of rivers, lakes, streams, or coastal waters, prevent and remediate mercury contamination from legacy mines, and protect or restore natural system functions that contribute to water supply, water quality, or flood management.
• Assist in the recovery of endangered, threatened, or migratory species by improving watershed health, instream flows, fish passage, coastal or inland wetland restoration, or other means, such as natural community conservation plan and habitat conservation plan implementation.
• Assist in water-related agricultural sustainability projects.

Strategic Plan Priorities

The Strategic Plan calls for the prioritization of watershed protection and recreation projects that feature multiple benefits which is consistent with the language objectives of the bond. Most state agencies have a statewide jurisdiction with broad geographic boundaries. The Baldwin Hills Conservancy has a focused jurisdiction in the most compact and heavily populated geographic district in the State. The Conservancy possesses a broad mission, including providing recreation, protection of natural resources, interpretation and restoration of habitat. This structure positions the Conservancy well to implement multiple benefit projects that benefit the Ballona Creek Watershed.

The Conservancy will seek to align its funding and project priorities with other local agencies and their Integrated Water Management Plans in order to help implement priorities in the Governor’s California Water Action Plan 2016. The Conservancy will continue to support preliminary project planning, working with grantees to design and develop shovel-ready projects that can compete for grant funding from the Conservancy and other local, state and federal agencies.

Based on the priority issues within our jurisdiction, reviewing existing state plans, and screening for projects that achieve multiple benefits, serve disadvantaged communities, and result in quantifiable outcomes, the Conservancy identified three priorities for Proposition 1 expenditures. The three priorities are:

• Resource Protection: Advance the optimal management of resources in the watershed in order to achieve conservation benefits, improve ecosystem health, and increase climate resiliency
• Habitat Restoration: Restore native habitat to improve ecosystem function and provide multi-benefit wildlife corridors, species biodiversity and other ecosystem benefits.
• Urban Greening: Build urban greening projects that increase groundwater recharge, reduce runoff, improve water quality and improve urban watershed health while creating public green-space and expanding urban forests. 

Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program Introduction and Summary

The Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program (SALC), a component of the Strategic Growth Council’s Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) Program, supports California’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction goals by making strategic investments to protect agricultural lands from conversion to more GHG-intensive uses. It also contributes to implementation of Governor Newsom’s Executive Order N-82-20, which calls for the accelerated use of nature-based solutions to address the climate and biodiversity crises. Protecting critical agricultural lands from conversion to urban or rural residential development promotes smart growth within existing jurisdictions, ensures open space remains available, and supports healthy agricultural and tribal food systems, and resulting food security. Healthy and resilient food systems are becoming increasingly important in meeting the challenges occurring and anticipated as a result of climate change.

SALC is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing GHG emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment– particularly in disadvantaged communities. The Cap-and-Trade program also creates a financial incentive for industries to invest in clean technologies and develop innovative ways to reduce pollution. California Climate Investments projects include affordable housing, renewable energy, public transportation, zeroemission vehicles, environmental restoration, more sustainable agriculture, recycling, and much more. At least 35 percent of these investments are located within and benefiting residents of disadvantaged communities, low-income communities, and low-income households across California.

Program Components

These Guidelines cover the following investment types:

• Agricultural Conservation Acquisition Capacity Funding – Grants to develop agricultural conservation easement and fee acquisition projects and/or cover associated costs to help close acquisition projects where the cost of the acquisition is covered by an alternate source of funding.
• Agricultural Conservation Acquisitions – Grants to protect important agricultural lands under threat of conversion to nonagricultural uses through the acquisition of voluntary, permanent agricultural conservation easements (easements) or fee title purchases.
• Agricultural Conservation Planning – Grants to develop and implement plans for the protection of agricultural lands under pressure of being converted to non-agricultural uses.

For the purposes of this program, agricultural land includes both cultivated and non-cultivated lands that support an agricultural use, including gathering and activities that promote healthy trees, shrubs, and perennial forbs for the cultivation of traditional foods, herbal medicine, fibers (such as basketry material), and dyes so long as such activities are led by or conducted in partnership with a a Federally recognized or non-federally recognized California Native American tribe on the contact list maintained by the Native American Heritage Commission, or members thereof. 

IECF Overview

Founded in 1941, the Inland Empire Community Foundation is the oldest and largest community foundation serving the Inland region. We have deep roots here, and are committed to working with all who care passionately about improving our community. We come to the table with in-depth understanding of the IE and our nonprofit sector, extensive experience with our donors that can make a meaningful difference – now and in the future.

The Foundation operates in the largest geographic territory of any community foundation in the nation – more than 27,000 square miles, covering Riverside and San Bernardino Counties.

While part of the Los Angeles media market, the Inland Empire has its own identity and is made up of 52 cities and towns and numerous unincorporated and rural areas. Combined, these counties have a population of 4.5 million residents. Within the region are sprawling suburbs, valleys, high-elevation and low-elevation deserts, and numerous mountain communities. Each place has its own distinct identity, demographics, strengths and challenges, and yet as a large region, the Inland Empire is an identity shared by most.

The Inland Empire is one of the fastest growing regions in California. Because of this, we face challenges to ensure shared prosperity, diverse and new leadership, and quality of life for all of its residents. But our opportunities are immense – new neighbors moving in each day; a wonderfully diverse and young population; new collaborations to solve big problems; the growth of sectors like IT, green tech, and advanced manufacturing; and growing arts and culture across both counties. We are excited by the possibilities of the Inland Empire, and understand that equity is an important part of our work. For us, equity means the application of an honest understanding of history and data to the issues we face.

The Inland Empire is at a juncture – balanced between the past and the future. Together, with you, we will push for that vibrant, prosperous, and shared future for all.

CIELO Fund

“Cielo” means “sky” or “heaven” in Spanish. The name signals hope – sky’s the limit – and gives a nod to the aspirations, resilience, and dreams that define the Inland Empire’s Latino community.

The Cultivating Inland Empire Latino Opportunity (CIELO) Fund at IECF launched in 2022 as a Signature Fund celebrating the Foundation’s 80th Anniversary. The CIELO Fund’s mission is to uplift and invest in organizations, initiatives and ideas that are led by – and serve – Latinos in the Inland Empire. 

Latinos are now the majority of the Inland Empire, making up 51.5% of the population, and are expected to be 74% of the region’s population by 2060. With this growth comes increased opportunity but also areas where disparities persist. The CIELO Fund has commissioned three reports (UCR, USC, Latinos LEAD) which inform their grantmaking priorities.

These include focusing on the following areas:

• Leadership development & capacity building;
• Economic mobility
• Educational equity
• Health equity
• Housing security
• Environmental equity & climate change
• Racial equity
• Immigrant inclusion
• Narrative change and storytelling

What does this program do?

This program is designed to provide technical assistance and training for small rural businesses. Small means that the business has fewer than 50 new workers and less than $1 million in gross revenue.

What is an eligible area?

Rural Business Development Grant money must be used for projects that benefit rural areas or towns outside the urbanized periphery of any city with a population of 50,000 or more. Check eligible areas. 

What kind of funding is available?

There is no maximum grant amount; however, smaller requests are given higher priority. There is no cost sharing requirement. There are two types of RBDG projects, Opportunity grants and Enterprise grants.

• Opportunity type grants are limited to up to 10 percent of the total Rural Business Development Grant annual funding.
• Enterprise type grants must be used on projects to benefit small and emerging businesses in rural areas as specified in the grant application.

How may Enterprise type funds be used?

Enterprise grants must be used on projects to benefit small and emerging businesses in rural areas as specified in the grant application. Uses may include:

• Training and technical assistance, such as project planning, business counseling and training, market research, feasibility studies, professional or/technical reports, or producer service improvements.
• Acquisition or development of land, easements, or rights of way; construction, conversion, renovation of buildings; plants, machinery, equipment, access for streets and roads; parking areas and utilities.
• Pollution control and abatement.
• The capitalization of revolving loan funds, including funds that will make loans for start-ups and working capital.
• Rural distance learning for job training and advancement for adult students.
• Rural transportation improvement.
• Community economic development.
• Technology-based economic development.
• Feasibility studies and business plans.
• Leadership and entrepreneur training.
• Rural business incubators.
• Long-term business strategic planning.

How may Opportunity type funds be used?

• Community economic development.
• Technology-based economic development.
• Feasibility studies and business plans.
• Leadership and entrepreneur training.
• Rural business incubators.
• Long-term business strategic planning.

Our Mission

As a community of donors, we inspire others to join us in alleviating poverty in East Asia by empowering small, but high-impact NGOs to be sustainable and transparent.

Who We Are

Transparent Fish Fund is a 501(c)(3) US nonprofit organization founded in 2011 in Palo Alto, California. We partner with hand-selected NGOs that effectively focus on poverty alleviation in East Asia. With financial support from our board members, who cover all our administrative costs, we are able to provide these NGOs with financial aid, capacity building resources, and reporting requirements to increase transparency and sustainability. We connect donors in the West with these credible NGOs to spread a global spirit of philanthropy. 

What We Do

Empowering East Asian NGOs: We identify the most promising NGOs to partner with and develop them by:

• Providing capacity building resources and fundraising support from the West
• Facilitating financial accountability and transparency, even to the level of ensuring the recipient uses the contributions properly
• Serving programs run by members of the Asian American community and/or focus on work in Asia or the Asian American community
• Focus areas: basic needs, direct needs, poverty relief, medical intervention, health, education in underserved areas of rural China and Southeast Asia

TFish Fund Grant

We inspire others to join us in alleviating poverty in East Asia by empowering small, but high-impact NGOs to be sustainable and transparent.

Focus in East Asia

• There is a large gap between the rich and the poor, especially as economies grow in this region.
• Nonprofit work is newly developing here, and we want to provide a framework to promote philanthropy and address complex social issues.
• Local nonprofits in East Asia often lack transparency. Unless they are held accountable, it is difficult to know whether well-meaning donations ever reach the intended recipients.

Our Vision

Sustainability involves economic viability, environmental sensitivity, and social responsiveness, with emphasis on working with and preserving nature. Innovation involves creativity and new ideas that make this world a better place to live.

The foundation seeks to foster environmental restoration, preservation and education with emphasis on seed moneys that lead to establishing demonstration projects that link rural and urban settings. Projects could orient toward use of resources in sustainable ways, integration of food production, technology, economics, and community development in harmonious ways with the natural world, preservation of wildlife habitat as well as the diversity of wild and domestic plants and animals, and conservation of wilderness and open space. Of interest might be projects designed to restore and maintain biological diversity of flora and fauna or establishment of seed banks, sustainable land use, or appropriate technology for alternative energy resources. Efforts to find space in tight urban areas, bring the countryside to the city in the form of gardens, landscaping, and space are encouraged. Likewise, efforts to provide space and alternative living to urban people in a rural area are welcome.

A particular concern is with sustaining agriculture through organic, biodynamic, permacultural and other processes, training young people to be farmers, and linking farms to communities through community supported agriculture. Another area of need would be support for small alternative presses and periodicals that focus on issues and problems and their resolution and desire to impact broadly on society with their creativity and new ideas.

The foundation sponsors Laguna Wilderness Press that publishes books featuring the work of concerned artists, photographers, and environmentalists. Its books move in two directions: (1) to depict nature and pristine wilderness areas through photography and essay; (2) to focus on changing landscape and the impact of urban growth, technology, and development on natural beauty and resources.

With its interest in LWP and its home base in southern California, the foundation desires to direct attention to environmental groups and concerns in Laguna Beach, especially preservation and restoration of areas under conservation in the open space known as the Laguna Greenbelt or Wilderness and including the Laguna Bluebelt; projects that expand open space in the inner greenbelt, promote community gardening, including in its schools, restore wherever possible the canyon creeks to their natural setting, and help to establish the legacy of a unique place and its traditions of village diverse planning and vision, plein air painting, and historic homes and sites.

Project Types

Projects could orient toward use of resources in sustainable ways, preservation of wildlife habitats, conservation of wilderness, integration of food production, technology, economics, and community development in harmonious ways with the natural world. Also, another area of interest is support for small alternative presses and periodicals that show creativity and new ideas, and focus on issues and problems.

Volunteer Fire Capacity (VFC) Program

The Volunteer Fire Capacity (VFC) Program is a federally funded grant program that allows California to provide local and rural fire departments with minor firefighting, training, communications and safety equipment for their volunteer firefighters. The VFC Program is not intended for major equipment (fire engines, vehicles, etc.) or Capital repairs. The VFC Program has a 50/50 match requirement which means that the applying department must be able to meet the intended grant award, dollar for dollar. Awards for departments are set at a minimum of $500 with a maximum of $20,000. Amounts may be adjusted based on the grant funding available.

National Fire Protection Association 1977 and Personal Protective Equipment

As a result of the recommendation from the 2003 Blue Ribbon Report to the Governor of California, CAL FIRE has included a section in the VFC grant application that states you are certifying that your wildland firefighters are fully equipped with appropriate, approved wildland fire response Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that meets National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1977 Standard on Protective Clothing and Equipment for Wildland Fire Fighting and are trained to a proficient level in the use of the PPE.

Departments not currently in compliance with the NFPA 1977 standard for wildland firefighter safety clothing and equipment will only be considered for awards which bring their department into compliance with this standard. This year’s consideration for grant awards will place a higher priority for funding reimbursement of firefighter PPE purchases and associated training for those Departments not currently meeting the standard.

How Funds Can Be Used

Cost-share funds will be awarded to local governments to provide assistance to rural areas in upgrading their capability to organize, train, and equip local forces for fire protection. Awards will be limited to a minimum of $500 and a projected maximum of $20,000.

Proposed projects should be compatible with existing protection of state, county, and local areas.

The cost of the conversion of vehicles obtained through the Federal Excess Personal Property Program (FEPP) to water tenders, engines, brush trucks, and equipment trucks may be funded under the VFC grant.

Training of local fire forces in both wildfire and structural fire techniques is a primary goal of this grant. The program should include a basic training program of at least 40 hours. In addition, an advanced training course of at least 40 hours should be developed.

Communications, for alarm systems and dispatch capabilities, should be considered an integral part of the rural fire department. Funds are available for the development and purchase of radio equipment for dispatching centers, vehicles and alert monitors, and pagers.

Transformations & Innovations Grants Program

Given the critical role of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to provide emergency and urgent healthcare in our homes and communities, with the Transformations & Innovations Grants Program, CARESTAR seeks to catalyze new and improved ways for Californians to request, receive, and experience EMS response and care. This includes rethinking how and which EMS agencies are activated to respond, the type and location of care provided, as well as ensuring care is delivered by first responders and other healthcare providers who reflect and respect the rich diversity of our communities. Understanding and addressing racial disparities in response or care should be central to the vision for change.

We are specifically looking for collaboratives that are working together to create transformational EMS change. At a minimum, collaboratives should include: 

• prioritize the experiences, needs, and ideas of residents who identify as Indigenous, Black, Latinx, Asian, or another racialized group - as well as communities that have historically been under-resourced;
• include diverse community representatives/agencies;
• include one or more agencies responsible for local emergency response; and
• have support from, or the potential involvement of a Local Emergency Medical Services Agency (LEMSA). 

Leighton Honorees

Every year, in memory of Jeff Leighton, a former CARESTAR advisor, the Foundation designates a portion of its TII grantmaking funds to support collaboratives serving rural, frontier, or tribal areas in California. The aim is to provide these regions, which encounter distinctive and challenging obstacles, with critical funds to rethink and coordinate emergency and prehospital care to better align with the needs of their local communities. With expertise in non-profit foundation development, operations, finance, and investment management, Jeff Leighton helped establish the CARESTAR Foundation in 2018. His illness and subsequent passing during this period led the board of directors to want to honor and recognize Leighton’s outstanding contributions to CARESTAR and strengthen the rural areas of California Jeff loved so much.

Scope of Work

The scope of work proposed can be narrow and deep focusing on innovations within specific components of EMS - or broad and wide across the response and care delivery landscape. The collaborative must consider local data and engage community members to understand what’s needed to improve racial equity within EMS. The following are examples (not requirements) of activities a collaborative could pursue: 

• assess the current system and highlight any racial disparities or biases
• create a shared vision, engaging a range of stakeholders to reflect on current realities and consider what communities want, need, the barriers, and opportunities
• design, implement and/or evaluate EMS reforms (e.g., programs or policies) that address identified racial disparities; and/or
• share best practices with regional and state agencies to support the integration, spread, and sustainability of innovations achieved. 

Funding

Grant award sizes may vary. The maximum amount is $100k for a one-year grant, and a maximum of $300k for a multi-year grant. Please do not feel obligated to apply for the maximum amount, as we would like to fund as many collaboratives as possible with a limited budget.  

Background & Purpose

The Folk and Traditional Arts (FTA) grant program intends to redirect resources at the local level by proposing to fund one or more Administering Organizations (AO) with demonstrated capacity for statewide and regional reach that will regrant funds, provide technical assistance, and/or build capacity with artists and arts organizations in support of folk and traditional arts expressions. The AO will work directly with artists who practice traditional art forms. The forms of traditional expression can include but are not limited to: crafts, music, dance, ritual, and technical skills.

This program centralizes local artists and their artistic processes as vehicles for community vitality. This funding opportunity recognizes that artists are integral to healthy communities, and that the arts are a societal cornerstone that brings people together, builds community, and fosters social progress.

Project Requirements

The CAC will award funds to an AO that will develop and administer FTA grants statewide.

The AO will be responsible for the planning and implementation of FTA programs, including but not limited to: development of program components and timeline; providing technical assistance; capacity building at the local level; implementing statewide and community-specific engagement strategies and trusted culture bearers; regular reporting to and collaborating with the CAC on expanded outreach to ensure diverse statewide representation of applicants; and management of the application processes for artists and arts organizations through implementation, screening applications, award management, and regular reporting to the CAC.

Eligible Request Amounts

The AO grant will fund up to $1,000,000 per year for two years for the following purposes:

• Program design and implementation costs of up to 30% can be used for program design and implementation, including up to 10% to support administrative costs and 20% for staff salaries for artists and culture bearers to implement required program activities (see “Administering Organization Requirements,” above).
• The CAC is proposing to serve one AO for this program. However, if it is determined that multiple applicants will meet the requirement of implementing statewide and engagement strategies to priority communities and trusted culture bearers, the CAC will consider distributing awards to multiple AOs.
• Funding is contingent upon availability of funds and passage of the state budget for 2023-24 and 2024-25. Funds will be paid out at $1,000,000 during the first program year and $1,000,000 during the second program year, contingent on passage of the state budget for each year.

Levitt Music Series Grants - AMP

Levitt AMP is a multi-year matching grant opportunity bringing the joy of free, live music to small to mid-sized towns and cities.

Geared to towns and cities with populations under 250,000, Levitt AMP grantees reflect the three goals of the Levitt AMP program: Amplify community pride and a city’s unique character; enrich lives through the power of free, live Music; and illustrate the importance of inclusive and vibrant public Places. From rural Alaska to Appalachian Main Streets and Midwestern locales, the Levitt AMP Music Series is a catalytic opportunity engaging a wide range of towns and cities across America to realize a shared mission—building community through music to create a healthy and thriving future for all.

In addition to financial support, the Levitt Foundation provides grant recipients with valuable resources including best practices, program frameworks, toolkits, and trainings to deepen impact in their communities.

Launched in 2015, the Levitt Foundation has provided funding to more than 50 communities coast to coast through the Levitt AMP program, activating underused public spaces, ensuring access to the arts and strengthening the social fabric of communities through creative placemaking, bringing people together of all ages and backgrounds through free, outdoor concert series.

Special Music Series Grant - Tennessee-Based Nonprofits

The Levitt Foundation is thrilled to announce its partnership with the Tennessee Entertainment Commission to award up to six communities based in Tennessee with multi-year Levitt AMP matching grants, with support from the Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development and the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. This project marks the Levitt Foundation’s first joint partnership with a specific state.

Through this partnership, the State and the Foundation together will be awarding matching grants of up to $40K per year to small to mid-sized cities throughout Tennessee in through the next 3 years. The funding will go toward presenting free outdoor concerts featuring high-caliber entertainment in a broad array of music genres, amplifying stages across the state with up to 180 free concerts for Tennesseans of all ages and backgrounds to enjoy.

This partnership applies to the Levitt AMP grant opportunity only. There is no separate application process to be considered and interested Tennessee-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits should proceed with completing their online application on the Levitt Foundation website. Levitt AMP grant applicants from Tennessee that advance to the public voting phase will be in the running with other Tennessee-based Levitt AMP grant applicants only. Nonprofits based in Tennessee that are interested in applying for the Levitt VIBE or Levitt BLOC grant opportunity may still submit an online application, though if advanced to the public voting phase will be in the running with applicants from across the country.

Funding

U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits are eligible to receive a three-year matching grant of up to $40K/year (up to $120K total) to bring 7-10 free concerts to your community each year!

Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program

The Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program (SALC), a component of the Strategic Growth Council’s Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) Program, supports California’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction goals by making strategic investments to protect agricultural lands from conversion to more GHG-intensive uses. It also contributes to implementation of Governor Newsom’s Executive Order N-82-20, which calls for the accelerated use of nature-based solutions to address the climate and biodiversity crises. Protecting critical agricultural lands from conversion to urban or rural residential development promotes smart growth within existing jurisdictions, ensures open space remains available, and supports healthy agricultural and tribal food systems, and resulting food security. Healthy and resilient food systems are becoming increasingly important in meeting the challenges occurring and anticipated as a result of climate change.

Capacity and Project Development

Capacity and Project Development grants expand organizational capacity to develop agricultural conservation acquisition projects.​

SALC capacity grants will be provided to:

• build organizational and financial capacity to develop agricultural conservation acquisition projects,
• assist eligible applicants in developing agricultural conservation easement and fee acquisition projects in preparation for submitting such projects for acquisition funding in future rounds, and
• provide funds to cover associated costs to help close agricultural conservation acquisition projects where the cost of the acquisition is covered by an alternate source of funding.

Our Vision & Mission

Our vision is for every resident of California to enjoy good health and experience wellness. Our mission is to protect and improve the health and wellness of the people of California by increasing access to health care, quality education, good jobs, healthy environments and safe neighborhoods.

Our Work

• We use our resources to advance our mission through grantmaking, investments, sharing our learning and lifting our voice.
• We fund direct services that address the urgent needs people are facing in their communities, particularly the needs of low-income individuals, people of color, youth and residents of rural areas.
• We recognize, encourage and strengthen leaders to be powerful agents of change.
• We support advocacy and civic engagement so that communities can build power and create public policies that reflect their vision, will and needs.
• We trust and invest in nonprofit organizations so that they can operate at full capacity.
• We partner with community-led organizations, philanthropic organizations, businesses, government and individuals who want to improve health and wellness for Californians.

What We Fund

Our vision is that every person in California enjoys health and wellness. That means living in a safe and healthy community. Having access to quality education and good jobs. Drinking clean water. And having access to healthy foods.

But we know that a lot gets in the way of people enjoying health and wellness. The barriers are many and they are systemic. Wellness is directly affected by our race, class, gender and disability. By our zip code. By our family history. By our immigration status and past involvement with the criminal justice system.

That’s why we partner with community organizations to remove barriers to individual and community wellness. And to put in place more equitable processes and systems that improve individual and community wellness.

Through our grantmaking program—Advancing Wellness—we support organizations that are increasing access to health care. Innovative organizations that are advocating for quality education. Organizations big and small that are fighting for good jobs with fair wages and benefits. Local organizations that are working to make our streets and neighborhoods safe.

Leading for Power & Change Fund

We have been inspired by and invested in the vision of communities of color and organizations led by people of color. In addition, the events of 2020 have made all too clear that racism and structural inequities permeate every institution and system in our nation, resulting in disproportionate illness and death for people of color.

We are energized by the Black-led, multi-racial, multi-generational protests calling for racial and social justice at a scale we haven’t seen in a generation. Because dismantling racism and anti-Blackness requires coordinated and unified multi-racial coalitions for social justice and progressive change. And it requires powerful organizations that are led by people of color.

But leaders of color face many barriers to achieving their bold visions. Historically, philanthropy does a poor job of getting funds to these leaders and their organizations, which makes organizational financial stability very challenging. A Race to Lead report found that leaders of color have smaller organizational budgets than their White peers and have a difficult time accessing and raising funds from foundations, government and individual donors. Bridgespan and Echoing Green report that funders are subject to implicit bias that shows up as mistrust toward leaders of color – mistrust of their strategies and their vision. In addition, the nonprofit sector is overly represented by White leadership even though nonprofit organizations led by people of color are more likely to understand and strive to address systemic injustices through building power and making demands for policy and structural change. Yet only seven percent of nonprofit chief executives and 18 percent of nonprofit employees are people of color. And the percentage of people of color on nonprofit boards remains at just 15 percent, a number that has not changed in nearly two decades.

To advance systemic and progressive change while improving community outcomes and health, our Leading for Power and Change portfolio seeks to amplify the voices, leadership, and power of people of color, and other people who have historically been excluded from full participation in civic society.

Equity in the Nonprofit Sector

We’ll support leadership development and capacity building that will help people of color-led organizations, and organizations with a racial justice analysis, to be stronger and more resilient. We’ll support organizations to increase their assets, and recruit and retain talented staff of color. For example, we will fund leaders to take sabbaticals while their organizations strengthen the next level of leadership.

Mobilizing Movements and Power Building ( not accepting Letter of Inquiry at thie time) 

We want to make sure that organizations have the resources to mobilize, advance health and racial equity, and hold public and private sector leaders and policymakers accountable. We’ll support integrated civic engagement, along with opportunities for people to organize, advocate and speak out for policies that affect their lives. 

Reimagining Social Justice

Initiatives and or/strategies to increase the inclusion of communities of color in fields that influence decision making in philanthropy and the sustainability and effectiveness of non-profit organizations including, finance, research and communications. 

This solicitation is part of the Community Energy Reliability & Resilience Investment (CERRI) Program, which invests in deployment projects across California that increase community energy reliability and resilience, support California’s climate and energy policies, improve energy justice and equity, and create good-paying jobs. Funding for this program was authorized under the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) Section 40101(d).

In recent years, California has experienced increased electrical system outages caused by climate-related events such as increased wildfires, heat waves, and storms, or through public safety power shutoffs (PSPS). These events, as well as aging infrastructure, threaten grid reliability, public health and safety, economic prosperity, communities, and ecosystems. They also pose disproportionate consequences for the most vulnerable populations in both rural and urban areas. The intent of this solicitation is to invest in projects that increase the electric reliability and resiliency of communities in California by reducing outage frequency, duration, magnitude, and associated community impacts, while bolstering California’s workforce and promoting equity.The CERRI Program is designed to prioritize projects that will generate the greatest community benefit by reducing the likelihood and consequences of electrical system outages. As such, projects that are close to shovel-ready, have initiated the environmental review process, or leverage otherwise stranded assets or existing infrastructure will be scored favorably based on criteria listed in Section IV.F. The objectives are oriented around four main themes outlined below. These themes are not listed in rank order.

• Energy reliability and resilience: Reduce the frequency, duration, and magnitude of power outages and strengthen communities’ ability to function during power outages by providing day-to-day and emergency services for its constituents.
• Community Benefits: Ensure that the benefits of clean, safe, affordable, and reliable energy are shared by all, particularly communities with critical energy reliability and resilience needs.
• Advancement of Energy and Climate Goals: Support California’s energy modernization and climate goals.
• Workforce Development and Labor: Create high-quality jobs with strong labor standards and protections that attract and train a skilled workforce for lasting careers in the clean energy industry.

Humboldt Area Foundation

Humboldt Area Foundation and Wild Rivers Community Foundation's strategic goals of racial equity, just economic development, healthy ecosystems and environments, and thriving youth and families drive our funding priorities and resource allocation. Our grants aim to minimize vulnerability and increase equity to strengthen institutions, providers, and leaders across our rural and native lands.

HAF +WRCF grant funding supports charitable programs and projects in our region (Humboldt, Del Norte, and Trinity counties in California, and Curry County, Oregon).

Disaster Response & Resilience Fund

The Disaster Response & Resilience Fund supports organizations in Humboldt, Trinity, Del Norte, and Curry counties, as well as adjoining Tribal lands during current and future disasters, including fires, earthquakes, flooding, and other natural and man-made disasters.

During an active emergency, the fund prioritizes requests that are in response to the applicable disaster and requests that are addressing the immediate needs and safety of the most vulnerable.

About The Wonderful Company

Being “Wonderful” goes beyond our consumer promise of growing, harvesting, and distributing wholesome, high-quality fruits, nuts, and other products for customers around the world. We strive to make The Wonderful Company true to its name with a wide range of philanthropic activities that focus on investing in and collaborating with the communities where our employees live and work.

Central Valley Community Grants

Now, more than ever, The Wonderful Company is focused on the health and well-being of Central Valley communities. In the past 10 years, Wonderful Community Grants has funded over $8.5M across 142 nonprofits and 165 schools in the San Joaquin Valley. This year, we will be funding $1 million in grants to schools and organizations serving our priority communities.

A successful applicant will demonstrate a commitment to making the rural communities of the San Joaquin Valley in California a more equitable place to live, work, and play.

Proposed projects must be aligned with the organization’s current mission and overall goals, and culminate into something visible and tangible in the community.

Grant Amounts

• $1,000–$50,000 grants, awarded until funds are exhausted.
• Up to two $100,000 grants, awarded funds to be used over two years.

California Access to Justice Commission

The Mission

The California Access to Justice Commission advances access to justice for all Californians by expanding resources, removing barriers, and developing innovations so everyone can effectively and efficiently resolve their civil legal issues.

All Californians deserve justice. We envision a robust civil justice system that is well-integrated and coordinated so that everyone receives effective assistance to resolve their legal issues. Everyone should be able to get prompt access to the information and assistance they need, when and where they need it, in a format and language they can use. We collaborate with some of the most important stakeholders in the state, including the courts, the bar, the public, and the other branches of government, to achieve the following goals: Create a Continuum of Service; Improve Existing Systems; Expand Representation; and Promote Public Awareness and Trust.

Legal Aid Infrastructure & Innovation Grants

For the fifth year, the State has appropriated $5,000,000 through the Judicial Council for the California Access to Justice Commission (CalATJ) to provide grants to nonprofit organizations that provide civil legal aid to indigent persons. These funds are to support infrastructure and innovation in organizations that provide legal services to create access to justice in civil matters. Applicants do not need to be IOLTA-funded to be eligible for these grants. 

Project Requirements

Project funds must be used to support the infrastructure and/or innovation needs of legal services in civil matters for indigent persons as defined by individuals living at or below 200% FPT.

• Infrastructure: Similar to capacity building, infrastructure refers to foundational elements that help a nonprofit reach new levels of operational, programmatic, financial, or organizational maturity, so it may more effectively and efficiently advance its mission into the future. Infrastructure projects may include planning, governance, staffing, evaluation, financial management, legal accountability, communications, administrative functions, and technology. Infrastructure can also include leveraging relationships to access resources, exchange ideas, address shared issues, and collectively problem-solve in an effort to build capacity, both for a nonprofit and for the broader network, with the common goal of addressing pressing social concerns tied to legal issues.**
• Innovation: Innovation is not necessarily a new project. It could be an expansion project, or improvements to a unique service delivery model. Innovations in legal aid change the affordability, accessibility, or effectiveness of practices or tools used to provide high-quality legal assistance to low-income persons. This can include approaches for using technology or partnerships in legal services delivery; enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of existing technologies or partnerships so that they may be better used to increase the quality and quantity of services to clients; or replicating, adapting, or providing added value to the work of prior technology projects or partnerships. Innovation efforts can be applied to programs, products or devices, partnerships, communications, or operating processes. Innovation results in improvements to service delivery, quality of legal work, and managerial practices. Innovations often incorporate technology, but can also be reflected in partnerships, or service delivery models.***

Award Information

• Total Funding: $4,875,000
• Expected Number of Grants: 35-50
• Grants Size: $25,000 - $150,000 per project
• Anticipated Median Range: $75,000 - $125,000
• Grant Period: The grant period is 12 months

Our Mission

Land O'Lakes, Inc. and the Land O'Lakes Foundation are dedicated to serving the rural and urban communities where our cooperative has members owners, employees, and facilities. Support is focused on organizations dedicated to Hunger Relief, Advancing Education, and Community Vitality.

Region Grants Program

The Region Grants Program is specifically for Land O’Lakes dairy communities in the East and West Regions of our member footprint. The purpose is to improve the vibrancy of the regions where our member-owners are located.

Funds are awarded through two grant rounds: Hunger Relief and Community Vitality.

Funding

• $125,000 total is awarded to both the East and West regions per grant round.
• Total annual program investment is $500,000.
• Organizations may apply for grants ranging from $1,000 to $20,000.
  • Generally, between 10-20 grantees are funded per grant round.
  • Average grant award is between $5,000 to $10,000.
• Funds are for local programs or projects supporting Land O’Lakes member-owner rural communities and their populations.

Region Grants Open Grant Round: Community Vitality

Organizations committed to strengthening community resources and opportunities, especially in rural areas:

• 4-H, FFA, and ag education programs
• Schools and educational institutions
• City improvement projects
• Fire/Ambulance departments
• Local United Way chapters
• Economic development programs