Best Solano County Grants for Nonprofits in California

The California Watershed Protection Fund Grant supports projects aimed at enhancing water quality and protecting watersheds throughout California. With grants ranging from $10,000 to $40,000, eligible applicants include 501(c)3 organizations and governmental entities. Priority is given to initiatives that engage impacted communities and uphold principles of equity and environmental justice. The fund emphasizes hands-on activities that yield tangible benefits for surface water quality, fostering community-based stewardship in response to fluctuating watershed needs.

The Joseph & Vera Long Foundation offers grants targeted at non-profit organizations in Northern California and Hawaii. With larger grants ranging from $60,000 to $150,000 in the Spring and smaller grants from $10,000 to $40,000 in the Fall, the foundation focuses on supporting community-driven initiatives. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3) compliant and align with the foundation's priorities, which include environmental conservation, youth development, maternal health, and healthy aging.

The Firedoll Foundation, a private family foundation, focuses on five key areas: Community Development and Entrepreneurship, Immigrant Issues and Human Rights, Environmental Conservation, Middle East Peace, and support for Traumatic Brain Injury survivors. Emphasizing support for vulnerable populations in Alameda and Contra Costa counties, the foundation backs projects that promote social justice and environmental sustainability. With a commitment to providing alternatives to detention and legal aid for immigrants, it aims to empower communities while addressing urgent environmental concerns.

The Firedoll Foundation provides grants for community-based services assisting survivors of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) in California. Emphasizing post-acute support, the Foundation seeks to enhance the quality of life for TBI survivors, enabling their integration into society. Funding is prioritized for 501(c)(3) organizations and fiscally-sponsored projects focused on discrete deliverables. Notably, they do not support individuals or general operating costs for first-time applicants.

The Community Issues Funding Program by Horizons Foundation aims to support LGBTQ nonprofit organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area. With increased funding this year, the program addresses critical funding shortages and the impact of anti-LGBTQ sentiment. It emphasizes multi-year support and investment in under-resourced communities, promoting equity and sustainability. The program welcomes applications from LGBTQ-primary organizations of all budget sizes, fostering a diverse range of initiatives in advocacy, arts, community building, and health.

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 In-N-Out Burger Foundation supports organizations that aid children and youth affected by abuse and neglect, offering grants ranging from $5,000 to $50,000. Eligible nonprofits must be 501(c)(3) registered, operational for at least two years, and demonstrate a commitment to the foundation's mission. Applications are considered for traditional, capital, and program support, focusing on sustainable solutions and clear objectives. Organizations must operate in areas with In-N-Out Burger locations to qualify.

The National Estuary Program Watersheds Grant Program, administered by Restore America’s Estuaries and supported by the EPA, funds competitive projects addressing critical threats to estuaries. Key priorities include habitat restoration, enhancing coastal resilience against extreme weather, managing nutrient impacts, and mitigating stormwater runoff. Established in 1987, the program aims to improve ecological integrity and water quality in 28 estuaries nationwide, providing essential funding and guidance to local initiatives.

The PLTW Engineering program, in partnership with Ardagh Group, aims to enhance education in local communities over the next decade, impacting over 500,000 PreK-12 students and training more than 5,000 teachers across 2,000 schools in the U.S. This initiative is supported by a $50,000 grant, distributed over three years, facilitating diverse engineering courses and improving educational equity. Ardagh Group, a global leader in sustainable packaging, emphasizes the importance of education in fostering vibrant communities.

The HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) offers approximately $35 million in federal funding to support housing projects in non-entitlement jurisdictions in California. This initiative aims to assist low-income households by providing affordable housing options. Applications are due by May 22, 2025, while Native American entities can apply until September 24, 2025, or until funds are exhausted. Eligible activities must directly benefit low-income renters, homebuyers, or homeowners.

The Senate Bill 1 Sea Level Rise Adaptation Planning Grant Program in California provides vital funding for local governments to develop sea level rise adaptation plans. With $17.18 million available, this program aims to enhance coastal resilience against the impacts of climate change. The program supports jurisdictions in creating consistent and effective strategies to address rising sea levels, ensuring public safety and safeguarding infrastructure and biodiversity along California's coastline.

The Listos California Regional Grant (LM) Program aims to enhance disaster preparedness in California's Coastal Region. This initiative supports nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status that serve diverse populations across multiple counties, particularly those at higher risk of disasters. By offering resources and training, the program seeks to empower communities disproportionately affected by emergencies, fostering resilience and recovery efforts. Eligible applicants can independently implement projects or collaborate with local nonprofits to maximize impact.

The PLTW Computer Science - Program Expansion grant from Phillips 66 aims to enhance access to quality education in STEM fields for middle and high school students. This initiative supports schools in expanding their existing PLTW Computer Science programs, particularly in high-need areas starting in the 2026-2027 academic year. Grants of $10,000 are available, prioritizing institutions with significant economic need among students, ensuring future generations are equipped for success in technology and engineering careers.

Background & Purpose

The California Arts Council (CAC) is a statewide agency committed to serving California artists, arts organizations, and communities of all sizes and needs. Guided by racial equity principles, the CAC continuously evaluates its grantmaking practices to ensure fair and inclusive funding opportunities that sustain a vibrant, safe, and resilient creative ecosystem across the state.

Through regionally based Administering Organizations (AOs), the Individual Artists Fellowship (IAF) program uplifts and celebrates California artists across all disciplines and traditions, highlights their excellence and acknowledges their leadership in shaping traditional and contemporary cultures. The program includes three fellowship tiers with a different award amount:

CAC Emerging Artist Fellows – $5,000

Emerging artists are those in the beginning stages of making their work public and engaging the larger community in their practice.

CAC Established Artist Fellows – $10,000

Artists in the Established tier regularly make their work public and engage the larger community in their practice.

CAC Legacy Artist Fellows – $50,000

Artists in the Legacy tier can point to a significant body of work, produced over a substantial period of time, that has engaged their communities and that has made significant social impact.

The CAC approved eight regional AOs for the fellowship in September 2025. Each of the AOs has information and  details regarding their Individual Artists Fellowship programs, including application deadlines. If you are an individual artist, apply to the statewide fellowship program through the Regional AO listed below that serves your county. Please note: Individual artists must live in the region they are applying to and may submit an application to only one region.

• Bay Area (Kala Art Institute) - Counties: Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Sonoma

• Central Valley & Sierra (Kern Dance Alliance) - Counties: Amador, Calaveras, Fresno, Inyo, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, Mono, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tulare, Tuolumne

• Inland Empire & South Coast (ArtsOC) - Counties: Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange

• Far South (Commission for Arts and Culture / Cultural Affairs) - Counties: Imperial, San Diego

• Central Coast (Arts Council Santa Cruz County) - Counties: Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Ventura

• Capital (Teatro Nagual) - Counties: Yolo, Solano, Sacramento, El Dorado, Alpine

• Upstate (Nevada County Arts Council (NCArts)) - Counties: Del Norte, Siskiyou, Modoc, Humboldt, Trinity, Shasta, Lassen, Mendocino, Tehama, Butte, Plumas, Lake, Glenn, Sierra, Colusa, Sutter, Yuba, Nevada, Placer

• South (Los Angeles Performance Practice) - County: Los Angeles

Region 2: Capital Administered by Teatro Nagual

The Capital Region Individual Artist Fellowship (IAF), administered by Teatro Nagual, in partnership with the California Arts Council, celebrate and support artists across disciplines who are shaping culture in the counties of Alpine, El Dorado, Sacramento, Solano and Yolo. This program provides unrestricted funding to individual artists at key moments in their careers, empowering them to deepen their practice, expand their impact, and continue contributing to their communities. 

The Fisheries Restoration Grant Program (FRGP) in California, established in 1981, addresses the decline of wild salmon and steelhead trout populations and the deterioration of fish habitats. Through competitive grants, FRGP has invested millions into various coastal projects, fostering collaboration among federal and local governments, tribes, nonprofit organizations, and private landowners. This initiative aims to restore vital ecosystems and promote sustainable fisheries for future generations.

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 California Energy Commission (CEC) has allocated up to $59,484,345 for the GFO-24-603 program aimed at enhancing the reliability of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. This initiative will focus on repairing, replacing, and installing at least 1,302 non-operational charging ports statewide, ensuring they comply with the Federal Highway Administration's guidelines. The program is critical for facilitating broader EV adoption and improving access to charging stations throughout California.

The Innovative Programming Grant (CA) offers $4 million annually to non-profit organizations seeking to expand successful programs in California's correctional facilities. Grants are oriented towards promoting responsibility and restorative justice for incarcerated individuals. Each grant can be up to $250,000 annually, with a cumulative limit of $750,000 for applicants over three years. This initiative supports innovative, insight-based programming that prioritizes rehabilitation and community reintegration.

About Rose

Our Mission, Vision, and Roots

Rose believes that environmental stewardship, community justice, and consumer rights are all inextricably linked.

We amplify community voices by making grants, building capacity, and fostering the next generation of environmental leaders.

Environmental Justice for California’s Environment and Communities Fund

This funding opportunity is borne out of a partnership with the California Department of Toxic Substances Control to receive Supplemental Environmental Project money associated with the agency’s enforcement actions. The Rose Foundation for Communities and the Environment is administering these funds to support organizations working on hazardous waste related issues throughout the area affected by the facility’s violations. The funding opportunity is expected to be offered on an annual basis once established, though availability is dependent on DTSC enforcement actions. 

The Better Together Nature Positive Innovation Grant Program, administered by the PG&E Corporation Foundation, offers $100,000 grants for projects in five regions focused on environmental stewardship. Applications open on May 21, 2025, targeting land, air, and water quality initiatives. Priority is given to projects benefiting disadvantaged communities. In 2024, PG&E supported nearly 1,000 grants totaling over $36 million, demonstrating a commitment to community resilience and environmental sustainability.

Zoo Labs Fund, established in 2013, empowers Bay Area artist teams through unrestricted grants and mentorship. With over $910,000 awarded, the program supports culturally-rooted artists facing access challenges. In 2025, the Fund will provide $230,000 in grants, partnering with the Center for Cultural Innovation to enhance economic opportunities and foster a sustainable creative ecosystem. By prioritizing artist-led businesses, Zoo Labs Fund aims to enrich the local economy and preserve cultural expression through innovative support.

The PLTW Engineering program, supported by Phillips 66, aims to enhance STEM education in middle and high schools. By providing $30,000 in grants over two academic years, it encourages schools to offer PLTW Engineering courses, fostering skills in students from underserved communities. This initiative is designed to prepare students for future careers in STEM fields, ensuring a diverse and capable workforce. Schools in designated counties are eligible, with a focus on those serving economically disadvantaged students.

The PLTW Computer Science program, funded by Phillips 66, aims to enhance STEM education in middle and high schools. By offering a minimum of two PLTW Computer Science courses over two years, the initiative seeks to empower students with vital skills for future careers. With a total grant of $20,000, the program focuses on schools in various states, prioritizing those serving economically disadvantaged students to foster diversity and inclusion in the tech field.