Education Grants in California

2,801 foundations fund education programs in California. See who they are, what they give, and how to reach them.

See If You're a Fit — FreeFree account · instant fit score · similar funders

These foundations have a track record of funding education work in California, based on IRS 990 grant data. Use the list below to find funders aligned with your mission, then sign up free to see how well your nonprofit fits each one.

Open Grant Opportunities

Live programs funding education in California that your nonprofit can apply to now.

Open nowCloses in 20 days (Sep 1, 2026)Award: $10K – $50K

Protection of Public Lands, Waters, and Wildlife of the American West

From New-Land Foundation

environmentpublic landswaters+6 more

Who can apply: Qualified tax-exempt domestic organizations only. The foundation often funds smaller, grassroots groups focused on policy reform. It generally does not fund projects in Washington, Oregon, or California, and does not make grants to individuals. Foreign charities are not funded unless previously funded by the foundation and using a U.S. tax-exempt fiscal agent.

View & apply
Open nowCloses in 20 days (Sep 1, 2026)

Croul Family Foundation General Grants (Letter of Inquiry)

From Croul Family Foundation

K-12 educationeducational opportunities for the economically disadvantagedhomelessness+4 more

Who can apply: Interested 501(c)(3) organizations are eligible to submit a Letter of Inquiry. Organizations are encouraged to review the Grant Criteria before applying. The foundation focuses on organizations serving Orange County, California.

View & apply
Open nowCloses Nov 15, 2026May not accept unsolicited proposals

Free Enterprise Education Support (Limited)

From Broyhill Family Foundation

Free enterprise educationEconomic education

Who can apply: Organizations promoting free enterprise education; note that new requests in this area are discouraged.

View & apply
Open nowCloses Jan 12, 2027Award: Up to $3K

MedStudentsServe

From Physicians for A Healthy California

Student-led community health projectsHealth equityPublic health outreach+1 more

Who can apply: California-based medical student clubs, student organizations and group projects based at an allopathic or osteopathic medical school; applicants need not be a 501(c)(3). Projects should benefit community health and not be projects typically funded by medical schools or local sponsors.

View & apply
Open nowRolling / open intakeAward: Up to $10K

Community Education Program

From Harry Chapin Foundation

Community educationEducationSelf-sufficiency+1 more

Who can apply: Generally funds U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with annual operating budgets of $750,000 or less. The foundation cannot fund organizations using a fiscal agent. It mainly supports grassroots organizations and typically funds one-year projects; renewals are not automatic and new proposals are required for each year. Organizations are generally not funded for more than three years in their lifetime.

View & apply
Open nowRolling / open intakeAward: Up to $10K

Arts-In-Education Program

From Harry Chapin Foundation

Arts in educationEducationSelf-sufficiency+1 more

Who can apply: Generally funds U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with annual operating budgets of $750,000 or less. The foundation cannot fund organizations using a fiscal agent. It mainly supports grassroots organizations and typically funds one-year projects; renewals are not automatic and new proposals are required for each year. Organizations are generally not funded for more than three years in their lifetime.

View & apply

Want every open grant matched to your nonprofit — not just these? Kindora scores your fit and tracks the deadlines for you.

Find My Grant Matches

Deadlines and program details come from public sources and can change. Always confirm on the funder's official site before applying.

Largest Education in California Foundations

JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY

BALTIMORE, MD

Annual Giving

$594.1M

Total Assets

$25.3B

Median Grant

$120K

B430National
UCLA FOUNDATION

Los Angeles, CA

Annual Giving

$536.7M

Total Assets

$6.3B

Median Grant

$100K

B110Regional
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN FRANCISCO FOUNDATION

SAN FRANCISCO, CA

Annual Giving

$498.2M

Total Assets

$4.6B

Median Grant

$220M

B110Local
THE ANDREW W MELLON FOUNDATION

NEW YORK, NY

Annual Giving

$475.8M

Total Assets

$7.8B

Median Grant

$500K

B82National
THE OJC FUND

BROOKLYN, NY

Annual Giving

$448.3M

Total Assets

$58.5M

Median Grant

$29K

B90Local
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY FOUNDATION

BERKELEY, CA

Annual Giving

$415.4M

Total Assets

$4B

Median Grant

$426.9M

B110Local
University of Illinois Foundation

Champaign, IL

Annual Giving

$312.3M

Total Assets

$3.7B

Median Grant

$144K

B110Regional
US COMMITTEE FOR REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS INC

ARLINGTON, VA

Annual Giving

$274.5M

Total Assets

$133.9M

Median Grant

$150K

B99National
President and Fellows of Harvard College

CAMBRIDGE, MA

Annual Giving

$273.3M

Total Assets

$79.9B

Median Grant

$86K

B500National
THE ANNENBERG FOUNDATION

CONSHOHOCKEN, PA

Annual Giving

$258.7M

Total Assets

$1.5B

Median Grant

$25K

B82National
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

LOS ANGELES, CA

Annual Giving

$249.4M

Total Assets

$17B

Median Grant

$22K

B430Local
Emory University

Atlanta, GA

Annual Giving

$240.2M

Total Assets

$22.2B

Median Grant

$75K

B430National
UC SAN DIEGO FOUNDATION

LA JOLLA, CA

Annual Giving

$230.3M

Total Assets

$2B

Median Grant

$62.7M

B11Local
THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK

NEW YORK, NY

Annual Giving

$208.3M

Total Assets

$26B

Median Grant

$69K

B430National
JOHN S AND JAMES L KNIGHT FOUNDATION

MIAMI, FL

Annual Giving

$198.6M

Total Assets

$2.5B

Median Grant

$107K

B82National
THE SCHMIDT FAMILY FOUNDATION

PALO ALTO, CA

Annual Giving

$195.5M

Total Assets

$2B

Median Grant

$100K

B82National
THE MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK CITY INC

NEW YORK, NY

Annual Giving

$189.7M

Total Assets

$171.8M

Median Grant

$56K

B99National
CARNEGIE CORPORATION OF NEW YORK

New York, NY

Annual Giving

$180.9M

Total Assets

$4.8B

Median Grant

$188K

B124National
Yale University

New Haven, CT

Annual Giving

$168.2M

Total Assets

$58.9B

Median Grant

$110K

B430National
University of Arizona Foundation

TUCSON, AZ

Annual Giving

$152.5M

Total Assets

$1.8B

Median Grant

$26K

B110Local
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH

PITTSBURGH, PA

Annual Giving

$149.1M

Total Assets

$10.9B

Median Grant

$84K

B99National
DRUCKENMILLER FOUNDATION

NEW YORK, NY

Annual Giving

$135.7M

Total Assets

$1.8B

Median Grant

$25K

B82Regional
Cornell University

ITHACA, NY

Annual Giving

$126.7M

Total Assets

$19.8B

Median Grant

$88K

B430National
WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY

SAINT LOUIS, MO

Annual Giving

$120.7M

Total Assets

$22.3B

Median Grant

$54K

B430National
Ascendium Education Solutions Inc

MADISON, WI

Annual Giving

$117.5M

Total Assets

$222.6M

Median Grant

$89K

B82ZNational

Education grants by state

Browse education funders in other states.

Education in New YorkEducation in TexasEducation in FloridaEducation in IllinoisEducation in PennsylvaniaEducation in OhioEducation in MassachusettsEducation in MichiganEducation in GeorgiaEducation in North CarolinaEducation in New Jersey

Unlock AI-Powered Education in California Grant Intelligence

Sign up free to discover which education in california foundations are the best fit for your nonprofit.

Get Started Free

Get the Full Picture on Education in California Foundations

Create a free Kindora account to unlock AI insights, detailed grant history, similar funders, and personalized matching for 2,801 education in california foundations.

Get Started FreeView Pricing
Free plan available
No annual contracts
Cancel anytime
Free Weekly Newsletter

The Grant Brief

Weekly grant intelligence for social impact leaders. Curated opportunities, funding trends, and strategic insights — free.

Join 500+ social impact leaders. Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy Policy

Trusted by mission-driven teams at organizations nationwide