Water

The program aims to support efforts that combine community services and physical improvements to protect the health of Californians who are most vulnerable to extreme heat.

The mission of the SGM Grant Program is to provide funding to Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs) and other responsible entities under SGMA to promote healthy and sustainable groundwater basins, to reduce and eliminate undesirable effects, and to promote projects that provide multiple benefits while also improving groundwater supply and quality. The 2026 Sustainable Groundwater Management Grants will have $3.5 million in funding for small GSAs and $6.5 million for Technical Assistance. Eligible projects increase groundwater storage, improve the management and operation of groundwater storage, or are for groundwater banking, and support implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. The public comment period for the Draft SGM Grant Program Guidelines is open until September 30, 2026.

The California Department of Conservation’s Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program supports regional efforts to strategically repurpose agricultural land to reduce reliance on groundwater while providing community health, economic wellbeing, water supply, habitat, and climate benefits. Up to $200 million is appropriated for the next round. The previous round had $2.44 million in Tribal funding for projects including land acquisitions. The initial application window is expected to open in Winter 2026 to 2027.

The 2024 Climate Bond invests $10 billion in local projects that strengthen communities — protecting drinking water, reducing wildfire and flood risks, restoring natural places, supporting healthy working lands, and expanding access to parks and outdoor spaces. The California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) published a comprehensive list of all Prop 4 Climate Bond Programs. You can skim the list for potential funding that is relevant for your Tribe and visit the program pages for details. The TECC Team is checking each program for forecast opportunities and will be updating this tracker with them.

The Watershed Resilience Conservation Implementation grant program funds projects that reduce water use and improve water efficiency, helping communities save water and build resilience to drought and supply shortages. The purpose of this program is to fund the implementation of practical water conservation projects that reduce water demand and improve efficiency at the watershed scale. The program supports grantees in carrying out actions such as irrigation efficiency upgrades, leak detection and repair, water-efficient landscaping conversions, metering and monitoring improvements, and other measures that directly reduce water consumption. Anticipated opening in 2027.

The California Watershed Protection Fund supports projects designed to improve water quality and protect watersheds across California.

In response to a call for improved practices in philanthropy, The Campbell Foundation offers a broad range of grants, including unsolicited, multi-year, general support, and capacity building grants for community-based work.

The Coastal Conservancy funds a wide variety of projects along the California coast, San Francisco Bay, and in coastal watersheds to increase availability of beaches, parks and trails for the public, protect and restore natural lands and wildlife habitat, preserve working lands, and increase community resilience to the impacts of climate change.

This program helps eligible communities prepare, or recover from, an emergency that threatens the availability of safe, reliable drinking water.

To promote water recycling by providing technical and financial assistance to local agencies and other stakeholders in support of water recycling projects and research.