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Search Through Grants for Education Nonprofits in San Diego, California

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.

Cox Charities Community Grants support nonprofits in California, focusing on digital equity, conservation, K-12 STEAM education, military support, and affordable housing. Grants are available to federally tax-exempt organizations within Cox's service areas. The grant cycle for 2024 has ended, with a diverse advisory board ensuring funds address local community needs. Eligible organizations must not be private foundations and can only submit one request. Ineligible projects include loans, scholarships, and general operating support.

Stater Bros. Charities Grant supports nonprofit organizations dedicated to enhancing community well-being in Southern California. With a focus on hunger relief, education, children's health, veterans, and pet welfare, the grant provides funding between $500 and $2,500. As a 501(c)(3) organization, Stater Bros. Charities has donated over $38 million to local causes, ensuring that funds raised stay within the communities served by Stater Bros. Markets, benefiting those in need.

The Teichert Foundation Grant supports organizations in California that enhance community welfare through civic improvement, culture, education, and environmental sustainability. Established by Teichert Construction, the foundation aims to foster a healthier, educated, and more equitable society. Eligible applicants include nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status and public agencies in specified counties. The foundation prioritizes projects that address community needs and demonstrate fiscal responsibility, ultimately striving to create lasting impact and better health for all.

The Pew Biomedical Scholars Program offers significant funding of $300,000 over four years to support early-career researchers in biomedical sciences. The program encourages innovative and impactful research that contributes to human health, requiring nomination from one of the 212 participating institutions. Candidates must hold a doctorate, run an independent lab as an assistant professor, and demonstrate exceptional promise. This program fosters collaboration and annual meetings for scholars to present their findings.

About WD-40 Company

At WD-40 Company, we are dedicated to creating positive lasting memories in every interaction we have. Our company is headquartered in San Diego, California, where it was founded in 1953, when chemists set out to create a line of rust-prevention solvents and degreasers for use in the aerospace industry. It took them 40 attempts to get their water displacing formula to work, but on the 40th attempt, they got it right in a big way and WD-40® Multi-Use Product was born. WD-40 stands for Water Displacement, 40th formula.

Today our small but mighty team of less than 700 people live and work in 18 countries and speak more than seven languages and live in too many time zones to count. Our products live under the kitchen sinks, in the garages and toolboxes of the world, and have loyal end-users and dedicated fans in more than 176 countries and territories worldwide who rely on our portfolio of well-known and popular brands to solve their everyday problems. We create opportunities. We solve problems. We make things run smoothly.

Giving Back Through the WD-40 Company Memory Making Fund

For more than 40 years, WD-40 Company has supported communities by partnering with nonprofit organizations and programs. Our Memory Making Fund, managed by the employee-led Community Involvement Committee, reflects our social mission and commitment to meaningful impact.

We practice transformational philanthropy—a systemic, collaborative approach to grantmaking focused on long-term change.

Introduction – Let’s build a better future together

501(c)(3) charitable organizations that work in the disaster preparedness space in the U.S. are invited to apply for a Water-Related Disaster Preparation Grant. WD-40 Company and its Memory Making Fund are interested in helping communities prone to hurricanes, heavy rainfall, and flooding to prepare for – and recover from – these events, protecting equipment, machinery, tools, and other valuables and reduce the economic impact of these events.

About Our Priority of Preparation

We are looking for one or more charitable partners to help us reduce the impact of disasters —including water-related disasters— by helping communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. When essential infrastructure and equipment is properly prepared and maintained before a water-related disaster strikes, businesses and consumers benefit. We seek to partner with organizations that have a demonstrated track record with disaster preparedness. We are eager to share our expertise in preventing rust and corrosion caused by water, along with offering tips, tools, product donations, and education on water-related preparedness.

The PLTW Engineering - New Program, supported by Burns & McDonnell, aims to empower U.S. students through STEM education. By offering at least one PLTW Engineering course in the 2026-2027 academic year, schools can enhance their curriculum and foster critical skills. This initiative not only increases access to valuable programs but also prepares students for future challenges in college and careers, ensuring they thrive in an evolving world.

The PLTW Gateway - New Program, in partnership with Burns & McDonnell, aims to enhance student engagement in STEM by providing teachers with essential resources and support. Starting in the 2026-2027 academic year, eligible schools can apply for grants to introduce and expand PLTW programs, fostering real-world skills through applied learning. This initiative targets schools with significant free and reduced-price lunch populations, promoting equity in education across various U.S. counties.

The PLTW Gateway - Program Expansion initiative, led by Burns & McDonnell in partnership with Project Lead The Way (PLTW), aims to enhance STEM education by increasing access to PLTW programs for students in eligible communities. This program empowers students through real-world applied learning experiences, promoting essential skills for college and careers. Grants will support schools in expanding their existing PLTW Gateway programs starting in the 2026-2027 academic year, fostering a brighter future through education.

The PLTW Launch - New Program initiative, sponsored by Burns & McDonnell, aims to enhance STEM education by providing grants to eligible schools within specific U.S. counties. Schools must implement PLTW modules over two academic years, ensuring access to real-world learning experiences for students, particularly those from low-income backgrounds. This program emphasizes the importance of empowering educators and fostering student engagement in STEM fields to prepare them for future careers.

The PLTW Launch - Program Expansion initiative by Burns & McDonnell aims to enhance access to STEM education in U.S. schools. This program focuses on empowering students by providing real-world learning experiences and essential skills. Grants will support schools in expanding PLTW programs during the 2026-2027 academic year, benefiting students from underserved communities. By fostering a deeper understanding of STEM, the initiative seeks to inspire the next generation of innovators and problem solvers.

The Bessie Minor Swift Foundation Grant supports programs that enhance literacy and educational enrichment in communities served by Swift Communications. Grants are available to nonprofit organizations focused on developing literacy skills, STEM education, and interdisciplinary programs for children and youth. With funding ranging from $500 to $5,000, the foundation prioritizes initiatives that foster active citizenry and provide direct service to underserved populations.

The Brian Forbes Memorial Scholarship, offered by The San Diego Foundation, supports graduating high school seniors in San Diego County who excel academically and athletically. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0, participate in varsity sports for at least two years, and plan to enroll at a University of California campus in the fall. This scholarship honors student-athletes who balance their academic pursuits with their commitment to sports, promoting well-rounded individuals in higher education.

The CA-AFCS-SD/Ellen Ferguson Snyder Scholarship Fund, managed by The San Diego Foundation, aims to support California students pursuing studies in Family and Consumer Sciences. Priority is given to residents of San Diego County. Eligible majors include Culinary Arts, Nutrition, and Fashion Design, among others. Applicants must have a GPA of 2.5 or higher and be enrolled in accredited institutions. This scholarship fosters educational opportunities for aspiring students in essential fields.

The CA-AFCS-SD/Margaret R. Hollenbeck Scholarship Fund, managed by The San Diego Foundation, provides financial support to California students pursuing degrees in Family and Consumer Sciences. Priority is given to applicants who have lived in San Diego County for at least one year. Eligible fields include Food Sciences, Dietetics, Nutrition, and related areas. Students must enroll in accredited U.S. institutions and maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5 to qualify for this scholarship.

The CA-AFCS-SD/San Diego Scholarship Fund, supported by The San Diego Foundation, provides financial assistance to California students pursuing degrees in Family and Consumer Sciences. This scholarship prioritizes applicants who have lived in San Diego County for at least one year and covers various majors such as Nutrition and Hospitality. Eligible candidates include high school seniors and college students, with awards adjusted based on enrollment status at accredited institutions.

About Us

We enable donors and nonprofit partners to tackle the most critical needs facing San Diegans.

Mission & Values

Our vision is for just, equitable and resilient communities.

Our mission is to inspire enduring philanthropy and enable community solutions to improve the quality of life in our region.

We value all people, all partners and our region.

Common Scholarship Application

Achieve your Higher Education Dreams

In just one application, our Common Scholarship Application provides students access to more than 150 scholarship opportunities with awards ranging from $1,000 to more than $5,000.

In 2025, San Diego Foundation awarded a record-breaking $5.5 million in scholarships to nearly 1,400 students.

The National Rainbow College Fund, managed by The San Diego Foundation, provides crucial scholarships to California residents who face barriers due to sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression. This initiative aims to promote equity and reduce educational disparities, ensuring confidentiality for applicants. Open for the 2026-2027 academic year, it supports students with financial needs and encourages enrollment in accredited educational institutions. The program aspires to expand its reach nationally, fostering inclusive opportunities for future generations.

The San Diego Kiwanis Foundation Scholarship, offered by The San Diego Foundation, supports high school graduates from San Diego County pursuing undergraduate education at local institutions. Eligible applicants must be full-time students at select universities or part-time in approved vocational programs at San Diego City College. This scholarship aims to foster both traditional academic pursuits and skilled trade careers, addressing workforce needs in the region while promoting educational opportunities for deserving students.

The TechAmerica Scholarship, offered by The San Diego Foundation, supports high-achieving public high school seniors in San Diego County pursuing non-medical STEM degrees. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.75 and standardized test scores of at least 1200 SAT or 29 ACT. This scholarship aims to empower students to enroll full-time in accredited four-year universities in Southern California, thereby fostering educational advancement in critical STEM fields.

The San Diego Foundation

We enable donors and nonprofit partners to tackle the most critical needs facing San Diegans.

For 50 years, donors, nonprofits, communities, government and civic leaders have trusted San Diego Foundation to transform lives and have partnered with us for lasting change that moves our region forward.

As San Diego’s largest regional community foundation, it’s our job to understand the pulse of our local communities better than anyone, enabling donors and nonprofit partners to tackle the most critical needs facing San Diegans.

Community Scholarship Program

Since 1997, the Community Scholarship Program has awarded $59.5 million to more than 15,400 students, making our program the largest non-university scholarship provider in San Diego County. By offering financial assistance, the program helps students dedicate more time to their studies, stay enrolled and complete their degrees.

The Scholarship Foundation Inc of California Retired Teachers Association of North San Diego County

The Scholarship Foundation Inc of California Retired Teachers Association of North San Diego County applicants should:

• Be graduating high school seniors from a public high school in North San Diego County
• Plan to attend full-time a public community college or university in California majoring in education OR
• Be students who have entered or have been accepted into their fifth year of full-time schooling at a public university in California with the goal of achieving a teaching credential in the state of California
• Have a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0
• Have shown a commitment to their community through meaningful community service

The City of Carlsbad offers Community Arts Grants aimed at fostering artistic and cultural activities in the region. These grants support diverse projects that promote inclusion and participation from various community groups. The funding initiative encourages collaboration among arts organizations, educational institutions, and professional artists to enhance the cultural landscape of Carlsbad. Grants are available to qualified nonprofits and educational entities, with a focus on projects that enrich the community's artistic experience.

The City of Carlsbad Community Arts Grants support educational institutions and affiliated groups in enhancing arts education through various programs. Aiming to foster creativity and cultural engagement, this initiative promotes diverse representation and participation in arts. Grants of up to $3,500 are available for projects that prioritize inclusivity and community impact. Applications are open to nonprofit schools and organizations in Carlsbad, adhering to specific guidelines that ensure equitable access to arts funding.

The City of Carlsbad's Community Arts Grants program supports emerging arts organizations in Carlsbad, CA. Aimed at fostering artistic and cultural activities, these grants provide up to $5,000 for projects that engage diverse communities. Applicants must be recognized as nonprofit entities, with a focus on inclusive practices and artistic expression across various mediums. The program emphasizes collaboration and community impact, aligning with the city's cultural values and commitment to enriching local arts.

Binational Resilience Initiative Grant

The Binational Resilience Initiative (BRI) builds resilience in the Cali-Baja region by supporting binational projects that strengthen the capacity of our communities to adapt to the impacts of our changing climate. A partnership of San Diego Foundation (SDF), International Community Foundation (ICF), Resilient Cities Catalyst (RCC), and the San Diego Regional Climate Collaborative (SDRCC), we are leading an innovative, community-driven process that recognizes the interdependent environmental, economic, and cultural assets in San Diego and northern Baja California and strengthens resilience by addressing climate vulnerabilities through binational collaboration and localized solutions.

The Funding Opportunity

The Binational Resilience Initiative supports projects that build resiliency in the Cali-Baja region. We will expand the network of binational partners advancing the resiliency of the region between San Diego County and northern Baja California coastal communities, as well as expand funding to generate innovative binational approaches and thriving communities. Grantmaking goals for BRI include expanding binational, scientific climate collaboration as well as advancing coastal/marine resilience from an integrated, regional approach.

Specific Criteria for BRI Coastal/Marine Grants

• Focus on coastal/marine resilience: where the work proposed helps increase our region’s understanding of climate change effects on our coastal/marine resources.
• Effective demonstration of binational collaboration: where the work proposed supports true binational collaboration among U.S. and Mexican community-based organizations, scientists, researchers, educators, and/or government agencies.
• Contributes to coastal/marine resilience in two or more of these areas:
  • Climate relevance: Directly or indirectly supports efforts that mitigate, adapt or create resilience to impacts from climate change.
  • Economic prosperity: Supports efforts for organizations to obtain additional impact dollars where the project/grant serves to support catalytic funding needs for the organization/project.
  • Knowledge sharing: Supports education and/or communication of binational resilience needs and climate-related impacts.
  • Organizational resilience: Supports efforts related to the long-term resilience and health of the organization, such as resources that directly support organizational capacity building and staff needs.
  • Research: Creating new knowledge, filling gaps in collective understanding and synchronicity with existing research.
• Nonprofit organizations in Mexico or the U.S. should be the lead applicant but partnerships with other stakeholders are highly encouraged.
• Each binational partnership proposing a project should include at least one US nonprofit (or an entity with an equivalent tax-exempt status) and one MX nonprofit that is not a subsidiary of the US nonprofit (or an entity with an equivalent tax-exempt status, such as a research center or university.)
• The budget can include subgrants between nonprofit organizations if these are working on different areas within the same proposed binational project.
• The budget requested may include up to a maximum of 15% of total direct expenses as overhead or indirect costs. For example, if the total budget requested from BRI is the maximum allowed of $100,000 per project, then the indirect costs cannot exceed 15% of the direct costs ($86,957 in combined direct costs, plus a maximum of 15% of these (as indirect costs), will add up to the maximum of $100,000 per project).
• Funding requested can be up to $50,000 per year per organization, regardless of the number of partnerships or projects each organization collaborates with.
• Funding requested can be up to $100,000 per year, per binational project; this maximum includes requests for BRI funding from all partners per binational project.
• Funding can be requested for up to one year. Larger funding requests may require additional information and documentation. 

Energy Upgrade California®

Energy Upgrade California® is a statewide initiative committed to helping Californians be more energy efficient, utilize more sustainable natural resources, reduce demand on the energy grid and make informed choices about their energy use at home and at work.

The Energy Upgrade California Community is the online home for organizations throughout California that have joined the movement. Each organization, business, and group is united in its commitment to support California as we work together to use more clean energy and reduce the strain on the electric grid. 

We’re an alliance of the California Public Utilities Commission, The California Energy Commission, electric power companies, regional energy networks, local governments, community choice aggregators, businesses, and nonprofit organizations – all united under a common goal: using more clean energy and reducing strain on the energy grid.

Flex Alert Grant Program

Executive Summary

The Flex Alert Grant Program provides grants to Community-Based Organizations (501(c)(3) non-profits) to educate Californians about Flex Alerts and motivate them to take action by reducing their energy use when one is called. Community outreach and education for the fourmonth program begins in July and ends in October. The Flex Alert Grant Program is funded by the California Public Utilities Commission. 

CBOs with a robust network, excellent outreach capabilities, and extensive experience engaging with their communities are encouraged to consider this grant program. Outreach must only be conducted to residential customers in Pacific Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison, and San Diego Gas & Electric territories. Click here for a comprehensive list of cities and counties where outreach cannot be conducted

The Core Customer Groups (CCGs) for the Flex Alerts Grant Program are:

• Low-Income Residents
• Multicultural Residents
• Residents with Disabilities
• Rural Residents
• Senior Residents

California’s Flex Alert Program

A Flex Alert is a call for utility customers to voluntarily reduce electricity use when there is an anticipated shortage of energy supply. Flex Alerts are most often called during extreme heatwaves when Californians use more energy than usual to stay cool. When utility customers reduce electricity use during a Flex Alert, they can help ease strain on the grid. 

The Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation offers Local Impact Grants to nonprofit organizations in 11 markets, providing $225,000 to support local programs addressing community issues. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits with a revenue exceeding $100,000 and must operate in one of the specified television markets. The grants aim to empower youth through education, promote diverse storytelling, and enhance community engagement. This initiative underscores Comcast's commitment to fostering inclusion and equitable opportunities for underserved communities.