Grant Programs
Nature in Your Neighborhood
The Open Space Authority helps connect people to the outdoors in their own neighborhoods through nearby parks, trails, urban community gardens and environmental education programs. The Authority has two active grant programs that provide funds for urban projects.
How Grants Programs Work
Urban Grant Program
This competitive grant program, funded by Measure Q and Measure T, addresses the needs of urban communities, including areas that currently have limited access to preserves and parks. The grant program aims to fund projects that will improve the quality of life for urban residents.
Qualifying projects
- Environmental Stewardship and Restoration
- Parks, Trails and Public Access
- Environmental Education
- Urban Agriculture/Food Systems
Eligible Applicants
- Public Agencies
- Schools and School Districts
- Nonprofits
Awards
- Award amounts are determined by each grant cycle.
- A 25% match may be required, which can be met through in-kind services, supplies, cash or through matching funds from other sources.
20% Funding Program
This grant program, referred to as “20% Funding,” has been setting aside 20% of the Open Space Authority’s capital fund annually for urban open space projects since 1997. Once a year, funds are allocated to participating cities and the County of Santa Clara based on each jurisdiction’s percentage of parcels within the areas that most benefit from the Open Authority's resources and services.
Qualifying projects
- Land acquisition
- Environmental restoration
- Improvements that provide or enhance open space, including:
- Increasing public appreciation of open space, such as trails, overlooks and interpretive signage
- Converting surplus or abandoned lands
Eligible Applicants
- City of Campbell
- City of Milpitas
- City of Morgan Hill
- City of San José
- City of Santa Clara
- County of Santa Clara
Awards
- Funding available varies by jurisdiction
We are so grateful for the grant we received from the Authority’s Urban Grant Program. We are working to provide equitable access to healthy food in San José and cultivate leaders in this mission. And the funding from this grant will help us achieve this goal.
