2026 Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund: Conservation Planning Assistance (Nontraditional Section 6)
🏛 Department of Fish and Wildlife (California)
✓ Free, no account · Source: California Grants Portal · Last verified Jul 10, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for nonprofits, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, tribal governments, and educational institutions in California to create Spanish-language radio programming and digital media. Individuals cannot apply. Organizations must be able to produce 24 semi-monthly, 30-minute radio shows and accompanying digital content.
The funding supports workforce development outreach through media. Applicants are encouraged to leverage additional resources from businesses, labor organizations, and government programs, though this is not required.
Projects are based in California and funded through the state Employment Development Department's Wagner-Peyser discretionary funds.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
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Program description
The Conservation Planning Assistance Grant program provides funding to States to support the development of new Habitat Conservation Plans (HCPs) and Conservation Benefit Agreements (CBAs; formerly referred to as Safe Harbor Agreements and Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances). Funding may also be used to support the renewal or amendment of existing HCPs or CBAs. The development of HCPs that include only candidate or at-risk species (i.e., no federally listed species covered by the HCP), such that the HCP would be in place if the species is listed, is also supported through this program. Funding may be used to support development and planning activities such as document preparation, public outreach, baseline species surveys, habitat assessments, and inventories. The preparation of environmental compliance review documents, such as National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), is also an eligible use of grant funds. For CBAs, outreach, coordination, and administrative costs associated with the implementation of permitted agreements is also an eligible use of funds this year. Please Note: This is a federal grant program administered by the State. Federal conditions are subject to change. The timeline for the FY2026 US Fish and Wildlife Service Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund: Habitat Conservation Plan Land Acquisition Grants Funding Opportunity is set by the US Fish and Wildlife Service; it is unknown when that funding opportunity will be released. The application deadline listed in this solicitation may change to either an earlier or later date. The solicitation period is not expected to exceed four weeks. Contact your CDFW Region to coordinate on proposals. CDFW Regions submit proposals to nccp@wildlife.ca.gov. Resources for this solicitation are based on the FY2025 Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund: Conservation Planning Assistance funding opportunity announcement from the US Fish and Wildlife Service (F25AS00184) and FY2025 CDFW requirements.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- Faith-based Organization
- Individuals
- Nonprofits
- Public Authority
- Small Business (SBA-defined)
- Tribal Nation
- Tribal Organization
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Solicitation for Proposals application form
- Proposal narrative describing project plan and media production approach
- Budget and budget justification
- Organizational qualifications and relevant experience
- Production timeline and staffing plan
Program contact
- 📧 NCCP@wildlife.ca.gov
- 📞 1-916-594-4485
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Nonprofit organizations, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations, tribal governments, and educational institutions can apply. Individuals are not eligible.
What is the deadline?
Proposals are due June 16, 2026 by 3 p.m. PT. The EDD encourages a Notice of Intent by June 9, 2026.
What activities are funded?
The grant funds creation and broadcast of 24 semi-monthly, 30-minute Spanish-language radio talk shows in video format, plus complementing social media and website content.
Is cost-sharing required?
No, cost-sharing is not required. However, applicants are encouraged to leverage additional resources from businesses, labor organizations, and other sources.
How much funding is available?
Up to $100,000 is available. The EDD anticipates funding one organization.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Attend the informational webinar on June 2, 2026 at 10 a.m. PT to clarify expectations and ask questions directly.
- Submit a Notice of Intent by June 9 to show serious interest and signal your organization's capacity early.
- Clearly detail your production capability: staff, equipment, and experience producing radio and video content in Spanish.
- Plan how you will leverage other resources and fund sources to maximize impact and demonstrate commitment.
- Build relationships with labor organizations, business groups, and other workforce partners to strengthen your proposal's community reach.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Failing to demonstrate Spanish-language media production experience or capability. Underestimating the scope of creating 24 half-hour programs plus digital content. Not clearly connecting the outreach to workforce development goals for farmworkers.
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