Orphan Site Cleanup Fund
🏛 State Water Resources Control Board (California)
✓ Free, no account · Source: California Grants Portal · Last verified Sep 5, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for charter schools in California seeking construction or rehabilitation funding. Eligible applicants are charter schools and organizations authorized to operate charter schools under California law. Eligible activities include construction of new permanent school facilities or rehabilitation of existing facilities. Funding is provided as 50% grant and 50% low-cost loan for capital projects throughout California.
The program is jointly administered by the California School Finance Authority (CSFA) and the Office of Public School Construction (OPSC). Charter schools must demonstrate financial soundness to receive certification and apportionments. Funding comes from Propositions 47, 55, 1D, and 51.
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Program description
Senate Bill 445 (Hill, chapter 547, statutes of 2014), effective September 25, 2014, changed the OSCF eligibility criteria by not limiting the program to brownfield sites. Grant Details Grants provide funding for response actions that characterize, assess, andinvestigate an unauthorized release from petroleum USTs. These actions include apreliminary site assessment, soil and groundwater investigations, and preparation of a corrective action plan in accordance with California Code of Regulations, Title 23, Chapter 16, Article 11. Grants may also provide funding for UST system removal, petroleum product removal and soil excavation, not to exceed 500 cubic yards at the eligible site. Grants also provide funding for response actions that carry out cleanup activities,implement a corrective action plans, and perform verification monitoring in accordance with California Code of Regulations, Title 23, Chapter 16, Article 11. If a corrective action plan is required, the State Water Board cannot award a cleanup grant until the applicant demonstrates the corrective action plan is complete and approved by the regulatory agency. However, the applicant may apply for a cleanup grant before completion and approval of the corrective action plan. Note that only the current property owner is eligible for a Cleanup Grant.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- Detailed project plan with scope and timeline
- Financial soundness documentation
- Construction or rehabilitation specifications
- Environmental review documentation
- Charter school authorization proof
- Proposed loan repayment plan
Program contact
- 📧 michael.morones@waterboards.ca.gov
- 📞 1-916-341-5009
Funding track record
Past applications & awards under this program (California Grants Portal) — how competitive it is.
By fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Applications | Awarded | Award rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-2021 | 20 | — | 0% |
| 2021-2022 | 50 | 39 | 78% |
| 2023-2024 | 12 | 36 | 300% |
| 2024-2025 | 15 | 42 | 280% |
| 2022-2023 | 14 | — | 0% |
Source: California Grants Portal
FAQ
Who can apply for CSFP funding?
Charter schools and authorized charter school operators in California are eligible. You must be authorized to operate a charter school under California law.
What can the money be used for?
Funding covers construction of new permanent school facilities or rehabilitation of existing school district facilities. The program provides 50% grant and 50% low-cost loan financing.
How is the funding structured?
CSFP provides a hybrid financing model. Half the funding is a grant (free money). Half is a low-cost loan that must be repaid.
How much can we expect to receive?
Award amounts are not specified in this program. Submit your project proposal to CSFA for financial soundness review and certification.
What is the deadline?
The program operates on a rolling basis. Contact CSFA and OPSC directly for current application windows and submission deadlines.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Prepare detailed project plans showing construction or rehabilitation scope and timeline. CSFA requires strong documentation for financial soundness certification.
- Build relationships with CSFA and OPSC early. Both agencies jointly administer the program and review all applications.
- Demonstrate your charter school's financial stability. Certification of financial soundness is required before you can receive apportionments.
- Budget carefully for the loan portion. Half your funding is a low-cost loan, so plan repayment capacity into your financial projections.
- Start the application process well in advance. Complex capital projects require extensive planning, environmental review, and agency coordination.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Underestimating project costs or timeline—construction projects often face delays and budget overruns that jolt loan repayment plans. Failing to document financial soundness early—CSFA requires certification before funds flow, so weak financials delay everything. Submitting incomplete facility plans or environmental documentation—missing details cause application rejection and require expensive resubmission.
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