Best Santa Clarita Grants for Nonprofits in California

The IMA Foundation Grant focuses on empowering communities by supporting nonprofit organizations dedicated to workforce development, financial security for families, and enhancing emergency preparedness. With a mission to provide philanthropic assistance, the foundation seeks partners that align with its vision and operational reach. Organizations must be 501c3 nonprofits and serve areas where IMA has offices, ensuring that their initiatives directly impact youth under 26 years of age.

The Earl B. and Loraine H. Miller Foundation Grants support nonprofits in the Health, Education, and Arts sectors, particularly those addressing community needs in Long Beach. Grantees can apply for one-year funding for program support or core operating expenses. With an emphasis on sustainability, collaboration, and measurable impact, the foundation aims to empower organizations to enhance children's health and well-being while adapting to post-pandemic challenges.

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.

BAE Systems offers community investment grants aimed at enhancing the well-being of military families and supporting future workforce development in STEM fields. As a U.S. subsidiary of a global defense and aerospace leader, they require applicants to be recognized 501(c) organizations. The initiative underscores a commitment to charitable partnerships that uplift local communities and contribute positively to society.

The Equity and Access Grant Program: Clean Energy Access in LA County provides up to $200,000 for Community Based Organizations (CBOs) to enhance outreach and education on the TECH Clean CA initiative. This program focuses on building decarbonization and health impacts, particularly in underserved areas like the Aliso Canyon Disaster Area. It aims to connect communities to clean energy resources, increasing awareness and participation in sustainable practices while addressing public health and environmental challenges.

The Pasadena Art Alliance Grant supports contemporary visual arts in Southern California by funding innovative projects and educational programs. Established in 1955, this independent organization prioritizes grants for unconventional institutions and champions diverse artistic expressions. With over $8 million awarded since 1976, the PAA fosters community engagement and understanding of contemporary art. Preference is given to organizations located in the San Gabriel Valley, ensuring a focused impact on local art initiatives.

The Durfee Foundation, established in 1960, provides significant funding to support innovative nonprofit organizations in Los Angeles County. The Lark Awards program, initiated in 2021, offers $30,000 to 15 nonprofits for collective staff care, addressing burnout, and fostering sustainable practices. This initiative champions community-centered organizations, particularly those led by historically marginalized groups, emphasizing collaboration and the importance of well-being in nonprofit work. Durfee aims to spark cultural change within the sector, promoting investment in the people driving social progress.

The Durfee Foundation Stanton Fellowship offers exceptional leaders in Los Angeles County the opportunity to receive $100,000 over two years to pursue innovative inquiries that can lead to meaningful improvements in the community. This fellowship emphasizes cross-disciplinary collaboration, allowing fellows to expand their knowledge and networks while dedicating focused time to their projects. With a strong commitment to supporting creative thinkers, the Durfee Foundation aims to enhance civic engagement and foster impactful change in Los Angeles.

The Trade Corridor Enhancement Program aims to enhance infrastructure on significant trade corridors in California, supporting efficient freight movement. With approximately $300 million in annual state funding, it focuses on improving safety, reducing congestion, and increasing rail capacity. Projects must align with regional transportation plans and demonstrate readiness and community benefits. This competitive program not only addresses freight system factors but also prioritizes environmental impacts and economic growth, ensuring a sustainable transportation future.

The Santa Monica Bay Sailing Foundation (SMBSF) offers grants to support individuals and sailing programs in the Santa Monica Bay area. Established in 1990, SMBSF has raised over $1 million to promote sailing for participants of all ages. Grants can cover educational expenses, regatta fees, and safety equipment, fostering inclusivity and community engagement in sailing. Applicants must be affiliated with a local yacht club and demonstrate a genuine need for funding.

The Santa Monica Bay Sailing Foundation (SMBSF) provides equipment grants to support sailing and watersports programs in the Santa Monica Bay area. Established in 1990, SMBSF has raised over $1,000,000 for various sailing initiatives, including competitive teams and summer scholarships. Grants are available for safety equipment and other program needs, with eligibility focused on residents or those affiliated with local yacht clubs. Timely and complete applications are essential for consideration.

The Santa Monica Bay Sailing Foundation (SMBSF), established in 1990, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to enhancing lives in the Santa Monica Bay area through sailing and boating. Over three decades, SMBSF has collaborated with local charities, raising over $1,000,000 to support the sailing community. The foundation offers summer scholarships and competitive sailing opportunities, fostering inclusivity and access to sailing for individuals of all ages and abilities, thereby strengthening California’s sailing community.

The Gary E. Milgard Family Foundations provide ongoing support to various non-profit organizations, focusing on community improvement in Pierce County, Washington. They prioritize funding for animal welfare, marine life preservation, and essential social services. Organizations can submit letters of intent at any time, with grant amounts varying from $1,000 to over $50,000. The foundations emphasize collaboration and community impact, guided by the Milgard family's values.

Del Rey Yacht Club (310) 823-4664 or visit the DRYC Junior Program website

California Yacht Club (310) 823-4567 or visit the CYC Junior Program website

Santa Monica Windjammers Yacht Club (31) 827-7692 or visit the SMWYC Junior program website

About

The Santa Monica Bay Sailing Foundation (SMBSF) began in 1990, as a 501(c)(3) corporation, committed to changing lives within the Santa Monica Bay area through the sport of sailing and other boating activities.

Over the past three decades, the SMBSF has partnered with several local charities and raised over $1,000,000 to help the general sailing public.

The Foundation is proud of its ability to develop and fund innovative programs promoting the sport of sailing for qualified participants of all ages and abilities, thereby making it one of California’s leading sailing community support groups. SMBSF funds summer scholarship programs as well as competitive sailing teams at DRYC, CYC, SMWYC, WYC and KHYC.

SMBSF Scholarship Grants

This foundation provides funds for young people who demonstrate need to participate in sailing classes and clinics throughout the year.

About

The University of California Humanities Research Institute facilitates experimental, interdisciplinary humanities scholarship through partnerships, research initiatives, and competitive grants.

Grants

As a grantmaking organization, UCHRI primarily funds UC faculty and graduate students who participate in innovative research and projects that engage a variety of disciplines and stakeholders.

Supplemental Multicampus Faculty Working Group Graduate Student Fund

The UCHRI Supplemental Multicampus Faculty Working Group Graduate Student Funding provides financial resources to create or augment support of research-driven, graduate student engagement in Multicampus Faculty Working Groups. Prospective PIs as well as successful applicants from last year who are applying for a renewal grant are eligible to apply for supplemental funding for a graduate student stipend that will allow the substantive inclusion of one or two graduate students in the project. Please note that for administrative reasons, the graduate student(s) must be from the PI’s campus.

Supplemental funding is intended to allow graduate students to participate significantly in large-scale research projects, to receive sustained mentorship from the professors involved in the project and build on their own research, and to help them gain research and project management skills. Full integration means that PIs and project members share the full scope of the project with graduate students, including how it was conceived, what its future will be, and how its budget operates. Graduate students should be both collaborators and mentees and their participation in the project should be carefully considered and diligently managed.

UCHRI has funded integrated graduate student participation in many research-based projects in the past. Graduate students have helped to set the research agenda, used data from research projects to write scholarly articles, engaged with community members around research issues, and shared pedagogical and methodological resources through studio-built websites and workshops.

Integrated graduate student collaboration can take many forms, but grantees are especially encouraged to consider:

• Co-authorship of published materials based on the project
• Management or leadership of a smaller subset of the larger project (serving a particular community or dealing with a particular issue)
• Creation and maintenance of a website/blog/podcast or other multi-modal, public-facing tool to bring attention to the project and share methods and findings
• Participation in planning large seminars, workshops, and conferences and moderating or presenting on panels
• Assisting in grant and budget preparation if the participants decide to extend the project and seek additional funding from other sources

The Proposition 1 - River Parkways and Urban Streams for LLAR (CA) grant focuses on enhancing ecosystems and watershed restoration projects within the Lower LA River corridor. With funding between $300,000 and $2,000,000, the program prioritizes projects that protect the Lower LA River, ensure access for diverse communities, and leverage secured matching funds. The initiative aligns with the Lower LA River Revitalization Plan, emphasizing implementation and planning for sustainable development.

The GSF Foundation Grant supports 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations that enhance the lives of children and families in need. Applications must be submitted by a current GSF Associate who nominates the organization and its project. Since 2002, the foundation has funded over 600 organizations nationwide. It emphasizes personal involvement and contributions from associates, focusing on essential needs such as education tools, food, and shoes for children. Grants are reviewed at local and national meetings.

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.

John Randolph Haynes And Dora Haynes Foundation

THE HAYNES FOUNDATION has been a force for change in the Los Angeles Region (comprised of the counties of Los Angeles, Ventura, San Bernardino, Riverside, and Orange) for over nine decades. The Foundation’s founders, Dr. John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes were passionate advocates of involved citizenship who believed that through social science research, the Foundation not only could identify critical social and political problems in Los Angeles but also offer solutions to them. The Foundation awards major research grants on governance and democracy in the Los Angeles region, archival grants, doctoral dissertation fellowships, and faculty fellowships.

Governance and Democracy in the Los Angeles Region

Through our Governance and Democracy Initiative, we strive to:

• Support research and policy innovation that improve how local governments serve their residents.
• Engage community members, researchers, and policymakers in defining the future of regional governance.
• Illuminate lessons from Los Angeles County that can strengthen governance in neighboring counties.
• Expand opportunities for public dialogue and participation, ensuring that reforms like Measure G succeed not just on paper, but in practice.

We expect researchers to seek opportunities to collaborate with community-based organizations and/or policymakers. We are open to all fields of study and disciplines that address governance and democracy in the Los Angeles region.

Grant Type

There are two grant types for the initiative on Governance and Democracy: Planning Grants and Research-to-Action Grants

Planning Grants

Planning grants are made for up to one year.

Planning grants are best suited for projects that require further development, including expanding community and policymaker contacts and refining research questions and strategies. In short, the planning grant is to help get the project ready to go.

For planning grants, applicants submit a short proposal consisting of framed questions to propose the planning effort and how it aligns with the Foundation’s priorities.

The Amcor Community Support Grants Program, administered by the Amcor Cares Foundation, provides funding for projects that benefit local communities. Grants are available to 501(c)(3) organizations and accredited educational institutions that serve Amcor Flexibles North America facility communities. Focus areas include fighting hunger, supporting disaster relief, expanding STEM education, and enhancing health and wellness. Applications are reviewed quarterly, and grant amounts typically exceed $1,000.

The Haynes Foundation offers Archival Grants to support cataloging and archival projects at libraries in Los Angeles. These grants focus on materials relevant to Southern California and public policy, considering factors like rarity and completeness. Notable past recipients include The Huntington Library and the Japanese American National Museum. Partial funding is typically provided, and preference is given to applicants securing matching funds from other sources. Interested applicants should notify the Foundation before submitting a proposal.

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 Julius Sumner Miller Foundation Grant supports projects that enhance science education, particularly in physics, and improve health care for the elderly in southern California's South Bay region. The Foundation prioritizes programs that address critical needs, provide measurable impacts, and are non-discriminatory. Grants are awarded annually, with multi-year options available based on project goals and outcomes. Eligible organizations must hold IRS 501(c)(3) status and cannot be private foundations.

The CCF: Centinela Valley Medical & Community Funds grant aims to enhance health access and policy advocacy for immigrants in South L.A. The California Community Foundation invites nonprofits to apply for funding that promotes integrated health services and addresses health disparities. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations serving Los Angeles County and ensure non-discrimination in their services. The program targets residents in specific zip codes, fostering collaboration among local health entities.

The Pasadena Community Foundation offers Animal Welfare Grants on even years to support nonprofits focused on wildlife welfare and habitat conservation in the greater Pasadena area. Grants range from $5,000 to $15,000 for organizations that create conservation corridors, protect species, and enhance biodiversity. Eligible applicants must be tax-exempt and serve areas defined by the Pasadena Unified School District. This initiative aims to foster a compassionate community for all animals through impactful projects.

The Pasadena Community Foundation's Arts & Culture Grants support local nonprofits that enrich the community through arts and culture. Established in 2023, this program focuses on ongoing needs and responses to the Eaton Fire, emphasizing innovation, technology, audience engagement, and collaboration. Eligible organizations must be located within the Pasadena Unified School District and have a record of effective service. Applications are prioritized based on their potential to foster community impact and inclusivity.

The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation supports nonprofit organizations in Los Angeles County, focusing on enriching cultural experiences, education, health services, and human services. By prioritizing general operating support and capital projects, the Foundation aims to empower local organizations to address diverse community needs, fostering civic engagement and leadership. With a commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable populations, the Foundation plays a crucial role in shaping a brighter future for Southern California.