Best San Francisco Grants for Nonprofits in California

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.

The Morris Stulsaft Foundation's Pathways to Work Grant focuses on empowering Bay Area youth aged 15 to 24 from low-income households. The grant emphasizes the importance of early work experience as a predictor of future employment, providing hands-on job training and support. Organizations must connect youth to paid work opportunities and offer programs that develop essential soft skills, ensuring they are prepared for various career paths in high-demand sectors.

The Dylan Todd Simonds Foundation Grant is dedicated to fostering environmental resilience and social justice, particularly in the Bay Area and Pittsburgh. It seeks innovative projects that enhance sustainable economies and address climate change through inclusive solutions. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations focused on these geographical areas. The Foundation prioritizes impactful initiatives but does not fund conference support, endowments, or organizations outside the U.S. For more details, please refer to the Foundation's FAQs.

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.

Sunlight Giving Grants aim to foster vibrant, diverse communities by ensuring all families have access to essential resources such as stable shelter, food security, and quality healthcare. By prioritizing organizations that support BIPOC, immigrants, and those living in poverty, Sunlight Giving focuses on creating joyful and safe environments for families with children aged 0-5. Their proactive funding approach identifies impactful nonprofits within the greater Silicon Valley area, dedicated to enhancing community well-being and opportunity.

The Stocker Foundation Grants support innovative educational programs aimed at bridging the literacy gap in underserved communities. With a focus on STEAM initiatives, the Foundation seeks to partner with 501(c)(3) organizations in specific counties across Ohio, California, and Arizona. The goal is to enhance reading and writing skills through cross-disciplinary learning, while also providing essential support services that promote student engagement and academic success. Grants are not awarded for capital campaigns or individual projects.

The Community Challenge Grant Program, funded by the City & County of San Francisco, supports neighborhood beautification projects aimed at fostering community resilience and safety. With a budget range of $50,000 to $150,000, eligible nonprofit organizations can apply for funding to enhance public spaces and activate community engagement. The program emphasizes the importance of collective strength and interdependence among communities, facilitating initiatives that bring residents together.

The San Francisco Green Infrastructure Grant Program, managed by the SFPUC, aims to support property owners in creating green stormwater infrastructure. This initiative includes projects like permeable pavement and rain gardens, designed to reduce stormwater runoff from at least 0.5 acres of impervious surfaces. Grants can provide up to $2.5 million per project, enhancing public benefits while improving sewer system performance for SFPUC rate payers.

The Arts Impact Endowment (AIE) by the San Francisco Arts Commission aims to support local artists and organizations over the next five years, focusing on preventing displacement through grants and resources. The initiative emphasizes racial equity and social justice, aligning with the 2024-2029 Cultural Services Allocation Plan. By funding artists' work, their environments, and community connections, AIE seeks to enhance the vibrancy of San Francisco's cultural landscape, fostering creativity and positive social change.

The Northern Wisconsin Outdoor Experiential Education Scholarship Fund supports residents of Chequamegon Bay communities in accessing quality outdoor education programs. Created by anonymous donors passionate about outdoor experiences, the fund targets applicants demonstrating financial need and belonging to underrepresented groups in outdoor education. Awards of $1,000 are available for one year, enabling youth to engage in environmentally sustainable outdoor activities and develop social responsibility.

The Special Project Grants (SPX) program by the San Francisco Arts Commission provides funding between $50,000 and $350,000 to support local artists and cultural initiatives. These grants aim to enhance community engagement and promote equity in the arts sector. Annually, the Board of Supervisors allocates funding through a transparent proposal process, ensuring that resources are directed towards impactful projects that reflect the diverse cultural fabric of San Francisco.

Cupertino Electric, established in 1954, is dedicated to supporting communities through donations and volunteerism. Our giving program focuses on addressing hunger, homelessness, and early education (K-8). With substantial annual contributions and a commitment to service, we aim to make a meaningful impact in the areas where our employees live and work. By fostering a culture of giving back, we believe that enhancing community well-being is as vital as our business operations.

The PVF Mathematics Resource Grants provide funding of up to $500 for educational materials aimed at enhancing mathematics instruction. Targeting teachers of low-income families and public school educators in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties, these grants support resources that bridge curriculum across grade levels. Applications are open for the 2026-2027 school year, encouraging innovative approaches to teaching mathematics and improving student learning experiences.

The PVF Excursion Grants provide funding of up to $1,000 for one-day classroom excursions, aimed at enriching educational experiences for students in low-income communities. Eligible applicants include preschool and TK-3 teachers in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties. This initiative helps cover costs for transportation, admission, and meals, allowing students to explore places like museums, beaches, and parks. Note that overnight trips are not funded.

The Maisin Scholarship aims to promote educational equity by supporting low-income students in the San Francisco Unified School District. Each year, the program awards up to $3,000 annually to 75 high school seniors, enabling them to pursue higher education. Established in honor of Alexander Maisin, a successful immigrant, the scholarship not only provides financial assistance but also offers workshops and resources to help students navigate their educational journey and achieve their goals.

The Dolores Zohrab Liebmann Fund Fellowships provide financial support for U.S. citizens pursuing graduate studies in various fields at accredited institutions. The fellowships cover tuition and offer an annual stipend of $18,000 for living expenses. Candidates must demonstrate financial need and have an outstanding undergraduate record. Applications are submitted through the dean of the university, with deadlines in January and notifications by mid-June. This program honors Dolores Zohrab Liebmann's legacy of supporting education.

The Brinker International Charitable Giving Program focuses on giving back to communities through support for kids, hunger, and education. Organizations eligible for funding must be 501c(3) non-profits and submit requests at least six weeks prior to events. The program does not support individuals, political or religious organizations, or explicit discrimination policies. Funding is provided through monetary donations or in-kind contributions like dining certificates.

The Boston Scientific Foundation focuses on improving health and educational opportunities for economically disadvantaged individuals, particularly in communities where its employees reside. Its health programs target diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular conditions, emphasizing disease prevention, awareness, access, and quality of care. Organizations eligible for funding must be tax-exempt and serve specific geographic areas while adhering to non-discrimination policies. However, the foundation does not support certain areas, including dental health and political campaigns.

The CZI Community Fund empowers non-profit organizations in San Mateo County by enhancing access to essential services such as housing, healthcare, and education. This initiative aims to foster social and economic equity, particularly for marginalized communities, including low-income households and BIPOC individuals. Through annual grantmaking and capacity-building programs, the fund provides the necessary resources for organizations to effectively achieve their missions and facilitate community engagement.

San Mateo County Libraries

San Mateo County Libraries have been an integral part of its diverse community for over a century. Originally established by the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors in 1912 as a County Free Public Library, the San Mateo County Library Joint Powers Authority (JPA) was established in 1999. The Library JPA is comprised of the cities of Atherton, Belmont, Brisbane, East Palo Alto, Foster City, Half Moon Bay, Millbrae, North Fair Oaks, Pacifica, Portola Valley, San Carlos, Woodside, and the unincorporated areas of the county. The Library JPA is a separate, independent entity with its own Governing Board, consisting of elected officials from each member entity. An Operations Committee composed of City and County representatives from each member entity also provides guidance.

San Mateo County Libraries provide unmatched service to our community members, and we are consistently ranked as one of the best libraries in the nation. Developed through recent strategic planning work, our vision is to ignite growth through transformative experiences, and it is our mission to strengthen our communities by creating an inclusive sense of place and an environment of learning.

RFP for Library Needs Assessment and Facility Planning Services

San Mateo County Libraries (“Library”) seeks proposals from qualified firms or consultants in response to this Request for Proposals (RFP) to provide planning and assessment services for one or more of the following projects:

• Woodside Library Needs Assessment
• North Fair Oaks Library Needs Assessment
• Administration Building Facility Needs Assessment

Through these projects, the Library seeks to evaluate current conditions, identify current and future service and facility needs, and develop recommendations to inform future planning, capital investment, and operational decision-making.

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.

The Marino Family Charitable Foundation provides year-round funding for public charities, primarily assisting individuals with Down syndrome and their families. Established in 2012, the foundation focuses on enhancing community welfare through support for non-profits that align with its mission. Grants are available to 501(c)(3) organizations in Boca Raton, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, with a preference for those addressing the education and needs of individuals with Down syndrome.

The K.C. Kinch Scholarship, established in 2017 in memory of Kathleen Carol Kinch, provides financial assistance to students from East Palo Alto, CA. This scholarship supports high school seniors and graduates with a GPA of 3.0 to 3.75 who demonstrate financial need and community involvement. The selection committee values academic promise and aims to empower local students to pursue higher education at colleges, universities, or technical schools.

The Immigrant Justice Scholarship, established by a dedicated Menlo Atherton graduate, supports students passionate about social justice, particularly for immigrants. Open to high school seniors and enrolled college students from specific local high schools, it encourages those demonstrating involvement in social justice activities. Eligible applicants include immigrants and first-generation individuals facing financial hardship, with a minimum GPA of 2.5. This initiative reflects a commitment to uplifting immigrant voices and fostering community engagement.

The Hazel Reed Baumeister Scholarship, established in 2001 in memory of a dedicated community member, supports high-achieving high school graduates facing financial hardships. Applicants must demonstrate commitment through community involvement, maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5, and be enrolled or planning to enroll as full-time students in a four-year college or university. This scholarship aims to empower students to pursue higher education and foster their potential.

The Dr. James L. Hutchinson and Evelyn Ribbs Hutchinson Medical School Scholarship aims to support aspiring medical students from San Mateo or Santa Clara County. Established in 1994, this scholarship honors Dr. and Mrs. Hutchinson and recognizes students who exemplify character, integrity, and academic excellence. Eligible candidates include college seniors or current medical students who demonstrate strong personal motivation and community involvement. This scholarship not only assists with educational costs but also fosters future leaders in the medical field.

The Curry Award for Girls and Young Women, established by Eleanor Williams Curry, offers scholarships to young women aged 18-26 in San Mateo County. Applicants must demonstrate financial hardship and have a GPA of 3.3 or lower. This fund encourages those who have faced significant challenges, including ethnic or racial discrimination and physical disabilities, to pursue their education in a supportive environment. Preference is given to students from specific high schools and those planning to enroll as full-time college students.