Parks California Career Pathways Grants Program: Implementation Grants

Parks California Career Pathways Grants Program: Implementation Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Parks California
Amount: Up to US $150,000
Last Updated: May 13, 2025

Summary

The Parks California Career Pathways Grants Program focuses on enhancing access to California State Parks jobs for underrepresented communities. It aims to build workforce development partnerships that address barriers and prepare participants for careers in park operations and stewardship. The program also emphasizes mentorship and professional networking to support participants' career journeys. With a commitment to inclusivity and innovation, this initiative seeks to foster a vibrant future for California’s parks and public lands.

Overview

NOTE: Please note, applicants are required to discuss the proposed project with California State Park staff in each District where programming is proposed. We highly encourage you to begin conversations with the park, beach and/or land manager you intend to visit as soon as possible. You will need to provide the name and contact information of the State Parks employee with whom you discussed your proposal. See letter of inquiry deadline above. See page for Planning & Development Grants here. Parks California Our Vision Vibrant, healthy California parks that welcome, engage, and inspire. Our Mission As California State Parks’ statutory non-profit partner, we have a clear mission – to help strengthen parks and inspire all people to experience these extraordinary places. Core Values At Parks California, we are collaborative, inclusive, innovative, adaptive, and responsive. Career Pathways Grant Program Parks California’s Career Pathways Grant Program aims to expand career pathways to California State Parks jobs for underrepresented communities. This program supports workforce development partnerships between state parks and local organizations that meaningfully address key access barriers and prepare participants for park careers. The program aims to not only prepare the next generation workforce with necessary skills but also expand awareness about the diversity of careers in parks and public lands, connect participants to mentors and professional networks to support them in their career journey, and helps participants navigate state hiring processes. This program is made possible through a public private partnership, supported by private fundraising by Parks California, and the California Department of Parks and Recreation’s Waterway Connections Initiative. The Career Pathways Grant Program is aligned with the goals of California Natural Resources Agency’s Outdoors for All program. Through this partnership, Parks California is expanding the Career Pathways grants program with increased opportunities for water-related outdoor access and experiences. The goals for this grant program are to: Broaden and expand career pathways to jobs in California State Parks and public landsAddress key access barriers faced by underrepresented communitiesAdd on-the-ground capacity to California State Park high priority projectsBuild and strengthen partnerships between communities, organizations, and California State Parks Implementation Grants Career Pathways Implementation Grants are specifically for programs or organizations that are ready to deliver a Career Pathways project in that meet the Grant Program Eligibility Criteria below: Provides job training skills, mentorship, work experience, and career development that meaningfully prepares program participants ages 16 and up for park careers focused on park operations and stewardship. Primarily works with and in California State Parks properties that connect participants to parks, inland waterways, and/or beaches.Delivers programming that addresses key barriers faced by participants from communities who have been underrepresented in the California State Park workforce. Builds a new or continues existing partnership with California State Parks that offers participants park work experience and connections with California State Parks staff. Implementation Proposals may also focus on scaling and/or replicating existing Career Pathways projects to additional parks or communities.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Eligible Applicants include:501(c)3 OrganizationsFederal- and State- Recognized Tribal Governments (Tribal Government Programs, such as Tribal Arts Programs, Heritage Departments, Economic Development Entities, etc.)Native 7871 OrganizationsFiscally sponsored Community OrganizationsGovernment Agencies (excludes CDPR)Education Institutions (Community Colleges, Universities)Eligible Proposals:We are seeking proposals that address the following:Provides job training skills, mentorship, work experience, and career development that meaningfully prepares program participants ages 16 and up for park careers focused on park operations and stewardship.Primarily works with and in California State Parks properties that connect participants to parks, inland waterways, and/or beachesAddresses key barriers faced by participants from communities who have been underrepresented in the California State Park workforce.Builds a new or continues existing partnership with California State Parks that offers participants paid work experience and connections with California State Parks staff.If applying for the Planning and Development grants, the proposal must demonstrate how the funding will be used to create a Project Plan that addresses the Eligibility Criteria and multiple preference criteria.Use of FundsFunding can be used for various purposes, including but not limited to: program operation costs admin, personnel, stipends, equipment, supplies, PPE, travel, meals, participant housing, etc. program capacity building and development costs not limited to curriculum and training module development,evaluation, certifications, relationship building activities, site visits, and partnership training that support state park careers focused on park operations and stewardship. Funding can be used for: conducting needs assessments, research and program planning, community outreach, providing training funds for staff or organizations, curriculum development, and partnership development. Funding can also be used to support tuition and travel expenses to attend California State Park training classes.

Ineligibility

Ineligible CostsFundraising, grant writing, lobbying, costs outside grant performance period and costs outside the approved grant scope.