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California business funding · every industry
Find grants across California.
Search across city, county, state and federal programs for businesses of every type. Start with the featured opportunities, then use the official directories and the restaurant funding guide below to find programs that fit your location and business.
City & countyCalifornia stateFederalAll business sectorsRestaurant guide
Find a funding opportunity
Search active and announced opportunities
Featured listings checked October 26, 2026
8 featured opportunities match your filters. Restaurant and food service funding sources are also covered in the dedicated guide below; a sector match does not confirm applicant eligibility.
City · Community services
Ventura Community Grants Program
City of Ventura
$340,000 total across four categories
City grant cycle supports arts organizations, cultural projects, individual artists and community wellness projects benefiting Ventura residents.
Potential applicants: Ventura-area arts and cultural organizations · Community wellness projects · Individual artists, depending on category
Request the secure portal link or alternate-submission method by October 26, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. Eligibility differs by category; review the city guidelines.
Supports projects addressing broadband gaps, affordability, devices and digital-skills training for eligible low-income school districts and community organizations.
Potential applicants: 501(c)(3) nonprofit CBO · Eligible public school or district through a CBO
Eligibility is narrow: CBO experience, a qualifying school or district, written agreements and required endorsements apply. Reimbursement funding; 10% is held until timely project completion.
Beverage Container Recycling City/County Payment Program · FY 2026–27
CalRecycle
$10.5 million statewide allocation
Funds eligible beverage-container recycling and litter-cleanup activities through the city/county payment program.
Potential applicants: Eligible California cities · Eligible California counties
This is a local-government program; private operators are not direct applicants. Check CAPRS instructions and coordinate with the eligible city or county.
$13.5 million total · estimated awards $50,000–$12.5 million
Funds incentives for CalFresh shoppers purchasing California-grown fresh produce at authorized direct-marketing outlets and qualifying small businesses.
Potential applicants: SNAP-authorized small businesses · Farmers’ markets, CSAs and farm stands · Eligible nonprofits applying on behalf of participants
Applicants must meet CDFA, USDA/SNAP and state standing requirements. Cost sharing is encouraged but not required.
2027 Nonpoint Source Grant Program · Clean Water Act §319(h)
State Water Resources Control Board
$3.5 million total · $100,000–$1 million estimated award
Supports projects reducing pollution runoff to state waters, including agricultural runoff controls, erosion reduction, streambank stabilization and related infrastructure.
Potential applicants: Nonprofit · Other legal entity · Public agency · Tribal government
25% match is required unless waived case by case. Applicants must consult the relevant Regional Water Board grant coordinator. Reimbursement funding.
Restaurants can qualify for programs based on location, ownership, project, disaster impact, energy use, workforce or community benefit. There is no single statewide restaurant-grant application. These verified starting points cover direct restaurant grants, local searches and useful programs that are clearly labeled when they are rebates or financing.
Restaurant grant · next cycle not posted
Restaurants Care Resilience Fund
The nonprofit California Restaurant Foundation says restaurant applications are offered annually and are typically $5,000. The 2026 awards have been announced; check its update page for the next application window.
California utility customers may receive instant invoice discounts on qualifying efficient commercial foodservice equipment from participating dealers. Verify the eligible product, utility territory and current terms before purchase.
Search for current business and foodservice equipment rebates. Availability, eligible equipment and program administrators vary; confirm details with the program and your utility before ordering.
California small businesses and qualifying tenants can explore financing for energy efficiency, clean energy, storage and EV charging. It is financing that must be repaid or paid under the selected agreement.
California Grants Portal · food and business search
Search the state portal for currently active and forecasted programs. Some listings are restricted to public agencies, nonprofits or intermediaries, so open each notice and check whether a restaurant can apply directly.
Local programs may support storefront improvements, disaster recovery, façade work, workforce training, energy upgrades or neighborhood businesses. Cycles and boundaries vary; check the city and county where the restaurant operates.
Federal grants for business research and development
Grants.gov includes opportunities for eligible small businesses, but federal awards are tied to a specific public purpose and notice. SBA says it does not provide grants for ordinary business start-up or expansion; SBIR/STTR are competitive research and development pathways.
Confirm whether the restaurant itself can apply or whether the award is only for a nonprofit, local government, technical-assistance provider or another intermediary.
Check the permitted costs, service area, business age, ownership rules, matching funds, reimbursement terms and deadline in the current notice.
For disaster or emergency relief, check the city and county pages quickly; these programs are usually limited by geography and a short application window.
For kitchen equipment, ask the utility and participating dealer about current rebates before buying. A rebate or loan is not a grant.
How this finder works
Useful discovery, with transparent limits
California first
The California Grants Portal is the starting point for state agency grant and loan opportunities. The featured cards add selected programs verified directly with the grantor.
City and county funding
Each city and county publishes its own business grants, district programs and disaster assistance. Use the directory links above to reach the official local website; no single database captures every local cycle.
Federal funding
Grants.gov lists federal opportunities and SBA explains business grant eligibility. Federal grants for ordinary business start-up or expansion are uncommon; many awards are tied to research, public services or a specific agency purpose.
Current status
The featured list is a dated editorial selection, not a guarantee of completeness. Deadlines automatically remove expired cards; grantor pages control if an opportunity closes early or changes. A forecast or annual program is not an open application.
This finder provides public information and links. It does not determine eligibility, promise an award or replace the grantor’s notice, guidelines, application portal or legal/accounting advice. Report a correction through info@recyclingpolicy.org.
