Best Grants for Education Nonprofits in California

Education-focused nonprofits in California and northern Nevada can apply for grants from the Albertsons Companies Foundation to support youth education, hunger relief, health, veterans, and inclusion programs; awards range from US $1,000 - US $2,500. Organizations must serve communities where Safeway or Vons operate and secure an employee sponsor in California.

Education-focused 501(c)(3) nonprofits in California can receive up to US $1,000 for capital campaigns, program operations, or events through sponsorships supporting transformative social justice and environmental work. Beneficial State Foundation prioritizes organizations in sectors like education and youth development, with requests due at least 60 days before funds are needed.

Nonprofit organizations in California offering STEM education, environmental programs, or public safety and emergency preparedness initiatives can receive support through Edison International’s Community Grants Program. Grants may benefit education nonprofits working with underserved communities in Southern California counties, including Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and other areas within the company’s service area.

California education and community-focused nonprofits that are not part of the U.S. healthcare community can seek funding for humanitarian, social, education, and community programs. Focused on broad educational and social impact, Amgen Foundation invites 501(c)(3) public charities and eligible governmental or Puerto Rico-qualified organizations to apply for charitable donations and sponsorships, including nation-wide U.S. initiatives.

Ralph M. Parsons Foundation provides California education nonprofits serving Los Angeles County with flexible support for direct-service work. Eligible organizations can request general operating, program, capital, and capacity-building funds across education, from early learning through higher education and vocational training, especially for underserved populations and “cradle to career” initiatives.

Tax-exempt nonprofits in Southern California, especially those based in and serving Los Angeles County, can apply for Rose Hills Foundation grants of more than US $10,000 to support education, arts and culture, human services, and programs for at-risk youth and families. Education-focused organizations in California may be eligible if they provide direct services and meet the foundation’s impact and governance criteria.

501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations in California working in education, science, or health can apply for Saw Island Foundation’s grants to support scholarships, research, targeted programs, or general operations. New grants generally prioritize the San Francisco Bay Area, and education nonprofits with measurable impact may be especially competitive.

California education and youth-focused 501(c)(3) nonprofits and schools can seek program support for hunger relief, youth and education, and health and nutrition initiatives. Focused on strengthening neighborhoods, Shaw's Supermakets Charitable Foundation invites organizations serving communities where it operates to apply online; some regions require an employee sponsor, and reviews take about eight weeks.

California education nonprofits serving children in low-income families can access funding through the Sills Family Foundation, with awards of US $10,000 - US $25,000 for one-year grants. Support may cover early childhood education, school-based arts and violence prevention, and related programs that help children overcome poverty, trauma, and other barriers to success.

Education-focused 501(c)(3) nonprofits and schools in California serving communities near Albertsons and Vons stores can seek funding for youth and K–12 education, health, hunger relief, and related human services. Grants from Albertsons Companies Foundation help organizations in Southern California counties with programs also supporting veterans, disability inclusion, and diversity, typically awarding US $1,000 - US $5,000 to first-time grantees.

Education-focused 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving Monterey County, California can seek programmatic funding for cultural, educational, youth, health, and community services projects. Dunspaugh-Dalton Foundation prioritizes organizations operating at least five years with strong financial records, and typically awards one-year grants that demonstrate clearly defined, targeted outcomes benefiting the local community.

Nonprofit organizations in California working on education, youth development, housing, or economic development programs can apply for Banner Bank’s Community Support Program. Grants from Banner Bank help education nonprofits expand academic achievement, financial literacy, and youth development initiatives, especially those serving low- and moderate-income populations, with year-round applications and a regional focus including California.

Education-focused 501(c)(3) nonprofits in California can seek more than US $1,000 to support community programs in agriculture, environment, education, hunger and poverty, health, social services, and public safety. Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation prioritizes tax-exempt organizations serving communities where Perdue associates live and work, with added preference for associate involvement and cultural heritage initiatives.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in California working on youth and education, health, or community-building programs can apply for Hesed Foundation grants of US $250 - US $10,000. Grants from Hesed Foundation help education-focused groups, especially those serving underrepresented communities, improve human welfare and strengthen communities in eligible Northern California counties.

Education-focused 501(c)(3) nonprofits in California can apply for the Perdue Foundation’s corporate giving program, with awards up to US $1,000 for community-benefit programs. Funding may support education, hunger relief, health, environment, agriculture, poverty services, or public safety initiatives; applications must include an endorsement letter from a Perdue associate to be eligible.

Education-focused 501(c)(3) organizations in California working on youth financial literacy, STEAM education access, and youth mentorship can apply for funding that also supports basic needs, economic vitality, and enrichment and wellness programs. Focused on education, Bank of Marin invites nonprofits in ten Northern California counties to strengthen community and economic vitality through their annual grant program.

U.S.-incorporated 501(c)(3) organizations seeking support for education or broader community betterment projects can apply for grants that enhance quality of life. The Doyle Foundation provides California education nonprofits with flexible funding, and programs in other fields that strengthen productive, prosperous communities may also be eligible.

The American Honda Foundation provides programmatic support to nonprofit organizations and schools in the U.S., empowering impactful initiatives aligned with community needs. Funding opportunities are available through Honda corporate and Honda USA Foundation, focusing on projects that enhance education and community welfare. Eligible organizations must have nonprofit status or be recognized educational institutions. The application process opens each fall, with funding decisions announced the following spring, ensuring alignment with Honda's commitment to social responsibility.

California education and community nonprofits with 501(c)(3) public charity status can seek US $5,000 - US $3,000,000 for innovative, sustainable projects that deliver long-term benefits. Focused on transformative community improvements, the Del E Webb Foundation supports programs in areas like youth services, child welfare, health, and community development that can progress toward self-sufficiency.

California education nonprofits and school districts offering STEM, technology, engineering, or public safety education can access funding through Motorola Solutions Foundation for programs serving youth and first responders. Grants up to US $50,000 support hands-on STEM learning, vocational training, scholarships, and safety or disaster-preparedness education, with emphasis on underrepresented and underserved populations.

The S. Mark Taper Foundation, established in 1989, is a private family foundation committed to improving lives through support for nonprofit organizations in Southern California. It funds projects in arts, education, health, and more, with grant sizes ranging from $50,000 to over $100,000. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) certified and serve specific counties. Notably, those receiving funding in the past three years are ineligible to apply.

California education nonprofits and public agencies can access funding through Teichert Foundation to support specific projects such as education and workforce development, youth services, and community programs. Grants of US $3,000 - US $7,500 are available to 501(c)(3) public charities and eligible government entities in selected California counties and Washoe County, Nevada.

Education-focused 501(c)(3) nonprofits and fiscally sponsored programs in California’s eligible NBC/Telemundo markets can seek support for youth education, next-generation storytellers, and community engagement initiatives. Focused on local impact and inclusion, the Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation invites organizations with $100,000–$1,000,000 in annual expenses and at least one year of operations to apply.

California education nonprofits with programs that protect, connect, or restore wildlife corridors and migratory pathways can access funding through Walt Disney Company Foundation. Grants up to US $150,000 support two-year, community-based conservation projects across terrestrial and aquatic habitats, which may include educational or outreach components aligned with Disney’s charitable giving guidelines.

California education nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status can seek program or capital funding for education, arts, health, environment, and community development projects. California education organizations can access funding through Pacific Life Foundation, with awards from US $15,000 - US $100,000, primarily serving Orange County communities where Pacific Life employees live and work.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations providing education and related services in California communities served by Sunwest Bank can seek support for vulnerable children and families, including food, housing, health, safety, and employment needs. Sunwest Bank Charitable Foundation favors effective local organizations, with extra consideration for those where bank employees volunteer, and uses an open online application process.