Best Diversity Grants for Nonprofits in California

Nonprofit organizations in California and northern Nevada addressing health and human services, hunger, youth education, veterans, or inclusion of people of all abilities can seek program support, typically US $1,000 - US $2,500. Grants from Albertsons Companies Foundation help community-based groups, including those advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, that serve neighborhoods around Safeway and Vons stores.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations carrying out community projects, cultural programs, or open space and park improvements can apply for funding from Del Mar Foundation in California. Focused on enhancing Del Mar’s beaches, parklands, and civic life, this grant may benefit groups whose diversity, equity, and inclusion work overlaps with community culture and public spaces.

California 501(c)(3) nonprofits with programs in education, the environment, public safety, emergency preparedness, or civic engagement can receive community grants supporting underserved groups and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. Edison International funds efforts like STEM education, workforce development, disaster preparedness, and clean energy or environmental initiatives within its Southern California service area, by invitation only.

Nonprofit organizations serving under-resourced youth ages 10–19 in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties can seek project funding for youth food justice, youth sports, and girls’ empowerment initiatives. Horner Foundation supports diversity, equity, and inclusion in California by offering two-year grants, with priority for youth-led efforts and programs expanding leadership and experiential learning opportunities.

Public agencies, nonprofit organizations, public utilities, eligible tribes, and mutual water companies in California can seek funding for projects that enhance stream flows to benefit fish and wildlife. With a mission to improve water resources and habitats, California Wildlife Conservation Board supports water transactions, conservation projects, habitat restoration, and related studies that may benefit organizations with diversity, equity, and inclusion priorities.

Nonprofit organizations providing direct services in California, specifically Los Angeles County, can seek funding for general operating support, capital projects, programs, and capacity building. Ralph M. Parsons Foundation prioritizes civic and cultural, education, health, and human services initiatives, which may include work advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion for underserved communities.

Tax-exempt nonprofits based in and serving Los Angeles County can apply for Rose Hills Foundation grants of more than US $10,000 to support direct-service programs in education, arts and culture, human services, and at-risk youth and families. Organizations advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in California communities may be especially well positioned if they meet these priorities and capacity expectations.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in California working in education, science, or health can apply for Saw Island Foundation’s grants supporting scholarships, research, targeted programs, and general operating needs. New grants generally prioritize the San Francisco Bay Area, and organizations advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within these fields may be especially relevant.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations and schools in California serving communities where Albertsons and Vons operate can seek program support for health and human services, hunger, youth and education, veterans, disability inclusion, and DEI initiatives, with typical first-time awards of US $1,000 - US $5,000. Grants from Albertsons Companies Foundation help eligible diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts across Southern California counties, with an employee sponsor required for California applications.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in California serving Orange County residents can seek at least US $100,000 to launch or expand impactful programs, capital projects, or infrastructure improvements. With a mission to empower women philanthropists and drive transformational change, Impact100 OC provides large, project-based grants across arts, education, environment, family services, and health and wellness, which may support diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.

California 501(c)(3) public charities and government or public agencies can access funding for community programs through Teichert Foundation; awards range from US $3,000 - US $7,500. Grants support civic improvement, social services, education and workforce development, environmental sustainability, health and rehabilitation, and programs for youth and seniors, which may include diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

California environmental and grassroots organizations working on wildlands conservation, restoration, and advocacy can access funding through Rose Foundation for Communities and the Environment. Grants up to US $10,000 support projects that protect and steward wildlands and open space, including organizing, litigation, regulatory advocacy, trail maintenance, research, and capacity-building, with priority for small, community-based efforts and diverse constituencies.

With a mission to support literary programming, Poets & Writers provides California organizations hosting public readings and writing workshops with mini-grants to pay published writers’ fees, up to US $3,000 per year. Nonprofits and other venues, including community centers, libraries, colleges, and cultural spaces serving diverse audiences, may be especially competitive for this funding.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) child care providers and partner organizations in California can receive up to US $15,000 to expand high-quality early care and education, workforce development, and family engagement for children ages 0–5 in Santa Barbara County. Santa Barbara Foundation supports diversity, equity, and inclusion through resilient, culturally responsive child care systems and leadership development.

California 501(c)(3) presenters, tribal governments, higher education institutions, and local or state agencies can receive US $2,000 - US $3,000 to present touring performers and literary artists through Creative West’s TourWest program. Funding supports artist fees, travel, facility rental, accessibility, marketing, and administration for regional touring, with priority for smaller-budget and rural organizations that may advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the arts.

California nonprofits needing core operating support can receive up to US $20,000 to strengthen organizational capacity and infrastructure during a period of uncertainty. Inland Empire Community Foundation provides flexible, six-month general operating grants, and organizations in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties with diversity, equity, and inclusion-related work may be especially well positioned to benefit.

Nonprofit arts organizations and eligible fiscally sponsored groups in California that are based in Los Angeles County can receive up to US $250,000 for two-year arts projects and programming. Grants from Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture help California diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts by funding accessible, often low-cost arts activities that serve diverse communities across LA County.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in Northern California seeking support for community and economic vitality, education, or enrichment and wellness programs can apply for Bank of Marin’s annual grants. Focused on social and economic vitality, education, and enrichment, Bank of Marin invites California nonprofits, including those advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, to strengthen local communities across ten eligible counties.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations in California counties where Nissan operates that run programs celebrating cultural diversity and heritage can apply for Nissan Foundation grants. Eligible groups must be at least three years old and demonstrate a history of engagement with their communities, supporting respect and understanding of America’s rich cultural heritage.

California 501(c)(3) nonprofits supporting families, youth development, or hunger reduction can access funding through the Franz Bakery Foundation, with typical awards around Approximately US $3,000. Organizations advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion through these services may be especially well positioned if they operate within Franz’s broader service areas.

Focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion, Inland Empire Community Foundation invites California nonprofits serving Latino communities to seek funding for programs in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. Eligible organizations can request up to US $15,000 for initiatives such as leadership development, economic and educational mobility, health and housing equity, immigrant inclusion, and narrative change.

California community organizations hosting public events that build social connection and understanding can apply for California Humanities’ Connecting California Quick Grants, offering US $1,000 - US $5,000. Focused on community services and shared public spaces, these grants may benefit nonprofits advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion across the state’s diverse communities.

Nonprofit organizations and fiscally sponsored groups in California planning public festivals in Berkeley can receive up to US $7,000 for festival-related expenses. Focused on community cultural events, the City of Berkeley invites applicants to support diverse, inclusive celebrations that are free and accessible to the public and strengthen local cultural vitality.

Nonprofits, California Native American tribes, land trusts, foundations, and local government agencies in California can seek funding for art and nature projects in local parks that foster community connection, health, and well-being. With a mission to strengthen inclusive public spaces, Arts in California Parks provides multi-year implementation grants for public programming, events, or installations in locally managed parks and open spaces.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations offering financial education or empowerment programs for unbanked and underbanked Californians can apply for up to US $200,000 to serve residents of California. Grants from the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation support classroom, web-based, and coaching programs that build financial skills and promote economic security, which may advance diversity, equity, and inclusion goals.

Nonprofit arts organizations and fiscally sponsored groups using creative programming to serve diverse or underserved communities in California can apply for Wilhelm Family Foundation support. Grants from Wilhelm Family Foundation help U.S. arts nonprofits, especially smaller ones, fund general operations or programs that advance creative expression, environmental and climate issues, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.