Desert Conservation Program
🏛 Wildlife Conservation Board (California)
✓ Free, no account · Source: California Grants Portal · Last verified Oct 7, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations seeking to serve as the Program Lead to administer the Performing Arts Equitable Payroll Fund in California. The Program Lead must be an organization with significant expertise in California's creative arts industry and ability to manage a $11.6M grant distribution program.
The Program Lead will receive up to $675,000 to develop pre-application processes, conduct outreach and marketing, provide technical assistance to performing arts nonprofits, and support CalOSBA in final grant selection and oversight.
Eligible sub-grantees must be nonprofit performing arts organizations that can certify proper use of funds, provide organizational data (venue size, budget, employee count), and confirm no employee misclassification judgments.
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Program description
The Desert Conservation Program includes the following actions: Protect, preserve, and restore the natural, cultural, and physical resources of the portions of the Mojave and Colorado Deserts region in California through the acquisition, restoration, and management of lands.Promote the protection and restoration of the biological diversity of the region. Provide for resilience in the region to climate change.Protect and improve air quality and water resources within the region.Undertake efforts to enhance public use and enjoyment of lands owned by the public. The Wildlife Conservation Board accepts pre-applications for acquisition, restoration, and management projects on a continuous basis. Eligible projects include, but are not limited to: Acquisition of land, especially parcels that are part of a wildlife movement corridor, contain water sources, have sacred or culturally significant tribal sites, protect listed species, or provide public accessRestoration of riparian and upland vegetationInvasive plant removal and control.Seed collection, processing, and propagationScientific studies, especially those that help aid in the recovery of listed species.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- Organization background and history
- Demonstrated expertise in California's performing arts sector
- Proposed pre-application process and assessment criteria
- Outreach and marketing plan
- Organizational capacity and staffing plan
- References from performing arts community
Program contact
- 📧 amy.henderson@wildlife.ca.gov
- 📞 1-916-926-9585
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-2025 | 1 | 4 | 400% |
| 2025-2026 | 4 | 1 | 25% |
Source: California Grants Portal
FAQ
Who can apply for the Program Lead role?
Organizations with deep expertise in California's performing arts sector and demonstrated capacity to manage large grant programs. You should have strong industry relationships and technical knowledge.
What are the main Program Lead responsibilities?
Develop pre-application assessment processes, create outreach and marketing plans, provide technical assistance to performing arts nonprofits, and support CalOSBA with final grant review and selection.
What certifications do sub-grantee organizations need to provide?
Proof that funds were used for eligible program purposes, organizational details (budget, employee count, payroll percentage), and certification of no employee misclassification judgments.
Is there a deadline for Program Lead applications?
The deadline listed is September 6, 2024, though confirm current dates with CalOSBA directly.
How much funding is available for the overall program?
The Program Lead receives up to $675,000. The program distributes $11.625 million in grants to eligible performing arts nonprofits.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Demonstrate deep relationships and credibility within California's performing arts community before applying.
- Show prior experience managing grant programs or administering state funding at similar scale.
- Develop a detailed, realistic outreach plan that identifies how you'll reach underrepresented performing arts organizations.
- Plan clear, streamlined pre-application processes that don't create barriers for smaller or under-resourced organizations.
- Understand California's employee classification laws (Government Code 8757) thoroughly to ensure you can verify compliance among sub-grantees.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Underestimating the scope of outreach needed to reach all segments of California's performing arts ecosystem. Proposing pre-application processes so burdensome that small organizations avoid applying. Lacking documented relationships or credibility with California arts organizations.
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