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
Round 2 Draft Guidelines Available for Public Comment
The Tribal Capacity Building Program has completed one round of funding awards and is currently in Round 2. Based on a series of interviews and engagements with Tribes and lessons learned from Round 1, Round 2 Draft Grant Guidelines for the Tribal Capacity Building Program were released on January 5, 2026 and are available for a 90-day public comment period. Please send any comments, questions, or feedback to Tribalinfo@sgc.ca.gov no later than April 6, 2026.
The Draft Grant Guidelines outline the goals, processes, and requirements for Tribes to participate in the program. The public comment period offers Tribes and the public the opportunity to inform the development of the Final Grant Guidelines.
In-person and virtual workshops will be held in January through March 2026. Specific dates and registration information will be posted online on the Tribal Housing and Capacity Building Initiative webpage and shared through our Tribal programs’ email list, once announced.
Accepting Technical Assistance Provider Submissions for Round 2
The California Strategic Growth Council (SGC) is seeking responses from potential partners, including technical assistance providers and Tribal serving organizations, regarding technical assistance (TA) for the Tribal Capacity Building Program’s upcoming Round 2 and broad Tribal engagement across SGC programs. The SGC has posted a Request for Information (RFI) solicitation that includes the contract’s scope of work, minimum qualifications, and submission requirements. The SGC seeks a TA provider with significant experience working with California Native American Tribes and providing TA for climate- and housing-related federal and state grants.
This RFI is published online in the California State Contracts Register. To view and ensure you receive any future addenda to this solicitation, we encourage you to register through Cal eProcure. Submissions are due Feb. 13, 2026, by 5 p.m. PT. You can learn more about the RFI by clicking the button below.
The SGC will host an informational webinar on Jan. 27, 2026, at 1 p.m. to discuss the contents of this RFI including, but not limited to: Tribal Capacity Building Program background, RFI purpose and response guidance, TA expectations, and anticipated timelines, followed by a Q&A.
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 and Tribal Consultation Period
- January 14 – February 13, 2026, by 5 p.m. PT
Request for Information (RFI) Technical Assistance Provider Submission Period
- January 27, 2026, at 1 p.m. PT
- January 27 – March 25, 2026
- April 29, 2026
Final Grant Guidelines Adopted by SGC
- May 2026
Notice of Funding Availability and Application Release
- May – July 2026
Application Workshop Series
- August 2026
Applications Due
- October 28, 2026
Expected Notice of Recommended Awards Adopted by SGC
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.