California Serves Grant Program

California Serves Grant Program

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: California Department of Education
Amount: Up to US $500,000
Last Updated: February 17, 2026

Summary

The California Serves Grant Program, administered by the California Department of Education, offers funding to local educational agencies to enhance service learning. This initiative aims to help high school graduates achieve the State Seal of Civic Engagement through various supports including planning time, professional development, and instructional materials. Eligible agencies can apply for grants up to $500,000 annually, with a total budget of $5 million available for fiscal years 2024-27, promoting civic engagement through effective learning.

Overview

The California Department of Education (CDE) invites eligible local educational agencies (LEAs), which include school districts, county offices of education (COEs), or charter schools to apply for a California Serves Grant to be used for the purpose of promoting access to effective service learning with the goal of expanding access for high school graduates in obtaining a State Seal of Civic Engagement (SSCE) through service learning. This grant will be used for planning time, professional development (PD), purchase of instructional materials, participation costs, and/or personnel costs that support expanded access to the SSCE through high quality service learning. The California Serves Grant Program provides funding for a grant period from fiscal years 2024-25 through 2026-27. Funds available to each applicant are based on the content and quality of the submitted application and proposed activities. The total annual grant budget for this Request for Applications (RFA), as appropriated in Section 71 of Assembly Bill 181 of the General Fund, is up to $5 million. Eligible local educational agencies (LEAs) may apply for grants of up to $500,000. Under this program, eligible LEAs may receive up to $500,000 annually in grants, which may be used for: Paid planning time for teachers to increase the use of service learning in instruction. Professional development on service learning for administrators and teachers. Purchase of instructional materials to help integrate service learning in instruction. Participation costs, including materials or travel expenses related to service learning activities. Personnel costs for coordinating service learning at the LEA or a school site. Participation costs associated with grant program evaluation.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Applicant eligibility is limited to LEAs, defined as a school district, COE, or directly funded charter school, within the State of California that serves students in grade twelve.

Ineligibility

Community agencies, private schools, individual public school sites, state special schools, and LEAs that previously received a California Serves grant and are still participating in a grant cycle are not eligible to apply for the California Serves Grant Program.