Best Grants for Nonprofit Child Care Centers in California

Nonprofit and other early learning or child care providers in California seeking support for culturally responsive, inclusive early childhood programming may be eligible for the DCYF Early Childhood Equity Grant, with awards from US $100 - US $100,000. Funding can support program design, delivery, staff training, evaluation, and family connection to needed services.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations providing education, health, or human services for needy males under 21 in California can apply for grants of US $10,000 - US $35,000. Grants from Goodwin Family Memorial Trust help California programs that foster the moral, physical, and intellectual development of boys, including eligible nonprofit child care and youth development centers.

Child care-focused community development financial institutions in California can use these grants for working capital and to strengthen net assets. With a mission to expand community development finance, California State Treasurer's Office provides California child care services with up to US $200,000 to grow lending for facilities, affordable housing, small businesses, and other services in low-income communities.

California local governments and non-entitlement jurisdictions can use this Community Development Block Grant program to develop housing, public facilities, and services that benefit low- and moderate-income residents, including child care centers and related community facilities. Administered by the California Department of Housing and Community Development, funding also supports public services, economic development, and planning and technical assistance.

Roche Corporate Donations and Philanthropy (CDP) focuses on impactful projects that foster sustainable development, engage employees, and leverage Roche's expertise. Their philanthropic efforts prioritize humanitarian, educational, environmental, and cultural initiatives, aiming to build stronger communities and support innovative projects. Eligibility is limited to local organizations, while ineligible projects include those with political or religious ties. The foundation strives to create a positive societal impact through collaboration and strategic partnerships.

The Nordson Corporation Foundation Grant supports educational programs that enhance community quality of life. Focused on fostering self-sufficiency and job readiness, the Foundation values strong relationships and employee engagement. By funding diverse non-profit initiatives, it aims to ensure that all children have access to quality education and that communities thrive through enhanced educational opportunities. Currently, applications are invited only, aligning with their commitment to impactful community partnerships.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving women and girls with childcare, affordable housing, or health programs in California’s San Luis Obispo County can apply for the Women’s Legacy Fund, with awards up to US $40,000. Grants from San Luis Obispo County Community Foundation help expand or strengthen data-informed services that dismantle disparities and increase access to opportunity.

Nonprofit child care and related service organizations supporting Marin County residents in California can seek funding for community-led programs, including child care services and early childhood development. With a mission to strengthen local communities, Marin Community Foundation provides grants for nonprofits, religious organizations, and schools whose work benefits Marin residents, including groups based elsewhere that deliver high-quality programs in the county.

Nonprofit organizations planning child care or family-focused community events, especially near Springdale, Arkansas or Dakota Dunes, South Dakota, can seek sponsorship funding for highly visible projects. Tyson Foods welcomes proposals that align with its core values and demonstrate clear community benefit, which may also be relevant to California child care centers hosting major outreach or fundraising events.

U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofits running child care, early learning, or youth education programs, including those in California, can apply for the Comis Foundation’s grants, awarding US $5,000 - US $75,000 for program development, capacity building, and general operations. Funding supports efforts that improve educational outcomes and help children and youth explore, learn, and thrive.

Nonprofit charitable or educational organizations providing child care or related children’s services in California, especially in Los Angeles and Kern counties, can seek support for programs serving children, youth, and families. Grants from Employees Community Fund of The Boeing Company help fund local initiatives focused on children, homelessness, and veterans in communities where Boeing employees live and work.

California 501(c)(3) organizations providing child care, affordable day care, after-school programs, or related education and family services can apply for support from the Erich & Hannah Sachs Foundation. Funding includes grants and low-interest program-related investments for self-sustaining efforts that strengthen economic and educational opportunities for low-income, disadvantaged communities, including nonprofit child care centers.

California 501(c)(3) nonprofits needing capital improvements for child care or related services can access funding through Kern Community Foundation’s Waterman Foundation Grant, with awards up to US $50,000. Eligible agencies must be registered with Kern Community Foundation, have at least a Silver GuideStar rating, and be sponsored by a Bakersfield Downtown Rotary Club member.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) child care and youth-serving organizations in California can apply for up to US $15,000 to support children’s health, wellness, and related services. Grants from 15 and the Mahomies Foundation help programs focused on child care, early childhood development, child welfare, and children’s mental health; requests are reviewed quarterly.

Nonprofit organizations providing child care, early childhood, youth, or family support services in California can seek funding for programs that benefit children and the broader La Jolla and San Diego communities. With a mission to serve children, La Jolla Kiwanis Foundation supports maternal and child health, childcare and development, parent education, safety, and related community needs.

Nonprofit organizations providing social services for low-income San Leandro residents, including childcare programs and related family support, can seek funding for their programs in California. With a mission to strengthen local social services, City of San Leandro provides California child care services and other human service nonprofits with biennial competitive grants supporting housing, food, health, employment, and safety-net programs.

Low-income student parents in Marin County who need help paying for licensed child care while pursuing a degree can apply for this scholarship, which covers part of daycare costs. Offered by 10000 Degrees, it supports California child care access and educational equity and is renewable with satisfactory academic progress.

Nonprofit organizations providing child care and other services for children in California can apply for national grants supporting charities that serve the needs of children. CAPTRUST Community Foundation provides funding to local and national child-focused charities, including those offering child care services, with one large Charity of Choice award and several additional partnership grants each year.

Nonprofit families needing reduced-cost child care services in California can receive financial assistance to access YMCA of San Diego County programs. YMCA of San Diego County provides California child care services with scholarships that lower membership, program, and child care fees using a sliding scale based on verified household income and recent financial documentation.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and public entities in California that support licensed child care providers in Goleta can apply for Santa Barbara Foundation’s Goleta Child Care Grant, with awards up to US $15,000. Focus is on expanding child care capacity, strengthening the workforce, and improving early childhood development and family engagement practices.

The San Diego Women’s Foundation is launching the SDWF-Expanding Affordable, Accessible, and Quality Child Care Grant to address the critical shortage of affordable child care for infants and toddlers (ages 0-4). This initiative aims to support nonprofit organizations that enhance access to quality child care, particularly for families with limited options. The foundation prioritizes efforts that contribute to long-term improvements in the child care landscape, ensuring that all families can find safe, developmentally supportive environments for their children.

JMPG Fund

This giving circle of emerging philanthropists is dedicated to supporting programs that improve the lives of children and families across San Diego County. Through this grant cycle, the JMPG Fund expects to award one to three grants totaling approximately $80,000 to $100,000. These nonprofit grants in San Diego will be distributed in January 2027 and will support programs taking place during the 2027 calendar year. This opportunity is especially relevant for small and midsize nonprofits in San Diego, as well as programs within larger organizations, where funding can create visible and meaningful impact.

Mission

The group’s mission is to empower and uplift the San Diego community through acts of kindness, generosity, and collective action. As Jewish mothers, members are committed to fostering a legacy of compassion and responsibility by supporting those in need and creating lasting positive change. Guided by the values of collective giving and Tikkun Olam (repairing the world), the group seeks to make a meaningful difference for future generations.

Funding Priorities: Programs Supporting Children

The JMPG Fund is focused on supporting organizations that demonstrate a direct impact on children in the following areas:

• Basic needs
  • including food, housing, clothing, diapers, and related support
• Healthcare
  • including services that support the physical or emotional well-being of children
• Education and Intervention Services
  • including prevention, early intervention, after-school programs, and mental health services

The Thing 1∙2∙3 Foundation Grant Program, established in 1999, is dedicated to improving the lives of children. This private foundation, inspired by Dr. Seuss' characters, focuses on providing essential support to organizations that help children. Grants are awarded to U.S. and U.S.-based international entities that align with the foundation's mission. The foundation seeks to empower those on the front lines delivering impactful services, ensuring that children's needs are met effectively.

Joseph G Markoly Foundation Inc

When Joseph Markoly originally established the foundation more than thirty years ago, its focus was on Alzheimer’s and heart disease support, funded through a number of the larger national disease-related organizations. Over time the focus has shifted to helping small to mid-size organizations in our local communities which support children and seniors in a variety of effective ways. 

Markoly Foundation was established in honor of Joseph G. Markoly, an entrepreneur and philanthropist who wanted to make a positive impact in people’s lives. Joseph’s family was affected directly by both Alzheimer’s and heart disease having lost a family member to each condition. For that reason, the foundation dedicates a majority of their resources to providing grants to organizations that focus on the treatment of each of these diseases. In addition, Markoly Foundation supports a variety of programs dedicated to helping children and seniors by providing services, supplies, programs and research in areas impacting these demographics.

Joseph G. Markoly Foundation Grant Support for Children’s Organizations

Children are the future of this world and the Markoly Foundation is proud to fund local programs dedicated to improving the lives of children and their families. From providing vision services for school kids to classes on parenting, we are proud to do our part to help fund critical community programs for families.

We are dedicated to providing funding for local nonprofit programs that improve the quality of life for all, but particularly for the children and elders in our community.

Theresa Alessandra Russo Foundation Inc

The Theresa Foundation honors the memory of Theresa Alessandra Russo by touching the lives of children with special needs and their families. The Foundation fosters each child’s unique abilities by supporting programs focusing on art, music, dance, drama, and recreation.

The Theresa Foundation has a vision of the world where artistic expression and physical recreation are just as important to adults as they are to children. We believe in a world where every child, regardless of ability or challenging conditions, is free to communicate through and participate in every art or recreational activity. A society without art is a society without soul. Art enables us to express our inner thoughts, fears, joys, and sadness.  

The Theresa Foundation Grant Program

The Theresa Foundation Grant Program is committed to providing financial support for programs in art, music, dance, drama, or recreation that are designed specifically for children with special needs in order to ensure that no one is excluded from these activities. 

We believe that every individual should have the opportunity to participate in art, music, dance, drama or recreation if they so choose. Our grant program works to provide direct funding for the success of these activities, while also promoting an environment of acceptance and inclusiveness where all can take part without judgment or fear. 

As of 2026, the Theresa Foundation has provided over $3,300,000 in grant funding for over 200 programs in 29 states throughout the country and 4 international grants. With your help we can continue to make a difference in the lives of those with special needs by providing them access to enriching experiences that would otherwise be out of reach. 

California nonprofit child care and early learning providers serving San Mateo County residents can access funding through Atkinson Foundation for education, youth development, and basic needs services. 501(c)(3) organizations or fiscally sponsored groups with budgets under $10 million, especially community-led programs supporting low-income and BIPOC families, may receive up to US $20,000.

The Ford Family Foundation offers larger funding requests over $25,000 for projects aligned with their funding priorities, including family support, education, and community development. Their grants aim to strengthen family connections, enhance educational opportunities for rural children, and foster thriving communities. Eligible organizations must primarily benefit rural residents in Oregon and Siskiyou County, California. The Foundation emphasizes community support and prohibits funding for discriminatory practices or debt retirement.