State of California Launches Tribal Investment Phase Request for Proposal (RFP)
The State of California has launched the Tribal Investment Phase under the California Jobs First Regional Investment Initiative (RII), providing $15 million in competitive grant funding to support Tribal economic development, workforce expansion, and climate resilience.
Funding Categories
Grants are available across three categories:
- Planning Projects – Developing economic strategies, feasibility studies, and business planning.
- Pre-Development Projects – Supporting environmental assessments, infrastructure planning, and project readiness.
- Implementation Projects – Funding business creation, workforce training, infrastructure improvements, and clean energy initiatives.
Eligibility and Application Details
- Eligible Applicants: California Native American Tribes, Tribal consortia, and Tribal-led non-profits.
- Funding Limits: Up to $1 million for individual projects, up to $2 million for coalition-led projects.
- Deadlines: Applications will be reviewed in two rounds: April 30, 2025 (Round 1) and March 13, 2026 (Round 2).
- Alignment Requirement: Competitive proposals must align with the Redwood Region RISE's Regional Roadmap and California Jobs First priorities.
Strategic Priorities
- Workforce Development: Projects should expand career pathways and training opportunities, including alignment with the K-16 Collaborative to connect education and industry.
- Climate Resilience: Investments should support Tribal-led sustainability initiatives, clean energy projects, and environmental stewardship.
- Economic Growth & Job Quality: Funded initiatives must promote stable, well-paying jobs with benefits and advancement opportunities for Tribal communities.
RRRISE’s Role in Supporting Applicants
RRRISE's Tribal Table Facilitator and the Collaborative as a whole are committed to assisting Tribal applicants in navigating the State's RFP process, aligning proposals with regional and state priorities, and identifying partnerships to strengthen applications.
For more information, visit California Jobs First or contact RRRISE's Tribal Table Facilitator Joe Davis (Northern California Indian Development Council [NCIDC]) at joe@ncidc.org for strategic guidance.