Best San Bernardino County Grants for Nonprofits in California

The TMCity Foundation Grant supports innovative neurocognitive research and mental health initiatives, offering funding between $25,000 and $250,000. Organizations should be 501(c)(3) and focus on healthcare solutions for brain-related ailments. Applications are accepted via a rolling letter of inquiry, followed by a detailed application if interested. The Foundation prioritizes projects based in Southern California and Greater Boston, aiming to advance understanding of mental health through cutting-edge research and technologies.

The PLTW Launch program, in collaboration with Burns and McDonnell, aims to enhance STEM education by expanding access to innovative educational modules in eligible schools. This initiative supports public and charter schools in targeted counties, focusing on increasing student engagement in STEM fields. Through grant funding, participating schools can introduce new PLTW Launch modules and provide essential training for teachers, fostering a richer learning environment to prepare students for future careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

The Balmes Family Trust Grant, established by Robert L. and Margaret K. Balmes, aims to support organizations that assist military personnel who have lost limbs and those enhancing life in Southern California. Founded in 2004, the trust embodies Mr. Balmes's legacy as a pioneer in Homeowner Association Management. It prioritizes funding for 501(c)(3) organizations in California, ensuring a positive impact on the community and honoring the sacrifices of veterans.

The BNSF Railway Foundation provides grants to enhance community quality of life across 28 states, focusing on educational, cultural, and social service initiatives. With over $150 million contributed since 2000, the foundation emphasizes projects with strong local engagement and BNSF employee involvement. Eligible organizations include public charities, local governments, and tribal governments, while ineligible entities encompass religious organizations and those with discriminatory practices. Priority is given to environmental, health, and cultural projects.

The Community Progress Makers Fund, an initiative by the Citi Foundation, aims to empower local organizations by providing $50 million in unrestricted funding. This program, established in 2015, will support 50 selected community organizations over three years with grants of $1 million each, alongside technical assistance and opportunities for collaboration. The fund prioritizes organizations with strong community ties and a proven impact in areas such as affordable housing, economic development, financial health, and workforce readiness.

The LA84 Foundation Grant supports youth development through sports, prioritizing programs that engage underrepresented youth, including girls and young women. Grants over $10,000 are awarded biannually, focusing on removing financial barriers and promoting equitable access to sports. The foundation emphasizes safety and adherence to sport-specific guidelines while fostering mentorship and coaching, particularly for young women. Programs aiming for systemic impact across multiple schools are preferred to ensure broad community benefits.

The LA84 Foundation Grant offers small grants of up to $10,000 to organizations that support youth sports programs, particularly for underserved youth. This funding aims to enhance social-emotional and educational outcomes through sports, prioritizing programs that promote equity, access, and safety. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations in Southern California, focusing on youth under 18, and adhere to specific safety guidelines for various sports. LOIs are accepted year-round.

The Stantec Community Engagement Grant is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in communities where Stantec operates. Focused on arts, education, environment, and health and wellness, the grant supports initiatives that foster sustainable development and responsible practices. Organizations seeking funding must align with Stantec's values, emphasizing ethical practices and community impact. Preference is given to projects located near Stantec offices, ensuring a more significant local impact through their contributions.

Spectrum Digital Education Grants support nonprofit organizations in educating communities about broadband benefits and usage. These grants aim to bridge the digital divide, particularly for seniors and those with disabilities or ethnically diverse backgrounds. Applicants must demonstrate community partnership, address specific needs, and provide measurable impact metrics. With a focus on financial feasibility and meaningful outcomes, this initiative ensures that underrepresented urban and rural communities gain access to essential digital resources, fostering long-term improvement in their lives.

The Inland Empire Youth Grantmakers program empowers high school students to address critical issues in their communities, focusing on mental health and education equity. With a hands-on, six-month experience, participants engage in grantmaking, community service, and advocacy. In 2025, the program shifted to prioritize mental health and educational resources, ensuring all youth have access to opportunities for success. By supporting nonprofits that provide essential services, the initiative aims to create lasting social change in Riverside, San Bernardino, and Coachella Valley.

Vibrant Health Fundraising Training Program

The Vibrant Health Fundraising Training Program (2026 Spring) is designed to equip nonprofit fundraising leaders and staff who have experience in donor development with the tools and knowledge to improve their donor cultivation and stewardship skills and processes necessary for increasing financial resources available for advancing Vibrant Health.

The goals and objectives of the program include the following:

Training Participants

Organizations will be able to select (1) staff member to participate in a 7-session enhanced fund development training program and one 2-hour individual coaching session.

In total, 20 organizations will be selected for this training opportunity. This is not a grant with direct funds but is a no-cost training program valued at $2,500 per person.

The Desert Tortoise Council offers a Regular Grants Program to support projects aimed at the conservation and management of desert tortoise populations and their habitats. Grant requests are accepted year-round, with priority given to emergency responses, impactful projects, and those that leverage additional funding. Grants are awarded based on availability and a majority vote by the Board, ensuring that significant conservation issues are addressed effectively.

The Bank of America Charitable Foundation focuses on improving economic mobility and social progress through partnerships with nonprofits. It prioritizes basic needs, income creation, stable housing, and community empowerment. By supporting vulnerable populations, the foundation aims to enable individuals to achieve their goals and contribute positively to their communities. The foundation emphasizes sustainable progress, ensuring that all community members have access to essential resources and opportunities for growth.

The McMillen Family Foundation Grant aims to support non-profit organizations in Southern California focused on treatment, prevention, and education regarding alcohol and drug dependency. Prioritizing nonprofits with proven track records, the Foundation provides funding for activities beyond government support, with grants up to $50,000 for new applicants. The Foundation also offers technical assistance and collaboration opportunities to enhance the impact of its grantees in the community.

The Dawn Foods Foundation Corporate Grants program is dedicated to enhancing community well-being through strategic investments in key areas like hunger prevention, education, community vibrancy, and volunteerism. With a strong commitment to improving lives, the foundation supports initiatives that promote health, literacy, and creative arts, while also encouraging team members to engage in volunteer efforts. Though applications for 2025 are closed, opportunities will reopen in 2026.

The Boston Scientific Foundation aims to enhance health and educational opportunities for economically disadvantaged individuals, particularly in STEM fields. Their grant program focuses on K-12 students, requiring at least 50% of participants to be at or below 185% of the poverty line. The foundation seeks evidence-based proposals that can measure improvements in STEM learning, and it prioritizes applications serving communities near Boston Scientific locations, ensuring inclusivity and non-discrimination in service.

The NRA Foundation in California offers grants aimed at promoting charitable purposes related to firearms and hunting safety. Eligible organizations include IRS-recognized entities and government bodies. Grant requests must align with the Foundation's mission to educate the public about firearms and support research on safety. Ineligible organizations include labor unions and private businesses. The funding decisions are made solely by the Foundation based on its criteria.

The Grants for Aquatic Center Education Program aims to enhance boating safety education in California by providing funding to non-profit organizations, colleges, and local agencies. The grants support on-the-water training, covering essential topics such as boating laws and environmental stewardship. Eligible applicants must demonstrate a commitment to safe boating practices and have qualified staff. This initiative promotes public access to waterways while ensuring a safer recreational boating environment.

Working together with IE Nonprofits to Advance Vibrant Health

We support organizations that serve families with children across the Inland Empire. We invest in strengthening nonprofit infrastructure, increasing access to basic needs, and building healthier community environments. Our goal is simple: help trusted local leaders do their work better, reach more people and create lasting change where it’s needed most.

Responsive Grants

As part of our responsive grantmaking strategy, IEHPF offers two types of responsive grants – and . Both grant opportunities allow organizations to submit funding requests for projects and activities that advance Vibrant Health for Inland Empire community members and align with IEHPF’s mission, vision, and priorities.

Healthy Communities Grant Summary

Healthy Communities grants provide funding and support to nonprofit organizations, collaboratives or networks addressing regional health needs, social drivers of health (SDPH) and systems change efforts for Inland Empire community residents who are experiencing the poorest health outcomes in low income communities, rural or remote areas and/or communities with a Healthy Places Index (HPI) score lower than 25. The grant focuses on supporting projects and activities that improve the organization or network’s capacity to effectively advocate for better health policies, strengthen regional workforce development efforts (especially in health, social services and for the purposes of Medi-Cal retention) and focus on improving population health outcomes that can be sustained beyond the one-year lifecycle of the grant.

Healthy Communities grants are awarded twice a year and have a one-year grant lifecycle. Awards will range from $20,000 - $75,000, although exceptions may apply. Organizations may only apply once per calendar year and must address at least one of the IEHPF’s priority Vital Conditions.

Working together with IE Nonprofits to Advance Vibrant Health

We support organizations that serve families with children across the Inland Empire. We invest in strengthening nonprofit infrastructure, increasing access to basic needs, and building healthier community environments. Our goal is simple: help trusted local leaders do their work better, reach more people and create lasting change where it’s needed most.

Responsive Grants

As part of our responsive grantmaking strategy, IEHPF offers two types of responsive grants – and. Both grant opportunities allow organizations to submit funding requests for projects and activities that advance Vibrant Health for Inland Empire community members and align with IEHPF’s mission, vision, and priorities.

Healthy Organizations Grant Summary

The Healthy Organizations grants provides funding and support to nonprofit organizations addressing the social drivers of health (SDOH) for Inland Empire community residents who are experiencing the poorest health outcomes in low-income communities, rural or remote areas and/or communities with a Healthy Places Index (HPI) score lower than 25. These investments focus on supporting projects and activities that improve the nonprofit’s internal capacity to work effectively and develop strong programs, finances, leadership and infrastructure that will be sustained beyond the one-year lifecycle of the grant.

Healthy Organizations grants are awarded twice a year and have a one-year grant lifecycle. Awards will range from $5,000 - $20,000, although exceptions may apply. Organizations may only apply once per calendar year and must address at least one of the IEHPF’s priority Vital Conditions.

To apply, organizations will complete a brief Eligibility Quiz to determine eligibility and submit a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) with a brief description of the project or activity they hope to fund with the Healthy Organizations grant. IEHPF staff members will then will review the LOI and determine if the organization will be invited to the full application on a rolling basis, but by the invitation deadline below.

Please note that organizations are encouraged to submit their LOIs early to allow for greater time to complete an application, if invited. However, as long as an organization submits an LOI by the deadline, their project will be considered for funding.

The Begole Archaeological Research Grant supports scientific research in Colorado Desert District parks and related areas in California and Baja California. Annually, two grants of up to $5,000 each are available for archaeological projects, with no topic restrictions. Eligibility includes students, faculty, agency staff, and independent scholars. Priority may be given to research focusing on early prehistory. Proof of permitting is required before funds are awarded, and no charges for salaries or overhead are allowed.

The Preserve Route 66 Legacy Business Grant Fund offers financial support to enhance historic sites and stimulate economic growth along the iconic Route 66. Targeting projects that reflect the diverse narratives of historically underrepresented communities, this grant emphasizes mural and painting initiatives in preparation for the 2026 centennial celebration. Grants range from $5,000 to $10,000, with no matching funds required, fostering inclusivity and preservation of cultural heritage along the corridor.

The DEW Foundation Grant supports tax-exempt charitable organizations globally, aiming to promote the common good through financial contributions and personal involvement. The foundation prioritizes charities where family members are actively involved and focuses on ministries, health, education, and community service. While it may fund its own projects, it typically does not exceed 10% of an organization's operating budget and avoids supporting politically affiliated causes or normal church operations. Innovative and effective organizations are especially welcome.

The Desert Tortoise Council invites proposals for conservation projects aimed at enhancing desert tortoise populations and habitats. With a funding opportunity of $9,000, the RFP emphasizes the importance of in situ conservation efforts such as habitat restoration and predator control. Projects must be completed within the current year in the Mojave Desert region. Applicants are required to submit detailed proposals, including budgets and project descriptions, and must report outcomes post-completion.

The CIELO Fund at the Inland Empire Community Foundation aims to uplift and invest in Latino-led initiatives in the Inland Empire. Launched in 2022, it reflects the region's growing Latino majority and addresses disparities in areas such as education, health, and economic mobility. The fund emphasizes equitable growth and community collaboration to foster a vibrant future for all residents. With a focus on leadership development and environmental equity, it champions the aspirations of the Latino community while tackling pressing local challenges.

The GM Corporate Giving Grants support U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations focused on STEM education and transportation initiatives. Applications are accepted from January to September, with a requirement to submit requests at least three months before the program’s start date. GM emphasizes charitable contributions in the communities where it operates, ensuring that organizations align with its values. The grant amount is not limited and is assessed based on the proposed program's merit and needs.

Friends of NRA

Friends of NRA is the National Rifle Association’s premier fundraising program, supporting the future of shooting sports. Since day one, Friends of NRA has been a 100% grassroots effort fueled by a united front to secure the Second Amendment and raise money for the shooting sports.

Committee volunteers are appointed to State Fund Committees to make recommendations for local grant funding in areas such as youth education, women-focused clinics, law enforcement training, hunter safety, range improvement, firearms and marksmanship training and safety. Recognizing the impact American youth has on the future of the shooting sports, State Fund Committees frequently recommend grants for youth programs, allocating the most significant portion of monies to this vital area.

Grant awards fund activities and support programs in the United States to promote firearms and hunting safety, to enhance marksmanship skills of those in the shooting sports, and to educate the public about firearms in their historic, technological and artistic context.

Friends of NRA State Fund Grant Program - California

The Friends of NRA State Fund Grant Program provides supplies, equipment, and financial support to a variety of qualified groups and programs at the local level; geared towards youth, women, law enforcement, veterans, the disabled, and the general public, including:

• General shooting programs
• Competitive shooting
• Education, training and safety
• Hunting and conservation
• Community outreach
• Historical education

Grant funding must be used to further a charitable purpose as defined by the Internal Revenue Code under section 501(c)(3) and accompanying rules, regulations, and other IRS law and materials.