Grants Program Resources

To support Arts in California Parks Grants Program applicants, a wide range of tools and resources are available on this page.

Letter of Intent Application

Information Webinar

View the Recording here!

Application Open: Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at 9:00am 

Application Due: Wednesday, March 19, 2025 5:00pm

The Information Webinar was held on Tuesday, February 25, 2025 at 3:00pm.

This year features a streamlined grant application process. Applicants are asked to complete a letter of intent to determine eligibility and assess fit before requiring a full application. All letters of intent will be reviewed, and selected applicants will be invited to submit an application.

  • Wednesday March 19, 2025 at 5:00pm: Letter of Intent Due 
  • Approximately 50 applicants will be invited to submit a completed application.


Learn more about the process and guidelines in the resources below.

Before applying, download the Minimum Eligibility Requirements document or toggle through the sections below to see if you qualify for the Grants Program.

Completed Letter of Intent applications must be submitted by one of the following eligible entities:

  • 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
  • Fiscally sponsored community organizations
  • California Native American tribes
  • Native 7871 organizations
  • Foundations
  • Land trusts
  • Local government agencies (city, county, or regional*)


* Regional agencies refer to government entities operating across multiple jurisdictions, such as regional park districts, regional planning agencies, or multi-county collaborations.

Projects must involve a collaborative partnership between:

  • Nonprofit(s)
  • Artist(s)
  • Local public park manager(s)


Eligible partners may include nonprofit organizations, fiscally sponsored community organizations, California Native American tribes, Native 7871 organizations, foundations, land trusts, and/or local government agencies.

In order to qualify for this grant program, projects must:

  • Integrate art and nature as a catalyst for community connection in local parks.
  • Be free and open to the public.
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If your project meets these requirements, you are eligible to apply!

The Arts in California Parks Grants Program intends to foster community connections to California’s diverse cultural history and natural areas beyond state park boundaries. Eligible projects will help enhance connections to local cultural history, local parks, open space or natural areas through community events, programming or installations that help to build sustainable community connections, health and well-being.

Eligible projects must be open to the general public. Projects may be located on land that is owned or managed by a local city, county, park or community service district, land trusts, regional park or open space district, non-profit organization or foundation, or any other entity other than federal and state agencies.

Check back February 18 to learn more information about eligible local park projects.

  • February 18 – March 19, 2025: Letter of Intent Application Open Period
  • February 26 to March 12, 2025: Community and One-on-One Office Hours
    • Parks California provides assistance with questions, proposal development, and offers technical application support to all interested parties. Staff will be available during community office hours
    • Join our Community Office Hours to get your grant questions answered in an open forum alongside other applicants. Each session can host up to 25 participants, creating a space to learn from each other while receiving focused support. Sessions will be regionally themed, but you’re welcome to join any date that works for you. Keep in mind that discussions may center on regional questions
      • Regional Focus Dates:
        • 📅 2/27 at 3 PM – Northern regions (North Coast, Sierra Nevada, Sacramento Valley)
        • 📅 3/5 at 2 PM – Central regions (Sacramento Valley, San Joaquin Valley)
        • 📅 3/6 at 3 PM – Eastern regions (Sierra Nevada, San Joaquin Valley)
        • 📅 3/10 at 10 AM – Inland Deserts
        • 📅 3/12 at 2 PM – West Coast applicants
    • Sign up for a 1:1 Virtual Office Hour for a dedicated 15-minute session with the program manager to ask hyper-focused questions in real time. These sessions are designed as quick, drop-in opportunities to get direct support
      • Limit: One session per organization
  • March 19, 2025: Letter of Intent applications are due by 5:00pm
  • March 18 to May 9, 2025: Review period for Letter of Intent applications
  • May 12 to May 16, 2025: Selected Letter of Intent applicants will be invited to the full application stage
  • May 19 to June 13, 2025: Invitees prepare their full application
  • May 20 to June 11, 2025: Community and One-on-One Office Hours
    • Parks California assists with questions, and proposal development, and offers technical application support to all interested parties. Staff will be available during community office hours
  • June 13, 2025: Full applications are due by 5:00pm
  • June 16 to July 11, 2025: Full application review period
  • September 2025: Grant award notifications
  • October 2025: Grant announcements and grant period begins

Have a question about the Grants Program? Visit our Grants Program Frequently Asked Questions page for more information!

Join our Community Office Hours to get your grant questions answered in an open forum alongside other applicants. Each session can host up to 50 participants, creating a space to learn from each other while receiving focused support. Sessions will be regionally themed, but you’re welcome to join any date that works for you. Keep in mind that discussions may center on regional questions. 

Regional Focus Dates: 

📅 2/27 at 3 PM – Northern regions (North Coast, Sierra Nevada, Sacramento Valley) 

📅 3/5 at 2 PM – Central regions (Sacramento Valley, San Joaquin Valley) 

📅 3/6 at 3 PM – Eastern regions (Sierra Nevada, San Joaquin Valley) 

📅 3/10 at 10 AM – Inland Deserts 

📅 3/12 at 2 PM – West Coast applicants 

Sign up for a 1:1 Virtual Office Visit for a dedicated 15-minute session with the Grants Program Manager to ask hyper-focused questions in real-time. These sessions are designed as quick, drop-in opportunities to get direct support. 

Limit: One session per organization. 

You can access resources and materials related to the Information Webinar using the following links.
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For any questions about Arts in California Parks Grants Program, please contact Grants Program Manager Sarah Scheideman at grants@parkscalifornia.org

The image shows a large group of people gathered outdoors on a sunny day, standing under a tree with a canopy of green leaves. In the foreground, there are children and adults holding signs that read "Dos Rios," indicating the name of the new state park. The crowd includes individuals wearing uniforms, hats, and casual clothing, suggesting a diverse group of participants, possibly including park rangers, officials, and community members. Behind them are rows of empty chairs and a building with a large structure in the background. The atmosphere appears festive and community-oriented, with everyone smiling and looking at the camera.

Dos Rios State Park opening day attendees. Photo by California State Parks.

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