Best Grants for Native Americans in California

California tribal governments and other local government sponsors can obtain funding to address watershed damage and imminent threats to life and property from floods, fires, windstorms, and other disasters. Grants from USDA: Natural Resources Conservation Service of California support debris removal, streambank repair, drainage restoration, vegetative cover, levee and structure repair, and eligible buyouts benefiting public and private landowners.

The Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation provides grants to early-stage social entrepreneurs working on scalable solutions to pressing social and environmental issues. By supporting organizations with innovative approaches and proven impact, they aim to uplift underserved communities globally. The foundation offers operational support, funding of up to $300,000 over three years, and fosters a collaborative community among its portfolio organizations. They focus on candidates demonstrating measurable impact and sustainable growth potential.

Nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations using technology for crisis response, education access, or economic empowerment can apply for Global Impact Cash Grants, with awards up to US $100,000. Focused on innovative, tech-enabled solutions for economically underserved communities, Cisco Systems Foundation invites programs in California and worldwide that address critical social challenges and build long-term resilience.

The Hearst Foundation: Culture Grant aims to support outstanding nonprofits that enhance cultural engagement and artistic talent in the U.S. With a focus on programs that reach young people, the grant prioritizes organizations that create lasting impacts in the arts and sciences. The Foundation allocates 25% of its funding to cultural initiatives, favoring established organizations with a history of significant results. Eligible nonprofits must encourage inclusivity and sustainability in their programs.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working in health, education, or community services in California may be eligible for funding that supports food pantries, healthcare access, STEM programs, and wellness initiatives. Focused on community well-being, Labcorp Charitable Foundation invites U.S.-based groups, including those serving Native American communities, to apply during its March and September review cycles.

The PNC Foundation aims to enhance the lives of individuals in local communities through partnerships with nonprofit organizations. Their focus includes promoting educational opportunities, particularly for early childhood education, and supporting economic development initiatives. Grants are available for organizations that benefit low- to moderate-income families and enhance community growth. The foundation prioritizes programs that foster sustainability and diversity, ensuring a lasting impact on the communities they serve.

Public agencies, nonprofit organizations, eligible tribes, and certain water suppliers in California can seek funding to enhance stream flows that benefit fish, wildlife, and climate resilience. With a mission to improve water resources, California Wildlife Conservation Board provides support for projects like water transactions, conservation measures, habitat restoration, and related scientific studies that may aid Native American communities managing water resources.

Nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and California Native American tribes in California can receive funding to plan or implement projects that expand public access to wildlife-oriented recreation, hunting, and fishing. With a mission to enhance equitable access to nature, California Wildlife Conservation Board supports trails, interpretive programs, ADA facilities, outreach, and related outdoor access infrastructure.

The Semnani Family Foundation, established in 1993, is dedicated to supporting marginalized communities worldwide through health, education, and disaster relief initiatives. Founded by Khosrow and Ghazaleh Semnani, it began by funding an orphanage in Romania. The foundation also operates locally, providing free healthcare through the Maliheh Free Clinic in Utah. Its commitment to human welfare drives impactful partnerships in countries such as Afghanistan, India, and South Africa, focusing on the most vulnerable populations.

The J.W. Couch Foundation Grant focuses on supporting Wildlife Conservation nonprofit organizations that align with their mission of community betterment and environmental protection. The foundation seeks partnerships with organizations that promote animal wellbeing, early childhood education, teacher support, and outdoor activities. Eligible applicants must be registered 501(c)3 nonprofits or for-profit entities aligned with their charitable programs. This grant emphasizes collaboration and community engagement to create lasting impacts.

Monitoring and Synthesis to Inform Offshore Development and Marine Ecosystem Management in California: 2027 Request for Proposals

California's ocean waters are among the most closely monitored in the world, with numerous independent programs tracking biological and physical variables across a range of spatial and temporal scales. These programs support fisheries management, protected-species recovery, marine protected area management, and ecosystem assessment. Baseline monitoring data is critical as California’s offshore areas are being considered for offshore development, including for ocean energy. Such development introduces additional potential drivers of disturbance to the California Current Large Marine Ecosystem (CCLME), and their potential effects on the surrounding environment will need to be considered.

The California Ocean Protection Council (OPC) and California Sea Grant College Program (CASG) are soliciting proposals for applied research that will strengthen the state's ability to detect and understand ecological change and disturbance in the CCLME as offshore development opportunities continue to be considered. This solicitation supports two complementary tracks to assess baseline conditions for current and/or future offshore development in California, including offshore energy: Track 1 addresses whether existing monitoring can detect disturbance against natural and/or climate-driven variability, and Track 2 supports the collection of targeted new field data where monitoring is absent or out of date. Proposals may combine elements of both tracks; hybrid proposals are evaluated on the same criteria as single-track proposals and receive no preference for combining tracks.

A total of $2,700,000 is available for funding: Ocean Protection Council will contribute $2,300,000 of state funds and California Sea Grant will contribute $400,000 of NOAA federal funds, contingent upon availability of funds from the Ocean Protection Council and NOAA. Total project budgets must be a minimum of $50,000 and may not exceed $750,000 (to include indirect costs, if any). It is anticipated that 3 to 5 projects will be awarded. The amount of funding requested should be appropriate for the scope of work proposed; this will be assessed in proposals as part of the evaluation criteria. 

The Georgia-Pacific Foundation Grant supports organizations in the Metro Atlanta area, focusing on education, entrepreneurship, community enrichment, and environmental sustainability. Established in 1958, the foundation prioritizes investments that align with its mission and values, promoting long-term well-being within communities where Georgia-Pacific operates. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, public schools, and local government entities located within 30 miles of GP manufacturing sites.

Eligible organizations and tribes in California can apply for the Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program, which funds planning, capacity, and acquisition projects to protect agricultural lands from development. Administered by the California Department of Conservation, this program may benefit Native American communities engaged in agriculture, traditional food systems, or land stewardship partnerships.

California Native American tribes in California can receive funding to assess and plan for sea level rise impacts on ancestral lands, cultural sites, lifeways, and coastal resources. California Ocean Protection Council supports pre-planning and planning projects, including community visioning, outreach, data collection, vulnerability assessments, and culturally appropriate adaptation strategies, with awards ranging from US $250,000 - US $750,000.

California organizations and land stewards working on sustainable agriculture and food systems can seek funding to pilot, evaluate, and transition to regenerative production, fair labor, and community-focused food access initiatives. Regents of the University of California prioritizes projects benefiting Tribal communities, SB535 disadvantaged communities, and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers, offering up to US $20,000 for capacity-building efforts.

California farm and food businesses, nonprofits, tribal governments, and educational or public agencies can seek UC Davis’s UC SAREP small grants to support sustainable agriculture and food systems projects; awards US $10,000 - US $20,000 for planning, education and outreach, or applied research. Native American communities and Tribal land stewards may be prioritized when directly involved.

Ameriprise Community Grants focus on supporting nonprofits that enhance community vitality and meet basic needs. With over 120 years of commitment to philanthropy, Ameriprise Financial engages employees in volunteerism and grantmaking. Key giving areas include hunger relief, housing stability, and community development. Priority is given to organizations with active volunteer engagement from Ameriprise advisors and employees, creating a meaningful impact on financial independence and community resilience.

Eligible organizations in California working on tobacco-related health disparities can apply for the California Department of Public Health’s Statewide Priority Population Coordinating Center, with awards up to US $3,700,000 to coordinate collaboration and communication efforts. Programs serving American Indian and Alaska Native communities, alongside other priority populations, may benefit from this statewide coordinating role.

Public agencies, Native American tribes, and nonprofit organizations in California can seek funding for salmon and steelhead habitat restoration, enhancement, or protection projects; awards are typically more than US $2,000,000. California Department of Fish and Wildlife supports fisheries and ecosystem restoration efforts that recover and conserve anadromous salmonid populations.

Nonprofit organizations and fiscally sponsored groups in California planning public festivals can receive up to US $7,000 for artist stipends, equipment, production staff, and other event costs. Focused on community cultural events, City of Berkeley invites applicants whose festivals celebrate culture and heritage, including Native American communities, within Berkeley and offer a free, accessible component.

Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations, California Native American tribes, land trusts, fiscally sponsored groups, foundations, and local governments in California can receive multi-year funding for art projects in local parks that connect communities to cultural history and nature. With a mission to support community well-being, Arts in California Parks provides Implementation Grants for public art installations, events, and programming in locally managed parks and open spaces.

California archives, tribal governments, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, and educational institutions in California can receive US $5,000 - US $200,000 to preserve and provide public access to LGBTQ+ archival materials. California State Library funding supports projects that safeguard research-value collections and actively promote public, researcher, and community engagement, which may benefit Native American organizations stewarding relevant LGBTQ+ history.

The O'Reilly Automotive Foundation Grant focuses on enhancing community welfare through philanthropic initiatives that support economic stability, workforce development, health services, and disaster relief. Established in 2020, the Foundation seeks to empower underrepresented individuals and organizations in the U.S. by addressing vital community needs. It particularly aims to provide assistance to nonprofits that foster positive change and improve quality of life for those in need, ensuring a lasting impact in local communities.

California Native American tribes seeking funding for land acquisition and multi-benefit nature-based solutions in California can apply for support from the CA Natural Resources Agency. With a mission to strengthen tribal stewardship of ancestral lands, the agency provides resources for ancestral land return, habitat restoration, coastal and ocean protection, and wildfire resiliency projects.

State agencies, Native American tribes, local governments, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits in California can seek funding for wildfire prevention projects, planning, and education that protect people, structures, and communities. With a mission to reduce wildfire risk, CAL FIRE provides support for hazardous fuels reduction, strategic wildfire planning, and public outreach, with priority for disadvantaged and low-income communities.

The Gupta Family Foundation Grant aims to empower disadvantaged individuals by providing financial support to organizations that foster self-reliance. Headquartered in Herndon, Virginia, the foundation offers grants ranging from $5,000 to over $250,000, prioritizing smaller organizations with a strong commitment to their missions. Eligibility typically includes US-based IRS 501(c)(3) entities, with operations extending to countries like India and Kenya. The foundation emphasizes mission alignment and effective resource allocation to ensure maximum impact.