Orphan Site Cleanup Fund
🏛 State Water Resources Control Board (California)
✓ Free, no account · Source: California Grants Portal · Last verified Oct 7, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for California charter schools seeking to finance or refinance school facilities. Eligible applicants are charter schools and authorized organizations acting on their behalf. The program provides debt service reserves for acquisition, renovation, construction, or refinancing of charter school facilities. Activities must directly support charter school facility development or debt management.
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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
- Application form (State Treasurer's Office template)
- Debt service schedule
- Facility project documentation or refinancing details
- Lender commitment letter or pre-approval
- Charter school authorizing documentation
- Financial statements and audit
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 this grant?
Charter schools in California and their authorized representatives. Public charter schools are the primary eligible applicants.
What type of facilities does this program fund?
Debt service reserves for acquiring, renovating, constructing, or refinancing charter school facilities. All facility-related projects are eligible.
Is there a rolling deadline?
Yes. The program typically operates on a rolling basis, though specific opening and closing dates should be confirmed with the State Treasurer's Office.
How competitive is this grant?
Competition is typically moderate, varying by available funding pool size. Charter schools with solid financial documentation and clear facility needs tend to be more competitive.
What is the typical award amount?
Award amounts are not specified. Contact the State Treasurer's Office for current funding levels and project-by-project award ranges.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Secure a letter of commitment from your lender before applying. Lenders often have specific requirements for reserve fund documentation.
- Document your facility need clearly with site plans, architectural assessments, or refinancing justifications. Specificity strengthens your case.
- Understand your charter school's debt service obligations in detail. Strong financial projections will help demonstrate reserve fund adequacy.
- Establish a relationship with the State Treasurer's Office early. Staff can clarify current priorities and help shape a competitive application.
- Build your application around your school's long-term facilities strategy. Show how this reserve fund supports broader educational goals.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applicants underestimate the reserve fund amount needed and face lender rejection. Applications lack clear connection between reserve fund and specific facility project scope. Schools fail to include current debt service schedules and projected facility costs.
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