Grants starting from $250  and reaching more than $200,000 are waiting for you

This guide serves as a comprehensive resource, shedding light on the various care grants available in California, with a particular focus on those directed towards education and other essential needs. From fostering academic excellence to supporting personal development, these grants embody a commitment to nurturing the potential of our youngest citizens.

Whether you're a student seeking financial aid, a caregiver looking to provide essential resources, or a concerned citizen eager to contribute to this cause, this guide aims to empower you with the knowledge and resources necessary to navigate the world of care grants effectively.

Here is a group of grants available in California that you may not have heard of, and which could make your life easier and help you with some of your family matters or future projects:

Hearst Foundations Grants:

US $30,000 - US $200,000

Hearst Foundations' Mission:

The Hearst Foundations fund exceptional nonprofits to promote healthy, productive lives for all Americans. Their goals include improved health, access to quality education, promoting arts and sciences, sustainable employment, and family stability.

For more information about Hearst Foundations Grants, and the eligibility and ineligibility conditions, please download the Grant document from here

Ralph M. Parsons Foundation Grant

Grant amount: Unspecified amount

The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation supports and facilitates the work of the region's best nonprofit organizations, recognizing that many of those in need today will shape the future of Southern California. The Foundation is a responsive grantmaker, inviting organizations serving Los Angeles County to come to them for general support, renovations, programs, and staff positions. Funding is prioritized across four program areas: Civic & Cultural, Education, Health, and Human Services. The Foundation values enriching cultural experiences, active civic engagement, access to quality learning opportunities, and investing in organizations that promote health and well-being among vulnerable populations. The Foundation's work in Human Services reflects its commitment to improving the lives of Los Angeles' most vulnerable community members.

For more information about Ralph M. Parsons Foundation Grant, and the eligibility and ineligibility conditions, please download the Grant document from here

The Ford Family Foundation: Good Neighbor Grants

Grant amount: Up to US $25,000
Fields of work: Community Services

Grant Funding Priorities:

Grant funding priorities are categorized into Family, Education, Community, and Good Neighbor. Family grants focus on strengthening connections between parents and children, preventing child abuse and neglect, and promoting financial stability. Examples include mental health support, parental support programs, domestic violence prevention, foster care support, maternal-child health programs, two-generation family literacy programs, family financial education, and scholarships for parents to complete their college education. Education grants aim to support rural children's success in education, with a focus on early childhood education and preparing students for postsecondary education or careers. Community grants support local economies, social capital, community visioning, planning capacity, and public gathering spaces. Good Neighbor grants support initiatives that matter in the community, including unforeseen emergencies. Grant applications demonstrate support from the communities served and require a clear plan for sustainability.

For more information about Good Neighbor Grants, and the eligibility and ineligibility conditions, please download the Grant document from here

The Ford Family Foundation: Larger Funding Requests

The Ford Family Foundation
Grant amount: US $25,000 - US $250,000

Grant funding priorities are based on the Family impact area, which focuses on strengthening connections between parents and children, preventing child abuse and neglect, and promoting financial stability. Examples of current grant funding include mental health support, parental support programs, domestic violence programs, child abuse prevention and intervention programs, support for children in foster care, maternal-child health programs, two-generation family literacy programs, family financial education, earned income tax credit access, scholarships for parents to complete their college education, and statewide networks and systems reform.

The Education impact area focuses on providing rural children with the necessary support and opportunities for success in their education, with an emphasis on early childhood education. Examples of current grant funding include child care and early childhood education, early literacy programs, family engagement, social-emotional learning, youth development, and college and career preparation programs.

The Community impact area supports conditions that help children and families thrive in rural communities, including local economies, social capital, community visioning and planning capacity, and public gathering spaces. Examples of current grant funding include community building efforts, community centers, social service centers, arts and culture centers, libraries, rural health centers, disaster resiliency planning, community economic development planning, and business development services.

For larger funding requests exceeding $25,000, applications should be aligned with funding priorities. Capital projects aligned with the Community impact area are limited to community centers, gathering spaces, social services centers, libraries, children's museums, small business incubators, fire halls, rural health centers, and art and cultural centers.

For more information about Larger Funding Requests Grant, and the eligibility and ineligibility conditions, please download the Grant document from here

The Ford Family Foundation: Technical Assistance Grants

The Ford Family Foundation
Grant amount: US $1,000 - US $5,000

The organization supports projects in Oregon and Siskiyou County, California, focusing on rural children's lives by providing family, educational, and community support. Grant funding priorities include strengthening connections between parents and children, promoting financial stability, and providing mental health support, parental support programs, domestic violence prevention, maternal-child health programs, and two-generation family literacy programs. Education grants focus on early childhood education, preparing students for postsecondary education or a career, and support local economies, social capital, and public gathering spaces. Community building efforts, community centers, social service centers, arts and culture centers, libraries, and rural health centers are also supported. Technical Assistance grants, up to $5,000, can be used to attend conferences, develop leadership expertise, engage in strategic planning, or hire specialized consultants. Examples include paying for staff training, developing strategic plans, and renovating rural downtown buildings.

For more information about Technical Assistance Grants, and the eligibility and ineligibility conditions, please download the Grant document from here

Open Applications: Local Community Grants

Wal Mart Foundation
Next deadline: Oct 15, 2023
Later deadlines: Dec 31, 2023, Apr 15, 2024, Jul 15, 2024, Oct 15, 2024
Grant amount: US $250 - US $5,000

Walmart, with over 2 million associates, supports communities worldwide through retail business and community giving. The company awards local cash grants ranging from $250 to $5,000 annually to various organizations, such as animal shelters, elder services, and community clean-up projects. The grants are designed to address the unique needs of the communities where Walmart operates. There are eight areas of funding for which organizations can apply: Community and Economic Development, Diversity and Inclusion, Education, Environmental Sustainability, Health and Human Service, Hunger Relief and Healthy Eating, Public Safety, and Quality of Life. Eligible nonprofit organizations must operate on the local level and directly benefit the service area of the facility from which they are requesting funding. They must be CyberGrants FrontDoor verified and meet specific criteria, such as holding a current tax-exempt status as a public charity, being a recognized government entity, or a K-12 public or nonprofit private school or faith-based organization. Non-charities are not eligible.

For more information about Local Community Grants, and the eligibility and ineligibility conditions, please download the Grant document from here

Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation Grant

Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation
Next deadline: Nov 10, 2023 8:59pm PST
Later deadlines: May 10, 2024 8:59pm PDT, Nov 10, 2024 8:59pm PST
Grant amount: US $1,000 - US $20,000

Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation Grant:

The Foundation is considering requests to support various community-based organizations, including museums, cultural and performing arts programs, schools, hospitals, educational programs, and environmental and wildlife protection activities.

For more information about Max and Victoria Grant, and the eligibility and ineligibility conditions, please download the Grant document from here

William and Lottie Daniel Fund Child Care Scholarship

Santa Barbara Foundation
Predicted deadline: Apr 5, 2024
Grant amount: Up to US $35,000
Fields of work: Child Care Services

The William & Lottie Daniel Fund Child Care Scholarship is administered by the Santa Barbara Foundation for licensed nonprofit child care facilities in Santa Barbara County. The foundation aims to provide affordable and accessible quality child care for working families, as many families may need to spend up to 35% of their income on childcare. In 2019, Governor Gavin Newsom signed a $214.8 billion state budget, including $2.8 billion in early care and education investments. The budget includes $195 million for workforce development grants, $12,545 new child care spaces, and $273 million for infrastructure grants. However, gaps in affordability and the number of available spaces will remain a challenge in the county. Scholarships are intended for licensed nonprofit child care centers serving children 0-5 years and school-age children.

For more information about William and Lottie Daniel Scholarship, and the eligibility and ineligibility conditions, please download the Grant document from here

Child Care Grant Program

Grant amount: Up to US $15,000

The Santa Barbara Foundation is offering a grants program to support quality early care and education programs in Santa Barbara County. The program aims to increase organizational capacity among nonprofit child care providers and meet the critical needs of the youngest members of the community. The focus of the grant cycle is on child care sector recovery and resiliency efforts due to COVID-19 and strengthening the childcare system in the County of Santa Barbara. The funding will focus on child care workforce pathway and skill development, supporting organizational business models, family engagement, and content-specific areas of leadership. Strategies may include increasing the number of qualified infant and toddler workforce professionals, fostering a supportive organizational climate, promoting partnerships with families, and building content-specific areas of leadership. The foundation believes that every child deserves safe and quality child care and education, which directly impacts a child's development and relationships.

For more information about Child Care Grant Program, and the eligibility and ineligibility conditions, please download the Grant document from here