Listos California CERT Support Grant (LC) Program

The Listos California CERT Support Grant (LC) Program, funded by the Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), aims to support and enhance the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) programs across California, particularly focusing on building their capacity to prepare vulnerable and underserved populations for potential disasters. The program’s objective is to help CERT programs provide critical services such as training in languages other than English, offering accommodations for people with functional needs, and ensuring that training reaches high-risk or underserved communities. Additionally, the program seeks to help CERT programs create a more robust disaster response capacity for these groups, ensuring that essential preparedness resources are available to those who need them the most.

This funding opportunity is available to nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status. The grantee will be responsible for coordinating with Cal OES to support both new and existing CERT programs throughout California. This includes providing disaster preparedness training and resources to populations that are often left out, such as those with limited English proficiency, and those with disabilities or access and functional needs. The program is designed to empower these populations by building stronger, more capable CERT teams at the local level, which can provide immediate assistance in disaster situations.

The total funding available for the program is estimated at $500,000, with one expected award for the grant. The award amount can range from $1 to $500,000, providing flexibility in the scale of support depending on the applicant’s proposed project and capacity. The grant will be administered through a combination of advance payments and reimbursements, which will help the grantee manage the funding throughout the project period. Importantly, no matching funds are required for this grant, which lowers the barrier to entry for nonprofits that might not have the financial resources to meet matching requirements.

The application deadline for this grant is set for April 8, 2025, at 5:00 PM, and the period of performance is from June 1, 2025, to December 31, 2026. The award announcement is expected to occur on June 1, 2025. Applicants should carefully review the full grant guidelines before applying to ensure compliance with all requirements. The application process is not preceded by a Letter of Intent, and there are no geographic restrictions, meaning that any nonprofit with the capacity to support CERT programs statewide can apply.

Eligible applicants must demonstrate their ability to support CERT programs throughout California. The primary focus is on nonprofit organizations that already have the infrastructure and resources to engage with vulnerable communities across the state, as this grant requires a broad geographic reach. This grant represents a significant opportunity for nonprofits to help strengthen disaster preparedness and resilience in California's most underserved areas.

For any questions regarding the grant or the application process, applicants can contact Cindy Logan at Cal OES, via phone at 1-916-845-8859 or by email at Cindy.Logan@caloes.ca.gov. Additional resources and updates regarding the grant are available through the Governor's Office of Emergency Services website.