2023-24 (Round 10) Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program (SALC) Agricultural Conservation Acquisition Grants
🏛 Department of Conservation (California)
✓ Free, no account · Source: California Grants Portal · Last verified Sep 5, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for wildlife rehabilitation organizations in California serving native wildlife. Applicants must demonstrate capacity to provide quality care, including proper facilities and staff training. Both facility-based and home-based wildlife rehabilitation programs are eligible.
The grant supports operational costs, facility improvements, and innovation in rehabilitation techniques. Applicants should show how funds will enhance animal care, enclosure design, behavioral enrichment, or post-release monitoring.
Conservation education activities related to wildlife rehabilitation are eligible expenses. Funds cannot support fundraising campaigns, raffles, donations, or hospitality expenses.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
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Program description
The Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program (SALC) supports the state’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emission goals by making strategic investments to protect agricultural lands. Agricultural Conservation Acquisitions provide funding to leverage the protection of strategically located, highly productive, and critically threatened agricultural land, via the purchase of permanent agricultural conservation easements and fee title purchases.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Grant application form
- Project narrative and budget narrative
- Facility information (licenses, certifications, capacity)
- Detailed budget with itemized expenses
- Evidence of nonprofit status (IRS 501(c)(3) determination or equivalent authorization)
Program contact
- 📧 shanna.atherton@conservation.ca.gov
- 📞 1-916-858-9724
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 | 102 | 47 | 46% |
Source: California Grants Portal
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Wildlife rehabilitation organizations and facilities operating in California. Both facility-based and home-based rehabilitation programs are eligible.
What can I use the grant funds for?
Operations, facility improvements, staff training, enrichment materials, enclosure design, post-release monitoring, and conservation education. You cannot fund fundraising, raffles, or hospitality.
What is the award range?
Individual grants range from $2,500 to $20,000. The total funding pool is $500,000.
Is cost-sharing required?
No cost-sharing is required for this grant.
When is the deadline?
The deadline is September 25, 2024. Check the California Department of Fish and Wildlife website for the 2025 application cycle opening date.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Focus your proposal on how funds will directly improve animal care quality or post-release survival rates. Reviewers prioritize demonstrated outcomes.
- Include detailed facility information or home-based setup details. Show proper licensing, staffing, and protocols for animal handling.
- Describe your innovation clearly—whether it's new enclosure design, behavioral enrichment methods, or monitoring techniques. Avoid vague language.
- Align expenses with allowed categories. Document how facility improvements or operational costs support rehabilitation directly.
- Start early on your application. Gather financial documentation, facility photos, and letters of support from veterinarians or conservation partners.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications lacking clear connection between proposed expenses and improved animal welfare outcomes. Proposals submitted with insufficient facility documentation or staff qualifications. Budgets that include ineligible categories like fundraising or general operating costs without direct rehabilitation benefit.
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