Education Grants in California

2,985 foundations fund education programs in California. See who they are, what they give, and how to reach them.

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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 3 days (Nov 15, 2026)

Adult Learn-to-Swim Grants

From Usa Swimming Foundation

Adult learn-to-swim programsWater safetyDrowning prevention+1 more

Who can apply: Open to swim instructors, facilities, and programs seeking to help adults become safer around water. Grant recipients must register as a U.S. Masters Swimming club or workout group when accepting the award.

Open nowCloses in 3 days (Nov 15, 2026)

Plastics & Polymer Education Grants

From Society of Plastics Engineers

Plastics educationPolymer scienceSTEM education+1 more

Who can apply: Supports programs and projects at educational institutions. The grants program generally does not support individuals, for-profit entities, general operating expenses, capital or building campaigns, debt reduction, endowments, fundraising events, loans, or meals and refreshments.

Open nowRolling / open intakeAward: Varies

Rudd Round Table

From Sommfoundation

Master Sommelier preparationWine theoryWine tasting and service+1 more

Who can apply: Must work and reside in the United States, Canada, or Mexico; have completed the CMS Advanced Sommelier Exam; intend to sit for the CMS Master Sommelier Diploma; and be available for the entire event. Two recommendation letters are required.

Open nowCloses in 19 days (Dec 1, 2026)Award: $5K – $75K

Center for Racial and Social Justice—Racial Justice in Education Grant

From National Education Association of the United States

Racial justiceSocial justiceLeadership development+2 more

Who can apply: NEA state and local affiliates may apply. Proposals must include detailed planning, supporting documents, narrative and budget information. Grantees must submit scheduled progress and final reports.

Open nowCloses in 19 days (Dec 1, 2026)Award: $500 – $3K

Secondary Scholarship Programs (Manufacturing Education Grants)

From Gene Haas Foundation

CNC technology educationManufacturing educationStudent scholarships+2 more

Who can apply: Programs must be schools training students in CNC technology, including public and private high schools and high school tech centers. Funds are awarded to programs rather than directly to individuals.

Open nowCloses Jan 20, 2027Award: $0 – $30K

NLN Nursing Education Research Grants (NLN Research in Nursing Education Grants)

From Nln Foundation for Nursing Education

Nursing education researchTeaching and learningFaculty workforce capacity+1 more

Who can apply: Applicants must be NLN individual members or faculty at NLN member schools. Studies must focus on nursing education, address NLN Research Priorities in Nursing Education, demonstrate methodological rigor, and have potential to contribute to the science of nursing education.

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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

The Big Ten Conference Inc

Rosemont, IL

Annual Giving

$1.4B

Total Assets

$280.7M

Median Grant

$58.9M

B60Regional
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

B110Local
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

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
US COMMITTEE FOR REFUGEES AND IMMIGRANTS INC

ARLINGTON, VA

Annual Giving

$195.9M

Total Assets

$136.5M

Median Grant

$150K

B99National
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
Emory University

Atlanta, GA

Annual Giving

$183.7M

Total Assets

$24.9B

Median Grant

$75K

B430National
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
Ascendium Education Solutions Inc

MADISON, WI

Annual Giving

$145.2M

Total Assets

$213.3M

Median Grant

$89K

B82ZNational
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

Education grants by state

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