Best Grants for Charter Schools in California

California 501(c)(3) charities serving needy males under 21 through education, health, or human services programs can seek US $10,000 - US $35,000 to support moral, physical, and intellectual development. Grants from Goodwin Family Memorial Trust may benefit charter schools providing K–12 or related youth services for boys in California.

Current college students in California pursuing a K–12 public school teaching career can use this scholarship for tuition, books, fees, and other educational expenses. Grants from The San Diego Foundation help California education students who graduated from a San Diego County public high school and demonstrate financial need, strong academics, and community service, with awards up to US $15,000.

Public and charter schools in California near San Jose that want to implement or expand PLTW Biomedical Science courses can apply for Project Lead the Way’s program expansion grants, offering US $10,000 for PLTW fees, required technology, equipment, supplies, and teacher core training costs. High-need schools may receive priority consideration.

Public and charter high schools starting a PLTW Biomedical Science course in 2026–2027 may be eligible for funding to cover program fees, required technology, equipment, supplies, and teacher core training. Focused on K–12 STEM education, Project Lead the Way offers US $20,000 grants to schools near onsemi communities, including San Jose, California.

California charter schools planning, launching, expanding, or replicating campuses can access funding for development and initial operations through the Start-Up Subgrant program, awarding US $300,000 - US $1,900,000. Funding from the California Department of Education supports K–12 charter developers with approved petitions under the federal Public Charter Schools Grant Program.

California public school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools operating NSLP and SBP can access funding through the Kitchen Infrastructure and Training and Recruitment and Retention Grants to improve school nutrition programs. Grants from the CA Department of Education provide about US $2,500 for kitchen upgrades, fresh food procurement, staff training, and recruitment or retention of school nutrition professionals.

California K–12 schools and eligible entities can seek funding to create or expand community learning centers that provide academic enrichment and afterschool programs for elementary, middle, and high school students. Focused on education, California Department of Education invites California education organizations to support students at high-poverty, low-performing Title I schools and engage their families. Awards range from US $50,000 - US $254,500.

California Department of Education

California will provide a world-class education for all students, from early childhood to adulthood. The Department of Education serves our state by innovating and collaborating with educators, schools, parents, and community partners. Together, as a team, we prepare students to live, work, and thrive in a multicultural, multilingual, and highly connected world.

Public Charter Schools Grant Program Start-Up Subgrant

Purpose and Background

The PCSGP is a subgrant program funded by the federal Charter Schools Program (CSP), authorized under Title IV, Part C of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965, as amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) (20 United States Code [U.S.C.] 7221–7221j (External Link). The PCSGP is a discretionary grant program. California was awarded approximately $93 million in grant funds for 2024–29. States that are awarded these federal funds distribute them in subgrants to charter school developers, known as PCSGP Start-Up Subgrants in the state of California, to assist in the development and initial operations of newly established or conversion charter schools as well as to assist in the expansion and replication of high-quality charter schools.

PCSGP Start-Up Subgrants identify funding levels and terms into three subgrant types: New School (Planning and Implementation), Replication, and Expansion. For FY 2026, the CDE has an approved pipeline and budget to award approximately 26 subgrants. The actual number and type of subgrants awarded during each RFA competition may vary based on demand. If all authorized awards are not approved for funding, the CDE may open additional RFA competition events for new applicants until allocated funds have been awarded.

Project Lead The Way (PLTW)

Our Mission: Empower Students to Thrive in an Evolving World

Our Philosophy for Education: We believe all students – beginning at a young age – need access to real-world, applied learning experiences that empower them to gain the skills they need to thrive in college, career, and beyond.

We believe teachers play an immeasurable role in empowering students, and our programs provide teachers with the support and resources they need to devote more time to inspiring students.

PLTW Engineering - New Program In Partnership With Ardagh Group

Ardagh Group has partnered with PLTW to support education in its local communities where Ardagh employees live and work. This partnership recognizes the critical role education, and access to education, plays in ensuring equal opportunities and in building successful, vibrant communities. It is expected that over the next 10 years, Ardagh sponsored education programs will benefit more than 500,000 PreK-12 students as well as delivering best-in-class teacher training to more than 5,000 teachers across 2,000 schools in Ardagh's U.S. communities.

Ardagh is a global supplier of sustainable packaging solutions with 16,000+ employees worldwide, and proud local employer.

Program Requirements

The purpose of this grant is to assist the grantee's implementation of the PLTW Engineering program. Grantee must offer the PLTW Engineering program for three academic years. Grantee must offer at least one PLTW Engineering course in the 2027-2028 academic year and must offer one additional course in the 2028-2029 academic year (two different courses in two years). Grantee may implement any PLTW Engineering courses of their choosing. Grantee must complete three years of grant reporting.

California nonprofit organizations supporting K–12 education, youth development, housing, or economic development can apply for Banner Bank’s Community Support Program. Programs serving low- and moderate-income communities, including charter-school-related academic achievement and financial education initiatives, may be eligible. Funding is available year-round, with a cutoff date for current-year support.

California charter schools and their managing districts seeking to purchase, construct, or renovate permanent school facilities can access credit enhancement support through the California School Finance Authority’s PANACEA Program. Grants from California School Finance Authority help eligible K–12 charters in California secure short-term interim financing tied to Charter School Facilities Program or Conduit Bond and Note Financing Program awards.

California charter schools serving at least 55% low‑income students can receive help covering ongoing facility costs, including rent, leases, and certain capital improvements. Focused on K–12 education facilities, the California State Treasurer's Office program supports eligible nonprofit charter schools in good standing that are not operated by for‑profit organizations.

Focused on K–12 education innovation, Silicon Schools Fund invites California charter, district, and independent schools, plus education support providers, to seek funding for launching or expanding breakthrough school models and tech-enabled tools. Charter schools developing engaging, equitable learning environments and effective academic support services may be especially competitive.

California K–12 schools, libraries, colleges, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits offering family literacy programs can seek up to US $10,000 to support adult education, children’s education, and parent–child learning time. Dollar General Literacy Foundation supports literacy initiatives within 15 miles of its stores, so eligible California charter schools with qualifying programs may benefit.

California charter schools organized as 501(c)(3) or nonprofit public benefit corporations can apply for the Charter School Facilities Credit Enhancement Grant Program to fund debt service reserves for facilities financing. This California State Treasurer's Office program supports acquisition, renovation, construction, or refinancing of charter school facilities through bond transactions issued by or through the Authority.

California K–12 local educational agencies, including charter school food authorities, can receive reimbursement funding to offer free fresh fruit and vegetable snacks during the school day. California schools can access funding through the CA Department of Education’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program to supplement existing meal programs and promote student nutrition education on campus.

Belief & Purpose

Guiding beliefs, principles, and performance benchmarks of the California Department of Education.

California will provide a world-class education for all students, from early childhood to adulthood. The Department of Education serves our state by innovating and collaborating with educators, schools, parents, and community partners. Together, as a team, we prepare students to live, work, and thrive in a multicultural, multilingual, and highly connected world.

Mandate Block Grant, Fiscal Year 2026-27

Funding Description

Provide funding to county offices of education (COE), school districts and charter schools to fund the costs of various mandated programs and activities identified in Government Code (GC) Section 17581.6(f).

California Department of Education

California will provide a world-class education for all students, from early childhood to adulthood. The Department of Education serves our state by innovating and collaborating with educators, schools, parents, and community partners. Together, as a team, we prepare students to live, work, and thrive in a multicultural, multilingual, and highly connected world.

California Educators Together Platform

Funding Description

Authorized under Section 147 of Assembly Bill 126, the legislative intent is to maintain the California Educators Together (CaET) online repository and expand standard-aligned instructional resources to improve pupil outcomes. The program serves K-12 local educational agencies, teachers, and pupils by providing professional collaboration tools and digital literacy guidance, focusing on safety safeguards for emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence.

The selected county office must show experience curating standards-aligned educational resources, capacity to assess needs of diverse local educational agencies, a track record building educator communities of practice across subjects and regions, and demonstrated experience managing digital platforms or tech-based educational initiatives. Chosen via competitive application process open to all county offices.

Public, private, charter, and special needs schools in California offering in-school PE or elective classes for grades 4–12 can receive archery equipment through this program. With a mission to support K-12 education and physical fitness, California Department of Fish and Wildlife provides equipment kits to schools that implement the CalNASP/CSAP archery curriculum during the regular school day.

California K–12 local education agencies, including charter schools, can apply for the K12 Strong Workforce Program to create, improve, or expand career technical education pathways in partnership with community colleges. Administered via the Foundation for California Community Colleges, awards up to US $2,000,000 support K–14 CTE course sequences leading to postsecondary success and living‑wage employment.

California charter schools seeking to purchase, construct, or renovate permanent school facilities in California can access credit enhancement support through the Project Acceleration Notes and Credit Enhancement Alternatives (PANACEA) Program. Focused on K–12 education, the California State Treasurer's Office invites charter operators to strengthen financing in conjunction with state charter school facilities and conduit financing programs.

Charter schools in California seeking financing for facility acquisition, renovation, construction, or refinancing can apply for the California State Treasurer's Office Charter School Facilities Credit Enhancement Grant Program. This federally funded program helps fund debt service reserve accounts on bond transactions, lowering overall borrowing costs for eligible charter school facility projects.

The Vulcan Materials Company Foundation Grant focuses on enhancing community quality of life through education, environmental stewardship, and employee involvement. Established in 1988, the Foundation supports public charities and government units, prioritizing proposals that improve public education and promote sustainable practices. Special consideration is given to initiatives that engage Vulcan employees and integrate multiple focus areas, ensuring a positive impact in the local communities where Vulcan operates.

The McBeth Foundation Grant supports meaningful initiatives in animal welfare, environmental conservation, the arts, children's programs, health sciences, and communications. Founded by Barbara McBeth Woodruff, the foundation aims to create measurable improvements in local communities. Grants are intended for projects that can benefit multiple individuals, fostering growth like a seed that matures into a tree, offering shade and fruit. Eligible applicants must hold a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.

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.

Our Story

The IBMA Foundation was created by the International Bluegrass Music Association in 2007 with a bequest from the Richard Barnhart estate. Mr. Barnhart was a musician from northern Virginia who loved bluegrass and wanted to support educational programs for children. Since the beginning, our goal has been to support bluegrass-music-related educational, literary, artistic and historic preservation activities.

In our early years we produced Discover Bluegrass, an educational video that has been used in thousands of classrooms and libraries around the world. We have hosted dozens of teacher workshops and artist trainings. We created a bluegrass lesson plan competition and provided a network for leaders of after-school bluegrass programs.

Our project grants, which now total $25,000 a year, support bluegrass-related initiatives throughout the world. We also fund Bluegrass in the Schools Mini-grants ($7,000/year) which help schools to hire bluegrass bands for school programs. The Rosenberg Bluegrass Scholar Award recognizes excellence in academic research. Six college scholarships are granted for students working in various areas of the bluegrass music industry. The Arnold Shultz Fund supports increased participation of people of color in bluegrass music with grants that total $30,000/ year. Fletcher Bright Memorial Grants for Young Musicians (age 18 and younger) help young people go to bluegrass music camps and workshops, take lessons, and purchase educational materials. 

Bill Breen Bluegrass Youth Education Fund

The Bill Breen Bluegrass Youth Education Fund was initially financed by friend and colleague, Susie Stephenson. The fund is an option for donors who want to help young people experience and learn to play bluegrass music. Instead of funding a specific scholarship or grant, the Breen Fund will be used by the IBMA Foundation where needed most, in a variety of ways that benefit individuals age 21 and younger. Based in Chicago, Illinois, Bill was an Associate Professor and Professor of Finance at the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University from 1971-2002, going on to serve as Chairman of the Finance Department and Head of Doctoral Studies for the Kellogg School. In addition to playing the banjo, Bill was an avid sailor and fly fisherman, and he never met a dog he didn’t like. His friends and family say it’s fitting that a man so passionate about the banjo, bluegrass music, and education is memorialize with a bluegrass youth education fund.

The SHAPE America: Mentor of the Year Award recognizes an exemplary role model committed to fostering student engagement in professional activities. Candidates must have a minimum of three years of membership in SHAPE America and serve as full-time faculty at a higher education institution. This award emphasizes mentorship through professional behavior, involvement in student projects, and providing academic guidance, ensuring that students are well-prepared for their future careers.