Small business grants in California

What a California small business can apply for: California programs first, then national ones.

11 open
20 rolling
1 upcoming
Next deadline October 22, 2026

California state grants

From the California Grants Portal, soonest deadline first.

Closes22 OCT
Recycled Glass Processing Incentive Grant Program (FY 2026-27)
Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery · Small businesses, Nonprofits
The fundamental goal of the Program is to stimulate an increase of furnace-ready glass cullet in the making of new glass beverage containers within the State of California.
Closes tomorrowBetween $1,000,000 and $4,000,000
Closes22 OCT
Song Brown Registered Nurse Education Programs (RN) 2026 Application
Department of Health Care Access and Information · Small businesses, Nonprofits, Local governments
The Song-Brown program funds institutions that train primary care health professionals to provide healthcare in California’s medically underserved areas.
Closes tomorrowDependant on number of submissions received, application process, etc.
Closes26 OCT
Scaling Dyadic Care Grant Program
Department of Health Care Services · Small businesses, Nonprofits, Local governments, Tribes
The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) launched the Scaling Dyadic Care Grant Program to make relationship-centered, family-focused behavioral health care a routine and accessible component of pediatric services throughout California. By prioritizing health equity, the gra
Closes in 5 daysBetween $500,000 and $700,000
Closes29 OCT
Increased Recycling of Empty Glass Beverage Containers Grant Program, FY 2026-27
Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery · Small businesses, Nonprofits, Local governments, Tribes
The fundamental goal of the Program is to assist in funding regional pilot programs that are supplying bins for collection of empty glass beverage containers from five or more restaurants and on-sale retail licensed establishments licensed pursuant to the Alcoholic Beverage Contr
Closes in 8 daysBetween $250,000 and $4,000,000
Closes03 NOV
2026 California Nutrition Incentive Program
CA Department of Food and Agriculture · Small businesses, Nonprofits, Tribes
The 2026 CNIP RFP is focused on increasing California-grown fresh fruit and vegetable purchases at Certified Farmers’ Markets and California Small Businesses* by shoppers using CalFresh (SNAP) benefits and sustaining proposals in high need areas.
Closes in 13 daysBetween $50,000 and $12,500,000
Closes25 NOV
FY 2025 Next Generation Warning System (NGWS) for Early Earthquake Warning (EEW) Grant Program CFO
Governor's Office of Emergency Services · Small businesses
Next Generation Early Warning streaming projects
OpenBetween $1 and $750,000
Closes15 DEC
Trauma Recovery Center Grant Fiscal Year 27/28
Victim Compensation Board · Small businesses, Individuals, Nonprofits, Local governments, Tribes
The Trauma Recovery Center Grant funds centers throughout California that assist victims of violent crime. These centers provide wrap-around services and assist victims who are typically unserved and underserved communities.
OpenDependant on number of submissions received, application process, etc.
Closes05 JAN
Beverage Container Redemption Innovation Grant
Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery · Small businesses, Nonprofits, Local governments, Tribes
To support start-up costs for recycling programs, which shall be limited to recycling centers, mobile recycling, reverse-vending machines, or bag drop programs. These funds are also available to existing recycling centers for the purpose of establishing mobile recycling to expand
OpenBetween $500,000 and $1,000,000
Closes30 JUN
Division of Boating and Waterways Local Assistance Pumpout/Dump Station Installation Grant FY26
Department of Parks and Recreation · Small businesses, Individuals, Nonprofits, Local governments, Tribes
This grant provides resources for keeping boater sewage from California waterways.
OpenDependant on number of submissions received, application process, etc.
Closes30 JUN
Division of Boating and Waterways Local Assistance Pumpout/Dump Station/Floating Restroom Operation and Maintenance Grant FY26
Department of Parks and Recreation · Small businesses, Individuals, Nonprofits, Local governments, Tribes
This grant provides resources for keeping boater sewage from California waterways.
OpenDependant on number of submissions received, application process, etc.
ApplyOPEN
2025 Multifamily Finance Super NOFA – Los Angeles
Department of Housing and Community Development · Small businesses, Nonprofits, Local governments, Tribes
The 2025 Multifamily Finance Super NOFA - Los Angeles Disaster makes funds more accessible to developers enables the funding to further serve the lowest income Californians and increases the range of potential applicants and target populations to achieve better outcomes in health
RollingDependant on number of submissions received, application process, etc.
ApplyOPEN
Beet Curly Top Virus Control Program Grants
CA Department of Food and Agriculture · Small businesses, Individuals, Nonprofits, Local governments, Tribes
The Program may consider funding projects that develop new management methods for treating the beet leafhopper (BLH), or development of enhancements to other program areas that will mitigate the virus. The funding will be based on the researcher using a no pesticide alternative o
RollingBetween $1 and $190,000
ApplyOPEN
California Forest Improvement Program
Department of Forestry and Fire Protection · Small businesses, Individuals, Nonprofits, Local governments
The purpose of the California Forest Improvement Program (CFIP) is to encourage private and public investment in, and improved management of, California forest lands and resources, to ensure adequate high quality timber supplies, related employment and other economic benefits, an
RollingDependant on number of submissions received, application process, etc.
ApplyOPEN
California National Archery in the Schools Program 2026 (CalNASP) Equipment Grant
Department of Fish and Wildlife · Small businesses, Nonprofits, Local governments
CalNASP is an affiliate of the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP™)—a non-profit, international style archery program dedicated to providing students in grades 4-12 the opportunity to learn and participate in target archery.The California Department of Fish and Wildlif
RollingDependant on number of submissions received, application process, etc.
ApplyOPEN
California Pollution Control Financing Authority (CPCFA) Exempt Facility Bond Financing Program
State Treasurer's Office · Small businesses
The Pollution Control Tax-Exempt Bond Financing Program facilitates low cost capital through private activity, tax-exempt bonds. The securities pay for acquisition, construction or installation of qualified pollution control, water furnishing, waste disposal, waste recovery facil
RollingBetween $1,500,000 and $550,000,000
ApplyOPEN
Civil Money Penalty Reinvestment Grant
Department of Public Health · Small businesses, Individuals, Nonprofits, Local governments, Tribes
This grant allows applicants to apply for funding to implement programs for improving Skilled Nursing Facility residents' quality of life. Projects may span topics such as training, culture change and direct improvements to quality of life, direct improvements to quality of care,
RollingDependant on number of submissions received, application process, etc.
ApplyOPEN
Cost Share for Federal Funding Opportunities Clean Hydrogen Program
CA Energy Commission · Small businesses, Individuals, Local governments
The purpose of this solicitation is to provide cost share funding for eligible projects (see Section II.C. of GFO-22-903) to applicants that apply for and receive an award under an eligible federal Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA).
RollingDependant on number of submissions received, application process, etc.
ApplyOPEN
Cost-Share for Federal Geothermal Energy Funding Opportunities
CA Energy Commission · Small businesses, Individuals, Local governments, Tribes
This solicitation is issued under the Geothermal Grant and Loan Program (Geothermal Program). The purpose of this solicitation is to provide CEC cost-share funding for applicants who apply for and receive an award under an eligible federal Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) a
RollingDependant on number of submissions received, application process, etc.
ApplyOPEN
Empty Glass Beverage Transportation Grant Program, FY 2026-27
Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery · Small businesses, Nonprofits
The fundamental goal of the Empty Glass Beverage Transportation Grant Program is to facilitate the transportation of empty glass beverage containers to glass processing facilities through the use of rail transportation within California.
RollingBetween $500,000 and $4,000,000
ApplyOPEN
GFO-21-901 – Cost Share for Federal Clean Energy Funding Opportunities
CA Energy Commission · Small businesses, Individuals, Nonprofits, Local governments, Tribes
To provide cost share funding to applicants that apply for and receive one of the following: An award under an eligible federal Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) and meet the requirements of this solicitation, or Follow-on funding from the U.S. DOE to continue research from
RollingDependant on number of submissions received, application process, etc.
ApplyOPEN
Greenhouse Gas Reduction Loan Program
Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery · Small businesses, Nonprofits, Local governments
The GHG Reduction Loan Program provides funds to support new or expanded organics infrastructure, such as composting and anaerobic digestion facilities, as well as for facilities that manufacture fiber, plastic or glass waste materials into beneficial products.
RollingDependant on number of submissions received, application process, etc.
ApplyOPEN
Orphan Site Cleanup Fund
State Water Resources Control Board · Small businesses, Individuals
The Orphan Site Cleanup Fund (OSCF) is a grant program providing financial assistance to eligible applicants for the cleanup of sites contaminated by leaking petroleum underground storage tanks where there is no financially responsible party, and the applicant is not an eligible
RollingBetween $1 and $1,000,000
ApplyOPEN
Recycling Market Development Zone Revolving Loan Program
Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery · Small businesses, Nonprofits, Local governments
The Recycling Market Development Zone (RMDZ) program combines recycling with economic development to fuel new businesses, expand existing ones, create jobs, and divert waste from landfills.
RollingDependant on number of submissions received, application process, etc.
ApplyOPEN
Replacing, Removing, or Upgrading Underground Storage Tanks Grant
State Water Resources Control Board · Small businesses
RUST grants may be used to finance up to 100 percent of the costs necessary to upgrade, remove, or replace UST project tanks to comply with the requirements of Health and Safety Code sections 25284.1, 25292.05, 25292.4, 25292.5, or 41954.
RollingDependant on number of submissions received, application process, etc.
ApplyOPEN
Replacing, Removing, or Upgrading Underground Storage Tanks Loan
State Water Resources Control Board · Small businesses
RUST loans may be used to finance up to 100 percent of the costs necessary to upgrade, remove or replace project tanks, including corrective actions, to meet applicable local state, or federal standards, including, but not limited to, any design, construction, monitoring, operati
RollingDependant on number of submissions received, application process, etc.
ApplyOPEN
Sales Tax Exclusion (STE) Program
State Treasurer's Office · Small businesses, Individuals, Nonprofits, Local governments, Tribes
CAEATFA supports California's mission to provide financial incentives to cutting-edge companies by offering a sales and use tax exclusion to manufacturers purchasing equipment to promote alternative energy, advanced transportation and recycling, as well as advanced manufacturing.
RollingDependant on number of submissions received, application process, etc.
ApplyOPEN
Senate Bill 1 Sea Level Rise Adaptation Grant Program – Track 1
Ocean Protection Council · Small businesses, Nonprofits, Local governments, Tribes
Track 1 of the SB 1 SLR Adaptation Grant Program supports jurisdiction-wide and regional sea level rise planning across California’s coast and San Francisco Bay. Projects advance consistent, comprehensive SLR Adaptation Plans, apply statewide criteria, incorporate equitable commu
RollingBetween $200,000 and $1,500,000
ApplyOPEN
Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Fund
State Water Resources Control Board · Small businesses, Individuals
The Underground Storage Tank (UST) Cleanup Fund's mission is to (1) establish a mechanism to meet Financial Responsibility requirements for owners and operators of petroleum USTs, and (2) reimburse eligible corrective action costs incurred in the cleanup of contamination resultin
RollingBetween $1 and $1,000,000
ApplyOPEN
Wolf-Livestock Compensation Grant Program
Department of Fish and Wildlife · Small businesses, Individuals, Nonprofits, Local governments, Tribes
The purpose of the grant is to help mitigate the impact of wolves on livestock producers in California. The Wolf-Livestock Compensation Grant Program has established three primary areas of need and compensation; direct livestock loss from wolf depredation, the use nonlethal deter
RollingDependant on number of submissions received, application process, etc.
ExpectedTBA
High Road to Construction Careers 2026
Workforce Development Board · Small businesses, Nonprofits, Local governments
The California Workforce Development Board (CWDB), in partnership with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), is offering $19 million in grants for the High Road to Construction Careers 2026 (HRCC 2026) Grant Program. This second round of funding is a competitive
ForecastDependant on number of submissions received, application process, etc.

California and regional programs

No California state program fits this right now; the national list below is open to California applicants.

National programs you can apply for

Closes07 DEC
Small Business Digital Ready grants
Verizon · Small businesses
$10,000 grants for U.S. for-profit small businesses that take free courses or events on Verizon's Digital Ready platform. Ten businesses are picked each month.
OpenUp to $10,000
ApplyANYTIME
Amber Grant
WomensNet · Small businesses
Monthly grants for women-owned businesses in the U.S. and Canada, with a larger year-end grant, from WomensNet. One short application covers every grant.
Rolling$15,000 monthly; $75,000 year-end

Federal grants to California small businesses in 2025

Largest programs
Program	Awarded
Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chain Demonstrations and Commercial Applications 81.253	$153 million
Clean Energy Demonstrations 81.255	$57 million
Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund Grant Program 11.038	$54 million
Aging Research 93.866	$52 million
Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships 47.084	$44 million
Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research 93.855	$32 million
Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs 93.279	$32 million
Biomedical Research and Research Training 93.859	$25 million

Questions

What small business grants are open in California now?

The next deadline is October 22, 2026 for Recycled Glass Processing Incentive Grant Program (FY 2026-27). 20 programs take applications at any time.

Can I get a grant to start a business in California?

Startup grants are scarce. Most listed programs fund existing businesses, exports, training or research, and several state options are loans. A few national programs, such as the Amber Grant for women-owned businesses, take newer businesses; check each program's rules on age and revenue.

Do I have to pay to apply for a grant?

No. Real grant programs never charge to apply or to receive an award. Anyone asking for a fee before you get grant money is running a scam.