The California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) is now accepting applications for its CalMoneySmart Grant Program.
Donor Name: California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation
State: California
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 04/27/2026
Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000
Grant Duration: 2 Years
Details:
CalMoneySmart was established in 2019 when Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 455, creating a $4 million grant fund for nonprofit organizations focused on unbanked and underbanked Californians. In 2021-22, Assembly Bill 137 added $10 million to the fund, raising the annual grant total to $2 million.
Funding Information
CalMoneySmart offers qualifying nonprofit organizations grants of up to $200,000.
Grant Period
CalMoneySmart grant programs run on a 2-year cycle.
Uses of Funds
CalMoneySmart offers qualifying nonprofit organizations grants. The grants may be used to:
- Design, develop, or offer free classroom- or web-based financial education and empowerment content intended to help unbanked and underbanked consumers achieve, identify, and access lower-cost financial products and services, establish or improve their credit, increase their savings, or lower their debt.
- Provide individualized, free financial coaching to unbanked and underbanked consumers.
- Design, develop, or offer a free financial product or service intended to help unbanked and underbanked consumers identify and access responsible financial products and financial services, establish or improve their credit, increase their savings, or lower their debt.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for a grant, an Applicant must meet the following criteria:
- The Applicant is exempt from federal income taxes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is organized and operated exclusively for one or more of the purposes described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code; and
- No part of the net earnings of the Applicant shall inure to the benefit of a private shareholder or individual.
- The Applicant must be in good standing with the Secretary of State of California and the state of the Applicant’s incorporation, if applicable.
- Submission of a satisfactory final report for any and all prior grant funding awarded by DFPI.
For more information, visit DFPI.
