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 2025–26 through 2027–28.
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
Last Modified:
September 22, 2025
