Division of Boating and Waterways Local Assistance Statewide Sign Grant Program FY27
🏛 Department of Parks and Recreation (California)
✓ Free, no account · Source: California Grants Portal · Last verified Nov 1, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for existing State-Local Partners (SLPs) in California to mentor and develop new local arts agencies. Applicants must be county-designated or government-affiliated arts organizations currently serving an entire county. The mentee organization should be established within 2-3 years as either a county government unit or 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and hybrid public-nonprofit entities. Mentee organizations must commit to providing arts programming and services across their county. The mentee must be ready to establish and operate independently after two years of mentorship.
Geographic scope is limited to California counties. This grant supports capacity-building and technical assistance for emerging local arts agencies in underserved regions. Mentorship includes implementation of local arts plans and alignment with California Arts Council strategic priorities.
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Program description
The Statewide Sign Grant Program installs and replaces signs for previously funded Boating and Waterways projects that are either obsolete, display incorrect information, are badly worn and unattractive, are missing or damaged, are needed for safety, or are required as a condition of receiving federal funds.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- Application form or cover letter
- Organizational background and capacity statement
- Mentorship plan and timeline
- Description of mentee county and community served
- Budget and budget narrative
Program contact
- 📧 joe.dux@parks.ca.gov
- 📞 1-916-902-8822
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-2027 | 4 | — | 0% |
Source: California Grants Portal
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Existing State-Local Partners in California can apply. Your organization must be the official county-designated entity supporting arts activity throughout an entire county.
What is the mentee organization?
The mentee is a new local arts agency you'll develop over 2-3 years. It becomes either a county government unit or independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Can we reapply for funding?
Yes. Grantees can reapply for second and third-year funding to fully implement mentorship work.
What activities does this grant support?
Capacity building, technical assistance, training, local arts planning, and equity-focused grantmaking strategies. Support includes helping mentee organizations develop their first two years of arts programming.
How long is the grant period?
The mentorship typically spans 2-3 years. Successful completion leads to the mentee qualifying independently for future State-Local Partner grants.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Clearly identify your mentee county and explain why that region needs a new local arts agency.
- Detail your current capacity and resources available to mentor a developing organization over three years.
- Align your mentorship plan with CAC's Strategic Framework priorities: capacity building, geographic equity, and service consistency.
- Build evaluation methods into your proposal to track mentee progress toward independence and sustainability.
- Address how mentorship will advance equity in arts funding across disparate California regions.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Vague mentee identification or unclear timeline for establishing the new agency. Failing to connect mentorship activities to CAC's Strategic Framework priorities on capacity, equity, and regional disparities. Insufficient detail on sustainability planning after the two-year mentorship concludes.
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