Best San Joaquin County Grants for Nonprofits in California

The Delta Extension Fellowship, hosted by California Sea Grant and the Delta Stewardship Council, aims to enhance community resilience and social well-being in the Delta region. Over 24 months, the fellow will support a community outreach campaign for the Delta Residents Survey, analyze research on water management impacts, and organize resilience training for residents. This initiative addresses the Delta's challenges, including climate change and resource vulnerability, fostering informed decision-making and sustainable practices among local communities.

Raley's Community Giving supports impactful community initiatives in areas such as child welfare, food access, and sustainability. They prioritize requests that align with these focus areas and require submissions to be made at least 90 days prior to the need date. Organizations must be located in cities with Raley's stores and can only receive support once per fiscal year. Notably, requests for individual sponsorships or third-party fundraising are not eligible.

The Smallwood Foundation Grant supports charitable purposes within a hundred-mile radius of Dallas/Fort Worth, Gainesville, and Minden. It focuses on areas such as Arts and Culture, Civic Activities, Community Development, Education, and Human and Social Services. However, individuals are not eligible to submit applications. This grant offers an opportunity for organizations within the specified regions to seek funding for meaningful projects that positively impact their communities.

Carlos Vieira Foundation

The Carlos Vieira Foundation is committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of families living with autism, mental illness, and addiction. Through our Race For Autism Grant Program, we provide financial assistance for therapy, treatment, and essential services that many families might not otherwise afford. Race 2B Drug Free campaign giving youth the opportunity to stay off the streets and learn the sport of boxing through our 51FIFTY Boxing Clubs. Our Race to End the Stigma campaign brings awareness to the realities of mental health and addiction, encouraging open conversations and providing scholarships to students who advocate for change. By offering direct support, education, and community-driven programs, we strive to uplift and empower families facing these challenges with compassion and hope.

The Carlos Vieira Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that focuses on the following three campaigns: Race for Autism, Race 2B Drug-Free, and Race to End the Stigma. CVF was built on one man’s dream of helping youth within our local communities. Through local support, CVF is able to assist youth across twenty-one counties within California’s central valley.

Direct Help Grant

Our mission is to provide services, medical necessities, and educational tools to families who live in Central California that are affected by Autism. 

Requested Items to be Purchased by Foundation if Grant is Awarded

If you are interested in additional items to total the allowed grant amount of $500, please email additional items, cost, service provider, vendor, or website/link to buy items to the Carlos Vieira Foundation. A recommendation letter is not required for any items that can be found on or are similar to those found on our approved websites: arktherapeutic.com, autism-products.com, funandfunction.com, pecsusa.com, and nationalautismresources.com

Honda’s Community Event Sponsorship aims to support local, regional, and national events that enhance community engagement and celebrate diverse cultures. Organizations must be U.S.-based and tax-exempt, focusing on projects that serve communities where Honda associates are active. Eligible events include parades, festivals, and educational initiatives. Honda evaluates requests based on community needs and available funding, reinforcing its commitment to social responsibility and community enhancement.

The Smart & Final Charitable Foundation focuses on enhancing community well-being through strategic donations. Committed to Health & Wellness, Education, Hunger Relief, Team Sports & Youth Development, and Disaster Relief, the foundation supports local non-profits in California, Arizona, and Nevada. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)3 registered and aligned with the foundation's focus areas. While the foundation aims to assist various groups, it has specific exclusions, such as for-profit entities and political activities.

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 Listos California Regional Grant Program aims to enhance disaster preparedness in California's Inland Region by supporting nonprofits that serve multiple counties. The program prioritizes equity and targets areas at high risk for disasters, enabling organizations to provide essential training and resources to diverse communities disproportionately affected by emergencies. Through collaboration with local nonprofits, it seeks to improve community resilience and response capabilities to future disasters.

Community Finance Initiative 

Advancing the financial resilience of low-income households across the U.S.

This model enables us to engage and support a broad range of organizations across the globe to tackle some of the most pressing social issues of our time.

The Citi Foundation’s 2026 Community Finance Initiative commits $35 million to support programming that bolsters the financial stability, strength and safety of low-income households in the U.S.

Focus Areas

The Foundation seeks to support organizations advancing low-income household financial resilience in the United States across three focus areas:

Stabilize: Programs that help low-income households to build financial skills and confidence to manage daily finances and navigate financial stress.

• Financial coaching on budgeting, credit, debt reduction and savings strategies.
• Digital tools offering personalized financial guidance and product navigation.
• Assistance with public benefits and social safety net programs.

Strengthen: Programs that help low-income households build and repair credit, as well as short- and long-term financial assets.

• Financial products or services for credit building and credit repair.
• Initiatives to increase savings, including emergency funds.
• Support for homeownership, including readiness, preservation and long-term stability (e.g., first-time buyer assistance, preventing displacement and support systems for aging in place resources).

Safeguard: Programs that protect low-income household financial security by preventing and addressing financial losses.

• Education and support for the safe and confident use of digital financial tools.
• Fraud and scam awareness, prevention and recovery initiatives, including protection from identity theft.
• Interventions to help households recover from major financial shocks (e.g., healthcare costs, extended family care, job transitions or natural disasters).

Funding Opportunity

The Foundation plans to award 70 $500,000 (USD) grants (to be disbursed over two years) totaling $35 million to community organizations working in select communities where Citi has a presence.

The grants will be restricted and are anticipated to be disbursed in two annual payments in 2026 and 2027. Proposed projects should be for a term of 24 months, starting no sooner than August 1, 2026 and ending no later than December 31, 2028.

The Community Ties Giving Program by Union Pacific Foundation offers local grants aimed at enhancing community well-being through diverse funding priorities. These include safety initiatives, workforce development, community vitality, and environmental sustainability. The program emphasizes supporting organizations that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, aiming to create impactful projects that resonate with Union Pacific's heritage and mission. Eligible applicants must be nonprofit organizations serving Union Pacific communities and demonstrate a clear need and capacity to deliver effective programming.

Mission

The Bill Graham Memorial Foundation, was formed in January of 2008 in memory of the legendary rock impresario, Bill Graham. The foundation is a public charity that is funded through individual and corporate contributions and grants.

The Foundation is guided by a broad-based group which includes Bill’s sons, several former long-time employees of Bill Graham Presents and other community leaders.

The Mission of the Bill Graham Memorial Foundation is the administration of grants primarily in the areas of music, the arts and education while also supporting social work, environmental protection and spiritual and compassionate projects in the community. The Foundation also organizes and implements education and outreach programs, exhibitions and other events and projects in like areas which carry Bill Graham’s life story forward and keep his spirit of philanthropy alive.

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 Division of Boating and Waterways offers the Sewage Management Education and Outreach Grant Program to educate Californians about proper boat sewage disposal. Established under the Clean Vessel Act of 1992, this program funds pumpout stations and promotes public awareness in targeted regions including the San Francisco Bay Delta and Southern California Coastal Counties. Grants will support education, outreach, and monitoring efforts to ensure safe and environmentally friendly boating practices.

The Community and Economic Enhancement Grant Program, funded by Proposition 68, aims to bolster Delta communities' economic vitality and heritage. It supports projects in recreation, tourism, historic preservation, and environmental education. This initiative is crucial for enhancing public access to recreational opportunities, thereby fostering a robust economy in the Delta region. By funding diverse projects, the program helps sustain the unique values and cultural richness of the Delta, promoting long-term community benefits.

The State-Local Partner Mentorship (SLP-M) program aims to establish local arts agencies in Glenn, Kings, and San Joaquin counties, where none currently exist. This initiative supports existing State-Local Partners in fostering new agencies that will enhance arts and cultural activities across these communities. Eligible applicants must have a history of arts programming, nonprofit status, and be current grantees in the CAC State-Local Partners Program, ensuring strong support for local artists and organizations.

The Bethlehem Foundation Grant, established in 2013, aims to enhance the quality of life for senior adults in Sonoma County, California. It supports nonprofit organizations focused on health, independence, and social interaction for seniors. Applications are accepted year-round, with deadlines on February 28 and August 31 for spring and fall meetings respectively. Grants are limited to qualified public charities under 501(c)(3) and do not extend to individuals.

The Francis Grants, established by Catholic Extension, offer funding for significant events in poor mission dioceses, such as the ordination of new Bishops, anniversaries, or papal visits. These grants also support educational endeavors for Bishops. Named in honor of Francis Clement Kelly, Francis Cardinal George OMI, and Pope Francis, the program aims to strengthen the Catholic faith across the U.S. Since 1905, Catholic Extension has invested over $500 million to assist communities in need.

The Catholic School Leadership Development Grant Program aims to cultivate and retain promising leaders within the Catholic school system. In partnership with Loyola Marymount University, this initiative offers a graduate-level online Certificate in Catholic School Administration, covering 80% of tuition costs and providing funding for essential travel. The one-year program focuses on mission effectiveness, operational management, and instructional leadership, requiring participants to serve two years in their diocese post-completion, thereby enhancing local educational leadership.

Catholic Extension's Enhancing Pastoral and Social Ministry Grants aim to empower the church to broaden its outreach and foster societal transformation through targeted pastoral and social initiatives. This program supports specific elements of the church's ministerial efforts, including funding for catechetical resources, marriage and family ministries, and social outreach for vulnerable populations. By investing in these areas, Catholic Extension seeks to enhance the church's role in communities, especially following disasters.

The Building Capacity Grants by Catholic Extension aim to enhance the financial and operational capabilities of dioceses. This initiative focuses on funding projects that promote efficiency, financial stability, and effective fiscal management, ultimately fostering a self-sustaining community. Eligible programs include fundraising development initiatives and operational assessments, ensuring resources are utilized efficiently while supporting professional development for church leadership. This grant empowers dioceses to strengthen their foundations for future growth.

The Engaging Young Catholics Grants aim to support ministries that provide faith formation to children, teens, young adults, and families. By focusing on the pastoral needs of young Catholics, the program enhances community vibrancy and fosters new leadership within the church. Catholic Extension prioritizes operational support and seed funding for initiatives that develop youth and young adult ministries, ensuring that dioceses can effectively reach and engage younger generations in their faith.

The Building Leaders Grants by Catholic Extension aim to enhance the recruitment, education, and ongoing formation of church leaders. This initiative provides critical funding for the professional development of both ordained and lay leaders in mission dioceses. By fostering partnerships with various organizations, it addresses the need for trained ministers and supports various funding areas, including seminarian sponsorship and diaconate formation, ensuring a robust future for church leadership.

Grant funding provided by The NRA Foundation must meet all NRA Foundation requirements and 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. Eligibility and funding amount are determined solely by the Foundation.

Grant requests must conform to, and foster the purposes in, The NRA Foundation’s mission statement, such as:

• Promote, advance, and encourage firearms, the shooting sports, and hunting safety.
• Educate individuals, including the youth of the United States, with respect to firearms, firearms history, participation in the shooting sports, hunting safety, and marksmanship, as well as with respect to other subjects that are of importance to the well-being of the general public.
• Conduct research in furtherance of improved firearms safety and marksmanship facilities and techniques.
• Support activities of the National Rifle Association of America, to the extent that such activities are in furtherance of charitable, educational, or scientific purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code which includes activities that are charitable, educational, or foster National or International sports competition.

The NRA Foundation offers grants aimed at supporting charitable purposes aligned with their mission, including promoting firearms safety, education, and research in shooting sports. Eligible applicants must be recognized entities under IRS 501(c)(3) regulations, such as nonprofits or government organizations. This funding is crucial for initiatives that foster public understanding and safety regarding firearms, while ineligible entities include labor organizations and private businesses.

The Building Foundation Grants by Catholic Extension aim to support essential pastoral and administrative functions in under-resourced communities. These grants provide salary subsidies and operational funding to ordained, religious, and lay ministers, ensuring access to Catholic services. Prioritizing areas with significant financial need, this initiative seeks to sustain the church's presence where it is most critical, enabling continued ministry and outreach for those who may otherwise be underserved.

Catholic Extension provides essential funding to support the construction, expansion, or renovation of churches and community facilities. This initiative aims to meet the facility needs of under-resourced Catholic dioceses across the U.S. By focusing on active projects, Catholic Extension ensures that communities can enhance their worship spaces and support local ministries, ultimately fostering a stronger church community. Funding is available for both minor and major requests, with an emphasis on urgent needs and robust funding strategies.

The Delta Water Quality and Ecosystem Restoration Grant Program, funded by Proposition 1, aims to enhance water quality and habitats in the Delta. This initiative aligns with the California Water Action Plan, supporting projects that address critical environmental priorities. Eligible proposals will focus on improving water quality, restoring habitats, or conducting scientific studies that aid in restoration efforts. The program seeks to foster a resilient ecosystem while ensuring sustainable water management in California.