Bulletin Board

Funding opportunities, developments in philanthropy, and public funding updates for organizations working toward more equitable communities, with particular attention to California.

Foundation And Community Funding

November 16–December 4: Bothin Foundation

Bothin Foundation’s next application window supports building renovations, durable equipment, technology, and vehicles. Organizations must primarily serve residents of San Francisco, Marin, Sonoma, or San Mateo counties, with the funded assets located there. Its funding priorities emphasize low-income children, young people, families with children, and people with disabilities. Applications close December 4 at 5 p.m. Review the guidelines.

December 20: Sky High Farm’s Food Justice And Land Sovereignty Grants

Sky High Farm is accepting applications from individuals and organizations working in agriculture, food justice, and land sovereignty. The 2027 funding pool totals $350,000; awards in the previous cycle averaged approximately $11,000. Applicants do not need 501(c)(3) status. The program prioritizes people and communities historically excluded from agricultural resources, including BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and immigrant applicants. Explore the opportunity.

Rolling: San Francisco Foundation’s Rapid Response Fund

The Rapid Response Fund for Movement Building offers grants of $3,000–$20,000 for urgent organizing, community defense, safety, and movement-building projects responding to unexpected external events. Projects must serve Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, or San Mateo counties. Fiscally sponsored groups can apply. Funding does not cover routine operations, ongoing programs, or budget shortfalls. Review eligibility and apply.

Rolling: Nathan Cummings Foundation

Nathan Cummings Foundation accepts letters of inquiry year-round from organizations advancing racial, economic, and environmental justice, with pathways for both grants and program-related investments. The foundation has a particular interest in the U.S. South, so California organizations should assess geographic and strategic fit before developing an inquiry. Learn about its priorities and application process.

California State Grants

December 4: Nutrition Incentives For WIC Participants And Seniors

California’s Nutrition Incentive Program is accepting applications for its 2027 WIC and senior expansion round. Grants of $10,000–$300,000 support authorized Certified Farmers’ Markets and nonprofits partnering with them to provide produce incentives and assistance using nutrition benefits.

Applications are due December 4 at 5 p.m. Pacific, with an applicant webinar November 18 at 11 a.m. Pacific. Funding is reimbursement-based; matching resources are encouraged but not required. This is a separate opportunity from the CalFresh round closing November 3. Review the program and application materials.

December 15: California Trauma Recovery Center Grants

The California Victim Compensation Board is accepting applications from providers equipped to deliver comprehensive services to crime survivors, including people underserved by conventional systems. Applicants must meet the state’s trauma-recovery model and clinical staffing requirements.

Applications are due December 15 at 2 p.m. Pacific. No match is required, but grants are reimbursement-based, making cash-flow capacity an important consideration. Award amounts depend on available funding and the application process. Review the funding notice.

December 17: Up To $8.5 Million For Parks And Community Recreation

California’s Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program offers $200,000–$8.5 million per project for new parks and recreation opportunities in underserved communities. Proposition 4 provides $188.5 million for this round, and no matching funds are required.

Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and public agencies. Organizations should review project readiness, land-tenure requirements, and long-term operating responsibilities early. Explore the program.

Federal Funding

January 31, 2027: USDA Agriculture Innovation Center Program

USDA is accepting applications for grants of up to $1 million to establish or operate centers helping agricultural producers develop and market value-added products. Eligible activities include business planning, financial advisory services, product development, marketing, and connections to processing or distribution infrastructure.

Nonprofits, Tribes, universities, businesses, and public entities may be eligible. Matching resources must cover at least one-third of the total project budget. Review the requirements.

Year-Round: USDA Community Facilities Funding

USDA accepts applications throughout the year to develop essential facilities in eligible rural communities of 20,000 residents or fewer. Potential projects include community centers, childcare facilities, food pantries, community kitchens, and food hubs.

Community-based nonprofits, public bodies, and federally recognized Tribes may apply. Financing can combine loans and grants; the grant share depends on community population, income, and available funding. Begin with the USDA state office to assess project and location eligibility. Learn more.

Philanthropy And Policy Developments

What Nonprofits Need From Philanthropy

Recent research from the Center for Effective Philanthropy finds a continuing gap between what foundations offer and what nonprofit leaders need. Although 90% of surveyed foundation CEOs report providing support beyond grants, that assistance does not consistently match nonprofits’ priorities. Sixty percent of nonprofit CEOs say fundraising strategy and donor-development support would be useful.

A practical takeaway: make specific requests of existing funders, including introductions, fundraising assistance, and clearer conversations about future support. Read the report.

California Immigration Services: New Funding And Future Application Opportunities

California’s 2026–27 spending plan includes $39.5 million in one-time immigration-services funding, with at least $20 million directed toward expanding removal-defense capacity, particularly for people in civil immigration detention.

These allocations are not a single open grant competition. CDSS anticipates the next competitive Immigration Services Funding application process in state fiscal year 2027–28, contingent on available funding. Providers and potential partners can follow implementation announcements and begin planning collaborations. Read the budget analysis and follow CDSS funding updates.

Federal Funding: December 11 Still Matters

The current federal funding extension runs through December 11, 2026. The legislation also temporarily prevents specified proposed revisions to federal grant-administration rules, known as Uniform Guidance, from taking effect through that date.

Organizations receiving federal support should monitor agency notices and confirm renewal, payment, and award conditions as Congress considers its next funding action. Read the legislation, including Section 157.

Year-End Appeals: Update Your Giving Language

For tax year 2026, eligible donors who do not itemize may deduct up to $1,000 in qualifying cash contributions, or $2,000 for married couples filing jointly. Donations to donor-advised funds do not qualify for this particular deduction. Itemizing donors generally face a new charitable-deduction floor of 0.5% of adjusted gross income.

Review appeal language for accuracy and direct donors to current guidance without promising that every gift will produce the same tax benefit. Read the IRS guidance and details on the itemized-deduction floor.

Early-November Deadlines

November 5: AmeriCorps California

Eligible organizations can apply for federal funding and AmeriCorps member positions to support community service programs. California-only applicants must follow the state application process and its November 5 deadline. The separate January 13, 2027 federal deadline should not be used as the deadline for a California-only application. Review California’s opportunity.

November 9: Pisces Foundation’s San Francisco Open Call

Pisces Foundation invites collaborations of at least two organizations to submit concept notes advancing neighborhood vitality or cultural innovation in San Francisco. Anticipated grants range from $80,000 to $150,000. Concept notes are due November 9 at 5 p.m. Pacific. Explore the opportunity.

November 10: Max And Victoria Dreyfus Foundation

The foundation typically awards $1,000–$20,000 to eligible U.S. nonprofits working across community services, education, arts, environmental protection, and services for seniors and people with disabilities. Applications are due November 10 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern for decisions the following spring. Organizations with applications already under consideration cannot submit another. Review the application guidelines and submission timeline.

November 13: California Innovation Partnership Fund

The California Innovation Partnership Fund is accepting optional notices of intent for its forthcoming second round supporting behavioral-health innovation. November 13 is the deadline for this voluntary planning step, not the full application. Review the forthcoming solicitation for round-specific eligibility and award amounts. Follow the opportunity.