2026 Trade Corridor Enhancement Program
🏛 Transportation Commission (California)
✓ Free, no account · Source: California Grants Portal · Last verified Nov 1, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations in California that conduct outreach and education on workplace rights and protections. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, community-based organizations, labor groups, occupational health centers, and agricultural associations. Organizations must serve workers regardless of immigration status and demonstrate capacity to deliver outreach in California, with strong emphasis on rural and underserved regions. Funded activities include workshops, seminars, multilingual materials, and direct outreach on safety, wage theft, workers' compensation, and anti-retaliation protections across priority industries like agriculture, food processing, and hospitality.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
Not the right fit? Find grants for your organization in 5 questions →
Program description
Eligible applicants apply for program funds through the nomination of projects. All projects nominated must be identified in a currently adopted regional transportation plan. The Commission is required to evaluate and select submitted applications based on the following criteria: Freight System Factors: Throughput, Velocity, and Reliability Transportation System Factors: Safety, Congestion Reduction/Mitigation, Key Transportation Bottleneck Relief, Multi-Modal Strategy, Interregional Benefits, and Advanced Technology Community Impact Factors: Air Quality Impact, Community Impact Mitigation, Economic/Jobs Growth, Cost Effectiveness Project Readiness: Ability to complete the project in a timely manner Matching Funds: Demonstration of the required 30% matching funds Leveraging: The leveraging and coordination of funds from multiple sources Program guidelines are created in consultation with agencies identified in Governor’s Executive Order B-32-15, regional transportation planning agencies, local governments, private industry, advocates, and other interested parties. Prior to adoption of the guidelines, the Commission conducts numerous public workshops throughout the state to solicit input and feedback.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Completed application form (as specified in RFA)
- Project narrative describing outreach activities and target populations
- Budget and budget narrative
- Organizational capacity documentation (staff qualifications, prior experience)
- Letters of support from partner organizations
- Proof of California nonprofit or organization status
Program contact
- 📧 Beverley.Newman-Burckhard@catc.ca.gov
- 📞 1-916-281-7720
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-2027 | 4 | — | 0% |
Source: California Grants Portal
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
California-based nonprofits, CBOs, labor organizations, occupational health centers, and agricultural associations can apply. You must demonstrate capacity to reach workers effectively, including vulnerable and rural populations.
What is the funding range and deadline?
Awards range from $200,000 to $500,000. The deadline is June 12, 2026. Total available funding is $9,600,000.
What activities does this grant support?
The grant supports workplace rights education through workshops, seminars, multilingual outreach, and direct engagement with workers and employers. Focus areas include workplace safety, wage theft, workers' compensation, and anti-retaliation protections.
Which industries and workers does this target?
Priority industries include agriculture, food processing, hospitality, janitorial services, warehouse/logistics, and manufacturing. Special focus on low-wage and immigrant workers, including those regardless of immigration status.
Is cost-sharing required?
No cost-sharing is required. This is a direct grant award with no matching funds necessary.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Emphasize your organization's existing relationships with CBOs, labor groups, and occupational health centers to show collaboration capacity.
- Highlight experience delivering services in rural or underserved areas of California where access to workplace rights information is limited.
- Include a clear multilingual outreach strategy showing materials and outreach plans in languages relevant to your target worker populations.
- Demonstrate direct experience with high-priority industries (agriculture, food processing, hospitality, janitorial, warehouse, manufacturing) through past projects or staff expertise.
- Show how you'll reach vulnerable workers including immigrants and undocumented workers while ensuring their safety and confidentiality.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications lack specific evidence of prior experience reaching target worker populations or serving priority industries. Proposals fail to demonstrate authentic partnerships with CBOs and labor organizations beyond listing them as partners. Outreach plans underestimate the importance of multilingual materials and cultural competency for California's diverse workforce.
Similar grants
- ROLLING Rice Incentive Program — Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy (California)
- ROLLING 2026 Local Partnership Competitive Program — Transportation Commission (California)
- ROLLING Airport Improvement Program Matching Grant — Department of Transportation (California)
- ROLLING FY 2025 Next Generation Warning System (NGWS) for Early Earthquake Warning (EEW) Grant Program CFO — Governor's Office of Emergency Services (California)
- ROLLING 2026 Solutions for Congested Corridors Program — Transportation Commission (California)