Charter School Facilities Program (CSFP)
🏛 State Treasurer's Office (California)
✓ Free, no account · Source: California Grants Portal · Last verified Jul 8, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for California charter schools seeking capital financing for facility construction or rehabilitation. Eligible applicants are charter schools serving students in California. Schools must pass financial soundness certification from the California School Finance Authority. Funds support new permanent school facilities or rehabilitation of existing district facilities through a 50% grant / 50% loan structure.
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Program description
Through the passage of Propositions 47, 55, 1D, and most recently, 51, $1.4 billion has been made available to charter schools for construction of new facilities or rehabilitation of existing school district facilities. CSFP provides low-cost financing for charter school facilities; 50% grant, 50% loan. This money is used to finance the construction of new, permanent school facilities or rehabilitation of existing school district facilities for charter schools throughout the state. CSFP is jointly administered by the California School Finance Authority (CSFA) and the Office of Public School Construction (OPSC). CSFA directs the financial soundness review process for the CSFP and provides certification of financial soundness for purposes of Preliminary, Advance, and Final Apportionments.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- Audited financial statements
- Charter authorization documentation
- Facility project plans or architectural drawings
- Proof of enrollment or enrollment projections
- Financial soundness certification application materials
Program contact
- 📧 csfa@treasurer.ca.gov
- 📞 1-213-620-4608
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 | 7 | — | 0% |
| 2021-2022 | 21 | — | 0% |
| 2024-2025 | 1 | — | 0% |
| 2023-2024 | 1 | — | 0% |
| 2022-2023 | 3 | 2 | 67% |
| 2025-2026 | 89 | 37 | 42% |
Source: California Grants Portal
FAQ
Who can apply for CSFP funding?
Charter schools in California that can demonstrate financial soundness. The charter must serve students and be authorized under California law.
What can CSFP funds be used for?
Construction of new permanent school facilities or rehabilitation of existing school district facilities. Funds cannot be used for other capital improvements.
What is the grant/loan split?
50% of the award is a grant; the remaining 50% is a low-cost loan. Charter schools must repay the loan portion.
How much funding is available?
A total of $1.4 billion in funding is available through this program. Award amounts vary based on project scope and financial capacity.
What is the timeline for awards?
The program operates on a rolling basis. There is no specified annual deadline, so schools should submit applications when ready.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Ensure your charter school has strong financial documentation before applying. The financial soundness review is critical to approval.
- Plan ahead: facility projects require time for design, environmental review, and financing. Early submission is wise.
- Work closely with the California School Finance Authority (CSFA) during the certification process. They guide the review.
- Document the facility need clearly. Show enrollment trends, code compliance issues, or overcrowding justifying the project.
- Understand the loan repayment obligation. Budget for debt service on the 50% loan portion of your award.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications fail when charter schools lack clear financial documentation or audited financials. Weak project justification without enrollment data or facility assessments hurts competitiveness. Unclear understanding of the 50/50 grant-loan structure leads to inadequate debt service planning.
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