California Serves Grant Program 2025-26

The California Department of Education invites eligible local educational agencies to apply for a California Serves Grant. The grant aims to support expanding access for high school graduates to the State Seal of Civic Engagement through high-quality service-learning programs. Eligible applicants include school districts, county offices of education, or charter schools within the State of California that serve students in grade twelve. The grant funding can be used for planning time, professional development, purchase of instructional materials, participation costs, and/or personnel costs that support expanded access to the State Seal of Civic Engagement through high-quality service-learning. • Allowable expenditures include paid planning time for teachers, professional development on service learning, purchase of instructional materials, participation costs, and personnel costs. • The total grant budget for this Request for Applications is up to $5 million annually. • The estimated amount per award is $500,000. • The grant funding method includes advances and reimbursements.