Our 2022 Annual Report is now available.
Parks California manages several grant programs to support park, park partners, and local nonprofits in connecting community to California State Parks. Read below to learn more about grant opportunities available.
Are you a current or past Parks California Grantee? You can access information related to current or past grants made to your organization on our grant portal.
At Parks California, we believe that everyone deserves a world-class park experience that can lead to a lifelong connection with nature. However, documented disparities, such as the lack of transportation or public transit options can be a barrier to fostering personal connections with the outdoors.
To help ensure that all communities, including people who have been historically marginalized, have an opportunity to visit and enjoy California State Parks, Parks California launched the Route to Parks grants program in 2020 to support local organizations that are best able to address transportation and other obstacles faced by these communities.
Learn more about the Route to Parks grant program here.
California’s State Parks will be best prepared to address climate change with a talented and diverse workforce, equipped to lead the care of our landscapes. Historically, park career paths have not been inclusive to all. Bringing diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and Indigenous knowledge into stewardship builds resilience and broader support for our parks.
Parks California launched its Career Pathways grant program to expand career pathways to California State Parks jobs for underrepresented communities. This program supports workforce development partnerships between State Parks and local organizations that meaningfully address key access barriers and prepare participants for park careers. The program aims to not only prepare the next generation workforce with necessary skills but also expand awareness about the diversity of careers in parks and public lands, connect participants to mentors and professional networks to support them in their career journey, and help participants navigate state hiring processes.
Parks California invites community-based organizations to apply for its Santa Cruz Community grant, a program that supports community-led engagement shaping the future of California’s state parks.
Through this program, community, state and tribal organizations can design and lead engagement activities that reflect community priorities, perspectives and lived experiences. The grant helps to center voices that have historically been underrepresented in park planning, better ensuring that state parks and beaches are welcoming and relevant to all who visit.
Apply by Friday, March 6, at 5 p.m. PT.
Information session: Thursday, Feb. 5, at 2 p.m. PT. Register here.
Find application materials, timelines and resources in the Applicant Resource Hub.
