Funding Opportunities Report- July 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

• (UPCOMING!) The State has appropriated $190 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.
• (UPCOMING!) The federally funded Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) is anticipated to have an upcoming cycle in 2026. ORLP provides matching grants to local governments for outdoor recreation projects. Grant competitions are typically held annually. The federal government has released its solicitation for the national competition, and guidelines from OGALS are anticipated in the coming weeks.
• (UPCOMING!) Draft guidelines for Round 4 of the Youth Community Access grant have been released, and the competition is anticipated to open in September 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.
• 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 spring and are working on revising the guidelines. The next application cycle is anticipated to be released 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.

Sustainability and Climate Action

• (NEW!) 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. Pre-applications are due 7/21/2026 and 8/4/2026, and Full Applications are due 10/13/2026.
• The Strategic Growth Council has released the 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. Applications are due 9/30/2026, but pre-proposals for implementation grants are due 6/30/2026.
• The Strategic Growth Council has released the 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. Applications are due 9//2026 for Planning Grants and 9/25/2025 for Implementation Grants. 
• CalRecycle has released another round of funding for the Beverage Container Recycling Grants. Funds can be used to implement new or enhance existing programs that provide convenient beverage container recycling opportunities. Applications are due 8/11/2026. 
• 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

• (NEW!) The WaterSMART Water Reclamation & Reuse Program has been released for another round of funding by the Bureau of Reclamation. Funds can be used for capital projects that reuse and recycle potable water. Applications are due 8/26/2026.
• (NEW!) The Bureau of Reclamation has opened the WaterSMART Desalination Construction Projects Program for applications. Funds can be used for planning, design, and/or construction of facilities to desalinate seawater or brackish surface water or groundwater. Applications are due 8/26/2026.
• (NEW!) The Bureau of Reclamation has released the WaterSMART Enhancing Water Resources Projects Program for funding. Funds can be used to implement projects for water efficiency and conservation, water infrastructure improvements, and river and watershed restoration. Applications are due 9/8/2027.
• (UPCOMING!) The State Water Resources Control Board has released the draft guidelines for the Storm Water Grant Program (SWGP). This program has approximately $101.5 million appropriated from the Climate Bond (Prop 4). Application timelines are currently unknown but expected to open soon.
• The WaterSMART Drought Response Program has been released by the Bureau of Reclamation. Funds can be used for two different project "tasks": Task A: Infrastructure Projects or Task B: Water Management and Planning Projects. Applications are due 7/28/2026.
• 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 storages, distribution, pumping, and groundwater recharge.
• DWR has filed a Proposed Emergency Rule making 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 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. However, available funding is expected to tighten in the coming years with the expiration of IIJA supplemental federal funding.

Fire & Emergency Response

• FEMA has released the state and tribal competition for the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Program. CalOES will be reaching out directly to applicants that have applied before and are in their system, instead of their usual subapplication process.
• The Community Microgrid Enablement Program through PG&E is anticipated to announce a Third Round in 2027. 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.