Best Disaster Preparedness and Relief Grants in California

Marathon Petroleum Corporation's Community Investment Grants aim to enhance community welfare through strategic partnerships with 501(c)(3) non-profits and government entities. The focus areas include workforce development, sustainability, and thriving communities, reflecting the company's commitment to making a measurable impact in regions where they operate. Eligible organizations must be U.S.-based and recognized as non-profits. The foundation prioritizes initiatives that align with its values and community needs, ensuring support for impactful projects.

The Year-Round General Hardship Grants for Food + Beverage Workers provides critical financial support of up to $2,500 to eligible California workers facing unexpected crises such as illness, injury, or natural disasters. This initiative, funded by the California Restaurant Foundation, aims to assist those in the food and beverage sector during challenging times, ensuring they can access necessary resources to navigate their hardships effectively. Applications are submitted online, and assistance is contingent on qualifying circumstances.

The Oil Spill Response Equipment Grant, managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, provides funding to local government agencies for purchasing essential oil spill response equipment. This program aims to enhance the readiness of first responders in mitigating oil spills, ensuring economic stability in affected communities. Grants also cover training and equipment delivery, focusing on agencies located near state waters. Applications are accepted continuously, emphasizing ongoing support for local environmental protection efforts.

The Rosendin Foundation Emergency Grant provides financial support for unplanned expenses due to unforeseen circumstances such as natural disasters. Grants up to $5,000 are available for community-focused non-profit organizations in states where Rosendin and MPS operate. The foundation prioritizes emotional, occupational, and nutritional health initiatives, aiming to positively impact communities and empower individuals through financial support and volunteer efforts.

The Nature Based Solutions: Wetland Restoration funding aims to enhance wetland restoration, conservation, and climate resilience in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. This initiative addresses significant peat soil subsidence, which threatens water projects and agriculture in the region. By re-wetting peat soils, the program can mitigate CO2 emissions and support diverse projects, including tidal wetland restoration, crop conversion, and land acquisition, fostering a sustainable environment and economy.

The Native American Preparedness Tribal Grant, offered by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, provides crucial support for California Native American tribes. This grant focuses on enhancing emergency preparedness, response, and recovery efforts to protect ancestral lands from oil spills. By fostering better readiness and resilience among tribes, it aims to ensure the safety and sustainability of their communities and environments.

Background

The purpose of DR-ACCEL is to address projects with funding gaps so they may move into construction. Funding available under this Project Solicitation is derived from CDBG-DR funds. No bond sale or similar financial arrangements are involved.

HUD requires that 80 percent of CDBG-DR funding be spent within areas designated as Most Impacted and Distressed (MID areas). HCD will spend 100 percent of the 2023 DR Allocation, including the mitigation set-aside, in the HUD MID areas for DR-4683. Data sources relating to these MID counties are further explained in the Unmet Needs Assessment section of the Action Plan.

Low-and moderate income (LMI) renters receive the least amount of resources after disasters yet face the largest need for housing. The housing programs were allocated based on data from Disaster Case Manager Providers (DCMPs). Based on data provided by DCMPs, the largest group of LMI populations impacted by DR-4683 are renters, who plan on continuing renting.

The following counties constitute the MID areas for DR-4683: Merced, Santa Cruz, San Joaquin, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura. Data sources relating to these MID counties are further explained in the Unmet Needs Assessment section of the Action Plan.

One of the prioritization criteria is distance to DR-4683 flooded areas. Projects closest to DR-4683 and not in 100-year flood plain areas will receive more points for this program.

The Dollar General School Library Relief Grant Program, managed by the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, provides crucial support to K-12 public school libraries that face significant damage due to disasters such as fires or federally recognized acts of terrorism. This grant aims to restore essential library resources, ensuring that affected communities can continue to access vital educational materials and support. Libraries must be within 15 miles of a Dollar General store and meet specific eligibility criteria.

California Governor's Office of Emergency Services

With over 38 million residents (12 percent of the US population), the State of California is the most populous state in the nation and has the third largest land area among the states (163,695 square miles). California is culturally, ethnically, economically, ecologically, and politically diverse, and maintains the eighth largest economy in the world with 13 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product. California also faces numerous risks and threats to our people, property, economy, environment and is prone to earthquakes, floods, significant wildfires, prolonged drought impacts, public health emergencies, cybersecurity attacks, agricultural and animal disasters, as well threats to homeland security. Cal OES takes a proactive approach to addressing these risks, threats, and vulnerabilities that form the basis of our mission and has been tested through real events, as well as comprehensive exercises that help us maintain our state of readiness to plan for and mitigate impacts.

Listos California CERT Support Grant (LC) Program

The purpose of the LC Program is to provide funding to a fiscal administrator which will in coordination with Cal OES, support new and existing CERT programs to build their capacity to prepare vulnerable and underserved populations including, but not limited to: providing CERT training in languages other than English, providing CERT training to underserved populations and/or populations that are at high risk for disasters, providing accommodations for training participants that have access and functional needs, such as English as a Second Language (ESL) interpretation, and building capacity to respond to disasters.

Purpose

This work is intended to equip airports across seismically active regions throughout California with EEW technology.

Description

The purpose of the EA Program for Airports is to create a safer California by implementing and integrating the CEEWS statewide in key industries and critical sector

Community Resilience Centers Round 2

The California Strategic Growth Council (SGC) is pleased to announce the availability of approximately $55 million in funding from the Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024 for Round 2 of the Community Resilience Centers (CRC) Program through this Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). 

Program Summary

The CRC Program will offer Planning Grants and Implementation Grants. Unlike Round 1, the CRC Program will not offer a separate Project Development Grant type. Instead, Round 2’s Implementation Grant will offer a new, funded “Pre-Development Phase” that will support Lead Grantees’ project readiness before implementation. The Pre-Development Phase will last no more than one year from grant execution.

Implementation Grants

Grant Purpose

Implementation Grants will fund new construction and retrofits of facilities to serve as Community Resilience Centers, as well as programs and services that build overall community resilience.

Examples of Eligible Activities

Construction, retrofits, and other upgrades to the CRC Facility itself; Campus Amenity improvements; programs and services; community engagement.

Project Area

CRC applications must be community focused. All CRC Implementation Grant applicants are required to define a Project Area. The Project Area must encompass the physical location of the CRC Facility (the CRC Site), Campus Amenities connected to the CRC Facility, Partner Sites and any programs and services based out of the CRC Facility or Partner Sites.

About Us

Our Vision

Healthy, thriving, and resilient communities for all

Our Mission

The mission of the Council is to coordinate and work collaboratively with public agencies, communities, and stakeholders to achieve sustainability, equity, economic prosperity, and quality of life for all Californians

Community Resilience Centers Round 2

From extreme heat to wildfires, recent climate events and public health emergencies impact every part of California. The best available projections anticipate that these climate impacts will intensify. In the face of these challenges, strengthening resilience requires investments in both physical and social infrastructure. In addition to climate resilience activities, community resilience builds ongoing social cohesion, trust, and networks.

The Community Resilience Centers (CRC) Program:

• Funds the planning, construction, and retrofit of community resilience centers across California’s diverse communities
• Advances communities’ capacity to plan for long-term resilience and acute emergencies
• Encourages meaningful engagement, cross-sectoral collaboration, community-based partnerships, and shared governance and decision-making models
• Mitigates the public health impacts of extreme heat and other emergency situations exacerbated by climate change
• Prioritizes projects located in and benefiting under-resourced, rural, unincorporated, and Tribal communities across geographically diverse regions in the state of California

The CA Emergency Watershed Protection Program (EWP) Grants provide essential technical and financial support to local communities in California facing imminent threats from natural disasters like floods and wildfires. This program assists eligible sponsors, including local government and tribal organizations, in implementing crucial conservation practices to safeguard life and property. By enabling recovery projects and floodplain easements, EWP fosters resilience and sustainable management of vital watershed resources for the benefit of all communities.

Every Kindness is a Gift

Dollar Tree Gift Card Program 2026

Every Kindness is a Gift is a gift card grant program made possible through the generosity of Dollar Tree and managed by the team here at Gift Card Bank. We are a nonprofit organization that specializes in the distribution of gift cards and our mission is to improve well-being and build financial stability by supporting people through their time of need.

Through Every Kindness is a Gift, nonprofit organizations and Title I schools located in the 48 contiguous states may apply to receive a grant of Dollar Tree gift cards.

Gift cards received through these grants are meant to be distributed directly to individuals and families in need. A primary goal of the program is to give gift card recipients the dignity of choice by empowering them to shop for what they need themselves. By putting gift cards directly in the hands of our neighbors in need, we are able to increase access to essentials like food, school supplies, paper products, cleaning products, and hygiene items.

In 2026, there will be two rounds of grant distributions. In each round, we will award a number of grants between $2,500 and $10,000.

Round One is a summer distribution. Gift cards awarded in Round One will arrive in late June, while kids are on break and back-to-school is around the corner. Round Two is a holiday distribution. Gift cards awarded in Round Two will arrive in early November, as the end-of-year holidays approach.

We know that these are times of year when budgets are tight. Through these gift card grants, we hope to connect individuals and families directly to the essential resources they need during difficult months.

The Native American Affairs program for Fiscal Year 2025 aims to provide crucial funding for drought relief projects that support federally recognized tribes in the Colorado River Basin. The initiative focuses on enhancing drought resiliency, improving water delivery efficiency, and addressing drinking water shortages. With a maximum award of $1,000,000 per tribe, this program encourages collaboration and aligns with federal priorities to effectively mitigate drought impacts within tribal communities.

Roche Corporate Donations and Philanthropy (CDP) focuses on impactful projects that foster sustainable development, engage employees, and leverage Roche's expertise. Their philanthropic efforts prioritize humanitarian, educational, environmental, and cultural initiatives, aiming to build stronger communities and support innovative projects. Eligibility is limited to local organizations, while ineligible projects include those with political or religious ties. The foundation strives to create a positive societal impact through collaboration and strategic partnerships.

The EDA FY25 Disaster Supplemental program provides critical funding to support communities recovering from severe economic distress caused by natural disasters in 2023 and 2024. With no submission deadlines for Readiness and Implementation Paths, and a specific deadline for Industry Transformation applications, this initiative aims to enhance community resilience and improve economic trajectories through strategic projects that engage local stakeholders and private industries.

The Ocotillo Wind Imperial Valley Fund aims to enhance the quality of life for Imperial Valley communities through various programs. It focuses on priorities such as civic engagement, economic development, youth education, disaster recovery, and health and wellness. The fund is open to impactful proposals that demonstrate relevance, measurable outcomes, and collaboration among stakeholders. Eligible applicants include 501c3 organizations and public institutions that serve the region, ensuring projects address community needs without discrimination.

The MathWorks Community Grant supports nonprofit organizations that align with its social mission, focusing on education, community support, green initiatives, and global relief. Grants, ranging from $200 to $5,000, are awarded quarterly to eligible organizations serving local communities. Applicants must demonstrate their programs' alignment with MathWorks goals and provide a summary report post-funding. The program excludes support for religious, political, or fundraising activities, ensuring a focus on charitable endeavors.

The Disaster Response & Resilience Fund, managed by the Humboldt Area Foundation, supports non-profit organizations and community groups in Humboldt, Trinity, Del Norte, and Curry counties during disasters. The fund focuses on immediate needs and safety for the vulnerable, addressing challenges posed by natural and man-made disasters. By prioritizing equitable support, it aims to strengthen community resilience and ensure effective disaster response and recovery.

The Japan – U.S. Global Partnership Grant Program aims to foster collaborative projects addressing global issues through partnerships between Japanese and American organizations. It focuses on policy-oriented research and dialogue among diverse professionals, including academia and grassroots practitioners. Key thematic areas include resilience, inclusivity, and advancements in science and technology. Projects outside these themes may also be eligible if aligned with grant goals, covering topics like climate change, public health, and digital transformation.

International Paper Grants focus on community engagement, emphasizing education, hunger relief, health & wellness, and disaster relief. They support nonprofit organizations that demonstrate good financial standing and effective management. Eligible organizations must operate in areas where International Paper has facilities. The foundation prioritizes local needs, particularly critical and environmental issues, while encouraging employee involvement. Ineligible entities include private foundations and those without a local presence. Applications are accepted through mid-September in the U.S. and Canada.

State Farm's Good Neighbor Citizenship Company Grants aim to enhance community safety, development, and education. Focused on long-term impact, they support initiatives in auto and home safety, disaster preparedness, affordable housing, and educational programs. Eligible recipients include nonprofits, educational institutions, and government entities. However, funding is not available for individuals, religious programs, or organizations outside the U.S. By addressing critical community needs, these grants foster safer and more resilient neighborhoods.

The McKesson Foundation Grant provides funding above $25,000 to support health equity initiatives across North America. Founded in 1943, its mission focuses on removing barriers to quality healthcare for vulnerable communities. The foundation prioritizes projects that align with strategic pillars: reducing cancer burdens, preparing the healthcare workforce, and enhancing crisis response. Eligible organizations include national and local nonprofits. Funding is limited to specific regions and assessed based on demonstrated need and expected impact.

The Sonoma County Resilience Fund aims to support long-term recovery for residents affected by disasters like wildfires and floods. Established to provide resources beyond immediate relief, this fund prioritizes community resilience against future challenges, including climate change. Through proactive engagement and partnerships, the fund has allocated over $19 million since 2017, focusing on mental health, housing solutions, and preparedness initiatives, ensuring sustainable impact for decades to come.

The McKesson Foundation Grant provides funding up to $25,000 for organizations focused on improving health outcomes in underserved communities. Established in 1943, the foundation prioritizes health equity through strategic partnerships aimed at reducing cancer burdens, preparing healthcare professionals, and enhancing crisis response efforts. Eligible applicants include national and local nonprofits targeting specific regions in the U.S. and Canada. The foundation emphasizes projects that align with its mission and demonstrate significant community impact.