About the Tribal Capacity Building Program
The Tribal Capacity Building Program provides funding and technical assistance to California Native American Tribes, enhancing staff capacity to advance Tribes’ climate- and housing-related work. The goal of the program is to help Tribes develop long-term capacity to secure funding and implement Tribal-led climate- and housing-related projects.
The Pilot Program’s key objectives are to:
- Build Tribal Staff Capacity to Advance and Sustain Climate and Housing Action
- Secure Funding to Develop and Implement Tribal-led Climate and Housing Projects
- Enhance Peer Learning Relationships Among Tribes
Public Comment and Tribal Consultation Period Closed
The Strategic Growth Council has closed the 90-day public comment and Tribal consultation period on Draft Guidelines for Round 2 of the Tribal Capacity Building Program, which took place from January 5, 2026, to April 6, 2026. The Strategic Growth Council hosted 9 workshops and received 9 requests for Tribal Consultation. Staff are in the process of finalizing the grant guidelines, which are scheduled to be released in late April or early May.
You can access the Draft Guidelines for Round 2 of the Tribal Capacity Building Program below or sign up for our Tribal Newsletter to stay informed about Tribal programs and opportunities. If you have questions, please contact tribalinfo@sgc.ca.gov.
Program Funding & Eligibility
The individual award amount is between $350,000 and $420,000, distributed over a three-year grant term. The total program award amount is $5 million. This is a competitive grant program. Applications will open in May 2026 and close August 2026. In May 2026, SGC will begin hosting workshops and regular office hours to assist Tribes in applying to the program.
The program funds staff salaries and activities that advance Tribes’ climate- and housing-related work. Activities may include planning, securing funding for, and implementing housing projects and related efforts to advance climate mitigation, adaptation, and resilience.
California Native American Tribes listed on the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) Contact List, including federally recognized and non-federally recognized Tribes, are eligible to apply. A non-federally recognized Tribe is eligible to apply if they are registered as a nonprofit, a for-profit corporation, or a limited liability company. Tribally Designated Housing Entities (TDHE) are also eligible to apply.
Technical Assistance Services Offered
Tribes will work with a technical assistance provider and receive no-cost, flexible support that will respond to each tribe’s needs. The capacity building and technical assistance services offered include, but are not limited to, the following:

Technical Assistance
- Grant application assistance
- Grant management support
- Planning support
- Implementation assistance
Capacity Building
- Trainings & workshops
- Staff development
- Economic development
Relationship Building
- Peer learning
- Partnership building
Pilot Round Tribal Grantees
In the first round of the program, a total of $1.45 million was awarded to six pilot round grantees, with each receiving up to $250,000 over a two-year grant term. The grantees represent both federally recognized and non-federally recognized Tribes across the State of California. The six grantees are as follows (in alphabetical order):
- Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of Trinidad Rancheria
Region: North Coast - Confederated Villages of Lisjan Nation
Region: Bay Area - Esselen Tribe of Monterey County
Region: Central Coast - Mooretown Rancheria of Concow-Maidu Indians of California
Region: Northern Sierras - Winnemem Wintu
Region: North State - yak tityu tityu yak tiłhini Northern Chumash Tribe
Region: Central Coast

Calendar
Find application and guideline resources from previous funding rounds.
- April 30, 2025
SGC Council approves funding for Round 2 of the Tribal Capacity Building Program
- January 5 – April 6, 2026
Round 2 Draft Grant Guidelines Public Comment & Tribal Consultation Period
- January 14 – February 13, 2026, by 5 p.m. PT
Request for Information (RFI) TA Provider Submission Period
- January 27, 2026, at 1 p.m. PT
- January 27 – March 25, 2026
Draft Grant Guidelines Tribal Workshop Series | Register Here
- April 29, 2026
Final Grant Guidelines Presented to SGC for Adoption
- May 2026
Notice of Funding Availability & Application Release
- May – July 2026
Application Workshop Series
- August 2026
Applications Due
- October 28, 2026
Recommended Awards Presented to SGC for Approval
Learn more about CACE
SGC’s Community Assistance for Climate Equity Program (CACE) provides technical assistance and capacity building services to help under-resourced communities access critical funding resources, implement high-impact projects, and enact community-led initiatives.