City seeking proposals for Sacramento Children’s Fund grant program

The City of Sacramento is inviting public agencies and nonprofit organizations to apply for grants from the Sacramento Children's Fund, with an estimated $17.9 million available over the first three-and-a-half-year period.

Details on the application process can be found on the City's website. Applicants can apply for funding between $25,000 and $500,000 per year for up to 3.5 years, based on grant compliance.

The deadline for proposals is Dec. 6 at 5 p.m. and submissions will be reviewed by the end of year. Successful submissions are subject to Council approval.

The Sacramento Children's Fund - also known as Measure L - is a voter-approved initiative that was successfully passed in Nov. 2022. The purpose of this measure is to support children and youth, ages 0-24 years old, that have been most impacted by poverty, violence, and trauma.

A nine-member Planning and Oversight commission was created at the end of 2023 to create a Strategic Investment Plan. Together with the Sacramento Children's Fund City team, the plan was successfully approved by the commission in August 2024.

On Sept. 24, City Council adopted the Strategic Investment Plan for the five fund goals listed in Measure L. The goals of the measure are to:

1. Prevent and reduce child and youth homelessness;
2. Support the mental and emotional health of children and youth;
3. Prevent youth violence;
4. Prevent and reduce youth substance abuse; and
5. Support the healthy development of children ages 0 to 5.

"We are grateful to the community, commissioners, and City team for their commitment to bringing Measure L to life through the Strategic Investment Plan," said Youth Development Program Manager Rene Kausin. "With the approval of this plan, we are taking further action to support Sacramento's young people, especially those most impacted by adversity."

Council directed that 20% of funds go to a guaranteed basic income program for foster youth ages 18-24, with the remaining funds divided approximately 50/50 between community-based organizations and City/non-City public entities.

For assistance with the grants system, please contact the City's grants team at [email protected] or [email protected]. Two information sessions are also scheduled:

• Nov. 14, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: City of Sacramento virtual Bidder's Conference
• Nov. 20, 5:30 - 7 p.m.: In-person hosted by the SCF Commission at the Oak Park Community Center.

Further information about Measure L, the commission, and the Strategic Investment Plan can be found on our Measure L website.