Proposition 4 – Nature Based
🏛 Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy (California)
✓ Free, no account · Source: California Grants Portal · Last verified Sep 5, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for county offices of education in California rural areas. Applicants must have demonstrated extensive experience operating high-performing rural tobacco-use prevention education (TUPE) programs. The grant funds up to two Rural Initiative Centers to increase student access to TUPE services in underserved rural regions.
Successful applicants will develop and implement new program offerings. These include subawards for local champions and mentorship opportunities for TUPE leads. The centers will serve rural school districts that currently receive no TUPE funding.
Grant funds must be used to expand tobacco and marijuana prevention education in rural California schools. Activities must address the documented disparities in youth tobacco and marijuana use between rural and urban students.
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Program description
Climate projects are covered under Chapter 6 of Proposition 4 and must satisfy Section 93000, while also addressing at least one priority from Section 93020. Eligible projects protect biodiversity or nature, restore landscape health, or achieve California’s climate goals. To qualify, each project must also reduce climate change risks to communities, fish and wildlife, or natural resources, or increase public access to nature. Proposition 4 – Nature Based
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- Proposal narrative describing center vision and regional plan
- Evidence of prior rural TUPE program success and performance data
- Detailed budget and budget narrative
- Organizational capacity statement
- Evaluation plan for new program offerings
- Letters of support from regional partners and school districts
Program contact
- 📧 grants@smmc.ca.gov
- 📞 1-310-589-2899
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-2025 | 2 | 2 | 100% |
| 2025-2026 | 6 | 6 | 100% |
Source: California Grants Portal
FAQ
Who can apply for this Rural Initiative Centers grant?
County offices of education in California with extensive experience operating high-performing rural TUPE programs. Applicants must demonstrate capacity to serve underserved rural regions.
What must the Rural Initiative Centers do?
Develop and implement new program offerings including subawards for local champions and mentorship/information exchange for TUPE leads in their region.
Which school districts are priority targets?
Rural school districts in California that currently receive no tobacco-use prevention education funding.
What is the deadline for applications?
May 2, 2025. Confirm the exact deadline and any Letter of Intent requirement with the California Department of Education.
How much funding is available per award?
The total funding pool is $1,000,000 for up to two centers. Contact CDE for individual award amounts and any cost-sharing requirements.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Document your track record. Provide data showing your county office's success with existing rural TUPE programs.
- Define your region clearly. Specify which rural school districts you will serve and why they need these services.
- Address disparities explicitly. Show how your center will close the gap between rural and urban student tobacco/marijuana use rates.
- Plan subaward strategy. Detail how you'll identify and support local champions in unserved districts.
- Include evaluation plan. Explain how you'll measure increased access and participation in TUPE services.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applicants fail to demonstrate substantial prior success with rural TUPE programs. Proposals lack clear data on current disparities in their target region. Centers don't explain how subawards will reach districts with no current funding.
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