Best Grants for Emergency Services in California

Emergency medical care and services organizations in California can seek funding to advance equitable, community-centered emergency and prehospital care. CARESTAR Foundation supports research, multi-sector collaboratives, workforce diversity efforts, and policy initiatives, primarily benefiting local community organizations and collaboratives serving Black, Indigenous, and other people of color, through general operating, project, and special initiative grants.

Eligible 501(c)(3) public charities, government agencies, schools, and faith-based organizations in Nevada or California can receive storage space support through the Donald W. Reynolds Community Nonprofit Center, operated by Tahoe Community Foundation. Organizations serving Incline Village, Crystal Bay, and Kings Beach, including those providing emergency medical care or related services, may benefit from this collaborative facility grant.

Nonprofit organizations in California focused on public safety and emergency preparedness can receive support for programs such as electrical safety education, disaster readiness, community resiliency, and wildfire safety. Edison International provides funding to local nonprofits in its Southern California service area, which may include emergency services agencies partnering on preparedness and safety initiatives.

About Us

Harbor Freight is America’s #1 Tool Store with more than 1600 locations nationwide. Founded in 1977 by Eric Smidt, the company began as a small mail-order tool business in North Hollywood, California. Over 75 million customers have come to Harbor Freight for our unmatched assortment of quality tools at an unbeatable value, including automotive, air and power tools, storage, outdoor power equipment, generators, welding supplies, shop equipment, hand tools, and much more.

Harbor Freight Tools Gift Card Donation Requests

If you are a Harbor Freight Associate and have been affected by an unexpected, unavoidable crisis and are in financial need, please apply to our Employee Emergency Relief Fund (EERF). To apply, go to www.myHFT.com to review our FAQs, guidelines, eligibility requirements and application form.

For all other donation requests, please note that we have recently updated our criteria. You can find the current eligibility requirements below.

All donations are given in the form of Harbor Freight Store gift cards. We do not provide cash donations, event sponsorships or support for individuals.

Harbor Freight Tools proudly supports the following:

Skilled Trades Education

• Skilled trades classes that emphasize the expert use of tools and materials to build, repair and maintain products and structures. Fields include Agricultural Mechanics, Carpentry, Construction, Electrical, HVAC, Advanced Manufacturing, Plumbing, Transportation Mechanics and Repair, and Welding
• Donation requests must be submitted by a K-12 public-school teacher for their own school/classroom. Harbor Freight store gift cards are given directly to the school/teacher requesting one. We do not provide donations to outside organizations, clubs or third parties.

Ralph M. Parsons Foundation provides California emergency medical care and services organizations with flexible support for work serving Los Angeles County. Eligible direct-service nonprofits can request general operating, program, capital, or capacity-building funds. Health-focused agencies, clinics, and emergency or trauma centers may be especially competitive within the foundation’s broader health and human services priorities.

California emergency services providers and other 501(c)(3) nonprofits can access funding for health and wellness, hunger relief, education, youth development, and disaster relief projects through the Smart & Final Charitable Foundation. Organizations located in California communities served by Smart & Final may be eligible for donations supporting local emergency and humanitarian needs.

California emergency services and other community-focused 501(c)(3) nonprofits, government agencies, and tribal nations serving rural Oregon or Siskiyou County residents can seek Good Neighbor Grants for programs, operations, capital needs, or emergencies. The Ford Family Foundation offers up to US $20,000 to support local initiatives, including essential equipment repairs and community facilities improvements.

California 501(c)(3) nonprofits focused on emergency preparedness, disaster recovery, workforce development, or financial literacy can seek up to US $20,000 to strengthen community resilience. Organizations serving IMA communities and underserved populations may be eligible for Ima Foundation support, which can complement emergency services and long-term recovery efforts after natural disasters.

The Henry L. Guenther Foundation Grants support charitable organizations in California, focusing on improving social conditions and human welfare. Funding is aimed at diverse projects including medical services, youth opportunities, and community programs. Grants are awarded for 12 months, and any unspent funds must be returned. Eligible applicants include qualified tax-exempt organizations, while individuals and changes to grant scopes are not accepted. This foundation enhances the quality of life for Southern California residents by backing impactful initiatives.

About the Bertin Family Foundation

Founders: Kim and Jennifer BertinAfter a successful career innovating orthopedic surgical techniques, devices, and implants, Kim and his wife Jennifer feel a deep sense of stewardship to dedicate their resources to helping others. They engage all three generations of the Bertin family in hands-on service and grantmaking decisions, fostering a shared commitment to giving back. Through the foundation’s work, the Bertin family seeks to strengthen communities, support meaningful causes, and inspire future generations to lead with compassion and purpose. 

NOW Grants

A limited number of grants are available for one time projects or programs that emerge outside of the standard review period. These grants are for $5000 or less.

Organizations in California working on domestic violence prevention and related community health initiatives can access funding to expand training, education, and policy or systems-change efforts. Grants from California Department of Public Health help local partners increase public awareness and strengthen primary prevention strategies and services for domestic violence victims. Awards are up to US $1,171,200.

Eligible California organizations coordinating public health and tobacco control efforts can apply for the California Department of Public Health’s Statewide Priority Population Coordinating Center, with awards up to US $3,700,000. Funding supports statewide collaboration to reduce tobacco-related disparities among African American/Black, AANHPI, Latino, LGBTQ+, rural, and American Indian and Alaska Native communities, which may benefit emergency health services partners.

California emergency services and other community-focused 501(c)(3) nonprofits and public agencies can access funding through Teichert Foundation for specific projects. Grants of US $3,000 - US $7,500 support civic improvement, community and social services, health and rehabilitation, youth and elderly programs, and related efforts in eligible California and Washoe County, Nevada communities.

California Governor's Office of Emergency Services

With over 38 million residents (12 percent of the US population), the State of California is the most populous state in the nation and has the third largest land area among the states (163,695 square miles). California is culturally, ethnically, economically, ecologically, and politically diverse, and maintains the eighth largest economy in the world with 13 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product. California also faces numerous risks and threats to our people, property, economy, environment and is prone to earthquakes, floods, significant wildfires, prolonged drought impacts, public health emergencies, cybersecurity attacks, agricultural and animal disasters, as well threats to homeland security. Cal OES takes a proactive approach to addressing these risks, threats, and vulnerabilities that form the basis of our mission and has been tested through real events, as well as comprehensive exercises that help us maintain our state of readiness to plan for and mitigate impacts.

Listos California CERT Support Grant (LC) Program

The purpose of the LC Program is to provide funding to a fiscal administrator which will in coordination with Cal OES, support new and existing CERT programs to build their capacity to prepare vulnerable and underserved populations including, but not limited to: providing CERT training in languages other than English, providing CERT training to underserved populations and/or populations that are at high risk for disasters, providing accommodations for training participants that have access and functional needs, such as English as a Second Language (ESL) interpretation, and building capacity to respond to disasters.

California emergency medical and health organizations can use this National Library of Medicine Region 5 award to fund professional development that strengthens health information services. NNLM member institutions may receive up to US $2,000 for U.S.-based conferences, workshops, or trainings on health literacy, public health, emergency preparedness, data science, and related topics.

Nonprofit arts organizations and educational institutions in California’s North San Diego County region can receive up to US $7,500 for arts-focused projects involving professional artists. The City of Carlsbad Cultural Arts Division provides project support, not general operations, which may benefit community-serving programs, including those connected to emergency services outreach or education in Carlsbad.

California 501(c)(3) nonprofits with local youth education, storytelling, or community engagement programs can apply for Comcast NBCUniversal Foundation’s Local Impact Grants. Focused on empowering youth and strengthening community involvement, this program may benefit emergency services organizations that run educational outreach, volunteer engagement, or youth leadership initiatives in their service areas.

The Roy and Ida Eagle Foundation, established in 2009, supports 501(c)(3) organizations focused on strengthening families and protecting wildlife in Northern Santa Barbara and Kern County. With a mission centered on family values and community improvement, the Foundation funds educational opportunities, health care services, and violence prevention programs. Grant applications are by invitation only, with a deadline for Letters of Inquiry set for April 30, 2025. This initiative aims to enhance community well-being through targeted charitable contributions.

California local governments, tribes, and community organizations working on urban forestry and climate resilience in California can seek funding to expand equitable tree canopy and related benefits. Focused on urban and community forestry, CAL FIRE invites projects that serve disadvantaged communities, enhance climate change resilience, and support green jobs and environmental career pathways through Inflation Reduction Act funds. Awards range from US $150,000 - US $3,000,000.

State and local agencies, tribes, fire districts, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits in California can seek funding for wildfire prevention projects, planning, and education that protect people, structures, and communities. With a mission to reduce wildfire risk, CAL FIRE provides support for hazardous fuels reduction, strategic wildfire planning, and public education initiatives that improve safety and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Focused on community well-being and services, Tahoe Community Foundation invites California and Nevada 501(c)(3) public charities and schools serving the Tahoe Basin to request US $2,500 - US $5,000. Eligible nonprofits must provide over half their services in the Tahoe Basin and may support health, housing, youth, environment, arts, or community engagement programs.

Rural public entities in California, including towns, nonprofit corporations, higher education institutions, tribes, and other eligible bodies, can seek funding to support small rural businesses and community economic development. With a mission to strengthen rural economies, USDA Rural Development provides grants of US $100,000 - US $500,000 for technical assistance, infrastructure, incubators, and strategic planning that may benefit emergency service-related enterprises.

Grants from Adams-Mastrovich Family Foundation help California 501(c)(3) organizations provide human services, education, health, arts, and religious programs, with awards of US $5,000 - US $20,000. Nonprofits in or serving Los Angeles County may be eligible, especially those supporting women facing domestic violence or mental illness, emergency or transitional housing, self-sufficiency, and related social services.

Government agencies, tribal governments, educational institutions, and 501(c)(3) nonprofits in California can receive US $100,000 for land, air, or water stewardship projects that enhance environmental resilience. Pg&E Corporation Foundation provides support statewide, and emergency services organizations with relevant environmental or climate-resiliency initiatives may be eligible, especially those serving disadvantaged or vulnerable communities.

California Governor's Office of Emergency Services

With over 38 million residents (12 percent of the US population), the State of California is the most populous state in the nation and has the third largest land area among the states (163,695 square miles). California is culturally, ethnically, economically, ecologically, and politically diverse, and maintains the eighth largest economy in the world with 13 percent of the U.S. gross domestic product. California also faces numerous risks and threats to our people, property, economy, environment and is prone to earthquakes, floods, significant wildfires, prolonged drought impacts, public health emergencies, cybersecurity attacks, agricultural and animal disasters, as well threats to homeland security. Cal OES takes a proactive approach to addressing these risks, threats, and vulnerabilities that form the basis of our mission and has been tested through real events, as well as comprehensive exercises that help us maintain our state of readiness to plan for and mitigate impacts.

Intimate Partner Violence Prevention (FD) Program Supplemental

Purpose

To create or expand Intimate Partner Violence, Sexual Assault, and Teen Dating Violence prevention programs.

Description

The purpose of the Intimate Partner Violence Prevention (FD) Program is to prevent intimate partner violence, including teen dating violence, and sexual assault.

Requires Matched Funding: 20%

Local health departments and community-based nonprofit organizations in California can seek funding for reentry and support services such as job placement, mental health and substance use treatment, legal aid, and system navigation. The California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development supports communities disproportionately impacted by past drug policies with awards ranging from US $600,000 - US $3,000,000.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) child care providers and supporting direct-service organizations in California can receive up to US $15,000 to build capacity for high-quality early care and education. Santa Barbara Foundation supports workforce development, leadership and professional training, family engagement, and equitable access for licensed providers serving children ages 0–5 in Santa Barbara County.