California Wildlands Grassroots Fund is sponsored by Rose Foundation. Supports grassroots environmental organizations in California working on conservation and environmental justice.

California Wildlands Grassroots Fund - Rose Foundation California Wildlands Grassroots Fund The California Wildlands Grassroots Fund (Cal Wildlands) supports the heroic efforts of grassroots activists to preserve California’s wildlands and natural habitat.

The Fund champion’s conservationists advocating for the permanent protection, including restoration and stewardship, of intact wildlands on both public and private lands, to help preserve California’s wilderness and native biological diversity.

This includes policy advocacy, litigation and regulatory watchdogging at the local, state and federal levels; efforts to advance wildlands and open space protection through county general plans and local planning; as well as direct stewardship and maintenance of intact wild areas.

February 17, 2026 - Spring Applications Due May 15, 2026 - Summer Applications Due August 17, 2026 - Fall Applications Due October 28, 2026 - Winter Applications Due *If the deadline falls on a holiday or weekend, then applications will be due the next business day at midnight. * Have questions or want to book a consultation? Connect with Aurora Heying, aheying@rosefdn.

org Eligibility and Priorities Annual actual expenses and income of $200,000 or less. Applicants may be a nonprofit, or an individual/organization fiscally sponsored by a nonprofit. Project impact must be within the state of California.

Issues and Activities We Support Projects that protect and preserve wildlands and open space, or support the good stewardship, restoration and management of wild areas. Cal Wildlands defines “wildlands” as natural habitats, privately or publicly owned, that are (or have the potential to be) permanently preserved through legislation or deed restrictions, and are on a scale necessary to support significant native plant and animal life.

Projects in urban or suburban settings, must feature connectivity to larger protected areas and/or be located along critical wildlife corridors. Activities such as grassroots organizing and outreach; communications campaigns; regulatory advocacy; lawsuits; wildlands restoration and stewardship (including trail maintenance); scientific research; organizational capacity building and equipment purchases.

Environmental education programs must include a strong element of environmental advocacy to be considered. Community-based advocacy and organizing efforts steered by affected community members. Efforts predominantly driven and staffed by volunteers.

Projects in areas that have not received significant foundation support, including rural communities. Projects that build diverse constituencies for wildlands protection and engage non-traditional stakeholders, especially communities of color. Project-specific requests, though general support requests will be accepted from strong organizations whose work is well aligned with the fund’s objectives.

Projects that will establish or combat a critical precedent that will influence other wildlands protection efforts. Duration of Support and Grant Size Maximum grant award is $10,000, and typical grants range between $4,000-$8,000. If your organization’s actual annual income and expenses are $30,000 or less, we strongly encourage you to request a grant of $5,000 or less.

Organizations seeking the maximum grant size of $10,000 must be able to articulate a clear project and budget that justifies the full grant. Grants are for a one year period. Organizations whose proposals are rejected may re-apply at the next funding cycle.

Organizations that are funded may re-apply after one year if their report form has been submitted and accepted. Lobbying activities as defined by IRS 501(c)(3). Film or video production or completion, although we will fund outreach or communications strategies that use films or videos as advocacy and organizing tools.

Please read these instructions carefully and follow them step by step. 1. Check Your Project’s Eligibility 2.

Create an Online Account 3. Complete and Submit an Application 1. Check Your Project’s Eligibility Review Eligibility Criteria and Application Materials Please read the eligibility criteria and priorities above before starting an application.

Review the required application materials . 2. Create an Online Account You will be asked to enter your Federal Tax ID or Employer Identification Number (EIN).

If you are fiscally sponsored, please enter your sponsor’s EIN. 3. Complete and Submit an Application Submit an Application Online Once you are signed in to your account, go to the “Apply” menu at the top left of the page and select the application for the current round of the California Wildlands Grassroots Fund.

Remember to save your application as you go. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to find the “save as draft” button. Applications must be submitted by 5PM PT on the due date.

Frequently Asked Questions What does the application look like? View the application questions here . Be ready to include the following attachments when you fill out the application online: Organizational budget for the current year.

Organizational Year-to-Date Income and Expenses Organizational income statement from the most recently completed fiscal year. You may use our combined Budget & Financial Template , or attach your own. Project budget and actual income and expenses if it is different from the organizational financial statements.

Letters of support (2 letters, maximum of 2 pages). Press clippings and/or pictures. Newsletters or other publications.

How do I put together a budget or financial statement? If you need help putting together a budget or income statement please take a look at our How-To sheet, here . You may use our combined Budget and Income Statement Template , or attach your own.

If you are close to the end of your fiscal year, please give us the budget for the upcoming year if you have it. Please make sure to indicate what time period your financial statements cover. All budgets and financial statements should be for the applicant organization, not your fiscal sponsor.

What happens after I submit an application? We will acknowledge the receipt of your application once it is submitted. If you do not receive this confirmation, please contact us.

Please let your references know we will be contacting them. Grant decisions are usually made 3 months after the submission deadline. What are the reporting requirements?

If your group is awarded a grant, you must provide a final grant report within one year of receiving the money and before your group can receive additional funding. Please log on to our online application system and submit your report there . From grassroots community organizers to groups with nation-wide reach, meet the changemakers supported by Rose grants.

Ascend Wilderness Experience With its Rose grant, Ascend Wilderness Experience leads backpacking and trail restoration projects in the Trinity Alps. Their efforts restore habitats and build the conservation community in Trinity County. Community Environmental Advocates Foundation Community Environmental Advocates, an all-volunteer group, stopped the Idaho-Maryland gold mine reopening in Grass Valley, CA.

Their efforts led Nevada County supervisors to reject the proposal. Mature and old-growth forests are vital carbon sinks and climate mitigation resources. With Rose funding, KFA partners with tribal nations to design restoration projects and fire strategies, preserving the Klamath-Siskiyou bioregion.

Rose grantee Point Molate Alliance is fighting to protect the last undeveloped headland on San Francisco Bay. This diverse Richmond coalition aims to preserve it as a public resource and regional park. Photo credit: Jack Scheinman.

Check out these resources for current Cal Wildlands grant partners. 1. Apply for a Mini-Grant 2.

Annual Grassroots Convening 1. Apply for a Mini-Grant Grow Your Roots Mini-Grant Cal Wildlands grantees of the past 4 years are eligible to receive up to $500 to build their organizational capacity. Grow Your Roots Mini-grants can be put towards the cost of trainings, consultants, software, or equipment to help groups strengthen their organizational and administrative skills and systems.

2. Annual Grassroots Convening Grassroots Grantee Convening Cal Wildlands grantees are invited to an annual convening and training series. The Convening is a time for learning and networking and is usually built around a central theme, such as fundraising or communicating your group’s story.

If your group is awarded a grant, you must provide a final grant report within one year of receiving the money and before your group can receive additional funding. Please log on to our online application system and submit your report there . Do you still have questions about this application process or need additional support from Rose Foundation staff?

Here are some helpful resources. Book a 15 minute consultation Online application instructions Access Rose Foundation logos See current and past grantees Change is happening! Receive updates on grantee successes, upcoming grants, and opportunities to make a difference.

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