Competitive Grants Program

The California State Parks Foundation is a statewide membership organization dedicated to protecting, enhancing and advocating for the California State Parks System. Since its inception in 1969, CSPF has raised over $136 million to benefit California's state parks. As an extension of its mission, CSPF offers competitive grants (usually ranging from $200-$6,000) to benefit our State Parks System and to support the Department’s mission. Qualified non-profit groups, as well as California state park units and park agencies are encouraged to apply. In general (and as funds permit), CSPF grants in 2008 are targeted in four main areas: Volunteer Efforts and Recognition; Education and Interpretation; Natural and Cultural Resource Protection; and Capacity Building for cooperating associations. CSPF also makes a number of discretionary grants each year that may fall outside the main target areas.

To fill out the grant application online, print and mail/fax it to CSPF, please click here (.pdf, 660KB)
(The application can be saved but any entered information will be lost)

AREAS OF INTEREST

VOLUNTEER EFFORTS & RECOGNITION
In 1996, CSPF launched the Ranger Lane Volunteer Enhancement Fund, named for CSPF Trustee and Honorary State Park Ranger Bill Lane. The Fund provides support for volunteer efforts to complete significant park preservation and restoration projects, including but not limited to: 

• recruitment, training, and recognition of volunteers
• volunteer transportation, tools, and equipment costs including computers, software, and printers that support volunteer activities/projects
• matching funds for special events put on by volunteers or supporting volunteer projects.

EDUCATION & INTERPRETATION GRANTS
Funding for projects that improve visitor education and park interpretation. Eligible projects include, but are not limited to:

• interpretive panels and audio tours
• educational/interpretive brochures, including plant/wildlife identification brochures
• supplies for educational programs such as binoculars, water testing and other field equipment  
• support for in-class educational programs (i.e. transportation and slide projectors).

NATURAL & CULTURAL RESOURCE PROTECTION GRANTS
Funding to protect unique natural and cultural resources. Projects include trail restoration, habitat restoration, acquisition of real property, and restoration of historic structures. In 2000, we launched our Trails Legacy Fund, which is designed to support projects that protect and expand the 3,000 miles of equestrian, hiking and biking trails in California’s 278 state parks, as well as to provide greater accessibility to all visitors. Eligible projects include, but are not limited to:

• habitat restoration projects, including non-native species removal
• environmental quality and wildlife monitoring
• cultural resource cataloguing and restoration efforts
• trail restoration and enhanced accessibility for all visitors
• trail crew training, materials, and workshops.

CAPACITY BUILDING GRANTS
CSPF supports building the capacity of non-profit state parks’ cooperating associations to further their efforts in maximizing the potential of our state parks. Capacity-building funds are grant awards with no particular restriction other than the overall eligibility requirements (see below). Proposals considered are for special projects, one-time capital grants and seed money for start-up programs. Requests for ongoing operating support are discouraged. Capacity building grants will not be made in amounts exceeding one-third of the operating budget of the organization except for start-up funds.

GRANTMAKING PROCEDURES
Grant applications will be reviewed and funded on a rolling basis, generally taking between 30 to 60 days. In order to qualify for a grant, the organization/project must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• either a non-profit organization that is tax-exempt as defined under Section 501(c)(3) of the US Internal Revenue Code, as well as California state park units and park agencies
• State Parks must support the project/program
• project/program fits within CSPF's mission and grant areas.

To fill out the grant application online, print and mail/fax it to CSPF, please click here (.pdf, 660KB)
(The application can be saved but any entered information will be lost)

To receive a grant application in the mail or for any other questions, please contact:

Alisha Keller
Grants Manager
California State Parks Foundation
1510 J Street, Suite 120
Sacramento, CA 95814

916-442-2119 or alisha@calparks.org