Grant Funding Opportunities
Updated: August 29, 2023
The State of California offers many grant programs that can benefit CMUA members, their communities, and customers. All California grant opportunities can be found on the state’s web portal at https://www.grants.ca.gov/. In the tables below, we have identified key grant opportunities of interest to CMUA members and plan to update this information periodically as needed.
State Budget Funding Opportunities
| Program |
Demand Side Grid Support Program |
| Description |
Administered by the CEC, this program will incentivize dispatchable customer load reduction and backup generation operation as on-call emergency supply and load reduction for the state’s electrical grid during extreme events. |
| Available Funding |
$200 million |
| Deadlines |
TBD |
| Eligible Entities |
POUs, LSEs, and aggregators of multiple energy customers |
| More Information |
TBD |
| Program |
Distributed Electricity Backup Assets Program |
| Description |
Administered by the CEC, this program will incentivize the construction of cleaner and more efficient distributed energy assets that would serve as on-call emergency supply or load reduction for the state’s electrical grid during extreme events. |
| Available Funding |
$495 million |
| Deadlines |
TBD |
| Eligible Entities |
Undefined |
| More Information |
TBD |
| Program |
California Arrearage Payment Program 2.0 |
| Description |
Administered by the Department of Community Services and Development, allows POUs to apply for funding to cover unpaid bills incurred by active residential customers between March 4, 2020 – December 31, 2021. |
| Available Funding |
$239.4 million |
| Deadlines |
Application window likely to open prior to September 29, 2022 |
| Eligible Entities |
Publicly owned electric utilities on behalf of active residential customers |
| More Information |
https://www.csd.ca.gov/Pages/CAPP.aspx |
WATER FUNDING
State Water Resources Control Board
| Program |
Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWRSF) |
| Program Description |
Financing that assists public water systems in financing the cost of drinking water infrastructure projects needed to achieve or maintain compliance with Safe Drinking Water Act requirements. Not a grant. |
| Available Funding |
Approximately $330 million per year |
| Deadlines |
No application deadlines |
| Eligible Entities |
Publicly-owned community water systems, privately-owned community water systems, non-profit or publicly-owned non-community water systems, community water systems created by the project |
| More Information |
https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/drinking_water/services/funding/SRF.html |
| Program |
Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) |
| Program Description |
Low-cost financing for a wide variety of water quality projects, including wastewater treatment plants, sewer collectors and interceptors, combined sewers, septic to sewer conversions, storm water reduction and treatment, and water reclamation facilities. Not a grant. |
| Available Funding |
Approximately $625 million per year |
| Deadlines |
No application deadlines |
| Eligible Entities |
Any city, town, district, or public body created under state law, Native American tribal government, any designated and approved management agency, 501(c)(3)’s and National Estuary Programs |
| More Information |
https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/grants_loans/srf/ |
| Program |
Drought Assistance for Counties |
| Program Description |
Regional programs intended to provide relief to domestic well users and small water systems experiencing water shortage or water quality impacts related to the drought. Funding is available through the State Water Board and Department of Water Resources. |
| Available Funding |
Approximately $210 million (through both agencies) |
| Deadlines |
Ongoing |
| Eligible Entities |
Public agencies, tribal governments, not-for-profit organizations, and community water systems that benefit a disadvantaged community. |
| More Information |
https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/drought/drought_funding_for_counties/ |
| Program |
Small Community Clean Water/Wastewater Funding |
| Program Description |
Provide low-interest loans, grants, and principal forgiveness to small disadvantaged communities for planning/design and construction of projects that restore and maintain water quality in the state. |
| Available Funding |
$110 million |
| Deadlines |
Ongoing |
| Eligible Entities |
Nonprofits, public agencies, tribal governments. |
| More Information |
Small Community Funding website |
| Program |
Water Recycling Funding Program |
| Program Description |
Promotes the beneficial use of treated municipal wastewater to augment or offset freshwater supplies in California. Eligible projects include construction of recycled water treatment facilities, storage facilities, pumping facilities, groundwater recharge facilities, and recycled water distribution systems. |
| Available Funding |
$5 million |
| Deadlines |
Ongoing |
| Eligible Entities |
Nonprofits, public agencies, tribal governments |
| More Information |
https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/grants_loans/water_recycling/ |
| Program |
Safe and Affordable Funding for Equity and Resilience Program |
| Program Description |
Meant to address funding gaps and provide solutions to water systems, especially those serving DACs, to address short and long-term water needs. |
| Available Funding |
$130 million |
| Deadlines |
Ongoing |
| Eligible Entities |
Nonprofits, public agencies, tribal governments |
| More Information |
SAFER website |
Department of Water Resources
| Program |
Statewide Flood Emergency Response Grant Program |
| Available Funding |
Approximately $1,400,000 |
| Deadlines |
Ongoing |
| Eligible Entities |
Applicants must be a California public agency with primary responsibility for flood emergency response and coordination. This applies to counties, cities, flood control districts, reclamation districts, local maintaining agencies, and some tribes in California. Multiple agencies may apply under the same application, but must designate a lead agency that is a flood emergency first responder. |
| More Information |
https://www.grants.ca.gov/grants/statewide-flood-emergency-response-grant-program/ |
| Program |
2022 Urban Community Drought Relief Program |
| Program Description |
One of three DWR Drought Relief Grant Programs that offers financial assistance to address drought impacts. The grants are intended to provide water to communities that face the loss or contamination of their water suppliers, to address immediate impacts on human health and safety, to secure the future of California’s water supply, and to protect fish and wildlife resources. |
| Available Funding |
$300 million |
| Deadlines |
January 31, 2023 |
| Eligible Entities |
Public agencies and utilities, special districts, mutual water companies, non-profit organizations, regional water management groups |
| More Information |
https://water.ca.gov/Water-Basics/Drought/Urban-Drought-Grant |
| Program |
County-Wide and Regional Funding Solicitation |
| Program Description |
Counties or eligible partner entities to receive funding to implement regional programs that address drought-related and/or contamination issues for state small water systems and domestic wells service disadvantaged communities and low-income households. |
| Available Funding |
Through SAFER Program |
| Deadlines |
Ongoing |
| Eligible Entities |
Counties and eligible partners. Eligible projects include assessment such as community outreach, interim solutions such as bottled water, and long-term solutions such as well repairs/replacements. |
| More Information |
Applications submitted through the Financial Assistance application Submittal Tool. https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/safer/funding_solicitation.html |
| Program |
Urban and Multibenefit Drought Relief Grant Program |
| Program Description |
Financial assistance to address drought impacts through implementation of projects with multiple benefits, including benefiting communities facing the loss or contamination of water supplies and to address immediate drought impacts on human health and safety. |
| Available Funding |
Awaiting Additional Funding |
| Deadlines |
Ongoing |
| Eligible Entities |
Public agencies, public utilities, special districts, mutual water companies, non-profit organizations, regional water management groups, federally recognized California Native American tribes, colleges and universities |
| More Information |
https://water.ca.gov/Water-Basics/Drought/urbanmultibenefitdrought |
| Program |
Sustainable Groundwater Management Grant Program |
| Program Description |
Aims to achieve sustainable water balance in California where Groundwater Sustainability Agencies and other responsible entities work cooperatively and innovatively to manage surface and groundwater together in a holistic manner. |
| Available Funding |
$180 million (with additional $120 million subject to Legislature approval)
Round 1 to provide over $150 million by spring 2022
Round 2 solicitation in 2022-2023 will provide over $204 million |
| Deadlines |
Round 2 Solicitation expected October 2022 |
| Eligible Entities |
Round 1 – GSAs, member agencies of GSAs, entity that represents a GSA, approved Alternative that are located within eligible COD basins only
Round 2 – GSAs, member agencies of GSAs, entity that represents a GSA, agencies with an approved Alternative that are located within eligible medium and high priority basins or within COD basins that did not obtain funding in Round 1 |
| More Information |
https://water.ca.gov/sgmgrants |
| Program |
Integrated Regional Water Management Implementation Grant Program |
| Program Description |
Designed to encourage integrated regional strategies for water resource management in California by providing funding for projects and programs including climate change adaptation, providing incentives for collaboration and setting priorities in water resource and infrastructure management. Round 2 of planned two rounds of funding. |
| Available Funding |
$192 million available in Round 2 |
| Deadlines |
August 19, 2022 |
| Eligible Entities |
Nonprofit, public agencies, tribal governments |
| More Information |
https://www.grants.ca.gov/grants/proposition-1-round-2-integrated-regional-water-management-irwm-implementation-grant-program/ |
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
| Program |
WaterSMART |
| Program Description |
Available for small, on-the-ground projects that conserve, better manage or use water more efficiently in the West. |
| Available Funding |
Variable amounts available |
| Deadlines |
Ongoing |
| Eligible Entities |
States, tribes, irrigation districts, or any other organization with water or power delivery authority in the Western United States or territories. Eligible projects include installation of flow measurement or automation in a specific part of a water delivery system, lining of a section of a canal to address seepage, or other similar projects that are limited in scope. |
| More Information |
https://www.usbr.gov/watersmart/ |
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
| Program |
Drought Funding (no program name) |
| Program Description |
USEPA is coordinating with federal and state partners to offer a one-stop shop to help water and wastewater utilities with identifying possible drought mitigation strategies and to understand the types of funding available. |
| Available Funding |
Unknown |
| Deadlines |
Unknown |
| Eligible Entities |
Drinking water, wastewater, and storm water utilities |
| More Information |
https://www.cmua.org/Files/2021%20Regulatory%20Resources/outreach_flyer.pdf
https://www.epa.gov/fedfunds |
Zero Emission Vehicle & Infrastructure Funding
California Energy Commission
| Program |
Clean Transportation Program |
| Program Description |
The California Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Project (CALeVIP) addresses regional needs for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure throughout California, while supporting state goals to improve air quality, combat climate change and reduce petroleum use. CALeVIP provides incentives for EV charger installations and works with local partners to develop and implement projects that meet current and future regional EV needs for Level 2 and DC fast charging. |
| Available Funding |
$185 Million |
| Deadlines |
Unknown |
| Eligible Entities |
Property Owners |
| More Information |
https://calevip.org/ |
Air Resources Board
| Program |
|
| Program Description |
A total of $90 million in Volkswagon (VW) funds are available to support the expansion of zero-emission Class 8 trucks. The first solicitation for this category is now closed, with funding requests exceeding the amount of available funds in the first installment. Funding for the next installment is anticipated to be available in 2022/2023. |
| Available Funding |
$63 Million |
| Deadlines |
TBD |
| Eligible Entities |
Both public and private entities that own and operate eligible vehicles may apply. |
| More Information |
https://xappprod.aqmd.gov/vw/zero-emission.html |
| Program |
|
| Program Description |
The Combustion Freight and Marine Projects Category of the VW funds is intended to accelerate the replacement of older, higher polluting engines. |
| Available Funding |
$26 Million |
| Deadlines |
As available, first come, first served. |
| Eligible Entities |
Both public and private entities that own and operate eligible vehicles (Class 7 and Class 8 trucks) may apply. |
| More Information |
https://xappprod.aqmd.gov/vw/combustion.html |
U.S. Department of Energy
| Program |
|
| Program Description |
Department of Energy (DOE) rebate program for EVSE located in publicly accessible places, including workplaces and multi-unit dwellings. It would also create an EV Charging Equity Program to increase access to charging infrastructure in underserved and disadvantaged communities and would appropriate funds to two transportation electrification programs at DOE, the Plug-in Electric Drive Vehicle Program, and the Near-term Transportation Sector Electrification Program. |
| Available Funding |
$2 Billion |
| Deadlines |
TBD |
| Eligible Entities |
Public Agencies, Property Owners |
| More Information |
https://www.energy.gov/eere/vehicles/funding-opportunities |
