Funding Opportunities Newsletter
November & December 2025

Upcoming Grants

• The CA Department of Fish and Wildlife Boating Access Program (due November 7) provides funding for projects that increase access to recreational boating opportunities across California’s waterways.
• The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation (due November 10) provides general operating support, as well as support for specific projects or activities, to community-based nonprofit organizations for which a relatively small amount of funding might make a large difference.
• The Alliance for Green Heat Firewood Bank Program (due November 14) provides funding for firewood banks that source all or some of their wood from federally managed lands.
• The Sierra Nevada Conservancy Wildfire and Forest Resilience Directed Grant Program (2025-‘26 invited full proposals due November 17) funds projects within the Sierra-Cascade region that reduce wildfire risk to people and communities and result in a combination of multiple watershed, ecosystem, and community benefits.
• The CA Department of Transportation (CalTrans) Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Program (due November 21) supports transportation project planning, which can include community active transportation plans, extension of recreational trails, safe connections to tribal community facilities, evacuation route resilience plans, and tribal sustainable transportation plans.
• The Sierra Nevada Conservancy Sustainable Recreation, Tourism, and Equitable Outdoor Access Grant Program(concept proposals due December 1) funds projects that enhance, promote, and develop sustainable recreation and tourism within SNC’s Sierra-Cascade service area.
• The US Department of Agriculture: Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program (due December 5) increases the availability of local foods in Child Nutrition Program (CNP) operations and connects students to the sources of their food through education, taste tests, school gardens, field trips, and local food sourcing for CNP meals.
• The National Association of Conservation Districts Technical Assistance Grant Program (due December 11) supports boots-on-the-ground assistance by conservation districts to help producers develop conservation plans, implement practices, and access funding and assistance programs through strengthening the technical skills of conservation district staff.
• The Temper of the Times Foundation Grants (due December 15) support media campaigns and other efforts to communicate about conservation and restoration initiatives and actions.
• The California State Water Resources Control Board Clean Water Act Section 319(h) Nonpoint Source Grant Program (due December 19) funds projects that reduce nonpoint source impacts to waterways, including from livestock, road sedimentation, and stream erosion.
• The California Volunteers Youth Service Corps: Competitive Program(due December 19) supports eligible cities and counties to recruit, train, and place high-need low-income, former foster, justice-involved and unemployed youth (ages 16-30) at positions in a new or existing youth workforce development program to address key areas of education, food insecurity, climate, and public service.
• The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Healthy American Forests Initiative(due January 13, 2026) supports watershed restoration and vegetation-management projects on National Forest System lands to achieve healthy forest ecosystems.
• The Strategic Growth Council Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation: Agricultural Acquisition Conservation Grants Program(due January 15, 2026) protects agricultural lands from conversation to more GHG-intensive uses, including both cultivated and non-cultivated lands such as lands where traditional foods, medicines, fibers, etc., are gathered by California Native American tribes.
• The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation Grant Program(reviewed quarterly, submit request at the beginning of the quarter) provides lifesaving equipment and prevention education tools to first responders and public safety organizations.
• The CA Department of Parks and Recreation Clean Vessel Act: Pumpout Dump Station Installation Program(rolling) provides funding for the installation of Pumpout and Dump stations on public and private property.
• The CA Department of Parks and Recreation Boat Launching Facilities Grant(rolling) supports the development and improvement of public motorized and non-motorized boat launching facilities, including parking lots and restrooms.
• The Wildlife Conservation Board Public Access Program(rolling) supports projects focused on the protection and development of public access areas and the promotion of hunting and fishing opportunities.
• The Hind Foundation Standard Grants Program(rolling) supports community-based projects proposed by nonprofit organizations that are at least three years old and have visible impacts in California. Areas of funding include ecosystem conservation, historical landmark restoration, plant and wildlife protection, and land conservation.
• The Groundwork USA: Nonprofit Brownfield Technical Assistance Program(rolling) supports community-led brownfield and land-reuse efforts through working with nonprofit organizations to advance equitable brownfield projects that transform underutilized spaces into parks, trails, urban farms, and other community assets.
• The CA Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB) California Riparian Habitat Conservation Program(rolling) supports riparian restoration projects that further biodiversity, promote climate resilience, or help achieve other state priorities.
• The Wildlife Conservation Board Climate Adaptation and Resilience Program(rolling) funds projects that provide climate adaptation and resilience on California’s natural and working lands.
• The Wildlife Conservation Board Oak Woodlands Conservation Program(rolling) provides a mechanism to bring ranchers and conservationists together in a manner that allows both to achieve sustainable ranch and farming operations and healthy oak woodlands.
• The CA Department of Conservation California Farmland Conservancy Program (CFCP): Land Improvement Projects and Agricultural Conservation Easement Grants(rolling) support the voluntary acquisition of conservation easements and restoration of and improvements to agricultural land.
• The US Department of Agriculture Timber Production Expansion Guaranteed Loan Program (rolling until funds depleted) provides loan guarantees to establish, reopen, expand, or improve sawmills and other wood-processing facilities.
• The US Fish and Wildlife Service National Fish Passage Program (rolling) provides technical and financial assistance to partners to remove instream barriers and restore aquatic connectivity, improve community safety, and support local economies.
• The US Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Operations Program(rolling) provides technical and financial assistance to support the planning and implementation of authorized watershed projects for the purpose of watershed protection, flood prevention, public recreation, etc.
• The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, through the CA Office of Emergency Services(rolling) provides support for communities to implement mitigation activities to reduce risk to life and property from natural hazards. Federal funding is distributed through the state periodically, and Notices of Interest are accepted on an ongoing basis.