California Charter Schools Grants: Apply for up to $1.9 million through PCSGP

Students in a new classroom provided by the California Charter School Grant Program

Anna Kuzmi

Anna Kuzmic is a Research Analyst for the Nonprofit Practice. She works with the Managing Director and Directors to align clients with federal grant and foundation funding opportunities.

California’s Public Charter Schools Grant Program expands learning opportunities for communities

The California Department of Education (CDE) has opened this year’s competition for the Public Charter Schools Grant Program (PCSGP) Start-Up Subgrant, a funding opportunity designed to launch new and expand existing public charter schools.

With up to $1.9 million in funding per school over three years and a total of $20.2 million available statewide, this program provides early-stage support to charter schools that are bringing innovative educational models to California communities.

Key Dates and Details:

Application Deadline: December 5, 2025

Estimated Number of Awards: Approximately 14

Funding Duration: Up to 3 years

The PCSGP has four funding tracks to help public charter schools plan, build, or expand.

Funding Track

Eligibility

Planning

For new charter schools not yet serving students.

Implementation

For early-stage charter schools that began serving students after July 1, 2024.

Replication

For opening a new campus or replicating a high-quality model.

Expansion

For charter schools wanting to add new grade levels or increase enrollment.

Please see the RFA for specific eligibility details.

Supplemental funding is available for PCSGP proposals that:

Implement Career Technical Education

Serve students with disabilities, those from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds, and English learners.

Priority points are available for applicants with fewer than five charter schools in their district or fewer than 10 charter schools in their county.

McAllister and Quinn Recent Grant Success Insights

We’ve secured more than $17 billion for our clients for social services, education, health, conservation, and the arts. Below are a few examples of our successes in California:

$1,000,000 to the Family Services Agency of Santa Barbara, from the U.S. Department of Justice’s STOP School Violence Program to support a local school district.

$750,000 to the Japanese American National Museum from the Department of the Interior’s Save America’s Treasures Grant Program in support of their historical collection.

$350,000 to Para Los Niños from the U.S. Department of Labor Congressionally Directed Spending account to support their youth workforce centers.

$1,700,000 to Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services from LA County’s Department of Mental Health for mobile crisis outreach services to homeless populations in Los Angeles County.