Best Grants for International Development in California

The Ben B. Cheney Foundation Grant supports community improvement projects in areas where Mr. Cheney's lumber company operated. Focused on one-time project grants, the foundation emphasizes sustainability and local support. Eligible applicants include public charities and government units primarily in Washington, Oregon, and California. The foundation prioritizes projects that invest in long-lasting community needs and demonstrate innovative solutions. Since 1975, it has supported over 1,200 organizations, making a significant impact in local communities.

Edison International's Community Grants Program partners with local nonprofits focused on education, the environment, public safety, and civic engagement. With a commitment to supporting underserved communities, the program has contributed $20 million to initiatives that improve air quality, enhance disaster preparedness, and promote diversity. The grants prioritize educational programs emphasizing STEM and environmental sustainability, aiming to empower diverse populations and foster community resilience in Southern California.

The Joan M. Wismer Foundation, established in 2001, honors the legacy of Joan Marilynn Wismer, who was dedicated to charitable work and community service. The foundation focuses on improving lives through education, youth development, safety, humanitarian services, and medical research. It primarily supports IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) organizations, schools, and churches, while emphasizing the importance of sustainable funding and effective financial management in its grant-making process.

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 Miranda Lux Foundation Grant supports innovative pre-vocational and vocational education programs for youth under 18 in the San Francisco Bay Area. Established in 1955, the foundation honors Miranda W. Lux's legacy by funding proposals that enhance educational opportunities in technical and manual skills. Organizations must be tax-exempt under 501(c)(3) to apply. The foundation prioritizes unique initiatives that help prepare young people for the workforce while fostering academic enrichment and artistic development.

The Amgen Foundation Inc focuses on non-healthcare donations and sponsorships that target humanitarian, social, educational, and community programs. They offer support to organizations outside the U.S. healthcare community, particularly those recognized as tax-exempt public charities. Eligible organizations must serve specific Amgen communities throughout the U.S. This initiative aims to enhance health outcomes and address critical societal needs, thereby reducing the burden of disease and improving lives.

The Rosenberg Foundation is dedicated to dismantling systemic barriers to equity and opportunity for Californians. Through its grantmaking, it focuses on areas such as leadership development, criminal justice reform, and immigrant rights. The foundation supports innovative initiatives, including the 2022-2024 Leading Edge Fellows, who tackle pressing social issues. By fostering civic engagement, the foundation aims to empower underrepresented communities and ensure their voices are heard in policy discussions, ultimately striving for a more just society.

The Ford Family Foundation offers Technical Assistance Grants aimed at bolstering the capacity of organizations serving rural communities in Oregon and Siskiyou County, California. These grants, which can reach up to $5,000, support activities such as staff training, strategic planning, and consulting services. By enhancing internal capabilities, the foundation seeks to improve the effectiveness of nonprofits and agencies that focus on family, education, and community development, ultimately benefiting children and their families.

The Pacific Power Foundation offers Community Enhancement and Environmental Respect Grants to support nonprofit organizations in the Pacific Power and Rocky Mountain Power service areas. Since 2019, the foundation has contributed over $13 million to promote community resilience, affordable housing, and environmental conservation. Eligible candidates include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and educational institutions. Grants aim to address local needs while ensuring responsible environmental stewardship, enhancing community vitality, and fostering sustainable development.

The Southern California Grant Program, managed by the W. M. Keck Foundation, supports diverse projects that enhance community well-being in areas such as Arts, Health, and Education. It emphasizes initiatives aiding low-income families and special needs populations in Los Angeles County. Grants are awarded twice a year, focusing on innovative solutions with measurable impact. Eligible organizations must demonstrate strong leadership and thorough planning, ensuring a significant long-term effect on the communities they serve.

The Archstone Foundation Capacity Building Grants support nonprofits in California focused on enhancing services for older adults. Grants of up to $50,000 are available to improve internal operations, IT infrastructure, and community engagement. Eligible organizations must align with principles of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, and may submit one application per year. This initiative aims to strengthen nonprofit effectiveness and sustainability, addressing critical needs in health and social services for older adults.

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 Pacific Life Foundation Grants aim to positively impact communities through strategic funding in areas such as arts, education, and health. Nonprofits with tax-exempt status can apply for grants up to $15,000 for program support or $25,000 to $100,000 for capital projects. This initiative emphasizes collaboration and innovative solutions to meet community needs while honoring the legacy of Pacific Life and its employees.

The Elliott Family Foundation, established in 2003, aims to enhance human quality of life by supporting community health projects, scholarships, and housing initiatives. They favor grant requests from organizations that are 501(c)(3) tax-exempt and actively work in Sacramento, Phoenix, and Yuma. The Foundation's mission includes aiding patients, women and children in need, and disadvantaged seniors, while ensuring equality and non-discrimination in its funding practices.

The Region Grants Open Grant Round: Community Vitality, supported by Land O'Lakes Foundation, aims to enhance the vibrancy of dairy communities in the East and West Regions. With a total investment of $500,000 annually, grants ranging from $1,000 to $20,000 are available for organizations focused on rural development, education, and community resources. Eligible applicants must have a 501c3 status and serve specific geographic areas, ensuring support reaches those in need.

The Foundation for Sustainability and Innovation Grant aims to support projects that promote environmental restoration, preservation, and education, with a focus on sustainable resource use and community development. This grant encourages innovative approaches that connect urban and rural settings, enhance biodiversity, and foster creativity in addressing societal challenges. Eligible applicants include IRS-designated non-profits that align with the foundation's vision. The foundation also supports small presses and periodicals that creatively address sustainability issues.

The Programmatic Support - Education Pillar Award by Honda aims to enhance workforce readiness in the manufacturing sector. It supports nonprofit organizations and schools focused on hands-on programs in design, software/data analytics, and AI/machine learning. Eligible applicants must be US-based and have 501(c)(3) status. The initiative prioritizes projects that train individuals for manufacturing roles, develop technical skills, and introduce automation to prepare for evolving industry demands, ultimately fostering economic prosperity in local communities.

The Environment Pillar Award by Honda supports nonprofit organizations and schools in the U.S. focused on sustainability. Grants aim to reduce environmental impact through programs in decarbonization, clean energy, and efficient resource use. Eligible projects must align with Honda's mission and primarily benefit communities where Honda associates live and work. Organizations can apply for up to two grants, provided they meet specific eligibility criteria, including tax-exempt status under the IRS.

The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) Annual Grant Program supports organizations addressing critical community needs in the Greater Los Angeles Area. Since 1995, LADF has focused on education, healthcare, homelessness prevention, and youth development. The program allocates grants three times a year, promoting impactful initiatives that benefit underserved populations. LADF actively collaborates with grantees to enhance visibility and engagement, ensuring a significant difference in the lives of local youth and families.

The W. M. Keck Foundation's Research Grant Program funds innovative medical research and engineering projects that challenge existing paradigms and explore new territories. Eligible applicants include research universities and independent institutes. Grants support groundbreaking technologies and methodologies, with emphasis on high-risk projects that could lead to transformative impacts. However, funding excludes general operating expenses and grants to individuals. The Foundation awards grants biannually, with an emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches.

The Pacific Power Foundation provides Education/STEM Grants aimed at enhancing community vitality through charitable investments. With over $1 million awarded in 2021, eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, educational institutions, and youth organizations. The foundation emphasizes initiatives in electrical safety, energy efficiency, and workforce development. Grants are available in four cycles to ensure thorough evaluation of requests. Exclusions apply to organizations that discriminate or operate outside the service areas of Pacific Power and Rocky Mountain Power.

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 Breakaway Fund, initiated by the Samueli Foundation, aims to empower nonprofits in Orange County by providing unrestricted funding between $50,000 and $100,000. This innovative financial support is designed to overcome barriers in staffing, leadership development, and infrastructure enhancement. By focusing on key areas such as talent, systems, and expertise, the fund facilitates growth and collaboration among organizations, ensuring a thriving community that prioritizes well-being and opportunity for all residents.

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.

The CalMoneySmart Grant program, managed by the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, offers annual grants up to $200,000 for nonprofit organizations. Its goal is to provide essential financial education and empowerment services to unbanked and underbanked Californians. Initiated by Senate Bill 455 in 2019, the program has expanded funding to enhance economic security and promote financial stability among vulnerable communities, ultimately fostering wealth-building and financial independence.

The Impact Projects Grants from the California Arts Council aim to empower local artists to address social issues within historically underserved communities. This program encourages collaborations between artists and community members to creatively tackle challenges such as economic disparity, health access, and social justice. Eligible organizations must have a proven history in arts programming and comply with specific guidelines to ensure community engagement and accessibility, fostering cultural expression unique to California's diverse populations.

The State-Local Partners (SLP) Grant Program offers essential operating support and technical assistance to county-designated local arts agencies in California. Through a collaborative effort between the State and counties, this program aims to promote cultural development at the local level. It encourages partnerships that enrich the arts across diverse communities, fostering creative expression and enhancing the quality of life for Californians. Eligible organizations include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and local government units.