These foundations have a track record of funding social justice 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 social justice in California that your nonprofit can apply to now.
Open nowCloses in 13 days (Aug 25, 2026)Award: $10K – $40K
Who can apply: Generally for eligible 501(c)(3) public charities or fiscally sponsored nonprofits with a US office/EIN; foreign organizations with US-equivalency may be considered. New organizations are paused until further notice; currently prioritizing returning applicants funded within the last three years. Sustainable Communities applicants should focus on social justice/civil rights, economic justice, environmental justice, or related systemic interventions. The foundation does not fund chambers of commerce, business-driven economic development, alternative living communities, disaster relief, small business incubators, extractive-economy initiatives, one-watershed environmental justice, or organizations it cannot fund under private-foundation rules.
sustainable environmentssocial justicecultural enrichment+1 more
Who can apply: Applicants must be nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) tax status or the Canadian equivalent. The foundation only considers applicants from Northeast Ohio, Pugwash, Nova Scotia, and the United States Pugwash Conferences Group. It typically funds small or newly-established organizations, innovative efforts, and organizations lacking support from larger funders.
Health careHousing and homelessnessFood security+3 more
Who can apply: 501(c)(3) organizations. One application per organization per year. Required Information Sheet and supporting documents as specified by the foundation. Prior-year grantees must submit the Final Evaluation Form to be considered.
occupational therapy intervention researchpreliminary data / proof of conceptevidence-based practice+1 more
Who can apply: Principal investigator must have a terminal research degree (PhD, ScD) or OTD/EdD with advanced research training; be a credentialed occupational therapist with a full-time faculty or equivalent research position, or a non-OT investigator with a primary academic appointment in an occupational therapy department; be employed by a U.S. domestic nonprofit institution eligible to receive Foundation research grants; and meet U.S. citizenship/permanent residence requirements described by the funder.
economic justiceenvironmental justiceracial justice+4 more
Who can apply: Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, solo practitioners, and small law firms involved in public interest impact litigation. The fund prioritizes cases that seek systemic change for economic, environmental, racial, or social injustice, are usually class actions or similar cases affecting many people, and are typically filed or about to be filed. Pro se litigants are not eligible. Grants are for future out-of-pocket litigation expenses only, not attorneys' fees, staff time, overhead, or previously incurred costs.
environmental justiceanti-racismwomen’s rights+7 more
Who can apply: Supports small community groups and other groups engaged in transformative social change through community organizing in Southern communities.
Get the Full Picture on Social Justice in California Foundations
Create a free Kindora account to unlock AI insights, detailed grant history, similar funders, and personalized matching for 264 social justice in california foundations.