Funding Opportunities Report- January 2026

Get the latest updates on upcoming grant opportunities from the state and federal government, courtesy of CARPD's Legislative Advocates at California Public Policy Group.

Download the Report HERE

The Funding Opportunities Report is provided as a resource for CARPD Members to keep you all apprised of the most current and comprehensive information on competitive funding programs.

Highlights for this month include an overview of the status of major state and federal grant funding sources:

Parks and Recreation

• (NEW!) The Art in California Parks Grant Program has opened and is accepting applications until 3/13/2026. The goal of the program is to revitalize local parks with diverse experiences that foster creativity, community connection, and transform them into hubs of art, culture, and nature.
• The State has appropriated $188.5 million through the Climate Bond (Prop 4) for the
  Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program. The program’s intent is to create new parks and new recreation opportunities in critically underserved communities across California. Draft guidelines will be released soon for public comment. The upcoming Round 5 competition, which will be held in Summer/Fall 2026, will be the only Climate Bond-funded round of grants.
• The federally funded Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) is anticipated to have an upcoming cycle in 2026. The LWCF provides matching grants to local governments for outdoor recreation projects. Grant competitions are typically held annually.
• The California State Parks Office of Grants and Local Services (OGALS) had a public comment period for the Recreational Trails Program (RTP) Non-Motorized this summer and are working on revisions of the guidelines. The next application cycle is anticipated to be released in 2026 or 2027.
• OGALS held a public comment period for the Habitat Conservation Fund this past spring to revise program guidelines for an upcoming funding competition, which is anticipated to be held in 2026 or 2027. This program funds projects for nature interpretation programs to bring urban residents into park and wildlife areas, protection of various plant and animal species, and acquisition and development of wildlife corridors and trails.
• Another round of the Youth Community Access grant is anticipated in Spring 2026. This program funds projects that advance California’s Outdoor for All initiative to expand parks and outdoor spaces in communities that need them most.

Sustainability and Climate Action

• (NEW!) The Climate Smart Communities Initiative has a grant program that is due 3/12/2026. Funding can be used to advance community-based climate resilience in communities or regions that are highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. 
• (UPCOMING!) The Climate Bond appropriated $46 million for the Urban Greening Program in FY 25-26. This program funds projects that result in the conversion of existing built environments into green space and green infrastructure. CNRA has released a Proposed Emergency Rulemaking Action to expedite the grant program. Draft guidelines are anticipated to be released for public review after the emergency
  action is approved.
• (UPCOMING!) The Extreme Heat and Community Resilience Program has announced a second round of funding. The Climate Bond appropriated $22 million for FY 25-26. Funding will be used for planning projects that combine community services and physical improvements to protect communities from extreme heat. The RFP and Pre-Application Interest Form are anticipated to be released in early 2026.  
• (UPCOMING!) The Strategic Growth Council has released the draft guidelines for Round 6 of the Transformative Climate Communities Program. This program provides funds for community-led development and infrastructure projects that achieve major environmental, health, and economic benefits. The State has appropriated $100 million from the Climate Bond for this program.
• (UPCOMING!) The Strategic Growth Council has released the draft guidelines for Round 2 of the Community Resilience Center Program. This program provides funds for development and implementation of community resilience centers that mitigate the public health impacts of extreme heat and other emergency situations. The State has appropriated $55 million from the Climate Bond for this program. 
• The Coastal Conservancy has received Climate Bond funding appropriations of $62 million in FY 25-26 for coastal resilience projects and $32.5 million in FY 25-26 for sea level rise adaptation projects. Proposals are being accepted through the Coastal Conservancy Grants rolling application process.      

Water Quality & Conservation

• (UPCOMING!) DWR has filed a Proposed Emergency Rulemaking Action to expedite the rollout of Proposition 4 Sustainable Groundwater Management Program (SGMP). Draft guidelines are anticipated to be released for public review after the emergency action is approved. Multiple rounds of funding are anticipated.
• The Bureau of Reclamation has stated that several WaterSMART funding opportunities were planned to be launched in Fall 2025 prior to the government shutdown: Small-Scale Water Efficiency Program, Water and Energy Efficiency Grants, and Drought Resiliency Projects. NOFO release is current anticipated for winter 2025/2026. 
• The State Water Resources Control Board accepts applications for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund on a rolling basis. The annual Intended Use Plan drafts are published in November/December of each year. The RLF programs are funded through a combination of annual state and federal investments. Available funding is expected to tighten in the coming years with the expiration of IIJA supplemental federal funding.
• The State Water Resources Control Board is currently accepting applications for the Water Recycling Planning Grant. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis until 6/30/2027. Projects can include recycled water treatment, recycled water storage, distribution, and pumping, and groundwater recharge.

Fire & Emergency Response

• (NEW!) The U.S. EPA has released the Wildfire Smoke Preparedness in Community Buildings Grant Program. Funding can be used for assessment, prevention, control, and/or abatement of wildfire smoke hazards in community buildings. Applications are due 4/15/2026.
• FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) is anticipated to be released upon appropriation of funds in the FY 25 federal budget Homeland Security appropriations bill. This program funds equipment, protective gear, emergency vehicles, training, and other necessary resources for protecting the public and emergency personnel.
• The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant is anticipated to be released upon appropriation of funds in the FY 25 federal budget Homeland Security appropriations bill. The SAFER Grant is designed to directly fund fire departments or volunteer firefighter organizations to help increase or maintain the number of trained firefighters.
• The Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) is anticipated to be released upon appropriation of funds in the FY 25 federal budget Homeland Security appropriations bill. The goal of this program is to reduce injury and prevent death through fire prevention programs and firefighter health and safety research and development.
• Future funding remains uncertain for FEMA’s Pre-Disaster Mitigation programs, which include the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA), and Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC). These programs fund a wide variety of mitigation activities, including flood protection, hazardous fuels treatment, retrofitting structures, and supplying backup power via generators for critical facilities.
• The Community Microgrid Enablement Program through PG&E is anticipated to announce a Third Round in 2026. This program provides funding to enable a community microgrid through studies and equipment for a safe transition.

California Public Policy Group (CPPG)'s Grant Services Team is a trusted partner to local governments across California, having worked to secure more than $277 million in competitive grant funding awarded since the team's formation in 2021. CPPG specializes in working with public agencies to navigate complex funding landscapes and programmatic requirements, with a proven track record of success securing funding from a wide array of state and federal agencies — including OGALS and the National Park Service.

If you are interested in learning more about CPPG's grant writing services, please reach out to Jake Whitaker, Director of Grant Services, via email at jwhitaker@publicpolicygroup.com.