California Serves Grant Program
NOTE: The application due date for this program has passed.
Funding Description
The California Serves Grant supports eligible local educational agencies (LEAs) in developing service-learning opportunities that prepare students to earn the State Seal of Civic Engagement (SSCE). Established under Education Code Section 51475, the program funds initiatives that integrate service-learning and civics into academic instruction. Grants help LEAs build sustainable service-learning programs that support the SSCE, expand access to civic engagement in rural and urban communities, and strengthen student voice and leadership, from 202526 through 202728.Eligibility
| Eligible Applicants | Local educational agencies |
|---|---|
| Required Eligibility Criteria | Applicants must be LEAs that serve pupils in grade twelve; offer or are working to offer the SSCE to students locally; and in which at least 55 percent of the pupils enrolled are unduplicated pupils as defined in California Education Code sections 2574 or 42238.02, as applicable. |
| Other Eligibility Considerations | The CDE shall give positive consideration to applicants with high-quality service-learning programs that support the statewide SSCE criteria, and to applicants that have not received prior California Serves Grant funding. |
| Eligible Grade Level(s) | 12 |
| Eligible Age Level(s) | Not applicable |
Funding
| Legal Authority | The 2022 Education Omnibus Budget Trailer Bill authorizes this program (Assembly Bill 181, Section 71, Statutes of 2022). |
|---|---|
| Source / Type | State / Grant |
| State Fiscal Year | 2025-26 |
| SACS Resource / Revenue Codes | 7810 / 8590 |
| Total Available | $5,000,000 |
| Recipient Amount | $500,000 |
| Match Requirement | No |
| Allocation Formula | The CDE shall issue grants of up to $500,000 to eligible LEAs that apply and are evaluated through a rubric provided in a RFA. |
Important Dates
| Date Application Available | October 6, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Due Date | December 1, 2025 |
| Expected Notification Date | March 30, 2026 |
Additional Information
| Application | Unavailable |
|---|---|
| Background | California Serves [http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/pl/californiaserves.asp] |
| Fiscal | Unavailable |
| Other | Unavailable |
Contacts
| Program | Sarah Smith, SSCE@cde.ca.gov |
|---|---|
| Fiscal | Delaina Calvetti, SSCE@cde.ca.gov |
| Division | Professional Learning Support Division, 916-323-4630 |
Last Modified:
September 22, 2025
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