The California Grants Portal is a free, centralized online clearinghouse launched by the California State Library to find competitive grants, first-come-first-served funding, and loans offered by state agencies. It does not host applications directly; instead, it guides users to the specific administering agency’s website.
lists hundreds of grant opportunities from California agencies in one searchable database.
Business owners can search by:
- Business grants
- Industry
- Region
- Economic development
- Agriculture
- Manufacturing
- Energy
- Technology
Not every opportunity is available to every business, but the portal helps entrepreneurs identify programs they may qualify for.
Core Features and Functions
- Search and Filter Tools:Filter available funding by applicant type (e.g., non-profits, individuals, businesses, public agencies), 19 broad categories, and application deadlines.
- Status Tracking:View active, forecasted (upcoming opportunities not yet accepting applications), and closed grants.
- Direct Links and Contacts:Every listing provides direct grant guidelines, the grantor’s main website, and a public point of contact (phone or email).
- Email Subscriptions:Sign up for daily or weekly email digests matching selected categories or new postings.
- Open Data:Access downloadable CSV files and statistical dashboards regarding past state grants and awardees
Grants.ca.gov is managed and hosted by the California State Library. The Grant Information Act of 2018 (Stats. 2018, Ch. 318) required the State Library to build one website by July 1, 2020, “that provides a centralized location … to find state grant opportunities.” AB132 (section 8334.1) expanded the Grants Portal mission, requiring state grantmakers to submit post award data for all grants closing on or after July 1, 2022.
State grantmaking agencies input and update their information into prescribed data fields to make all state grant opportunities searchable on grants.ca.gov. The Grant Information Act requires state agencies to provide summaries of each of their grant or loan opportunities, including, among other items, information about how to apply and links that grantseekers can follow for more details. Starting July 2022, grantmaking agencies must also submit data on each awardee.
