These foundations have a track record of funding human services 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 human services in California that your nonprofit can apply to now.
Open nowCloses in 1 day (Nov 13, 2026)Award: $2K – $10K
Who can apply: Applicants must be tax-exempt organizations under Section 501(c)(3). Projects must benefit Palo Alto and/or East Palo Alto. Applicants should request support for a specific program or project rather than general unspecified support. Organizations that received gifts from Rotary the prior year must wait a year before applying. Grants may not benefit only one or a few individuals.
Critical health needsHuman care needsServices for children and adolescents under 18+3 more
Who can apply: Applicants must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations or equivalent government agencies. 501(c)(3) applicants must provide an IRS Federal Tax-Exempt Determination Letter and a current list of their Board of Directors. Requests should address children and adolescents under 18 or seniors over 60 and include specific, time-sensitive, measurable objectives. Prior recipients must submit a report on use of previous funding and outcomes.
Arts and cultureCommunity and environmentEducation+2 more
Who can apply: Applicants must be 501(c)(3) nonprofits, universities, colleges, charter or private schools, public K-12 schools, or public agencies serving residents of Monterey, Santa Cruz, or San Benito Counties. Requested funds must directly benefit residents of those counties. Organizations must have operated for at least three years, be current on reporting obligations, apply in a selected grant cycle, and schedule a pre-application meeting. Only one grant per applicant is considered annually, subject to stated exceptions. Scholarships are invitation-only. Various exclusions apply, including political purposes, debt, fundraising events, endowment creation, academic research, and expenses incurred before the award date.
Human servicesEducationArts, culture and humanities+4 more
Who can apply: Applicants must be nonprofit organizations with IRS tax-exempt status that are not private foundations and primarily serve Tuolumne County residents, or public-sector entities or units of government primarily serving Tuolumne County residents. Applicants must be nondiscriminatory. Informal associations, community groups, and collaboratives must apply through an eligible fiscal sponsor. Grants generally are not considered for annual fundraising campaigns, endowments, existing financial obligations, private foundations, political or sectarian purposes, or programs primarily serving people outside Tuolumne County.
AddictionDisability resourcesDisaster relief+9 more
Who can apply: Generally limited to eligible charitable nonprofits with IRS 501(c)(3) status, health and human services organizations and sometimes government entities. Projects must benefit communities in the Pacific Power or Rocky Mountain Power service territories.
Child abuse and domestic violence prevention and treatmentFood banks, food pantries, and food distributionHomeless services+4 more
Who can apply: Applicants must be public nonprofit organizations exempt under Section 501(c)(3) and not private foundations under Section 509(a). Programs must primarily benefit children, youth, and families in Los Angeles, with priority given to the listed target communities. Support is not provided for religious purposes, university-level education, research, political causes, legislative advocacy, or individuals. Each organization may submit only one request per grantmaking year.
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