Best Sunnyvale Grants for Nonprofits in California

Louis R. & Helen E. Schwartz FFA Agricultural Scholarship

The Louis R. and Helen E. Schwartz FFA Agricultural Scholarship was established to help prepare Saginaw County students for a future in agriculture or an agriculture-related field. Both Lou and Helen Schwartz were raised on farms in Iowa, so they knew from first-hand experience that farming can be a difficult business. They moved to Frankenmuth when Lou opened area S&H Stores in 1962. The stores were sold to Quality Farm and Fleet in 1982.

Scholarships are awarded to students from Saginaw County, Michigan; Lyon County, Minnesota and Muscatine County, Iowa.

Daniel Jon Thurlow Memorial Scholarship

Two scholarships will be presented per year, each being renewable for one additional year on a competitive basis. It is also our hope that recipients of this particular scholarship will be especially diligent in using this money to help create a better life for themselves and their family. Thus, Danny’s untimely passing will ultimately contribute to making this world a better place, one family at a time.   

A. Wlock and E. Woodruff Scholarship

The A. Wlock and E. Woodruff Scholarship was created by Emilee Woodruff and Autumn Wlock’s family and the W2 Foundation in loving memory of Emilee and Autumn. Emilee and Autumn passed away in February 2020 when a fire destroyed their home. Emilee was diagnosed with epilepsy as a preteen. Autumn was Emilee’s first child and love of her life. Emilee was a great mother and Autumn was a happy baby. This scholarship is aimed to help students attend college that have been affected by a fire or who have been diagnosed with epilepsy.  

Albert Smith Conservation Scholarship

Albert A. Smith was born in Omer, Mich., in 1913. He began his education in a one room schoolhouse near Omer and successfully completed his first three grades in the first year of school. Upon graduation from Flint Northern High School at age 15, he went on to receive an undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan and thereafter a law degree in 1939. In the mid-1950s, he opened a law office in Saginaw that later became the law firm of Smith Bovill, P.C.

Mr. Smith’s love of the law was matched by his interest in the outdoors, and in particular his beloved Ruffed Grouse. He used his rolling farm and woods to entertain his friends, clients and courtroom adversaries. He was a consummate host to anyone who shared his love for the hunt.

Al was generous with his time and resources. He supported and served on the boards of his favorite charities and civic groups, including the Salvation Army, the Ruffed Grouse Society where he served as national president, the Samaritan Center and First Congregational Church. In 1976, he was recognized for his outstanding conservation work when he received the Wildlife Conservationist of the Year Award from the Michigan United Conservation Clubs.

Casting your Future – UAW Local 668 Scholarship

The International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW) is one of the largest and most diverse unions in North America and is committed to improving the lives of working men and women around the globe. Here in Saginaw, Amalgamated UAW Local 668 proudly represents the hourly employees at the General Motors Saginaw Metal Casting Operations plant and the Knight Facilities Maintenance Group at the same facility.

Our commitment is unwavering to the education of the youth of this country. The success of our middle class is directly dependent on education which provides the skills required to compete in a global economy.

Clifford H. Spicer Memorial Scholarship

Clifford Spicer, founder of Spicer Engineering, was a registered professional engineer and professional land surveyor. A member and past president of the Michigan Society of Professional Engineers, Michigan Society of Land Surveyors, Michigan Waterworks Association and Michigan Water Pollution Control Federation, he served also on the Board of Appeals on Zoning for the City of Saginaw for 21 years.

At Spicer Engineering’s 50th Anniversary celebration in 1994, Mr. Spicer was honored by community leaders, including Governor John Engler and employees of Spicer Engineering. Former Saginaw Township Manager Frank Jones remarked, “Clifford Spicer … instilled in all employees his own extremely high professional work ethic. A finer gentlemen and engineer I have yet to meet.” Mr. Spicer died in 1997 at the age of 94.

The FY26 Autism Research Program Career Development Award aims to support early-career investigators in conducting innovative research that can significantly impact autism. It encourages applications addressing specific areas of interest and mandates community collaboration for projects involving pilot clinical trials. Proposals must include partnerships with community members for effective planning and implementation, ensuring that the research is grounded in the needs of the autism community.

The FY26 Autism Research Program's Idea Development Award from the US DOD aims to support groundbreaking research that improves outcomes for Autistic individuals. This award encourages innovative, high-risk projects that can lead to significant advancements in autism research. Applications must address specific areas of interest or justify the importance of the research problem. A unique Partnering Principal Investigator option allows two researchers to collaborate on a single project, enhancing the potential for impactful discoveries.

The FY26 Autism Research Program Clinical Trial Award aims to rapidly implement clinical trials that significantly impact autism treatment and management. Projects may range from small proof-of-concept trials to large-scale studies assessing efficacy in relevant populations. Applications are encouraged to partner experienced and early-career investigators and must include community collaborations to enhance research impact. At least one community partner is required to provide ongoing consultation throughout the project.

The FY26 Orthopaedic Research Program Clinical Research Award supports vital clinical research addressing orthopaedic-specific factors and interventions. It aims to generate evidence that optimizes patient outcomes and informs clinical care, benefiting Service Members, Veterans, and the public. Applications should focus on priority areas such as Ligamentous Trauma and Military Women’s Health, ensuring significant impact on patient care and mitigation of orthopaedic injuries.

California Energy Commission

As the state’s primary energy policy and planning agency, the California Energy Commission (CEC) plays a critical role in creating the energy system of the future—one that is clean, modern, and ensures the fifth largest economy in the world continues to thrive. Combating climate change is fundamental to maintaining California’s future. The agency’s research, programs and policies remain crucial today as the state plans for 100% clean energy and carbon neutrality by mid-century. CEC is helping create the energy system of California’s future through activities such as Planning and Policy Development, Renewable Energy Growth; Energy Efficiency; Energy Innovation; Cleaner Transportation; and Responsible Electricity Infrastructure.

GFO-25-305 - Non-Energy Impacts of Integrated Energy Retrofit Packages from the Equitable Building Decarbonization Program

Purpose

The purpose of this solicitation is to fund an applied research and development project that informs California’s transition to an equitable, zero-carbon energy system that is climate-resilient and meets environmental goals. Applied research supported by this solicitation will evaluate the non-energy impacts of building retrofits, taking advantage of the opportunity to study the impacts and benefits of the Equitable Building Decarbonization (EBD) Direct Install Program. By leveraging the work of the EBD program, this research can shed light on previously understudied benefits and costs to low-income households. The expected outcomes include lessons learned to inform ongoing and future decarbonization investments and priorities.

California Energy Commission

As the state’s primary energy policy and planning agency, the California Energy Commission (CEC) plays a critical role in creating the energy system of the future—one that is clean, modern, and ensures the fifth largest economy in the world continues to thrive. Combating climate change is fundamental to maintaining California’s future. The agency’s research, programs and policies remain crucial today as the state plans for 100% clean energy and carbon neutrality by mid-century. CEC is helping create the energy system of California’s future through activities such as Planning and Policy Development, Renewable Energy Growth; Energy Efficiency; Energy Innovation; Cleaner Transportation; and Responsible Electricity Infrastructure.

GFO-25-605 – Reliable Electric Charging for Eligible School-bus Sites (RECESS)

Purpose

The California Energy Commission’s (CEC’s) Clean Transportation Program announces the availability of up to $22,000,000 in grant funds for projects that will install electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure for electric school buses. This is a multi-funding lane grant solicitation (first come, first served and competitive) with minimum requirements and certain conditions as further described in the manual.

Funding Lanes

This solicitation has three funding lanes: Funding Lane 1; Funding Lane 2; and Funding Lane 3

Applicants may apply for funding in only one of the three funding lanes based on their eligibility as described in Section II A. Eligibility Requirements of the attached manual.

Funding Lane 1 (First come, first serve)

$4 million in funding available for electric school bus charging infrastructure projects at local educational agencies that received Clean Truck and Bus Incentive Project (HVIP) Public School Bus Set Aside Year 1 and Year 2 funded electric school buses, but who did not receive the CEC’s Energy Infrastructure Incentives for Zero-Emission Commercial Vehicles Project (EnergIIZE) Public School Bus Set Aside Year 1 or Year 2 infrastructure funding. This funding lane is awarded on a first come, first serve basis.

Table 4 in Section II.A.1 of the solicitation manual shows eligible Funding Lane 1 Applicants and the maximum number of charging ports that can be requested.

California Energy Commission

As the state’s primary energy policy and planning agency, the California Energy Commission (CEC) plays a critical role in creating the energy system of the future—one that is clean, modern, and ensures the fifth largest economy in the world continues to thrive. Combating climate change is fundamental to maintaining California’s future. The agency’s research, programs and policies remain crucial today as the state plans for 100% clean energy and carbon neutrality by mid-century. CEC is helping create the energy system of California’s future through activities such as Planning and Policy Development, Renewable Energy Growth; Energy Efficiency; Energy Innovation; Cleaner Transportation; and Responsible Electricity Infrastructure.

GFO-25-605 – Reliable Electric Charging for Eligible School-bus Sites (RECESS)

Purpose

The California Energy Commission’s (CEC’s) Clean Transportation Program announces the availability of up to $22,000,000 in grant funds for projects that will install electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure for electric school buses. This is a multi-funding lane grant solicitation (first come, first served and competitive) with minimum requirements and certain conditions as further described in the manual.

Funding Lanes

This solicitation has three funding lanes: Funding Lane 1; Funding Lane 2; and Funding Lane 3

Applicants may apply for funding in only one of the three funding lanes based on their eligibility as described in Section II A. Eligibility Requirements of the attached manual.

Funding Lane 2 (Competitive)

$9 million in funding available for electric school bus charging infrastructure projects that will support existing and future electric school bus deployments by local educational agencies, as defined in Section II.A.1 of the solicitation manual. This funding lane is competitive. Private schools are not eligible applicants under this solicitation.

California Energy Commission

As the state’s primary energy policy and planning agency, the California Energy Commission (CEC) plays a critical role in creating the energy system of the future—one that is clean, modern, and ensures the fifth largest economy in the world continues to thrive. Combating climate change is fundamental to maintaining California’s future. The agency’s research, programs and policies remain crucial today as the state plans for 100% clean energy and carbon neutrality by mid-century. CEC is helping create the energy system of California’s future through activities such as Planning and Policy Development, Renewable Energy Growth; Energy Efficiency; Energy Innovation; Cleaner Transportation; and Responsible Electricity Infrastructure.

GFO-25-605 – Reliable Electric Charging for Eligible School-bus Sites (RECESS)

Purpose

The California Energy Commission’s (CEC’s) Clean Transportation Program announces the availability of up to $22,000,000 in grant funds for projects that will install electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure for electric school buses. This is a multi-funding lane grant solicitation (first come, first served and competitive) with minimum requirements and certain conditions as further described in the manual.

Funding Lanes

This solicitation has three funding lanes: Funding Lane 1; Funding Lane 2; and Funding Lane 3

Applicants may apply for funding in only one of the three funding lanes based on their eligibility as described in Section II A. Eligibility Requirements of the attached manual.

Funding Lane 3 (Competitive)

$9 million in funding available for electric school bus charging infrastructure projects that will support existing and future electric school bus deployments by third-party transportation providers who serve local educational agencies, as defined in Section II.A.1 of the solicitation manual. This funding lane is competitive.

The BRAIN Initiative Connectivity across Scales (BRAIN CONNECTS) invites innovative research proposals aimed at advancing technologies for understanding brain connectivity. This funding opportunity supports specialized projects focused on creating comprehensive atlases of brain wiring, emphasizing human and non-human species. Successful applications will contribute to a network aimed at enhancing the analysis and interpretation of brain circuits, ultimately leading to better strategies for treating brain disorders. Proposals must demonstrate novel approaches to data collection and integration.

The FY26 Reconstructive Transplant Research Program Concept Award encourages innovative research addressing critical issues in reconstructive transplantation. It supports groundbreaking concepts and untested theories, emphasizing creativity and relevance to specific focus areas. Notably, preliminary data presentation is prohibited, yet applications must demonstrate potential for interpretable results. Early-career investigators are particularly encouraged to apply, fostering new talent in this vital research field.

Community Resilience Centers Round 2

The California Strategic Growth Council (SGC) is pleased to announce the availability of approximately $55 million in funding from the Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024 for Round 2 of the Community Resilience Centers (CRC) Program through this Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA). 

Program Summary

The CRC Program will offer Planning Grants and Implementation Grants. Unlike Round 1, the CRC Program will not offer a separate Project Development Grant type. Instead, Round 2’s Implementation Grant will offer a new, funded “Pre-Development Phase” that will support Lead Grantees’ project readiness before implementation. The Pre-Development Phase will last no more than one year from grant execution.

Implementation Grants

Grant Purpose

Implementation Grants will fund new construction and retrofits of facilities to serve as Community Resilience Centers, as well as programs and services that build overall community resilience.

Examples of Eligible Activities

Construction, retrofits, and other upgrades to the CRC Facility itself; Campus Amenity improvements; programs and services; community engagement.

Project Area

CRC applications must be community focused. All CRC Implementation Grant applicants are required to define a Project Area. The Project Area must encompass the physical location of the CRC Facility (the CRC Site), Campus Amenities connected to the CRC Facility, Partner Sites and any programs and services based out of the CRC Facility or Partner Sites.

About Us

Our Vision

Healthy, thriving, and resilient communities for all

Our Mission

The mission of the Council is to coordinate and work collaboratively with public agencies, communities, and stakeholders to achieve sustainability, equity, economic prosperity, and quality of life for all Californians

Community Resilience Centers Round 2

From extreme heat to wildfires, recent climate events and public health emergencies impact every part of California. The best available projections anticipate that these climate impacts will intensify. In the face of these challenges, strengthening resilience requires investments in both physical and social infrastructure. In addition to climate resilience activities, community resilience builds ongoing social cohesion, trust, and networks.

The Community Resilience Centers (CRC) Program:

• Funds the planning, construction, and retrofit of community resilience centers across California’s diverse communities
• Advances communities’ capacity to plan for long-term resilience and acute emergencies
• Encourages meaningful engagement, cross-sectoral collaboration, community-based partnerships, and shared governance and decision-making models
• Mitigates the public health impacts of extreme heat and other emergency situations exacerbated by climate change
• Prioritizes projects located in and benefiting under-resourced, rural, unincorporated, and Tribal communities across geographically diverse regions in the state of California

The WIOA, Title II: Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (AEFLA) grant provides supplemental funds over a 4 year grant cycle for adult education to:

• assist adults to become literate and obtain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment and economic self-sufficiency;
• assist adults who are parents or family members to obtain education and skills;
• assist adults in attaining a secondary school diploma and postsecondary education and training, including through career pathways;
• assist immigrants and other individuals who are English language learners.

The Polly W. Roesch Vocal Music Scholarship, established by the Community Foundation for the Land of Lincoln, supports graduating seniors from Sangamon County pursuing degrees in vocal music and performing arts. This scholarship reflects the foundation's commitment to enhancing educational opportunities in the region. Eligible candidates include high school seniors and college students who are direct descendants of U.S. Service Members residing in specific Illinois counties. This initiative aims to foster talent in the arts and provide financial assistance to deserving students.

The Mary Lou and Dwight Pitman Scholarship supports area public high school students in Sangamon County, excluding Springfield and Chatham districts, who have siblings planning to attend college. Established through the Sangamon County Foundation in 1924, this scholarship honors the legacy of community leaders and aims to empower the next generation by aiding students' educational pursuits. Eligible applicants include graduating high school seniors and current college students who are direct descendants of U.S. Service Members.

Every Kindness is a Gift

Dollar Tree Gift Card Program 2026

Every Kindness is a Gift is a gift card grant program made possible through the generosity of Dollar Tree and managed by the team here at Gift Card Bank. We are a nonprofit organization that specializes in the distribution of gift cards and our mission is to improve well-being and build financial stability by supporting people through their time of need.

Through Every Kindness is a Gift, nonprofit organizations and Title I schools located in the 48 contiguous states may apply to receive a grant of Dollar Tree gift cards.

Gift cards received through these grants are meant to be distributed directly to individuals and families in need. A primary goal of the program is to give gift card recipients the dignity of choice by empowering them to shop for what they need themselves. By putting gift cards directly in the hands of our neighbors in need, we are able to increase access to essentials like food, school supplies, paper products, cleaning products, and hygiene items.

In 2026, there will be two rounds of grant distributions. In each round, we will award a number of grants between $2,500 and $10,000.

Round One is a summer distribution. Gift cards awarded in Round One will arrive in late June, while kids are on break and back-to-school is around the corner. Round Two is a holiday distribution. Gift cards awarded in Round Two will arrive in early November, as the end-of-year holidays approach.

We know that these are times of year when budgets are tight. Through these gift card grants, we hope to connect individuals and families directly to the essential resources they need during difficult months.

The Mark Mayden Scholarship, established in 2006 by the Community Foundation of Dickinson County, honors the legacy of Mark Mayden, a devoted supporter of agribusiness. This $700 scholarship aims to assist hardworking students from Dickinson County in pursuing technical or vocational education, fostering opportunities for future generations. By rewarding initiative and talent, the scholarship reflects Mark's belief in the transformative power of education and hard work, ensuring that deserving students have the support they need to succeed.

The Loren Engel Memorial FFA Scholarship, established by Margaret Engle in 2005, honors Loren Engel’s dedication to agriculture and leadership. This $300 scholarship is available for graduating high school students from Dickinson County who have served as FFA chapter officers, demonstrating commitment to agricultural education. The Community Foundation of Dickinson County aims to support local students pursuing technical or vocational education, ensuring future generations can thrive in their community.

The Vanguard

Remuseum announces The Vanguard, an award and accelerator for innovative leaders in the visual and performing arts, in partnership with the Doris Duke Foundation. The Vanguard’s $100,000 annual award will recognize up to ten leaders who are exploring new ways to strengthen arts institutions, and a year-long accelerator will help them refine, implement, and evaluate their ideas. The first award and accelerator of its kind, The Vanguard celebrates leaders who are ready to center the public in their work in new ways, building models for increased relevance and sustainability in the arts.

The Program

The $100,000 grant that accompanies each award will go to that leader’s institution, to support ideas developed in The Vanguard’s 12-month accelerator program. That program begins with a week-long retreat at Shangri La, the Doris Duke Foundation’s global center for culture and ideas in Honolulu, Hawaii, followed by a year of monthly coaching sessions, regional peer gatherings, and collaborative workshops, culminating in a public presentation of their work and findings to the broader arts community. The accelerator and its curriculum, tailored specifically for cultural leaders, has been designed by Jenny Larios Berlin, entrepreneur in the creative and tech sectors and Lecturer at MIT Sloan School of Management, and will be co-taught with Gregory Bunch, entrepreneur and Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and will be advised by Ethernet Inventors Professor of Entrepreneurship Bill Aulet, Managing Director of the Martin Trust Center for MIT Entrepreneurship.

By year’s end, members of The Vanguard will have built an intellectual kinship with each other while modeling a spirit of innovative leadership for the field. Remuseum will continue evaluating and sharing their work as case studies for cultural organizations broadly, and future classes will continue expanding a Vanguard of leaders (10, then 20, and on) who build models of success for cultural organizations in the 21st Century, allowing arts & cultural institutions not just to survive but to support a stronger and more pluralistic civil society.

The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) is launching a funding opportunity for the ancient DNA for Modern Genomics (aDMG) program. This initiative aims to create an ethical resource of ancient human DNA to enhance understanding of modern human traits and health. By leveraging both existing and new aDNA data, the program seeks innovative collaborations that integrate ancient and contemporary genomic information. Researchers with expertise in population genomics are encouraged to apply.

The NHGRI's Analysis, Visualization, and Informatics Lab-space (AnVIL) program is set for a limited competition renewal to enhance a cloud-based platform that supports genomic research. With over 5 petabytes of data accessible to researchers, AnVIL fosters collaboration and innovation while adhering to FAIR principles. The renewed focus will include improved scalability, interoperability, and robust security measures. Additionally, training initiatives will ensure researchers maximize the potential of AnVIL's multimodal datasets. The funding opportunity is expected in 2027.