Best Transportation Grants in California

The Sills Family Foundation provides grants to nonprofits focused on early childhood education, environmental justice, arts and culture, and support for families in crisis. They prioritize programs benefiting communities affected by the criminal justice system, as well as refugees and asylees. Grants typically range from $10,000 to $25,000, with an emphasis on systemic change and community-based solutions. The foundation operates primarily in metro New York City and California, accepting applications for one-year grants only.

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.

The Rural Business Development Grants in California provide vital support for small rural businesses through technical assistance and training. Aimed at entities in rural areas, the program prioritizes smaller funding requests and offers two types of grants: Opportunity and Enterprise. Eligible applicants include towns, nonprofits, and tribal organizations. The grants can finance a variety of projects, from business training to infrastructure improvements, fostering economic growth and development in underserved communities.

The CARES Foundation Grant supports nonprofit organizations in California's Sacramento region that address the needs of individuals living with HIV. The foundation prioritizes HIV prevention, treatment, and support services, while also funding innovative projects that reduce stigma and discrimination against those affected by HIV. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits or government agencies primarily serving the local area, ensuring inclusivity and non-discrimination in their operations.

The Impact Fund provides recoverable grants to legal services nonprofits and small law firms working on social, environmental, and economic justice issues. With over $10 million awarded since 1992, the fund supports impactful litigation addressing systemic injustices. Grants range from $10,000 to $50,000 and prioritize cases directly involving affected communities. Recipients must repay the grant amount with interest if they recover fees or costs, ensuring sustainability for future funding.

California Energy Commission

As the state’s primary energy policy and planning agency, the California Energy Commission (CEC) plays a critical role in creating the energy system of the future—one that is clean, modern, and ensures the fifth largest economy in the world continues to thrive. Combating climate change is fundamental to maintaining California’s future. The agency’s research, programs and policies remain crucial today as the state plans for 100% clean energy and carbon neutrality by mid-century. CEC is helping create the energy system of California’s future through activities such as Planning and Policy Development, Renewable Energy Growth; Energy Efficiency; Energy Innovation; Cleaner Transportation; and Responsible Electricity Infrastructure.

GFO-25-305 - Non-Energy Impacts of Integrated Energy Retrofit Packages from the Equitable Building Decarbonization Program

Purpose

The purpose of this solicitation is to fund an applied research and development project that informs California’s transition to an equitable, zero-carbon energy system that is climate-resilient and meets environmental goals. Applied research supported by this solicitation will evaluate the non-energy impacts of building retrofits, taking advantage of the opportunity to study the impacts and benefits of the Equitable Building Decarbonization (EBD) Direct Install Program. By leveraging the work of the EBD program, this research can shed light on previously understudied benefits and costs to low-income households. The expected outcomes include lessons learned to inform ongoing and future decarbonization investments and priorities.

California Energy Commission

As the state’s primary energy policy and planning agency, the California Energy Commission (CEC) plays a critical role in creating the energy system of the future—one that is clean, modern, and ensures the fifth largest economy in the world continues to thrive. Combating climate change is fundamental to maintaining California’s future. The agency’s research, programs and policies remain crucial today as the state plans for 100% clean energy and carbon neutrality by mid-century. CEC is helping create the energy system of California’s future through activities such as Planning and Policy Development, Renewable Energy Growth; Energy Efficiency; Energy Innovation; Cleaner Transportation; and Responsible Electricity Infrastructure.

Direct Air Capture Pre-Commercial Demonstration and Community Engagement

Purpose

This solicitation supports the development and deployment of advanced direct air capture (DAC) carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies through pre-commercial pilot and demonstration projects under real-world conditions.

The Sales Tax Exclusion (STE) Program, managed by the California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority (CAEATFA), provides significant tax incentives for manufacturers in California who invest in equipment aimed at promoting alternative energy, advanced transportation, and recycling. This program not only supports the economy by creating high-paying jobs but also encourages sustainable practices in manufacturing. With a funding cap of $110 million annually, eligible applicants can receive up to $20 million for their projects.

The GFO-23-307 grant by the California Energy Commission aims to foster large-scale centralized clean hydrogen production to combat climate change. It supports projects that demonstrate innovative hydrogen technologies, enhancing production, storage, and delivery while reducing costs. The initiative focuses on deploying clean hydrogen in sectors like transportation and industry, ensuring environmental benefits and compliance with renewable energy standards. By leveraging economies of scale, this program aspires to create a sustainable hydrogen value chain in California.

The Annual Grant Cycle (2025-26) by the North Tahoe Community Alliance focuses on funding projects that enhance community vitality, economic health, and environmental sustainability in the North Lake Tahoe region. Eligible applicants include nonprofits and businesses that provide services in the area. Priority is given to initiatives that address workforce housing needs, with funding aimed at projects ready for immediate implementation. This program promotes collaboration and strategic use of Transient Occupancy Tax funds.

The California Active Transportation Program (ATP) supports projects enhancing biking and walking across the state, with $6,137,000 available in the latest call for projects. Initiated by Senate Bill 99 and 101, ATP aims to boost non-motorized transit, improve safety, and reduce greenhouse gases. The funding is administered by the California Transportation Commission and SANDAG, with minimum grants set at $250,000 for infrastructure projects. Notably, no matching funds are required, though points are awarded for evidence of them.

The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) in California provides essential funding for the development and maintenance of recreational trails and related projects. Administered by the California Department of Parks and Recreation, this program supports both motorized and non-motorized projects. To qualify, applicants must contribute a minimum of 12% in matching funds, with RTP covering up to 88% of total costs. Eligible funding sources include state and local funds, private contributions, and donated materials.

Project Apis m. is dedicated to enhancing honey bee health and crop production through research funding. With over $10 million allocated since 2006, the organization supports innovative projects addressing bee health, nutrition, and pest management. Proposals are confidential and evaluated based on their scientific rigor and relevance to industry needs. Funding ranges from $5,000 to $200,000, with a focus on sustainable solutions that benefit beekeepers and agriculture in North America.

The California Energy Commission's GFO-25-302 initiative, known as CHOIR, aims to advance virtual power plants that effectively coordinate inverter-based resources like solar, batteries, and electric vehicles. This program is crucial for enhancing power quality, mitigating grid congestion, and promoting clean energy within disadvantaged communities in California. By fostering innovation in energy management, CHOIR supports the state's transition to a sustainable energy future, aligning with goals for carbon neutrality and energy efficiency.

The GFO-25-901 program, administered by the California Energy Commission, aims to enhance the workforce for residential building electrification and efficiency training. This initiative supports long-term market transformation by funding contractor training projects, which ultimately reduce training costs and provide necessary certifications. As California transitions to 100% clean energy, such efforts are vital for combating climate change and ensuring a sustainable energy future.

The Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program (SALC) aims to protect California's agricultural lands from conversion to GHG-intensive uses while supporting climate goals. Through strategic investments, SALC enhances food security and promotes resilient agricultural systems. This program is part of California Climate Investments, which funds initiatives that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and benefit disadvantaged communities. Grants are available for agricultural conservation acquisitions, planning, and capacity funding to ensure the preservation of vital agricultural resources.

The Communities in Charge Funding - Wave 4 initiative aims to enhance electric vehicle (EV) charging accessibility across California. Funded by the California Energy Commission, it provides incentives for Level 2 charging stations, promoting a swift transition to clean transportation. The program focuses on supporting projects with high readiness levels, ensuring compliance with local regulations, and fostering community involvement. By integrating technical assistance and transparent participation, it ultimately seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve public health, particularly in disadvantaged areas.

The Explore the Coast Grants from the California State Coastal Conservancy aim to support public agencies, tribes, and nonprofits in enhancing access to California's coastal areas for communities facing barriers. This initiative prioritizes projects that facilitate enjoyable coastal experiences, reduce obstacles, and inspire stewardship among historically excluded groups. Eligible projects include transportation services, adaptive recreational activities, and community engagement events, ensuring that all Californians can connect with their coastal environment.

The Grants and Cooperative Agreements Program (GCA) – G24, funded by the California Department of Parks and Recreation, supports the planning, development, and conservation of Off-Highway Motor Vehicle (OHV) trails and facilities. It emphasizes responsible wildlife and habitat maintenance to ensure sustainable long-term OHV recreation. Additionally, the program oversees the motorized segment of the Recreational Trails Program (RTP), which funds trail development and maintenance across California for both motorized and non-motorized uses.

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

About the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)

The CPUC regulates privately owned electric, natural gas, telecommunications, water, railroad, rail transit, and passenger transportation companies, in addition to authorizing video franchises.

Our five Governor-appointed Commissioners, as well as our staff, are dedicated to ensuring that consumers have safe, reliable utility service at reasonable rates, protecting against fraud, and promoting the health of California's economy.

Clean Energy Access (Phase 2): LA County TECH (CEA-LAT) Grant

Purpose

The CEA-LAT Grant will provide up to $200,000 in funding to Community Based Organizations (CBOs) in Los Angeles County that perform outreach and education on the Technology for Equipment and Clean Heating Clean Initiative (TECH Clean CA). It focuses on building decarbonization, healthy homes, electrification technologies, and health-related impacts.

CEA-LAT Grant projects must be in LA County, and priority will be given to organizations located in the Aliso Canyon Disaster Area and/or the San Fernando Valley. Successful applicants for the CEA-LAT Grant will have a demonstrated background in advocating for their chosen target community in these areas. 

Examples of Eligible Activities

• Outreach and Education
• Evaluating Impact of Strategic Outreach and Education
• Staff Training
• Collaboration with Existing Program Implementer
• Program Participant Support

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

The Strategic Growth Council's Factory Built Housing Pilot Program aims to enhance the availability of affordable housing in California through factory-built solutions. With a funding allocation of $12 million, this program supports both Catalyst and Planning Grants to foster scalable strategies for long-term housing initiatives. Designed for advanced planning efforts, applicants are expected to demonstrate collaborative infrastructure and a clear vision for regional housing expansion, thus addressing the pressing need for high-quality homes across the state.

The CAL FIRE Business and Workforce Development initiative aims to foster a sustainable wood products industry in California. It supports projects that enhance business and workforce development in areas such as wood processing, bioenergy, and forest management. This program encourages the adoption of clean technologies and innovative practices, ultimately striving to create resilient forests and a skilled workforce that can contribute to the state's ecological and economic health.

The Business & Workforce Development Grants aim to bolster California's wood products infrastructure, ensuring the sustainability of forests and supporting the communities reliant on them. Funded through California Climate Investments, this initiative promotes diverse projects that enhance business and workforce development in the forestry sector. Key areas include business development, bioenergy, and forest-related workforce training, all contributing to healthier, resilient forests and a stronger economy, particularly in disadvantaged communities.

The Bike Safety and Awareness Grant, offered by the Sacramento Region Community Foundation, aims to enhance community education on bike safety and coexistence with vehicles. With a total of $17,000 available, two grants of up to $8,500 each will be awarded. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) designated and promote cycling safety in California. This initiative honors Maggie, a dedicated advocate for bike safety, reinforcing the Foundation's commitment to impactful philanthropy.

Modeling and Monitoring Air Quality and Co-Benefits of Energy Interventions

The purpose of this solicitation is to fund applied research and development projects that inform California's transition to an equitable, zero-carbon energy system that is climate-resilient and meets environmental goals. Applied research supported by this solicitation will improve existing ambient air quality modeling approaches, advance low-cost measurement technologies, and conduct analyses to quantify the air quality implications and related human health impacts of clean energy interventions across energy use sectors. Ultimately, this research will contribute to a foundation for accurate monetization of non-energy impacts of clean energy interventions.

Improvements in air quality and related human health outcomes are important direct benefits of decarbonizing energy sectors that currently rely on fossil fuels. Capturing these impacts is important to motivate investments in decarbonization strategies but is also a challenging task. Robust air quality modeling and field measurements can help to accurately project the air quality-related benefits and ultimately monetize the human health impacts of clean energy interventions such as implementation of Senate Bill (SB) 100 (SB 100, De León, Chapter 312, Statutes of 2018), transportation electrification, and building electrification.

This solicitation addresses public interest research opportunities at the nexus of human health, air quality monitoring and modeling, and California’s decarbonizing electricity system. Existing ambient air quality simulation models require rigorous evaluation for accuracy of estimates, specific tailoring to California’s complex geography and meteorology, and expanded capability to simulate pollutants such as ozone and secondary particulate matter. Additionally, improvements in the spatial resolution and computational efficiency of existing models are critical to illuminate impacts of decarbonization strategies, and applied research is needed related to low-cost air quality sensors for in-situ household pollution measurement. While existing sensors enable collection of abundant data, they can be afflicted by performance issues and associated inaccuracies.

Projects must fall within the following project groups: 

• Group 1: Advancing Ambient Air Quality Modeling Capabilities and Analysis; and
• Group 2: Developing a Low-cost Air Quality Sensor to Assess Household Air Pollution.