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Grants in California

2 California-specific programs plus 38 federal and national grants available in California.

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🌿 California-Specific Programs
Free services through $23M state programState
CalOSBA Small Business Technical Assistance
Free one-on-one business advising for California entrepreneurs through state-funded SBDC network.
Varies — $308M available per annual roundState
California Competes Tax Credit
Competitive California tax credit for businesses creating jobs and investing in the state.
Federal & National Grants (available in California)
Up to $275,000Federal
SBIR Phase I Grant
Small Business Administration (SBA)
Federal R&D funding for small businesses with innovative technology ideas.
Grant
Phase I: $275K / Phase II: $1M+Federal
NSF SBIR/STTR Program
National Science Foundation
Deep tech grants for startups in AI, biotech, climate, and advanced manufacturing.
Grant
Access to sole-source contracts up to $4.5MFederal
SBA 8(a) Business Development Program
Small Business Administration (SBA)
9-year program giving disadvantaged small businesses preferred access to federal contracts.
Free Program
Thousands of opportunitiesFederal
Grants.gov — Search All Federal Grants
All US Federal Agencies
The official US government portal listing every federal grant across all agencies.
Grant
Up to $7,395/yearFederal
Federal Pell Grant
US Dept. of Education
Free federal money for college — no repayment ever required. Millions qualify but never apply.
Grant
Varies — typically $200–$1,000+Federal
LIHEAP — Home Energy Assistance Program
US Dept. of Health & Human Services
Free help paying heating and cooling bills for low-income households. Most people don't know it exists.
Grant
Average $230/month per personFederal
SNAP — Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
USDA Food and Nutrition Service
Monthly food benefits on an EBT card for low-income individuals and families.
Grant
Avg. $45–$100/month in food benefitsFederal
WIC — Women, Infants, and Children Program
USDA Food and Nutrition Service
Free food, nutrition counseling, and healthcare referrals for pregnant women and young children.
Free Program
Up to $10,000Federal
USDA Single Family Housing Repair Grants
USDA Rural Development
Free home repair grants for low-income rural homeowners age 62 and older.
Grant
$7,395 per year of serviceFederal
AmeriCorps Education Award
AmeriCorps
Serve your community for a year and earn $7,395 toward college or student loans.
Grant
Up to $43,900Federal
FEMA Individual Assistance Program
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Federal disaster grants for individuals and families who lose homes or property in a declared disaster.
Grant
Free prescription medicationsPrivate
Pharmaceutical Patient Assistance Programs
Major Pharmaceutical Companies
Every major drug company offers free medication to patients who can't afford it — almost nobody knows.
Free Program
Find more California grants

California has additional programs through its economic development agency, housing authority, and local governments not listed here.