Grants to Improve Education, Youth Development & Community Well-being

Grants to Improve Education, Youth Development & Community Well-being is sponsored by The Grant Portal (aggregating various funders). This grant opportunity intends to support projects that strengthen local services, enhance educational opportunities, and improve overall community well-being.

Youth Community Access (2020) - California Grants Portal Support youth access to natural and cultural resources with a focus on low-income and disadvantaged communities including, but not limited to, community education and recreational amenities to support youth substance use prevention and early intervention. Proposal Submission Deadline for the Youth Community Access Grant Program extended for Public School Districts.

Public School Districts are eligible applicants for the Youth Community Access grant program. During program workshops incorrect information was presented indicating Public School Districts were ineligible to apply for funding. Due to the error, the proposal submission deadline has been extended until 5 pm on November 16, 2020 for Public School Districts only.

In 2019, the Legislature appropriated $5. 7 million to the California Natural Resources Agency (the State) for competitive grants to support youth access to natural and cultural resources with a focus on low-income and disadvantaged communities including, but not limited to, community education and recreational amenities to support youth substance use prevention and early intervention.

Research abounds demonstrating the connection between the outdoors and the physical, emotional, and mental success of young people. From camp experiences to urban parks, being in nature reduces stress, builds confidence, promotes creativity, encourages exercise, and teaches responsibility. Each of these aspects, in addition to others, contribute to a young person’s health and wellbeing, including substance use prevention.

In accordance with Proposition 64 and the research discussed above, the Youth Community Access Grant Program will focus awards on communities disproportionately affected by past federal and state drug policies, also known as the War on Drugs, as well as other underserved communities.

This program is a competitive grant program to support public programs, educational programs, job training programs, outreach programs and small capital asset projects to support youth access to natural and cultural resources. General Requirements Project must serve youth. For the purposes of this program, youth is defined as a person between the ages of birth and 26.

Project must increase youth accessibility to natural and/or cultural resources and associated services. Project must include design features and program elements to promote youth health, safety, well-being, and comfort. Funding Priorities Projects containing the following elements will be given priority consideration in funding decisions: Projects that feature youth-led opportunities.

Youth-led means projects in which are a participant in the planning, decision making, facilitation, and evaluation; Projects that propose resource awareness campaigns featuring youth and using youth vernacular; and Projects that empower youth to make healthy choices.

Eligible applicants include local, state and federal agencies; nonprofit organizations; federally-recognized Native American tribes; or non-federally-recognized California Native American tribes listed on the California Tribal Consultation List maintained by the Native American Heritage Commission. The proposal submission deadline has been extended until 5 pm on November 16, 2020 for Public School Districts only.

The date (and time, where applicable) by which all applications must be submitted to the grantmaker. Time listed as “00:00” equates to midnight. Expected award announcement The date on which the grantor expects to announce the recipient(s) of the grant.

The length of time during which the grant money must be utilized. Total estimated available funding The total projected dollar amount of the grant. Expected number of awards A single grant opportunity may represent one or many awards.

Some grantors may know in advance the exact number of awards to be given. Others may indicate a range. Some may wish to and wait until the application period closes before determining how many awards to offer; in this case, a value of “Dependent” will display.

Estimated amount per award Grant opportunities representing multiple awards may offer awards in the same amount or in varied amounts. Some may wish to wait until the application period closes before determining per-award amounts; in this case, a value of “Dependent” will display. Letter of Intent Required?

Certain grants require that the recipient(s) provide a letter of intent. Requires Matched Funding? Certain grants require that the recipient(s) be able to fully or partially match the grant award amount with another funding source.

The funding source allocated to fund the grant. It may be either State or Federal (or a combination of both), and be tied to a specific piece of legislation, a proposition, or a bond number. Funded by the Control, Regulate and Tax Adult Use of Marijuana Act (Proposition 64).

Proposition 64 created the Youth Education, Prevention, Early Intervention and Treatment Account (YEPEITA) whereby the State Controller deposits 60 percent (60%) of the marijuana tax for programs that emphasize accurate education, effective prevention, early intervention, school retention, and timely treatment services for youth, their families and caregivers. The manner in which the grant funding will be delivered to the awardee.

Funding methods include reimbursements (where the recipient spends out-of-pocket and is reimbursed by the grantor) and advances (where the recipient spends received grant funds directly). Advances & Reimbursement(s) Payments will be made on a reimbursement basis. This means the Grantee pays for services, products, or supplies; submits invoices and proof of payment; and is then reimbursed by the State.

For communities that meet disadvantaged and low-income requirements, advances of up to twenty-five percent (25%) of the grant award at a time may be available upon need. State agencies/departments recommend you read the full grant guidelines before applying. For questions about this grant, contact: 1-916-653-2812, bondsandgrants@resources.

ca.

gov Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery Farm and Ranch Solid Waste Cleanup and Abatement Grant Program FR92 More Details about Farm and Ranch Solid Waste Cleanup and Abatement Grant Program FR92 Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Tribal Wildfire Resilience Grants Solicitation 2026 More Details about Tribal Wildfire Resilience Grants Solicitation 2026 Disadvantaged Communities Governor's Office of Emergency Services FY 2026-27 Unserved/Underserved Child and Youth Advocacy (XY) Program Supplemental More Details about FY 2026-27 Unserved/Underserved Child and Youth Advocacy (XY) Program Supplemental Disadvantaged Communities Public Utilities Commission 2026-27 Digital Divide Grant Program Round 4 More Details about 2026-27 Digital Divide Grant Program Round 4