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California funding guide

California Small Business Grants

California runs one of the largest small-business support ecosystems in the country, but most of it is not grant money. This page lists the California programs that come back year after year: state agency grants tied to a purpose, city storefront and small business grants, Employment Training Panel and other workforce funds, CDFI-run and corporate grants, and the tax credits and loans that often get called grants. Each card says which instrument it is, then gives the money, the catch and the next window.

Data refreshed: November 8, 2026 · Editorial verified: October 28, 2026 · 54 programs
32Grants
10Loans and guarantees
1Prizes
7Free advising
4Tax incentives

How to use this page

  • Check what each program is before you apply. A tax credit is worth something only if your business owes California income tax, a loan has to be repaid, and a training grant pays you back after the training is done. The label on each card and its first line say which kind of money it is. If you are weighing a grant against a loan or a credit, read grants vs. loans vs. tax credits first.
  • Start with the help the state has already paid for. California funds Small Business Development Centers, Women's Business Centers and community partners to advise businesses at no cost, and those advisors track which state and city rounds are open near you. Most state cash grants are tied to a purpose such as exporting, clean vehicles, farming or workforce training, and they are run by the agency that owns that purpose rather than by one small business office.
  • Programs open to any U.S. business are in the national guides. SBIR, corporate contests and other national programs are in the small business grants guide; programs for new and pre-revenue companies are in the startup business grants guide, and programs for women-owned businesses in the grants for women guide. Every card here names its cycle, and when a window has closed it shows the next expected one. No legitimate program charges a fee to release a grant.

What's included: Programs a for-profit small business located in California can apply to, directly or through a named partner, that have run in at least two of the last three years or keep a standing window, plus disaster recovery programs open in 2026. Grants, reimbursements and vouchers are listed alongside free advising, tax credits and loans, and each card says which it is. The city section covers the ten most populous California cities in the Census Bureau's 2024 estimates and Los Angeles County. What's left out: One-off rounds that have closed (the COVID-19 Relief Grant and the California Dream Fund among them), programs dormant since 2024, programs open to any U.S. business (they are in the national guides), programs only nonprofits or local governments can apply to, residential incentives, and anything we could not confirm on the program's own page.

Read this first: what closed, and what opens next

The California Dream Fund is closed. Many grant lists still show it as open, but CalOSBA describes it as a one-time $35 million program: its training closed on December 31, 2022 and final applications were due February 13, 2023 (checked October 28, 2026). The state money that continues pays advisors, so the free-help section below comes first.

Most fire recovery grants have closed. Nearly every small business grant opened after the January 2025 Eaton and Palisades fires closed in 2025, and Los Angeles County's 2026 recovery round, for the Lineage Fire and the East Los Angeles oil spill, closed October 9, 2026. The disaster section lists what reopens after each declared emergency, and the loans you can apply for now.

California Competes has $819,843,124 for FY 2026-27. It is a tax credit, not a grant. The next application period runs January 4–25, 2027, according to the GO-Biz notice.

Showing 54 of 54 programs

1. Free help California has already paid for

For most California small businesses the most valuable state program is not a grant to the business. It is an advisor whose time the state has already paid for. CalOSBA's Technical Assistance Program sends about $23 million a year to Small Business Development Centers, Women's Business Centers, APEX Accelerators and community organizations. Its Capital Infusion Program adds $3 million a year to the five SBDC networks for financing help, and federal SSBCI money pays 29 capital-readiness coaches through 2028. You get one-on-one help with plans, loans, grants, exporting and government contracts, with no application window. Advising is free; training is low cost, so some classes charge. The common mistake is paying a consultant to find grants. These advisors are funded to work on capital readiness, and CIP-funded SBDC advisors help with loan readiness and SBIR proposals, so start with them. SBIR itself is in the SBIR grants guide; SCORE and the national networks are in the small business grants guide.

6 programs

California Small Business Development Center (SBDC) networks

California — Office of the Small Business Advocate and U.S. Small Business Administration (five regional SBDC networks)
Free one-on-one advising and low-cost training. No cash award: in 2025-26 California paid the five networks about $13.4 million through CalOSBA's Technical Assistance Program, plus $3 million a year through the Capital Infusion Program, to fund advisors; the money goes to the centers and your business gets no check.
Free advisingEquity-freeexpert help
The catch: An SBDC gives advice, not money: advising is free, but training is low cost rather than free. The state funding is competitive and re-awarded every year (2025-26 TAP awards ran from $660,000 for the Central California network to about $4.5 million for NorCal), so staffing, specialties and wait times differ by region.
Next deadline: Rolling · Rolling (year-round; no application window). CalOSBA re-awards the state funding to the networks each grant year, October 1 to September 30.
Applicant tip: CalOSBA's 2026-27 TAP announcement lists export training, government procurement, e-commerce, cybersecurity, disaster recovery and succession planning among the advising it pays for, so ask your center for a specialist in that topic rather than a general advisor.
Eligibility, how to apply, past winners
Eligibility
Existing small businesses and people planning one, anywhere in California. Five regional networks: Northern California (hosted by Cal Poly Humboldt), Central California (lead office at UC Merced; six centers, 14 counties), Los Angeles Regional (hosted by Long Beach City College; Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties), Orange County/Inland Empire (Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties) and San Diego and Imperial.
How to apply
Direct application: request an advisor through your region's network (norcalsbdc.org, centralcasbdc.com, smallbizla.org, ociesmallbusiness.org or sdivsbdc.org) or CalOSBA's center finder; there is no application window.
Who qualifies fit
any small business
Equity taken
None
Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-28

Capital Infusion Program (CIP) capital-access advising at California SBDCs

California — Office of the Small Business Advocate (Capital Infusion Program)
Free advising on getting loans, grants and investment. No cash award: CalOSBA pays the five SBDC lead centers $3 million a year (2026-27: Northern California $951,680, Los Angeles $857,860, Orange County/Inland Empire $590,830, Central California $335,710, San Diego/Imperial Valley $263,920); CalOSBA states CIP is not a grant program for small businesses.
Free advisingEquity-freeexpert help
The catch: The money goes to the SBDC, not to you, and only advising tied to a capital goal counts toward it. Centers report your loan, investment or grant as a milestone with documents naming you and the lender or investor, and CalOSBA may contact you directly to verify a venture capital milestone.
Next deadline: Rolling · Annual state grant year October 1 to September 30 (2026-27 lead-center proposals were due September 11, 2026); advising is year-round
Applicant tip: CIP-funded advising explicitly covers SBIR and STTR Phase 0 to Phase 2 proposal support and investor pitch deck preparation, so a tech startup can ask its SBDC for that help before paying a proposal writer.
Eligibility, how to apply, past winners
Eligibility
Startups and existing California businesses working toward a financing event: an SBA or other loan, convertible debt, a grant or SBIR/STTR award, angel or venture investment, or crowdfunding. Served through the SBDC network in your region.
How to apply
Through a partner: ask your regional SBDC for capital-access advising; only the five SBDC lead centers apply to CalOSBA for the funding.
Who qualifies fit
any small business, tech & R&D firms
Equity taken
None
Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-28

SSBCI Technical Assistance for Capital Readiness Program

California — Office of the Small Business Advocate (SSBCI Technical Assistance for Capital Readiness)
Free capital-readiness coaching. No cash award: $25.3 million in U.S. Treasury State Small Business Credit Initiative money pays 29 partner organizations to coach businesses; your business gets no check.
Free advisingEquity-freeexpert help
The catch: Coaching, not capital: the help ends at your loan or investment application, and any loan you get has to be repaid. Partners screen businesses for eligibility and refer those that do not fit to other centers. CalOSBA's partner page says SSBCI-TA applications are not open, which refers to new partner organizations, not to businesses seeking coaching.
Next deadline: Rolling · Multi-year: partner grants run January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2028; coaching is year-round
Applicant tip: Ask the coach which of your lenders use the state's SSBCI credit programs; CalOSBA's program page lists IBank's Small Business Loan Guarantee (up to $20 million), CalCAP for Small Business (up to $5 million) and CalCAP Collateral Support ($25,000 to $20 million). They exist to help lenders approve loans to very small or underinvested businesses.
Eligibility, how to apply, past winners
Eligibility
Aimed at California businesses with 1 to 9 employees, small manufacturers and owners from underserved communities who are preparing to apply for a loan or other capital, especially through the state's SSBCI-backed lending programs.
How to apply
Through a partner: contact one of the 29 organizations on CalOSBA's program page, among them all five SBDC networks, CAMEO, ICA.Fund, AmPac Business Capital, PACE Finance, Main Street Launch and Fresno's Access Plus Capital; each runs its own intake to check fit.
Who qualifies fit
any small business, manufacturers
Equity taken
None
Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-28

California Women's Business Centers (state-funded network)

California — Office of the Small Business Advocate and U.S. Small Business Administration (Women's Business Centers)
Free one-on-one consulting and at-cost training. No cash award: in 2025-26 CalOSBA's Technical Assistance Program paid about $1.6 million to 15 centers in the Women's Business Center Network, plus $67,500 to California Capital's Women's Business Center, to fund advisors; your business gets no check.
Free advisingEquity-freeexpert help
The catch: Training is at cost, so classes can carry fees, and the centers give advice, not money. State grants are competitive and re-awarded each year (2025-26 awards ran from $41,250 to $220,000 per center), so which centers have state-funded staff, and how much, can change.
Next deadline: Rolling · Rolling (year-round; no application window). CalOSBA's state awards run October 1 to September 30.
Applicant tip: CalOSBA notes most centers offer virtual consulting and training, so if the nearest office is far or booked, ask another network center (several, such as Mission Community Services and AnewAmerica, run more than one site) for a virtual session.
Eligibility, how to apply, past winners
Eligibility
Women starting or running a business in California are the focus. Centers funded by TAP in 2025-26 include AnewAmerica (Oakland and San Jose), Fresno Central Valley Women's Entrepreneur Center, Inland Empire WBC, Mendocino, Mission Community Services (Kern and San Luis Obispo), New Economics for Women (Gateway Cities and its WBC), Orange County WBC, Renaissance WBC, San Diego & Imperial WBC, South LA VSEDC WBC, Women's Economic Ventures and the WBC at JEDI.
How to apply
Direct application: find the center for your county through CalOSBA's center finder, submit its interest form and ask for a consulting appointment or the class schedule.
Who qualifies fit
any small business
Equity taken
None
Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-28

Small Business Technical Assistance Program (TAP) community centers

California — Office of the Small Business Advocate (Technical Assistance Program)
Free or low-cost advising and training. No cash award: TAP sends about $23 million a year to SBDCs, Women's Business Centers, APEX Accelerators, Veterans Business Outreach Centers and community organizations (at least $25,000 per center in 2026-27); your business gets no check.
Free advisingEquity-freeexpert help
The catch: Free or low-cost, not always free, and advice rather than money. Each center's state grant must be matched by a federal or private award and is paid quarterly on a cost-reimbursement basis, so a center that loses its match can lose TAP funding mid-year; award sizes vary widely (2025-26 community awards ran from $25,000 to $500,000).
Next deadline: Rolling · Annual state award year October 1 to September 30 (2026-27 center proposals were due August 17, 2026); advising is year-round
Applicant tip: TAP's 2026-27 announcement lists succession planning and transitions to employee ownership among the advising it funds; if you plan to sell or hand off the business, ask a TAP center for that specialty early.
Eligibility, how to apply, past winners
Eligibility
California small businesses and would-be owners. TAP counts a business as small at 500 employees or fewer in most manufacturing and mining industries, or $7.5 million or less in average annual receipts otherwise. Centers prioritize women, people of color, veterans, and businesses in low-wealth, rural and disaster-impacted communities.
How to apply
Through a partner: use CalOSBA's center finder and submit a center's interest form. Community centers funded in 2025-26 include ASIAN, Inc., Asociacion de Emprendedor@s, Inclusive Action for the City, Main Street Launch, Mission Economic Development Agency, Pacific Asian Consortium in Employment, Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center, and the NorCal and Los Angeles Regional Veterans Business Outreach Centers.
Who qualifies fit
any small business
Equity taken
None
Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-28

APEX Accelerators in California (government contracting help)

California — APEX Accelerators (U.S. Department of Defense program, co-funded by the Office of the Small Business Advocate)
Free counseling and training on selling to government. No cash award: in 2025-26 CalOSBA's Technical Assistance Program added about $987,000 to four California APEX Accelerators on top of their Defense Department funding; your business gets no check.
Free advisingEquity-freeexpert help
The catch: Counseling is free, but you still pay your own costs to register, certify and bid, and the center cannot win a contract for you. The state's TAP money is a competitive one-year add-on to federal funding (2025-26 awards ran from $72,000 to $540,000), so state-funded services vary by center.
Next deadline: Rolling · Rolling (year-round; no application window)
Applicant tip: The Inland Empire APEX says it also supports firms pursuing SBIR and STTR opportunities, so a technology company aiming at defense research money can get registration and proposal-strategy help from an APEX counselor at no cost.
Eligibility, how to apply, past winners
Eligibility
California businesses that want federal, state or local government contracts, including firms new to contracting. State-funded in 2025-26: NorCal APEX, SD Orange and Imperial APEX, California Capital APEX and the American Indian Chamber Education Fund APEX (Huntington Beach, one of six Native American APEX Accelerators). The Inland Empire APEX at Riverside Community College District serves Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
How to apply
Direct application: enter your address or ZIP code in the locator on apexaccelerators.us to find the center serving you, then request counseling.
Who qualifies fit
any small business
Equity taken
None
Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-28

2. State agency grants tied to a purpose

Where California pays cash to a business, the money is tied to a policy goal and run by the agency that owns it, not by one small business office. GO-Biz reimburses export marketing, up to $10,000 a year. The Air Resources Board knocks up to $330,000 off a small fleet's zero-emission truck at the dealer. The Energy Commission funds food processors' efficiency projects, CAL FIRE funds wood products businesses, the Water Board pays to replace a gas station's underground tanks, and CDFA pays farms for irrigation, soil and manure projects. Most awards are paid after you spend, so read how reimbursement works before you plan cash flow, and check match rules: CAL FIRE wants a match equal to the grant or double it, FPIP 25%. The common mistake is starting work too early. RUST covers no work begun before the agreement is signed, and STEP covers only costs approved before the activity. CDFA's farm grants now go through regional partners, with farmer rounds expected from mid-2027.

9 programs

California State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) Export Voucher

California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) — California State Trade Expansion Program (STEP)
Reimbursement: up to 75% of pre-approved export promotion costs, $500 minimum and $10,000 maximum per business per federal fiscal year (activity caps: international trade show, trade mission, Commerce Department services or export credit insurance $10,000; domestic trade show $7,500; compliance testing, website globalization or international marketing materials $5,000; intellectual property $2,500)
GrantEquity-freeexporting
The catch: You pay first and claim reimbursement only after all approved activities are complete, with proof of activity and payment; GO-Biz says reimbursement may take up to 60 days. Only costs pre-approved before the activity count, each activity type has its own eligible-cost list, and the $10,000 cap covers every application and round in the program period. GO-Biz warns funding may not last the whole period.
Next deadline: Round deadlines posted on the export voucher page — apply before your activity · Annual program year funded partly by an SBA cooperative agreement (current period July 1, 2026 to September 29, 2027); export voucher applications are taken in rounds, each covering activities in its time period
Applicant tip: Plan the year's activities together before the first application: the $10,000 cap is cumulative across all voucher rounds in the program period, so a domestic trade show early on (capped at $7,500) can use up most of the room for an international show later.
Eligibility, how to apply, past winners
Eligibility
For-profit small business under SBA size standards with significant operations in California, registered and in good standing, in business at least one year, selling an export-ready product or service with at least 51% U.S. content that already sells in the U.S. or abroad. Not eligible: intermediaries selling other companies' products, real estate and cannabis-related businesses, firms on the CDTFA tax delinquency list, and firms active in another state's STEP.
How to apply
Direct application: complete GO-Biz's eligibility survey, then apply in the STEP portal (step.business.ca.gov) within the application round that covers your activity, before the activity takes place.
Who qualifies fit
exporters
Equity taken
None
Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-28

Clean Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP)

California Air Resources Board — Clean Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project (HVIP)
Voucher: point-of-sale discount per zero-emission truck or bus, base $7,500 (Class 2b) to $120,000 (Class 8); small-business vouchers $9,000 (Class 2b) to $330,000 (Class 8) and $420,000 for a Class 8 fuel-cell truck
GrantEquity-freeclean vehicles & energy
The catch: Standard HVIP voucher funding is closed until CARB reopens it; only the drayage and public-fleet categories are taking requests. The small-business amount applies to at most five vouchers per fleet, all-time. HVIP pays last after other incentives, combined public funding for a private fleet is capped at 90% of vehicle cost, Standard HVIP cannot be stacked with the Innovative Small e-Fleet (ISEF) set-aside, and breaking stacking rules can mean returning the voucher.
Next deadline: Standard vouchers closed — HVIP aims to reopen by the end of 2026 · Funded each fiscal year through CARB's funding plan ($135 million approved for FY 2026-27); vouchers first-come, first-served while funds last
Applicant tip: HVIP points fleets to Cal Fleet Advisor for free help sorting out stacking rules before the purchase; and if you rent or lease trucks to small fleets, use the ISEF pathway, because Standard HVIP does not give rental and fleet-management companies small-fleet vouchers.
Eligibility, how to apply, past winners
Eligibility
California fleets and businesses buying or leasing an eligible Class 2b to Class 8 zero-emission truck or bus from an HVIP dealer. Small-business vouchers go to private fleets with 20 or fewer vehicles over 8,500 lbs. GVWR worldwide (counting unredeemed HVIP vouchers) and $15 million or less in annual revenue.
How to apply
Through a partner: an HVIP-participating dealer requests the voucher and applies it at the sale; there is no separate grant application.
Who qualifies fit
fleets & truck owners
Equity taken
None
Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-28

Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project (CORE)

California Air Resources Board — Clean Off-Road Equipment Voucher Incentive Project (CORE)
Voucher: point-of-sale discount set per equipment model, capped at $500,000 per unit ($1,000,000 for forklifts lifting 54,001 lbs. or more, cargo handling equipment, harbor craft and locomotives); for example up to $500,000 base for zero-emission construction or agricultural equipment, plus 15% for small businesses and up to $30,000 for charging or hydrogen fueling
GrantEquity-freeclean vehicles & energyequipment & expansion
The catch: No scrappage required, but the equipment must operate 100% in California and you must keep to CORE terms for a three-year participation period, including reporting; stacked public funding cannot exceed 100% of the equipment cost. Manufacturers cannot be purchasers, and FY 2026-27 removed the extra amount for equipment in disadvantaged and low-income communities. Heavy-duty funding for the last cycle closed November 19, 2025.
Next deadline: FY 2026-27 window opening fall 2026 — check the funding status page · Annual funding cycle; FY 2026-27 vouchers are distributed beginning fall 2026, first-come, first-served, with CARB reallocating funds to oversubscribed categories after the first 30 days
Applicant tip: Have your latest IRS-reported revenue ready if you claim the 15% small-business enhancement: CORE requires that proof and tells purchasers unsure of their status to waive the enhancement rather than risk non-compliance.
Eligibility, how to apply, past winners
Eligibility
California businesses and public agencies buying or leasing eligible zero-emission off-road equipment from an approved dealer: transport refrigeration units, large forklifts, cargo handling, airport ground equipment, railcar movers, construction and agricultural equipment, harbor craft and mobile power units. FY 2026-27 drops the old limit to small businesses and public agencies. The small-business enhancement needs a California principal office and officers and $15 million or less in average annual gross receipts over three years.
How to apply
Through a partner: an approved CORE dealer submits the voucher request in the voucher processing system; vouchers are first-come, first-served.
Who qualifies fit
fleets & truck owners, farms & ag producers
Equity taken
None
Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-28

Food Production Investment Program (FPIP), GFO-26-302

California Energy Commission — Food Production Investment Program (FPIP)
$2,500,000 to $5,000,000 per project in the 2026 solicitation, which has $5,000,000 available in total
GrantEquity-freeclean vehicles & energyequipment & expansion
The catch: Cash match of at least 25% of the CEC funds requested, with commitment letters at application. Grant and match cover only equipment (with delivery, tax and installation materials) and capped design, engineering and measurement subcontracts; site preparation, installation labor, commissioning, consulting and grant writing are not covered. Equipment must be commercially proven (drop-in replacements or TRL 8 or higher) and beat industry-standard practice. CEC must approve awards before its June 30, 2027 encumbrance deadline, so a project whose environmental (CEQA) review cannot finish in time can lose its award to the next-ranked applicant.
Next deadline: Dec 17, 2026 · Recurring CEC solicitations (GFO-24-311 in 2025; GFO-26-302 posted September 14, 2026, due December 17, 2026)
Applicant tip: With $5 million available and a $2.5 million minimum, the 2026 round can fund at most two projects. Keep the pledged match identical in ECAMS, the budget and the commitment letters: if they differ, CEC scores only the amount in the letters.
Eligibility, how to apply, past winners
Eligibility
Existing food processing facilities in California under NAICS 311 (food manufacturing), 3121 (beverage manufacturing), 493120 (refrigerated warehousing and storage) or 115114 (postharvest crop activities); the prime applicant must operate the facility where the equipment is installed. New-build facilities, equipment vendors, utilities, energy developers and universities cannot be prime applicants, and projects funded by CEC's INDIGO program are excluded.
How to apply
Direct application: submit through the Energy Commission's ECAMS portal by December 17, 2026, 11:59 p.m.
Who qualifies fit
manufacturers, farms & ag producers
Equity taken
None
Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-28

CAL FIRE Business and Workforce Development Grants (Wood Products and Bioenergy)

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) — Wood Products and Bioenergy Program (Business and Workforce Development Grants)
Business development projects of $10,000 to $3,000,000, with a 100% match for $10,000 to $500,000 and a 200% match for $500,000 to $3,000,000; $10,000,000 available in the 2026 first-quarter round
GrantEquity-freeequipment & expansionhiring & training
The catch: Business development grants need a match equal to the grant up to $500,000 and twice the grant from $500,000 to $3,000,000. CAL FIRE considers advance payments only for nonprofits with workforce grants, so businesses should expect to spend first and be reimbursed; projects need environmental (CEQA) review, and grant-funded equipment falls under CAL FIRE's equipment disposition plan.
Next deadline: Expected: May 2027 · Annual (first quarter): rounds in 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026; the 2026 Q1 round opened February 25 and closed May 20, 2026
Applicant tip: CAL FIRE posts each round's applications received and award offers lists on the program page; read the 2026 Q1 lists to see which project types and sizes were funded before you build an application for the next window.
Eligibility, how to apply, past winners
Eligibility
Businesses, individuals, nonprofits, public agencies and tribes statewide. Business development projects are facilities, operations and professional services that maintain or expand California's wood products infrastructure and support forest restoration; workforce projects build capacity in logging, fuels treatment and manufacturing.
How to apply
Direct application: apply through CAL FIRE's online grant application during the annual solicitation, using that round's guidelines on the Business and Workforce Development Grants page.
Who qualifies fit
manufacturers
Equity taken
None
Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-28

Replacing, Removing, or Upgrading Underground Storage Tanks (RUST) Grant

California State Water Resources Control Board — Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Fund (RUST Program)
$3,000 to $70,000 per grant, with a $70,000 lifetime limit per small business; up to $140,000 more for qualifying remote public fueling stations replacing a single-walled tank
GrantEquity-freeequipment & expansionstorefront & property
The catch: Not a reimbursement program, but you cannot begin work until the State Water Board has executed your grant agreement, so work already started is not covered. Single-walled tanks had to be closed by December 31, 2025, and noncompliant systems face red tags and civil penalties from January 1, 2026. If removal finds a leak, cleanup runs through a separate, lengthy UST Cleanup Fund claim (claims due by December 31, 2034).
Next deadline: Rolling · Standing program: applications accepted year-round, no posted deadline
Applicant tip: If the work costs more than the $70,000 grant limit, apply for a RUST loan alongside it: the State Water Board can approve one project with both grant and loan funding, and the loan can cover up to 100% of the costs.
Eligibility, how to apply, past winners
Eligibility
Owners or operators of underground fuel storage tanks that are independently owned small businesses with fewer than 20 full- and part-time employees, with principal office and officers in California, at a facility that sold less than 1,500,000 gallons of gasoline at retail in each of the two prior years. The business's other tanks must be in compliance; removal-only projects can get a waiver.
How to apply
Direct application: submit the RUST grant application through the State Water Board's FAAST portal, before any work starts.
Who qualifies fit
storefront & retail
Equity taken
None
Official page ↗ · Open listing · On OpenGrants ↗Verified 2026-10-28

State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP)

California Department of Food and Agriculture — Office of Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability (SWEEP)
Reimbursement: up to $200,000 for one on-farm irrigation project per funding cycle (partial advance payments in some cases)
GrantEquity-freefarm & food productionequipment & expansion
The catch: Paid by reimbursement after the project is complete, so you finance the work first. You must use and maintain the funded system for at least 10 years and may be asked for water and energy records afterwards; one project per cycle, from one block grant recipient.
Next deadline: Not open to farmers until block grant recipients launch local rounds (expected mid-2027) · Block grant cycles run by regional partners: 2023 block grants ($42 million to 9 recipients, awarded April 2024); 2026 cycle ($40 million from Proposition 4) selecting recipients in late 2026, with local farmer solicitations expected mid-2027 to 2028
Applicant tip: Start the paperwork now: CDFA's guidance asks for three years of crop history and pumping-energy records, which take the longest to gather, and free one-on-one technical assistance is available before you apply.
Eligibility, how to apply, past winners
Eligibility
Farmers and ranchers 18 or older (sole proprietors, single-member LLCs or lessees), agricultural businesses and partnerships registered with the California Secretary of State, and California Native American tribes, for an irrigation project on an irrigated agricultural operation in California. University farms are not eligible.
How to apply
Through a partner: apply to the SWEEP Block Grant Recipient serving your county once it opens its local solicitation; CDFA will post recipients and their contacts on the SWEEP page.
Who qualifies fit
farms & ag producers
Equity taken
None
Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-28

Healthy Soils Program (HSP)

California Department of Food and Agriculture — Office of Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability (Healthy Soils Program)
Fixed-rate payments: up to $150,000 for one on-farm project per funding cycle, capped at $75,000 per practice
GrantEquity-freefarm & food production
The catch: Paid at fixed rates after each practice is implemented, so you carry the cost first. Annual practices are funded for three years and permanent plantings must be maintained for 10 years; every practice must meet CDFA's standards and be documented with invoices or receipts, geotagged photos and farm logs.
Next deadline: Not open to farmers until block grant recipients launch local rounds (expected mid-2027) · Running since 2018 (direct incentive rounds; regional block grants since 2023); 2026 block grant cycle funded with $65 million from Proposition 4, with local farmer solicitations expected mid-2027 to 2028
Applicant tip: Choose practices from CDFA's HSP 2026 Practice Guidelines before you approach a block grant recipient; because each practice is capped at $75,000, a project aiming for the $150,000 maximum needs at least two practices.
Eligibility, how to apply, past winners
Eligibility
California farmers, ranchers and agricultural businesses adding soil-health practices that are new to the field on cropland, orchards, vineyards or grazing land in California, from a list of 28 practices such as compost, cover crops, hedgerows and reduced tillage.
How to apply
Through a partner: apply to the HSP Block Grant Recipient serving your area once it opens its local solicitation; CDFA will post recipients on the Healthy Soils page.
Who qualifies fit
farms & ag producers
Equity taken
None
Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-28

Dairy Plus Program

California Department of Food and Agriculture — Office of Agricultural Resilience and Sustainability (Dairy Plus Program)
Reimbursement: up to $1,250,000 per project, at most $750 per cow; no match required (2026 round)
GrantEquity-freefarm & food productionequipment & expansion
The catch: Reimbursement-based and subject to federal terms, because the money comes from an $85 million USDA award to the California Dairy Research Foundation; projects are tied to specific FSA farm, field and tract numbers and run 12 months. CDFA reserves at least 10% of funds over the program's life for small and historically underserved producers.
Next deadline: Next round not announced — check official page · Competitive rounds in 2023, 2024 and 2026 (2026 applications June 16 to September 14, 2026; awards expected November 2026)
Applicant tip: The 2026 round opened eligibility to 'AMMP-like' and 'DDRDP-like' practices already operating, so a dairy that built a manure system without a state grant can still qualify; register the farm with FSA before the next window.
Eligibility, how to apply, past winners
Eligibility
California dairy farms registered with USDA's Farm Service Agency that already have an AMMP or DDRDP project, or an operating or in-progress AMMP- or DDRDP-like practice, and want to add advanced manure management such as weeping walls, vermifiltration, advanced solid-liquid separation or centrifuges. One FSA-registered producer or entity per round; foreign persons and entities are not eligible.
How to apply
Direct application: apply to CDFA during a solicitation round; free technical assistance is available through the California Dairy Research Foundation ([email protected]).
Who qualifies fit
farms & ag producers
Equity taken
None
Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-28

3. City and county grants in California's largest cities

City and county money for one storefront is small and specific: most of these programs pay $500 to $15,000, usually as a reimbursement after you have paid the contractor, and each is tied to a purpose (a façade, ADA access, security cameras, vandalism repairs, a pop-up in a vacant space) or to one neighborhood. This section covers the ten most populous California cities in the Census Bureau's 2024 estimates and Los Angeles County. Seven of those eleven places run something you can apply to now or every year; Fresno, Oakland, Bakersfield and Anaheim have closed their façade, security and start-up rounds with no new money announced, and the City of Los Angeles's only standing offer is a loan. Most windows stay open until the budget runs out, so applying early matters more than any deadline. The common mistake is starting work first: San Diego pays nothing for work begun before your design is approved. See how reimbursement grants pay out, and if your city is the applicant, the economic development grants guide.

9 programs

San Diego

Storefront Improvement Program (SIP)

San Diego — Economic Development Department (Storefront Improvement Program)
Reimbursement: half of eligible construction costs up to $8,000 (standard); two-thirds up to $12,000 for historic restoration (75% in the City's April 2026 presentation); half up to $16,000 for a property owner with 3+ street-facing small business tenants; Promise Zone projects get 30% on top. Free professional design assistance included
GrantEquity-freestorefront & propertyexpert help
The catch: Reimbursement: you pay the full construction cost and submit expense documentation after the approved design is installed. Work started before you apply is not eligible, maintenance does not count, and contractors must be licensed. You need the property owner's written permission and a refundable $250 deposit, and a property can get one rebate every five years.
Next deadline: Rolling · Standing program under Council Policy 900-17; applications accepted year-round while the annual budget lasts (FY2025: 36 projects, $138,800 disbursed)
Applicant tip: Budget for the whole project up front: the average project in the City's April 2026 review cost about $23,500 against an $8,000 standard rebate. A Promise Zone address adds 30% to the approved rebate, so check your address before you set the scope.
Eligibility, how to apply, past winners
Eligibility
Small businesses with 25 or fewer employees located in the City of San Diego, with a valid business tax certificate, occupying a street-level storefront that faces a public street. National franchises, home-based businesses, office buildings over 80,000 square feet, residential rental buildings, religious institutions and government buildings are excluded, as are properties that received a SIP rebate in the past five years and applicants who applied in the past two years.
How to apply
Direct application: submit the online SeamlessDocs application with two photos of the storefront; the program administrator contacts you within 10 business days, then the City works with you on a design plan before any work starts.
Who qualifies fit
storefront & retail, restaurants & food
Equity taken
None
Who wins
In FY2025 the program completed 36 projects and disbursed $138,800; past rebates on the City's page range from $517 (paint, mural, solar sconces) to $8,000 (signage, lighting, new doors), per the program page and the April 2026 Small Business Advisory Board presentation.
Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-28

San Francisco

Accessible Barrier Removal Grant

San Francisco — Office of Economic and Workforce Development (Accessible Barrier Removal Grant)
Reimbursement: up to $10,000 per business location
GrantEquity-freestorefront & propertyexpert help
The catch: Reimbursement: you pay first and submit paid invoices, proof of payment and photos. Construction and installation costs are reimbursed only if your contractor pays prevailing wage, permitted work needs its permits, and minor items need a building permit or a CASp report showing ADA compliance. One grant per location, and only projects completed on or after January 1, 2025 qualify.
Next deadline: Jun 11, 2027 · Rolling while funds last; the current window closes when funding runs out or on June 11, 2027 at 5 pm, whichever comes first (the grant re-opened in August 2026)
Applicant tip: Start with a Certified Access Specialist (CASp) inspection: it is an eligible cost, and if your first award covers only the inspection you can apply again at the same location for the improvements, up to the rest of the $10,000. Confirm your contractor pays prevailing wage before you sign, because labor paid below it is not reimbursed.
Eligibility, how to apply, past winners
Eligibility
San Francisco businesses with an active Business Account Number that operate a place of public accommodation, have under $2.5 million in gross revenue for a single location (under $8 million across multiple locations), average 100 or fewer employees, have no open notices of violation and are in good standing with the Secretary of State and the Franchise Tax Board. Property owners qualify only if they also run the business; home-based businesses, mall tenants, private clubs, religious organizations and Shared Spaces operations are excluded. Nonprofits that operate a public accommodation may qualify.
How to apply
Direct application: apply online through sf.gov with paid invoices, proof of payment and photos for finished work, or quotes dated within the last six months for work in progress; the Office of Small Business offers permit-specialist appointments before construction.
Who qualifies fit
storefront & retail, restaurants & food
Equity taken
None
Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-28

Vacant to Vibrant

San Francisco — Office of Economic and Workforce Development (Vacant to Vibrant, run with SF New Deal)
Grants of $2,000–$10,000 plus a three-month downtown pop-up space with the lease signed by SF New Deal
GrantEquity-freestorefront & propertyexpert help
The catch: You get the grant and space only if a property owner selects your concept, and matching can take two to six months. The free lease runs three months; SF New Deal and the Office of Small Business help you negotiate an extension but cannot guarantee a long-term placement.
Next deadline: Rolling · Rolling: applications accepted year-round since 2023; matching to a space takes two to six months
Applicant tip: Plan for the gap between acceptance and opening: the grant and the three-month space start only once a property owner picks you, which can take up to six months. A dedicated SF New Deal project manager handles the pop-up permits, so spend that time on inventory and marketing.
Eligibility, how to apply, past winners
Eligibility
Small businesses, artists, entrepreneurs and cultural organizations ready to run a pop-up in a vacant downtown San Francisco storefront. Previous experience operating retail, food or arts spaces or events in San Francisco is encouraged but not required. Property owners apply separately to host pop-ups.
How to apply
Through a partner: apply online at vibrantsf.org (SF New Deal); an advisory committee scores applications within 30–45 days, finalists interview, and high-scoring concepts are pitched to participating property owners.
Who qualifies fit
storefront & retail, restaurants & food
Equity taken
None
Who wins
The City said the program will have activated 30 downtown storefronts since 2023, including nine new pop-ups in 2025, and that more than half of eligible pop-ups signed long-term leases (City release, March 13, 2026).
Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-28

Long Beach

Visual Improvement Program (VIP) Grant

Long Beach — Economic Development & Opportunity (Visual Improvement Program)
Up to $1,000 for storefront repairs caused by vandalism or property crime
GrantEquity-freestorefront & propertyrecovery & rebuilding
The catch: Applications are reviewed only as funding becomes available, so a preliminary application can sit in a queue. You have to show the damage happened on or after October 1, 2023, and the current award covers storefront repairs only, up to $1,000.
Next deadline: Rolling · Rolling: preliminary applications accepted on an ongoing basis and reviewed as funding becomes available (program launched February 2023)
Applicant tip: Keep dated photos and repair invoices: the City asks for proof of when the damage happened. If your storefront also needs cameras or lighting, the City's separate Safe & Secure grant covers security upgrades.
Eligibility, how to apply, past winners
Eligibility
Long Beach small businesses and nonprofits with a storefront whose property was damaged by crime or vandalism on or after October 1, 2023. The program's 2023 launch rules also required a City business license, independent ownership, fewer than 200 employees and gross revenue of $2 million or less.
How to apply
Direct application: submit a preliminary application through the City's small business grants page; free application help from the BizCare Hotline at 562-570-4249 or [email protected].
Who qualifies fit
storefront & retail, restaurants & food
Equity taken
None
Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-28

Safe & Secure Long Beach Grant Program

Long Beach — Economic Development & Opportunity (Safe & Secure Grant)
Reimbursement: $750 for storefronts of 1,500 sq ft or less; $1,500 for 1,500–5,000 sq ft or 25+ linear feet of street frontage
GrantEquity-freestorefront & propertyequipment & expansion
The catch: Reimbursement: you buy and install the security cameras, floodlights, alarms, reinforced windows, doors, locks or point-of-sale system first and are repaid afterward. Security fencing is approved case by case and must meet City codes and permits.
Next deadline: Rolling · Rolling until funds are exhausted (launched September 2, 2026)
Applicant tip: Measure your storefront and frontage before you apply: a space under 1,500 square feet still qualifies for the $1,500 grant if it has 25 or more linear feet of street frontage.
Eligibility, how to apply, past winners
Eligibility
Small businesses operating a publicly accessible storefront inside the City of Long Beach with an active City of Long Beach business license.
How to apply
Direct application: apply online at longbeach.gov/safesecurebiz.
Who qualifies fit
storefront & retail, restaurants & food
Equity taken
None
Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-28

Sacramento

CORE Tiered and Reimbursement Grants (Cannabis Opportunity Reinvestment and Equity)

Sacramento — Office of Cannabis Management (CORE Grants)
Tiered grants for CORE businesses working toward a Business Operating Permit (amounts set each cycle, not published); $10,000 reimbursement grant for CORE businesses that already hold one
GrantEquity-freeany business use
The catch: Funded by a state GO-Biz cannabis equity grant. You sign a grant agreement, submit a budget for spending the money within six months on opening or keeping open a regulated cannabis business in Sacramento, and file receipts; missing documentation, a past-due CORE Capital Loan or a Business Operations Tax default disqualifies you. Reimbursement grants cover expenses dated within the expenditure window, and grants are generally taxable.
Next deadline: Next cycle not announced — check official page · Annual (fall), now in its fourth year: the 2026 Fall Tiered and Reimbursement cycle ran September 21–October 2, 2026
Applicant tip: Get receipts for your last grant certified early: in 2026, previous grantees over $5,000 needed OCM's confirmation by September 11, ten days before the window opened. Each tier is limited to four non-consecutive awards in two years.
Eligibility, how to apply, past winners
Eligibility
Verified participants in Sacramento's CORE cannabis equity program whose business is either working toward a Business Operating Permit (Tier One: conditional use permit applied for or received, a small manufacturer or a testing lab; Tier Two: building permits; Tier Three: certificate of occupancy) or already holds one (reimbursement grant). Past grantees must have documented that 100% of their prior grant went to the approved business.
How to apply
Direct application: apply online during the cycle window with ownership documents, Secretary of State filings, a notarized statement of owner consent and your tier's permit documents; previous grantees who received over $5,000 first need OCM's confirmation of their expenditure records.
Who qualifies fit
storefront & retail, manufacturers
Equity taken
None
Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-28

Los Angeles County

Sidewalk Vendor Formalization Grant (Small Business Mobility Fund)

Los Angeles County — Department of Economic Opportunity (Small Business Mobility Fund Formalization Grants)
$500 per vendor, paid by Inclusive Action for the City toward permit and compliance costs
GrantEquity-freeequipment & expansion
The catch: The $500 is paid directly by Inclusive Action for the City toward required licenses (seller's permit, DBA), card-payment equipment and setup items such as tables and umbrellas, not as unrestricted cash. Only merchandise vendors are covered in the current period, and a record of repeated health and safety violations can disqualify you.
Next deadline: Rolling · Rolling while funds last; the latest application period opened October 13, 2026, after earlier periods from March 2025
Applicant tip: Sign up for the sidewalk vending workshop for merchandise vendors and get your seller's permit before you apply: both are on the required list, and scoring favors vendors already taking part in DEO's Economic Mobility Initiative programs.
Eligibility, how to apply, past winners
Eligibility
Self-employed sidewalk vendors who sell merchandise from a single cart in unincorporated Los Angeles County, live in the county, have operated continuously for at least 12 months, have household income of $75,000 or less, and hold or are seeking a Sidewalk Vending Registration Certificate. Vendors who received an ARPA-funded COVID-19 recovery grant from a local government or the state's COVID-19 Relief Grant are not eligible.
How to apply
Direct application: apply online through DEO's Formalization Grants page with a government ID, California seller's permit, SSN or ITIN, a DBA filing if needed and your vending location; DEO's Office of Small Business helps at (844) 432-4900.
Who qualifies fit
storefront & retail
Equity taken
None
Official page ↗ · Open listing · On OpenGrants ↗Verified 2026-10-28

San Jose

Storefront Activation Grants (Vacant Storefront and Existing Storefront)

San Jose — Office of Economic Development and Cultural Affairs (Storefront Activation Grants)
Up to $15,000 toward opening costs in a ground-floor space vacant over three months; up to $10,000 reimbursement for exterior improvements to an existing storefront (caps from the City's fact sheet; confirm current amounts)
GrantEquity-freestorefront & property
The catch: You need at least three years remaining on your lease. The existing-storefront grant reimburses fees and pedestrian-facing improvements such as signage, sidewalk repair or curb cafés after you pay for them. The program was refilled with American Rescue Plan Act money, and the City does not publish how much remains.
Next deadline: Rolling · Rolling, first come first served while funds last
Applicant tip: Email the program manager before you sign a lease or order signage: funding is first come, first served, and the vacant-storefront grant depends on the space having been empty more than three months, which is easiest to document before you move in.
Eligibility, how to apply, past winners
Eligibility
Small businesses leasing a San Jose ground-floor space that has been vacant longer than three months, or small retail businesses already occupying a ground-floor space, with at least three years left on the lease.
How to apply
Direct application: contact the program manager named on the City's Small Business Resources page (Minh Tran, [email protected]) to apply.
Who qualifies fit
storefront & retail, restaurants & food
Equity taken
None
Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-28

Los Angeles

JEDI Zone Microloan Program

Los Angeles — Community Investment Department (JEDI Zone Microloan)
Loan: $10,000–$50,000 over 5 years at a reduced interest rate, with no payments in year one
Loan or guaranteeEquity-freeworking capitalequipment & expansion
The catch: A loan, not a grant: payments are deferred in year one, but interest accrues from the loan date and is added to principal, then fully amortizing payments run in years two through five. Home-based and P.O. box businesses are ineligible. Federal or local funds are involved, so construction labor on financed improvements must be paid prevailing wage.
Next deadline: Rolling · Rolling until funding is exhausted
Applicant tip: Check your address on the City's ZIMAS map before you call: only businesses inside a designated JEDI Zone qualify, and zones are added corridor by corridor (Council District 9's Goodyear Tract was announced in August 2025).
Eligibility, how to apply, past winners
Eligibility
Microenterprises and small businesses with no more than 25 employees, located in an approved Jobs and Economic Development Incentive (JEDI) Zone in the City of Los Angeles, at a non-residential address, with an active Business Tax Registration Certificate, that private lenders cannot accommodate. The Community Investment Department's page caps annual revenue at $1 million depending on NAICS code; the earlier EWDD page said $3 million.
How to apply
Through a partner: email the JEDI Zones team ([email protected], 213-744-7150) or your JEDI Zone program manager for an application; loans are made with the Los Angeles Development Fund and Pacific Asian Consortium in Employment (PACE).
Who qualifies fit
any small business
Equity taken
None (loan repaid with interest)
Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-28

4. Wildfire and disaster recovery money

Disaster money for California businesses comes in three forms: small grants that open for a few weeks after a specific fire or spill, low-interest loans and loan guarantees, and tax relief. The grants are small and local, $1,000 to $10,000: Los Angeles County opens a recovery round after County-designated incidents, San Francisco keeps a standing fund for storefronts damaged by fire or a vehicle, and LISC Los Angeles has run rounds for businesses hit by the January 2025 fires. Nearly every Eaton and Palisades fire grant closed in 2025. What is left is mostly credit (a 3% community loan fund, the state's guarantee through your own bank) and relief that reopens after every declared emergency. Federal SBA disaster loans, up to $2 million, are the largest source and are not listed here; apply in parallel. The common mistake is waiting for the insurance check: the County's 2026 round was open just over three weeks, and LISC LA and San Francisco ask for your insurance status, not a settled claim. See grants vs. loans and the state bank's funder profile.

7 programs

Disaster Relief Grant (fire or vehicular accident)

San Francisco — Office of Economic and Workforce Development (Disaster Relief Grant)
Up to $10,000
GrantEquity-freerecovery & rebuildingworking capitalequipment & expansion
The catch: The grant can pay for inventory, equipment, a security deposit on a new lease, salaries or other costs that stabilize cash flow, and the City asks for your insurance status and recovery plan. If the business caused the fire or accident it is not eligible, and funding is first come, first served.
Next deadline: Rolling · Rolling, first come first served while funds last; apply within 12 months of the incident
Applicant tip: Apply as soon as you have the fire investigation or police report: eligibility ends 12 months after the incident, and the City answers within two weeks of a complete application. Ask the Office of Small Business at the same time about its low-interest loans and lease or relocation help.
Eligibility, how to apply, past winners
Eligibility
San Francisco businesses registered with an active Business Account Number at the time of the incident, physically damaged at a permanent location within the past 12 months by a fire or vehicular accident that was not their fault, with $5 million or less in gross revenue, an average of 100 or fewer employees, good standing with the Secretary of State and the Franchise Tax Board, and a plan to reopen or relocate in San Francisco. Mobile and home-based businesses and residential property managers are excluded; nonprofits may qualify.
How to apply
Direct application: request the application form from the Small Business Grants Team at [email protected], then submit it with photos, financial losses, recovery costs, insurance status and the fire investigation or police report.
Who qualifies fit
disaster-affected businesses, storefront & retail, restaurants & food
Equity taken
None
Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-28

Small Business Recovery Grant (Lineage Fire and East Los Angeles Oil Spill)

Los Angeles County — Department of Economic Opportunity (Small Business Recovery Grant)
$3,000 for brick-and-mortar businesses; $1,000 for home-based businesses with customer presence, sidewalk vendors and mobile businesses
GrantEquity-freerecovery & rebuildingworking capital
The catch: Only addresses inside the County's mapped impact areas qualify, whatever the ZIP code. If eligible applications exceed the money available, the County prioritizes by impact and uses a weighted lottery; the rest go on a waitlist. Southern California Grantmakers is the fiscal sponsor.
Next deadline: Closed October 9, 2026 — eligible applicants not selected are waitlisted; the next round depends on the next County-designated incident · Opens after a County-designated incident: the 2026 round ran September 17–October 9, 2026 (deadline extended one week); the County ran the LA Region Small Business Relief Fund for the January 2025 fires
Applicant tip: Open the impact-area map before you start the application: eligibility is decided by address, and the County verifies it during review. For the next incident, sign up for updates from DEO's Office of Small Business, which ran this round and extended it once.
Eligibility, how to apply, past winners
Eligibility
Small businesses inside the County-designated impact areas of the June 17, 2026 Lineage Fire or the May 22, 2026 East Los Angeles oil spill, operating there at least 30 days before the incident, with 100 or fewer employees including affiliates and $6 million or less in annual gross receipts, whose majority owner applies and shows or attests to a business disruption from the incident.
How to apply
Direct application: online through the County's grant administrator, AidKit; DEO's Office of Small Business ((844) 432-4900) offers in-person help in East Los Angeles.
Who qualifies fit
disaster-affected businesses, storefront & retail
Equity taken
None
Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-28

LA Rise & Renew Wildfire Recovery Grant

LISC Los Angeles — LA Rise & Renew Wildfire Recovery Grant Program
$5,000 micro-grants
GrantEquity-freerecovery & rebuildingequipment & expansion
The catch: At least 80% of the grant must go to tangible assets (equipment, technology, inventory, physical repairs); up to 20% may cover payroll, rent or utilities. You must disclose FEMA, SBA, insurance and other relief, and LISC LA may reduce the award to avoid paying twice for the same loss.
Next deadline: Next round not announced — check official page · Rounds announced by LISC LA: the 2026 round ran April 2–August 31, 2026 (deadline extended)
Applicant tip: Assemble dated photos, repair estimates and your insurance claim number or denial before a round opens: those are the proof of impact LISC LA asks for. Finalists hear about 4–6 weeks after the deadline and are paid by ACH 2–4 weeks after verification.
Eligibility, how to apply, past winners
Eligibility
For-profit small businesses with a physical street address in a FEMA-declared January 2025 wildfire area of Los Angeles County, annual gross revenue under $2 million, an owner 18 or older and a business bank account that can take ACH. Businesses that already received LISC LA wildfire relief for the January 2025 fires are ineligible; Pacific Palisades, Altadena and businesses already working with LISC LA partners get priority.
How to apply
Direct application: online at lariseandrenew.org with proof of address in the fire area, proof of wildfire impact, proof the business exists and a voided check or bank letter; no fee.
Who qualifies fit
disaster-affected businesses
Equity taken
None
Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-28

RESTORE LA Fund

Pacific Community Ventures — RESTORE LA Fund
Loan: $10,000–$100,000 at 3% fixed for 1–7 years, no fees
Loan or guaranteeEquity-freerecovery & rebuildingworking capitalequipment & expansion
The catch: A loan you repay monthly from business cash flow, with a personal guarantee from every owner of more than 20%. No application or closing fees, collateral or minimum credit score, and no prepayment penalty; the first 1 or 6 months are interest-only.
Next deadline: Rolling · Rolling while the $3 million fund lasts
Applicant tip: If you are rebuilding with efficiency or resilience upgrades, ask about PCV's climate lending (5%, up to $500,000), which RESTORE LA borrowers can reach from the start. Send the wildfire documents early, because the 2–5 week decision clock starts after IBank pre-screening.
Eligibility, how to apply, past winners
Eligibility
California-registered businesses located in Los Angeles County whose revenue fell because of the 2025 LA wildfires, the June 2025 civic unrest and curfews or related 2025 disruptions, that have generated revenue for at least 10 months (the exclusions list says 12), have enough cash flow for monthly payments and a recent record of paying bills on time. Rideshare and transportation, real estate, cannabis and nonprofit enterprises, and businesses reporting net losses, are excluded.
How to apply
Direct application: take PCV's eligibility check, then apply in its Lenderfit portal with business tax returns, a year-to-date P&L, a debt schedule, three bank statements and a personal tax return; decisions take 2–5 weeks after your wildfire documents go to IBank for pre-screening.
Who qualifies fit
disaster-affected businesses, any small business
Equity taken
None (loan repaid with interest)
Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-28

Small Business Disaster Relief Loan Guarantee Program

California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (IBank) — Small Business Finance Center (Disaster Relief Loan Guarantee)
Loan guarantee: up to 95% of a lender's loan, maximum guarantee $1 million, for up to 7 years
Loan or guaranteeEquity-freerecovery & rebuildingworking capital
The catch: IBank does not lend the money: you borrow from a private lender and repay the whole loan, and the lender sets the rate, terms and credit criteria. IBank's page still frames eligibility around the March 2020 COVID-19 declaration even though its FAQ covers wildfires and other declared disasters, so confirm with the lender that your disaster qualifies.
Next deadline: Rolling · Standing program, available to businesses in declared disaster areas
Applicant tip: Bring the guarantee up by name when a lender says your disaster loss makes you too risky: covering up to 95% of the loan is what the program uses to get banks to say yes. An SBDC adviser can point you to a participating lender, since IBank takes no direct applications.
Eligibility, how to apply, past winners
Eligibility
California small businesses with 1–750 employees (sole proprietors with a Schedule C or F, seller's permit or DBA; LLCs, corporations, partnerships and cooperatives; nonprofits) located in a declared disaster area that suffered a physical or economic loss from a wildfire, COVID-19 or another officially declared disaster. Passive real estate businesses are excluded, and citizenship and immigration status are not considered.
How to apply
Through a partner: apply for a loan with a participating lender (a local Small Business Development Center can help); the lender requests IBank's guarantee.
Who qualifies fit
disaster-affected businesses, any small business
Equity taken
None (loan repaid with interest)
Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-28

State of Emergency Tax Relief

California Department of Tax and Fee Administration (State of Emergency Tax Relief)
Tax relief: up to three months' extension to file and pay, plus possible relief from penalties and interest; no cash
Tax incentiveEquity-freerecovery & rebuildingworking capital
The catch: The tax itself is still owed: relief moves the due date and can forgive penalties and interest, and you must show the disaster kept you from filing or paying on time. Relief for interstate diesel fuel tax under IFTA covers only California's share.
Next deadline: Rolling · Reopens after each declared state of emergency; CDTFA lists declarations from the past three years
Applicant tip: Check CDTFA's declaration table first: relief applies only to counties listed for a declared emergency, and the online request gives you a confirmation number to keep. Copies of returns, audits or permits lost in the disaster are free at 1-800-400-7115.
Eligibility, how to apply, past winners
Eligibility
Taxpayers directly affected by a disaster in a county covered by a declared state of emergency who cannot meet filing and payment deadlines for sales and use tax or other CDTFA-administered taxes and fees (fuel, cannabis, alcohol, tire fee and others). Declarations made in 2026 cover fires in Los Angeles (June), Calaveras (August) and Tuolumne (October) counties, an Orange County chemical incident, and storms in Sonoma, Mendocino, Ventura, Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz counties.
How to apply
Direct application: log in to CDTFA online services, select your account, choose More, then Submit a Relief Request; or file form CDTFA-735 with the office for your tax program.
Who qualifies fit
disaster-affected businesses, any small business
Equity taken
None
Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-28

Outsmart Disaster (Resiliency Roadmap and recovery resources)

California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) — Outsmart Disaster
Free: step-by-step Resiliency Roadmap with business continuity forms, workshops and coaching from trained local partners, and lists of open recovery grants and loans
Free advisingEquity-freeexpert helprecovery & rebuilding
The catch: No money changes hands: it is planning tools, training and referrals. Its resource lists can lag (the Los Angeles wildfire page, last updated January 15, 2026, still showed some grants whose deadlines had passed), so confirm each program on its own page.
Next deadline: Rolling · Standing program; a Train-the-Trainer network launched in March 2026
Applicant tip: Do the insurance-and-finances step of the Roadmap before a disaster: it is where you review coverage and line up relief options. After a disaster, its Los Angeles page lists recovery centers, SBDC disaster help and the loan funds still taking applications.
Eligibility, how to apply, past winners
Eligibility
Any California small business, before or after a disaster.
How to apply
Direct application: work through the Resiliency Roadmap at outsmartdisaster.calosba.ca.gov; trained facilitators at local business support organizations deliver workshops and one-on-one coaching.
Who qualifies fit
any small business, disaster-affected businesses
Equity taken
None
Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-28

5. Employment Training Panel and other workforce funds

California's largest pot of business training money is the Employment Training Panel, funded by the Employment Training Tax that employers pay alongside unemployment insurance. It is not money up front: ETP reimburses a fixed rate, $22 to $28 per classroom hour, for each worker who completes at least 8 hours of approved training and then stays employed full time for 90 days at ETP's wage floor. For FY 2026-27 ETP has $114 million, split among single-employer contracts of up to $650,000, a $5.7 million small business set-aside, Multiple Employer Contracts run by chambers, colleges and workforce boards, and an apprenticeship allocation with one window a year. Apprenticeship sponsors can add the Division of Apprenticeship Standards' formula funding, and local workforce boards repay part of a new hire's wages through on-the-job training. The common mistake is counting the money before retention ends: a trainee who quits on day 80 earns you nothing, and you must also show your own contribution. See how reimbursement affects cash flow and the Employment Training Panel funder page.

7 programs

Employment Training Panel Core Contract Funds (Single Employer)

California Employment Training Panel — Cal-E-Force Contract Funds (Single Employer)
Reimbursement: up to $650,000 per single-employer contract in FY 2026-27, earned per trainee at fixed rates of $24 per training hour ($28 in priority industries, $11 for computer-based training)
GrantEquity-freehiring & training
The catch: Reimbursement only, earned per trainee: ETP pays nothing until a trainee completes at least 8 (and no more than 200) hours of approved training and then stays employed full time (35+ hours a week) for 90 consecutive days at ETP's post-retention minimum wage, which varies by county. Training must fall inside the contract term (up to 24 months, training within 21) and nothing is retroactive. A single employer must put in a contribution of at least 100% of the ETP amount, usually the wages it pays staff while they are in class, and unionized trainees need a union support letter.
Next deadline: Rolling · Fiscal-year funding (July 1–June 30): the FY 2026-27 Cal-E-Force window opened May 1, 2026 and ETP's funding page lists Contract Funds as open; the Panel approves proposals at monthly meetings
Applicant tip: Check your NAICS code against ETP's priority-industry list before you size the request: priority sectors such as manufacturing, construction, food service and professional services are reimbursed at $28 an hour instead of $24 for the same class. Plan retention as carefully as training, because a trainee who leaves before day 90 earns you nothing for their hours.
Eligibility, how to apply, past winners
Eligibility
California employers that pay unemployment insurance and are subject to the Employment Training Tax, are registered with the Secretary of State, and train their own California-resident employees. Trainees are usually retrainees on payroll at least 90 days before training; managers and supervisors are limited to 20% of trainees, and your full-time turnover should not exceed 20% for the prior year. Car-dealer mechanic training, commission retail, gambling, mortgage banking, multi-level marketing, partners in professional firms and adult entertainment are under a FY 2026-27 moratorium.
How to apply
Direct application: register your company in ETP's Cal-E-Force system and submit an application for FY 2026-27 funds (the window opened May 1, 2026); an ETP analyst develops the proposal with you and the Panel votes on it at a monthly public meeting. You can authorize a subcontractor to help with the application.
Who qualifies fit
employers with staff
Equity taken
None
Who wins
The Panel's October 23, 2026 agenda included proposals from Bay Alarm Company ($273,120), Kings Oil Tools ($184,800), Cook Engineering ($105,840) and Erickson-Hall Construction ($94,500).
Official page ↗ · Open listing · On OpenGrants ↗Verified 2026-10-28

Employment Training Panel Small Business Contract

California Employment Training Panel — Cal-E-Force Contract Funds (Small Business)
Reimbursement: $28 per training hour per trainee ($11 for computer-based training) within the $650,000 single-employer cap; ETP set aside $5,713,571 for small business contracts in FY 2026-27
GrantEquity-freehiring & training
The catch: The same performance rules as every ETP contract: each trainee needs at least 8 training hours and then 90 consecutive days of full-time work at ETP's post-retention wage before you are paid, and nothing spent before the contract starts counts. Small businesses must contribute at least 50% of the ETP amount in their own costs, such as wages paid while staff are in class. The small business pot is 5% of ETP's FY 2026-27 money, the smallest of its allocations.
Next deadline: Rolling · Fiscal-year funding (July 1–June 30): the FY 2026-27 Cal-E-Force window opened May 1, 2026; the Panel approves proposals at monthly meetings
Applicant tip: Put yourself in the training plan: a small business contract is the only ETP contract type that pays for owner and top-executive hours, as long as at least one employee trains as well. Count only full-time employees in California for the 100-employee test.
Eligibility, how to apply, past winners
Eligibility
California employers with 100 or fewer full-time employees in California and no more than 250 worldwide, paying unemployment insurance and the Employment Training Tax. Owners with at least a 20% stake who work full time in the business can be trained with no wage requirement, and top executives can be paid for only in small business projects, but at least one employee must train too. The FY 2026-27 industry moratorium applies.
How to apply
Direct application: apply in Cal-E-Force for FY 2026-27 funds as a single small business. If you would rather not hold a contract yourself, join a Multiple Employer Contract run by a chamber, college or trade group instead.
Who qualifies fit
any small business, employers with staff
Equity taken
None
Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-28

Employment Training Panel Multiple Employer Contracts (MEC), including Entrepreneurial training

California Employment Training Panel — Cal-E-Force Contract Funds (Multiple Employer Contracts)
Reimbursement paid to the contract holder: $28 per training hour for small business and entrepreneurial trainees ($11 computer-based); each MEC is capped at $900,000 in FY 2026-27, from a $28,567,854 allocation
GrantEquity-freehiring & trainingexpert help
The catch: The money goes to the contract holder, not to you, and is earned per trainee only after 8+ hours of training and 90 days of full-time retention at ETP's wage floor. The MEC must show a contribution of at least 50% of the ETP amount, usually your wages paid during training. An entrepreneurial owner must end the retention period with at least as many full-time employees as at the start.
Next deadline: Rolling · Fiscal-year funding (July 1–June 30): holders apply in Cal-E-Force from May 1 and enroll participating employers during a contract term of up to 24 months
Applicant tip: Ask the contract holder which category your staff will be enrolled under: small business and entrepreneurial trainees are reimbursed at $28 an hour, standard retraining in a non-priority industry at $24, which changes how much training the holder can afford to give you.
Eligibility, how to apply, past winners
Eligibility
Contracts are held by chambers of commerce, California workforce development boards, licensed or accredited training agencies, professional and membership organizations and DAS-approved apprenticeship programs. Your business joins as a participating employer, must meet ETP's employer rules and signs a certification before training. Entrepreneurial training is for owners who employ 1 to 9 full-time frontline staff and are registered California employers paying UI tax.
How to apply
Through a partner: ask your chamber, community college contract-education office, trade association or local workforce board whether it holds an ETP Multiple Employer Contract and sign on as a participating employer. The holder applies in Cal-E-Force with a list of participating employers covering 80% of its planned trainees.
Who qualifies fit
any small business, employers with staff
Equity taken
None
Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-28

Employment Training Panel Apprenticeship Program

California Employment Training Panel — Core Funds (Apprenticeship Program)
Reimbursement: $22 per classroom hour per apprentice and $28 per hour for pre-apprentices and journeyworkers, from a $28,567,854 FY 2026-27 apprenticeship allocation
GrantEquity-freehiring & training
The catch: Reimbursement earned per trainee in three invoices: after 8 hours of training, after training ends, and after the trainee meets the 90-day (or approved apprenticeship alternative) retention and post-retention wage. Training must be instructor-led, every apprentice must be registered with DAS by the window's close, and an organization cannot hold an apprenticeship contract and a second Multiple Employer Contract from the same funding at once. Employers are not required to contribute toward training costs.
Next deadline: Next window not announced — check official page (the FY 2026-27 window closed June 22, 2026) · Annual window: the FY 2026-27 window ran May 11–June 22, 2026, with contracts awarded at the September 25, 2026 Panel meeting
Applicant tip: Get every apprentice registered with DAS well before the window closes: ETP pulls DAS registration data the next business day and calculates the award from it. ETP money can be braided with DAS Related and Supplemental Instruction (RSI) reimbursement for the same apprentices.
Eligibility, how to apply, past winners
Eligibility
Sponsors of apprenticeship programs approved by California's Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS); programs registered only with the U.S. Department of Labor are not eligible. ETP sizes awards from the apprentices registered with DAS when the window closes, with no minimum or maximum number. An employer that does not sponsor its own program takes part through its apprenticeship program's contract.
How to apply
Direct application: the DAS-approved program sponsor applies in Cal-E-Force during the annual apprenticeship window, using ETP's Multiple Employer Contract template; employer or union support letters are not required.
Who qualifies fit
employers with staff
Equity taken
None
Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-28

Paid Family Leave Small Business Grant (PFL SB 4)

California Employment Training Panel — Paid Family Leave Small Business Grant (PFL SB)
Cash payment through an intermediary: $2,000 per employee on Paid Family Leave for businesses with 50 or fewer employees, $1,000 for businesses with 51–100 ($920,000 statewide in round 4)
GrantEquity-freehiring & training
The catch: You do not apply to ETP; the intermediary decides enrollment and pays you once the number of your employees on leave is established. You report your CEAN, NAICS code, each employee's EDD customer account number and type of leave, and whether the money will upskill existing staff or hire a replacement. The whole round is $920,000 and unspent money returns to the state.
Next deadline: Rolling · Periodic rounds run through intermediaries: PFL SB 3 in 2024, PFL SB 4 (intermediary applications January 26–February 13, 2026); round 4 grant activity runs from June 2026 and must finish by June 2028
Applicant tip: Call an awardee as soon as an employee files for Paid Family Leave: the payment is per employee on leave, so two employees on leave can double it, and ETP's solicitation expects most awards to average $2,000 or $4,000 per business.
Eligibility, how to apply, past winners
Eligibility
California businesses with 100 or fewer employees that have at least one employee using the state Paid Family Leave program, active with the Secretary of State and with their own California Employer Account Number. Businesses whose payroll runs under a professional employer organization's (PEO) account number are not eligible.
How to apply
Through a partner: contact a round 4 awardee (San Joaquin County Economic Development Association, Greater San Fernando Valley Chamber of Commerce or Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce), which enrolls small businesses and pays the micro-grants during the grant term.
Who qualifies fit
any small business, employers with staff
Equity taken
None
Who wins
ETP's notice of intent to award named three round 4 intermediaries: San Joaquin County Economic Development Association ($250,000), Greater San Fernando Valley Chamber of Commerce ($335,000) and Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce ($335,000), with final awards set for the March 27, 2026 Panel meeting.
Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-28

Apprenticeship Innovation Funding (AIF)

California Department of Industrial Relations — Division of Apprenticeship Standards (Apprenticeship Innovation Funding)
Formula reimbursement: $3,500 per active apprentice per year (prorated by month) plus $1,000 per completion, up to $2 million per program; training funding of $10.32 per training hour per apprentice
GrantEquity-freehiring & training
The catch: Formula money paid after the fact for apprentices you already trained in the prior calendar year, so the program carries its costs first and documents its expenses. Apprentices registered as "Firm agree to train" instead of with a named employer and wage do not count, and building and fire trades are excluded. With limited funds, round 4 put per-program caps on awards, which cut payments below the formula.
Next deadline: Next round not announced — check official page (round 4 closed April 17, 2026; DIR reports $88 million of the $95 million allocated has been awarded) · Annual reimbursement window: round 4 (FY 2025-26) ran February 10–April 17, 2026 for apprentices active in calendar 2025; rounds 1–3 ran in FY 2022-23 through FY 2024-25
Applicant tip: If your company runs its own program, list the company as the Name of Employer in the California Apprenticeship System rather than "Firm agree to train"; DAS's guidance says otherwise those apprentices drop out of the funding count.
Eligibility, how to apply, past winners
Eligibility
Sponsors of DAS-registered apprenticeship programs in occupations outside the building, construction and firefighting trades, such as healthcare, advanced manufacturing, IT, education and transportation. Sponsors can be private for-profit companies as well as unions, colleges, workforce boards, nonprofits and industry associations. Apprentices count only if registered in the California Apprenticeship System with an employer and a wage.
How to apply
Direct application: the program sponsor files the AIF-Support cover sheet, expense report and narrative during the annual window (the affiliated school usually files the AIF-Training forms). A company that wants to apply as a single employer first registers its own apprenticeship program with DAS.
Who qualifies fit
employers with staff
Equity taken
None
Who wins
Round 4 awards announced October 16, 2026 totaled $15.9 million to 67 programs, including Early Care & Education Pathways to Success ($1,885,000), LAUNCH Apprenticeship Network ($1,686,708) and Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority JATC ($679,958).
Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-28

On-the-Job Training (OJT) wage reimbursement from local workforce boards

California local workforce development boards — America's Job Centers of California (On-the-Job Training)
Reimbursement: commonly up to 50% of a new hire's wages during the training period (federal WIOA rules allow up to 75% in some cases); San Diego Workforce Partnership pays up to 50% for up to 1,040 hours
GrantEquity-freehiring & training
The catch: You pay the full wage and are reimbursed later (San Diego pays at the training midpoint and/or completion), and only hours actually worked count, not vacation or sick leave. The hire must be WIOA-eligible and come through the job center network, you agree to keep the employee after training, and you supply a training plan, a W-9 and proof of workers' compensation coverage. Rates, caps and fund availability differ by board.
Next deadline: Rolling · Rolling (year-round while each board has WIOA training funds)
Applicant tip: Bring the job center in while you are still interviewing: the OJT contract has to be signed before the person starts, and the center can check a candidate you found yourself for WIOA eligibility.
Eligibility, how to apply, past winners
Eligibility
California employers hiring a job seeker who qualifies for Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) services at the local job center. San Diego's published terms: full-time regular positions of 32+ hours a week paying $20 or more an hour, at a business operating at least 120 days in its current location, and you cannot lay off a worker to make room for the OJT hire.
How to apply
Through a partner: call the business services team at your local workforce board before you hire, for example City of Los Angeles Economic and Workforce Development Department (WorkSource Centers), Los Angeles County Department of Economic Opportunity (America's Job Centers), San Diego Workforce Partnership, work2future (San Jose), San Francisco Office of Economic and Workforce Development, Fresno Regional Workforce Development Board or Sacramento Employment and Training Agency, and sign an OJT contract before the new hire starts.
Who qualifies fit
employers with staff
Equity taken
None
Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-28

6. CDFI-run and corporate grants for California businesses

Outside government, recurring California small business money comes from three places: utilities, which pay for energy-saving equipment rather than cash; foundations and business groups backed by companies, which give a few $5,000 to $10,000 grants a year; and community development financial institutions (CDFIs), which lend rather than grant. The utility programs are the easiest to use: LADWP and SMUD business customers can get equipment installed or rebated year-round, and a restaurant on a SoCalGas, PG&E, SCE or SDG&E account gets an instant discount at a participating dealer. The cash grants are competitive, open for a few weeks a year and limited to one region or one industry. The two CDFIs listed make no grants; their loans run from $500 to $500,000 and neither sets a minimum credit score. The common mistake is waiting to hear about a window: each one is posted on the funder's own page, so sign up there. See how corporate grants work, the small business grants guide for contests open to any U.S. business, the startup business grants guide for pre-revenue founders, and the grants for women guide for women-owned businesses.

8 programs

Restaurants Care Resilience Fund

California Restaurant Foundation — Restaurants Care (Resilience Fund)
$5,000 per business in the 2026 round; PG&E's notices put earlier grants at $3,000 to $5,000
GrantEquity-freeequipment & expansionhiring & training
The catch: The money is for named uses: kitchen equipment, technology upgrades, employee training and retention, and unforeseen hardship. Only one location per owner can apply, the $3 million revenue cap is measured per location, and a past winner can come back only with a different location or concept. PG&E-funded awards are limited to PG&E's service area.
Next deadline: Next round not announced — check official page (the 2026 window ran June 1–30) · Annual since 2021: the sixth round took applications June 1–30, 2026
Applicant tip: Build the request around equipment or technology: those are 35% and 10% of all grant uses to date, and 70% of PG&E's 2024 recipients planned to spend the $5,000 on kitchen equipment or technology upgrades. PG&E set aside 55 of its 2026 grants for San Francisco restaurants and caterers, up from 30 the year before.
Eligibility, how to apply, past winners
Eligibility
Independent California restaurants and commercial caterers with up to five locations (only one location may apply), no more than $3 million in annual revenue for that location, and at least one full year in operation. Existing food businesses expanding into a brick-and-mortar location also qualify, and past recipients may apply only for a different location or concept. The PG&E Foundation's share of the grants goes to restaurants in PG&E's Northern and Central California service area.
How to apply
Direct application: apply online at restaurantscare.org/resilience while the annual window is open (June 1–30 in 2026); the page takes sign-ups for alerts about the next round.
Who qualifies fit
restaurants & food
Equity taken
None
Who wins
Since 2021 the fund has made 2,369 grants totaling $12 million; 90% of recipients are single-unit operators, averaging 11 years in business, across 50 counties (restaurantscare.org). In 2024 the PG&E Foundation funded $5,000 grants to 154 restaurants in 30 counties; 80% were single-location businesses and 79% of recipients identified as female.
Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-28

Small Business Empowerment Grant

Altura Foundation (Altura Credit Union) — Small Business Empowerment Grant
$10,000 per business; five grants in the 2026 round
GrantEquity-freeany business use
The catch: Only five awards a round. Altura Credit Union membership adds weight in scoring, and the Foundation favors businesses that serve underserved residents and promote wellness. You describe how you will use the money in the application; the 2024 FAQ says Altura does not otherwise monitor spending, pays by official check in October, and notes the IRS treats grants as business income.
Next deadline: Next round not announced — check official page (rounds closed September 6, 2024 and September 7, 2026; no 2025 round found) · Bi-annual per the Foundation, in late summer: the 2024 round closed September 6, 2024; the 2026 round ran August 3–September 7, 2026, with awards in October
Applicant tip: Use the video essay for the community case: the 2026 guide asks how the grant will help your outreach to the underserved or your wellness initiatives, and lists local hiring, mentorship and volunteering as examples. Have a profit-and-loss statement through the second quarter ready, since the current-year statement must show both income and expenses.
Eligibility, how to apply, past winners
Eligibility
Licensed and registered for-profit businesses located and providing services in Riverside County, in operation at least two years, with 10 or fewer employees and demonstrated financial stability. Sole proprietorships, partnerships, LLCs and S and C corporations qualify; nonprofits, Altura vendors, and businesses owned by (or related to) an Altura Credit Union or Altura Foundation employee or board member do not. Credit union membership is not required.
How to apply
Direct application: online application with a values narrative, a business narrative, a video essay of 5 minutes or less, and documents (business license or seller's permit, insurance carrier, proof of business type, most recent tax return, current W-9, and a current-year income and expense statement).
Who qualifies fit
any small business
Equity taken
None
Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-28

CalChamber Small Business Grant Awards

California Chamber of Commerce — Small Business Grant Awards (with the Sacramento Host Committee)
$5,000 per winner plus a one-year CalChamber Online Membership ($499 value); two awards in 2026, four in 2025
PrizeEquity-freeany business use
The catch: Competitive, with two to four awards a year judged by CalChamber and the Sacramento Host Committee. The grant is presented as a check at the June dinner in Sacramento. The program's terms and conditions set the size and eligibility tests, which the announcement pages do not state, so read them before you nominate.
Next deadline: Expected: April 2027 · Annual (spring): 2025 nominations closed April 11, 2025 (dinner June 4); 2026 nominations opened April 10 and closed May 8, 2026 (dinner June 10)
Applicant tip: Write the nomination around what the 2026 judges cited: job creation and business growth, creative workforce and employee-relations practices, community partnerships, and innovation. If you would rather not nominate yourself, ask your local chamber: in 2025 nominations could come from the business, a local chamber or a community member.
Eligibility, how to apply, past winners
Eligibility
Independently owned and operated small businesses that contribute to the California economy. In 2025 businesses could self-nominate or be nominated by a local chamber or community member, and two of the four grants were reserved for fire-impacted businesses. The revenue and size tests are in the program's terms and conditions, not on the announcement pages.
How to apply
Nomination: submit the Small Business Grants Submission Form while nominations are open (self-nominations were accepted in 2025); winners are presented at CalChamber's California Business Outlook and Dinner in Sacramento in June.
Who qualifies fit
any small business
Equity taken
None
Who wins
2026: EcoPress Sacramento, which upcycles plastic waste into furniture and art, and Zavikon of Calabasas, which matches job candidates with disabilities or neurodivergent applicants with employers, $5,000 each. 2025: four businesses, two of them fire-impacted.
Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-28

California Foodservice Instant Rebates Program

Southern California Gas Company (with PG&E, SCE and SDG&E) — California Foodservice Instant Rebates Program
Instant rebate: up to $3,000 per unit off the invoice for qualifying high-efficiency gas, electric and dual-fuel commercial kitchen equipment (amounts set per unit, cavity, vat, burner or foot on the 2026 list)
GrantEquity-freeclean vehicles & energyequipment & expansion
The catch: You get the rebate only through a participating dealer and only on models on the qualifying products list, and the fuel type has to match your account. Funds are first-come, first-served, and the program can be changed or ended without notice. Choosing the equipment and dealer is on you: none of the four utilities warrants the equipment or the dealer's work.
Next deadline: Rolling · Standing program, first-come first-served while funds last; the qualifying-equipment list is reissued, and the current list took effect January 1, 2026
Applicant tip: Before you choose a model, enter the ZIP code where the equipment will go into the program's eligibility lookup: it answers separately for natural gas, electric and dual-fuel equipment at that address, so a site that gets gas from one of the four utilities and power from a municipal utility may qualify for only one kind.
Eligibility, how to apply, past winners
Eligibility
Non-residential customers of SoCalGas, PG&E, SCE or SDG&E. The equipment must be installed at a non-residential site that gets gas or electric service from one of those utilities, and the equipment's fuel type must match the fuel type of your non-residential account.
How to apply
Through a partner: buy qualifying equipment from a participating dealer (dealer finder at caenergywise.com/instant-rebates) and the rebate comes off your invoice, with no paperwork for you. Questions go to (714) 787-1098 or [email protected].
Who qualifies fit
restaurants & food
Equity taken
None
Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-28

Commercial Direct Install (CDI) Program

Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) — Commercial Direct Install Program (with Willdan)
In-kind: no-cost energy-efficiency equipment and installation (LED lighting and controls, refrigeration upgrades, heat pump water heaters, efficient motors, anti-sweat heater controls, walk-in door closers); no dollar cap published
GrantEquity-freeclean vehicles & energy
The catch: You get equipment, not cash: the assessment decides which upgrades your site gets, a program-approved subcontractor must do the installation, and terms and conditions apply. Tenants need the landlord's permission. Only LADWP electric customers qualify, so a Los Angeles County business served by Southern California Edison or another utility cannot use it.
Next deadline: Rolling · Standing program since 2008 (launched as the Small Business Direct Install Program, renamed Commercial Direct Install in 2016)
Applicant tip: Check the monthly demand on your bill before you call: LADWP raised the limit from 30 kW at launch to 200 kW in 2016 and 250 kW in 2018, so medium-sized sites that were turned away years ago may qualify now. Refrigerated cases and walk-ins are where the listed savings are largest (up to $500 a year each for anti-sweat controls and auto door closers).
Eligibility, how to apply, past winners
Eligibility
LADWP non-residential electric customers in good standing whose average monthly electrical demand is 250 kW or less. Businesses that lease qualify with the landlord's permission; multifamily owners with five or more units may get common-area lighting upgrades.
How to apply
Direct application: submit the form at ladwp.com/cdi or contact Willdan ([email protected], 877-714-1254) to confirm eligibility; Willdan does a free on-site assessment and a program-approved subcontractor installs the upgrades.
Who qualifies fit
any small business, restaurants & food
Equity taken
None
Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-28

Complete Energy Solutions (CES) business incentives

Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) — Complete Energy Solutions (run by TRC Companies)
Rebate: per-measure incentives such as $1,500 per ton for heat pump HVAC replacing gas, $7,000 per heat pump water heater (50 gallons and up), $800 per induction hob, $2,500–$3,500 per Level 2 EV charging handle, and up to $7,000 for meter-side infrastructure upgrades on Go Electric projects
GrantEquity-freeclean vehicles & energy
The catch: Incentives are paid toward a defined project and the scope of work sets the total; funds are finite and go first-come, first-served. Go Electric projects need a recent gas bill, and the infrastructure stipend of up to $7,000 is decided case by case.
Next deadline: Rolling · Standing program; incentive funds are first-come, first-served for qualifying projects
Applicant tip: Bundle gas-to-electric replacements in one project: SMUD's own example is a retail store receiving $7,500 for a 5-ton heat pump HVAC system and $4,500 for a 65-gallon heat pump water heater, $12,000 in total (the page's current rate for a heat pump water heater of 50 gallons or more is $7,000, so confirm the figure in your assessment).
Eligibility, how to apply, past winners
Eligibility
SMUD business customers with commercial sites in SMUD's service area. The largest incentives are for replacing gas equipment with electric; lower incentives apply when you replace electric-resistance equipment.
How to apply
Direct application: submit an inquiry form for a free energy assessment, or create a Customer Energy Solutions profile in SMUD's Customer Portal and submit a validation application for the site; questions go to [email protected] or 1-844-529-4084.
Who qualifies fit
any small business, restaurants & food
Equity taken
None
Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-28

Pacific Community Ventures Small Business Loans (Small Business Community Loan, Good & Green Loan)

Pacific Community Ventures — CDFI small business lending
Loan: $10,000–$500,000 at 8.75% fixed for 1–7 years with a 3.5% closing fee (loan products page; the FAQ gives 5%–8.75% and a 1%–5% fee depending on product)
Loan or guaranteeEquity-freeworking capitalequipment & expansion
The catch: This is a loan, repaid in full by automatic withdrawal. Everyone who owns more than 20% signs a personal guarantee and has their credit reviewed; no collateral is required. The standard products carry a 3.5% closing fee; there is no application fee and no prepayment penalty.
Next deadline: Rolling · Rolling; credit decisions take 2–4 weeks once the application is complete
Applicant tip: If your products or services cut clients' energy use or have another environmental benefit, ask for the Good & Green Loan: same size and rate as the community loan, but up to 12 months interest-only instead of one.
Eligibility, how to apply, past winners
Eligibility
California-based businesses in operation and generating revenue for at least 12 months, with cash flow to cover the payments. There is no minimum credit score. Rideshare, real estate, transportation, cannabis and nonprofit borrowers are excluded, as are startups under a year old.
How to apply
Direct application: complete the initial eligibility pre-application on pacificcommunityventures.org; if you qualify you get a Lenderfit link to upload business and personal tax returns, a year-to-date profit and loss statement, three months of bank statements and a debt schedule.
Who qualifies fit
any small business
Equity taken
None
Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-28

Inclusive Action for the City Small Business Loans

Inclusive Action for the City — CDFI small business lending (Los Angeles County)
Loan: $500–$250,000 at 5%–8% fixed for up to 7 years; Eaton fire recovery loan up to $75,000 at 6% fixed for up to 5 years
Loan or guaranteeEquity-freeworking capitalequipment & expansion
The catch: This is a loan, repaid monthly. A hard credit pull and a personal guarantee are required, and collateral or a security deposit is reviewed case by case. There are no prepayment penalties.
Next deadline: Rolling · Rolling
Applicant tip: If your Altadena or east Pasadena business lost revenue in the Eaton fire, ask for the fire recovery loan by name: its 6% fixed rate is set, it covers working capital, equipment, inventory or tenant improvements, and a business that relocated qualifies if it plans to reopen in the same ZIP codes. Business coaching and workshops are available to borrowers.
Eligibility, how to apply, past winners
Eligibility
Businesses operating in Los Angeles County with under $3 million in gross annual revenue, at least 6 months of consistent, verifiable revenue and at least 1 year of industry experience. No minimum credit score, and no pre-revenue startups. The Eaton fire loan is for businesses with fewer than 10 employees (owner included) that began operating by January 1, 2024, are located in ZIP codes 91001, 91024, 91104 or 91107, lost money because of the Eaton fire and have had continuous revenue for the past 6 months.
How to apply
Direct application: complete the loan eligibility form on inclusiveaction.org and a Loan Intake Specialist contacts you within two business days; questions to (323) 604-9765 or [email protected].
Who qualifies fit
any small business, disaster-affected businesses
Equity taken
None
Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-28

7. Tax credits, loans and guarantees that get called grants

Several of California's best-known business programs show up online as grants but are tax incentives or credit support. A tax credit such as California Competes or the research credit lowers the California income or franchise tax you owe, so it is worth nothing in a year you owe none; California Competes is negotiated into a five-year agreement with job and investment milestones, and credit can be recaptured if you miss them. The sales and use tax exclusion saves sales tax on manufacturing equipment but charges an administrative fee of at least $15,000. Loans and guarantees have to be repaid: IBank guarantees up to 80% of a bank loan, CalCAP adds a loss reserve that you and the lender pay into, and CalRecycle and the State Water Board lend directly for recycling and fuel-tank projects. The common mistake is applying for a credit before checking your tax bill. Read how grants differ from loans and equity, and see the IBank, CPCFA and CAEATFA funder pages.

8 programs

California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC)

California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) — California Competes Tax Credit
Tax credit: amount negotiated per business; $819,843,124 available statewide in FY 2026-27 across three application periods ($350 million, $250 million, and $219.8 million plus any unallocated balance)
Tax incentiveEquity-freehiring & trainingequipment & expansion
The catch: Not cash: a nonrefundable credit against California income or franchise tax, so it is worth nothing in a year your business owes no California tax; unused credit carries over for up to 6 years. You earn each year's portion only by meeting the agreement's milestones for full-time jobs, salaries and investment, and must keep the employee milestones for three years after reaching them. FTB reviews your payroll and investment records, and the committee can recapture credit after a material breach.
Next deadline: Jan 25, 2027 · Three application periods a year: FY 2026-27 periods are July 20–August 10, 2026, January 4–25, 2027 and March 1–15, 2027, with committee meetings November 12, 2026, April 29, 2027 and June 17, 2027
Applicant tip: Aim for the January 4–25, 2027 period and spend your effort on the Proposed Project narrative: GO-Biz must weigh whether the credit changes your decision to add the jobs in California, and it asks where your competitors and customers are and whether you are weighing a site in another state. If you are not awarded, you can copy the application and resubmit in a later period after updating the employee and investment figures.
Eligibility, how to apply, past winners
Eligibility
Businesses of any size, industry or location that will create net new full-time jobs in California, or stay and grow here, and that would not create those jobs to the same extent without the credit. Phase I ranks applicants on a cost-benefit ratio; an applicant moves straight to Phase II if 75% of its new full-time jobs will be in high-unemployment or high-poverty areas, or if it certifies the project would otherwise go to another state.
How to apply
Direct application: apply online at calcompetes.ca.gov during an application period. GO-Biz negotiates a five-year agreement that the California Competes Tax Credit Committee approves, about three months after you apply; there is no application fee.
Who qualifies fit
employers with staff
Equity taken
None
Official page ↗ · Open listing · On OpenGrants ↗Verified 2026-10-28

IBank Small Business Loan Guarantee Program

California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (IBank) — Small Business Finance Center (Loan Guarantee Program)
Loan guarantee: IBank guarantees up to 80% of a lender's loan, up to a $5 million guarantee for up to 7 years (IBank fact sheet updated December 2022); CalOSBA's SSBCI capital-readiness page lists the program at up to $20 million, so confirm the current cap with your Financial Development Corporation. The lender sets the loan size and rate
Loan or guaranteeEquity-freeworking capitalequipment & expansionstorefront & property
The catch: A loan you repay with interest: the guarantee protects the lender if you default, it does not reduce what you owe. The lender, not IBank, sets the interest rate and qualifications, and IBank's program page does not publish the guarantee fee, so ask the Financial Development Corporation for it before you sign.
Next deadline: Rolling · Rolling (year-round)
Applicant tip: If a bank turns you down, ask whether it will reconsider with an IBank guarantee, or start with the Financial Development Corporation for your region; eligible uses include startup costs, inventory, construction and lines of credit, not just equipment.
Eligibility, how to apply, past winners
Eligibility
California businesses with 1 to 750 employees in an eligible NAICS industry, organized as a sole proprietorship (Schedule C or F, seller's permit or DBA), LLC, cooperative, corporation, partnership, S corporation or nonprofit; an individual cannot be the borrower. Credit approval follows the lender's own criteria, and IBank does not consider citizenship or immigration status.
How to apply
Through a partner: apply for the loan with a participating lender or with one of IBank's seven nonprofit Financial Development Corporations, which give technical assistance and process the guarantee; IBank does not lend to businesses directly.
Who qualifies fit
any small business
Equity taken
None
Who wins
IBank reports 760 loans guaranteed in FY 2022-23 and $457 million in small business loans supported in FY 2025-26.
Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-28

IBank Jump Start Microloan Program

California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (IBank) — Small Business Finance Center (Jump Start Loan Program)
Loan: $500 to $10,000 at prime plus 5%, amortized over up to five years
Loan or guaranteeEquity-freeequipment & expansionstorefront & propertyworking capital
The catch: A loan, repaid with interest at prime plus 5% over up to five years. The money comes with technical assistance and financial literacy training from the Financial Development Corporation, and the program is small: IBank reports $533,500 lent in total.
Next deadline: Rolling · Rolling (year-round)
Applicant tip: Use the Jump Start lender's technical assistance to get loan-ready even if you need only a few thousand dollars; IBank's Financial Development Corporations also process its loan guarantees when you need a larger bank loan later.
Eligibility, how to apply, past winners
Eligibility
Low-wealth entrepreneurs located in low-wealth communities, including businesses too new or too small for a bank loan. IBank says the program aims to reach women, people of color, veterans, people with disabilities and the formerly incarcerated.
How to apply
Through a partner: apply with one of the five Jump Start Financial Development Corporations (California Capital Financial Development Corporation, California Coastal Rural Development Corporation, NorCal Financial Development Corporation, Pacific Coast Regional Small Business Development Corporation or Valley Small Business Development Corporation), which underwrite and disburse the loan.
Who qualifies fit
any small business
Equity taken
None
Who wins
IBank reports $533,500 lent through Jump Start, technical assistance for 548 businesses, and that FY 2022-23 borrowers were 60% women.
Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-28

California Capital Access Program for Small Business (CalCAP SB)

California State Treasurer's Office — California Pollution Control Financing Authority (CalCAP for Small Business)
Loan loss reserve: covers participating lenders' loans and lines of credit up to $5 million, with up to $2.5 million enrolled per borrower over three years
Loan or guaranteeEquity-freeworking capitalequipment & expansionstorefront & property
The catch: A loan you repay on the lender's terms. You pay a one-time premium into the lender's loss reserve equal to the lender's own contribution, 2% to 3.5% of the enrolled amount, which CalCAP matches with federal SSBCI funds. The reserve covers the lender's losses up to its balance; the lender still decides whether to lend and which loans to enroll.
Next deadline: Rolling · Rolling (year-round)
Applicant tip: If a lender says your loan is just outside its credit box, ask whether it is a CalCAP participating financial institution; borrowers in a designated disaster or severely affected area can bring an extra CalCAP contribution to the lender's reserve.
Eligibility, how to apply, past winners
Eligibility
Businesses that are small under SBA size standards, with fewer than 500 employees, whose primary economic effect is in California (51% of revenue or of jobs here) and whose industry is on the program's eligible code list. Gambling facilities, bars and adult entertainment businesses are excluded, and there are limits on real estate loans, business acquisitions and refinancing.
How to apply
Through a partner: borrow from a participating bank, credit union or CDFI and ask it to enroll the loan in CalCAP within 15 business days of disbursement; a business cannot apply to CalCAP itself.
Who qualifies fit
any small business
Equity taken
None
Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-28

Sales and Use Tax Exclusion (STE) Program

California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority (CAEATFA) — Sales and Use Tax Exclusion (STE)
Tax exclusion: no state or local sales and use tax on qualifying manufacturing equipment, up to $15 million of exclusion per applicant per calendar year; $100 million statewide each year ($98,101,831 available in 2026)
Tax incentiveEquity-freeequipment & expansionclean vehicles & energy
The catch: Not cash: it removes sales tax on purchases for an approved project. You pay an application fee of 0.05% of the qualified property (minimum $500, maximum $10,000) and an administrative fee of 0.4% of property purchased (minimum $15,000, maximum $350,000), sign a Regulatory Agreement with a deadline for buying at least 15% of the property, and pay $2,000 to modify it ($1,500 more to extend that deadline). Applications beyond the annual cap go on a waiting list.
Next deadline: Next round not announced — check official page (the 2026 allocation was used up in the spring round) · Annual application periods each calendar year: in 2026 a single round ran April 10–May 1, 2026 (Board meeting September 15, 2026) and the August 7–28 round was canceled after the cap was used up; the program is authorized through January 1, 2028
Applicant tip: Run CAEATFA's fee calculator against the sales tax you would save before applying: with a $15,000 minimum administrative fee, the exclusion pays off only on a sizable equipment purchase. Join CAEATFA's notification list, because in 2026 the whole year's allocation went in the first round.
Eligibility, how to apply, past winners
Eligibility
California manufacturers building, expanding or upgrading a facility for advanced manufacturing, alternative-energy or advanced-transportation products (or their green components), or for processing or using recycled feedstock. Qualified property is machinery, equipment and related IT and infrastructure with a useful life of over a year used more than 50% of the time in the qualifying process; raw materials and consumables do not count.
How to apply
Direct application: submit an application to CAEATFA during an announced application period; staff review it and the CAEATFA Board votes on it at a scheduled meeting.
Who qualifies fit
manufacturers
Equity taken
None
Official page ↗ · Open listing · On OpenGrants ↗Verified 2026-10-28

California Research and Development Credit (Form FTB 3523)

California Franchise Tax Board — Research Credit (FTB 3523)
Tax credit: 15% of qualified research expenses above a base amount (corporations add 24% of basic research payments), or 3% under the alternative simplified credit from 2025
Tax incentiveEquity-freeany business use
The catch: Nonrefundable: it only reduces California income or franchise tax, so a company that owes no California tax gets nothing in that year. For taxable years 2024 through 2026, all business credits together cannot cut tax by more than $5 million; a company can instead elect to have the disallowed amount refunded in 20% installments starting in the third year after the election, but S corporations cannot elect that for entity-level credits.
Next deadline: No application window — claim on your annual California return · Annual (claimed with each year's California tax return; no application window)
Applicant tip: From 2025 you can elect the alternative simplified credit (3% of research spending above half your three-year average) instead of the 15% incremental credit; a company that used the repealed alternative incremental credit must choose one on Form FTB 3523, because the old election does not carry over by default.
Eligibility, how to apply, past winners
Eligibility
California taxpayers with qualified research expenses: corporations, individuals, and pass-through entities such as S corporations, partnerships and LLCs, which pass the credit to owners.
How to apply
Direct application: compute the credit on Form FTB 3523 and attach it to your California tax return; pass-through entities report each owner's share on Schedule K-1. There is no application or award.
Who qualifies fit
tech & R&D firms, manufacturers
Equity taken
None
Official page ↗Verified 2026-10-28

Recycling Market Development Zone (RMDZ) Revolving Loan Program

California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) — Recycling Market Development Zone Loan Program
Loan: amount set by CalRecycle's review of need and ability to repay, up to $3 million without Director approval, at an interest rate of about 4.00%
Loan or guaranteeEquity-freeequipment & expansionstorefront & propertyworking capital
The catch: A loan you repay, secured by collateral that includes the assets it buys, with business or personal guarantees as CalRecycle decides and possibly an assignment of key-person life insurance. Fees are $300 for a full application plus closing points of 0.5% of the loan, significant permits must be in hand before funding, and the rate depends on your credit.
Next deadline: Rolling · Rolling (applications accepted continuously, subject to available funds)
Applicant tip: Call the zone administrator for your area first: zone administrators give business, technical and permit help, and CalRecycle ranks loans higher for recycled-content products that are themselves recyclable or last 10 or more years.
Eligibility, how to apply, past winners
Eligibility
California for-profit businesses (as well as nonprofits and local governments) with projects that use postconsumer or secondary waste materials as feedstock, or that expand repair, reuse or source reduction. Projects are generally inside a designated Recycling Market Development Zone; a project outside one can qualify if it helps a local jurisdiction meet its waste diversion duties.
How to apply
Direct application: submit CalRecycle's RMDZ intake form or email [email protected], and work with your local zone administrator; applications are accepted continuously.
Who qualifies fit
manufacturers
Equity taken
None
Official page ↗ · Open listing · On OpenGrants ↗Verified 2026-10-28

Replacing, Removing, or Upgrading Underground Storage Tanks (RUST) Loan

California State Water Resources Control Board — Underground Storage Tank Cleanup Fund (RUST Program)
Loan: up to 100% of eligible tank removal, replacement or upgrade costs; $10,000 to $750,000 for 10 or 20 years (terms from the program's loan description; see listing)
Loan or guaranteeEquity-freeequipment & expansionstorefront & property
The catch: You cannot begin work until the State Water Board has executed the loan. Per the loan terms in the listing, ten-year loans are secured by a UCC filing on business assets and twenty-year loans by a deed of trust on real estate, with a 2% loan fee at closing. If removal shows a leak, cleanup reimbursement is a separate, lengthy UST Cleanup Fund claim, due by December 31, 2034.
Next deadline: Rolling · Rolling (year-round)
Applicant tip: Ask about the RUST grant at the same time, since the program also offers grants for eligible upgrade costs. Single-walled tanks not closed by December 31, 2025 now face red tags and civil penalties, so an out-of-compliance site should apply before scheduling the contractor.
Eligibility, how to apply, past winners
Eligibility
Small businesses that own or operate underground storage tanks, with fewer than 500 employees, independently owned, with the principal office and officers in California, bringing tanks into compliance, for example replacing single-walled tanks and piping with double-walled systems or adding containment sumps and electronic monitoring.
How to apply
Direct application: send the RUST Loan Application and supporting documents straight to the State Water Board's RUST Program (Financial Development Corporations stopped processing RUST loans on January 1, 2022).
Who qualifies fit
storefront & retail, fleets & truck owners
Equity taken
None
Official page ↗ · Open listing · On OpenGrants ↗Verified 2026-10-28

12-month calendar

Each program with a known or expected deadline, plotted by month. Solid = a confirmed date, from the official page or the program's OpenGrants listing. Grey italic = expected, based on the program's past cycle. The calendar follows the filters above.

Get alerts when California windows open

This page covers recurring programs. OpenGrants tracks 43,000+ open opportunities (grants and contracts) in the searchable index across federal (Grants.gov, SAM.gov, SBIR/STTR), state and local programs, private foundations, and corporate giving — refreshed daily. Searching and browsing is free and needs no account. A subscription ($9/month once the 7-day free trial ends, or $8/month billed annually) adds the application link to each funder's own listing, saved grants, deadline tracking, AI match scoring, funding alerts, and pipeline management.

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Methodology

Programs were found through the OpenGrants database (open, closed and awarded records, plus funder records) and then checked one by one against each program's own official page: the state agency, city, county, CDFI or company site, not an aggregator. Each card shows the date it was verified. Where an amount, date or rule could not be confirmed, the card says so rather than estimating it.

Cards bound to an OpenGrants record take their deadline from that record whenever the listing is open; the date at the top of the page says when that record data was last refreshed. When a window passes, the card shows the next expected one, worked out from the program's own published cycle, until a new date is confirmed. Program terms change between rounds, so read the official page before you apply.

Record data refreshed: November 8, 2026. Editorial verification: October 28, 2026.Details change. Confirm on the official page before applying.

Nothing here is legal, tax, or investment advice. Inclusion is not an endorsement, and OpenGrants has no role in any program's selection decisions.