ROLLING Moderate ~100h typical effort

Charter School Facility Grant Program – (SB740)

🏛 State Treasurer's Office (California)

✓ Free, no account · Source: California Grants Portal · Last verified Oct 4, 2026

⏰ Deadline
Rollingapply any time
💰 Award amount
$100K – $250K
📊 Total program funding
$137.27M
📍 Scope
State
📨 Letter of Intent
No
💵 Disbursement
Advances & Reimbursement(s)

Can you apply?

This grant is for charter schools seeking construction or rehabilitation funding through California's facilities financing program. Eligible applicants are charter schools operating in California that demonstrate financial soundness. The program provides 50% grant and 50% loan financing for new permanent facilities or rehabilitation of existing school buildings. Charter schools must be certified as financially sound by the California School Finance Authority to access funds.

Eligible applicants
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Program description

The Charter School Facility Grant Program provides annual grants to offset annual on-going facility costs for charter schools that service a high-percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price meals or located in a public elementary school boundary serving a similar demographic. This program, previously administered by the California Department of Education, was transferred to the California School Finance Authority (CSFA) in 2013-14. Availability of funding is announced on the CSFA website each year.

Who can apply

Eligible applicants

How to apply

Application links

Required documents

  • Financial statements and documentation
  • Facility construction or rehabilitation plans
  • Project budget and cost estimates
  • Financial soundness certification from CSFA
  • School district coordination documentation (if applicable)

Program contact

Funding track record

Past applications & awards under this program (California Grants Portal) — how competitive it is.

2,702
applications
1,691
awarded
63%
award rate
6
years tracked

By fiscal year

Fiscal yearApplicationsAwardedAward rate
2021-2022 435 — 0%
2020-2021 436 — 0%
2022-2023 426 414 97%
2023-2024 452 433 96%
2024-2025 470 444 94%
2025-2026 483 400 83%

Source: California Grants Portal

FAQ

Who can apply for CSFP funding?

Charter schools in California that meet financial soundness requirements can apply. You'll need certification from the California School Finance Authority before accessing funds.

Is this a grant or loan program?

It's both. CSFP provides 50% grant money and 50% loan financing for eligible projects.

What types of projects are eligible?

New permanent school facility construction and rehabilitation of existing school district facilities for charter schools qualify.

How much money is available?

$1.4 billion total has been allocated through Propositions 47, 55, 1D, and 51 for charter school facilities statewide.

How do I get started?

Contact the California School Finance Authority or Office of Public School Construction. You'll need to demonstrate financial soundness and submit facility plans for review.

💡 Tips for applicants

  • Start with the California School Finance Authority (CSFA) to understand financial soundness requirements before spending time on detailed planning.
  • Have detailed construction or rehabilitation plans ready, including scope, timeline, and cost estimates.
  • Understand that 50% of your project will be a loan you must repay, not a full grant. Plan your budget accordingly.
  • Coordinate with your local school district early, especially for rehabilitation projects on district property.
  • Keep documentation of your school's financial health organized and current for the certification process.

⚠️ Common mistakes

Applying without achieving financial soundness certification first wastes time. Not realizing half the award is a loan, not a grant, leads to budget problems. Underestimating construction costs or timelines delays approvals.

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