10 Oct 2025

California Community Foundation’s Ready to Rise Grants: How Mentorship Programs Can Secure Funding and Transform Lives

The California Community Foundation (CCF) has been investing in Los Angeles communities for more than a century, focusing on education, health, housing, and civic engagement. As one of the region’s leading philanthropic institutions, CCF partners with nonprofits and local leaders to drive systemic change and expand opportunities for underserved populations.

Within its education focus, CCF collaborates with the Liberty Hill Foundation and the Los Angeles County Probation Department to deliver the Ready to Rise (R2R) program—a groundbreaking initiative designed to uplift justice-impacted and at-risk youth. By funding mentorship, leadership development, and healing-centered programs, R2R helps transform second chances into lasting futures.

California Community Foundation’s Ready to Rise Grants

Overview

Ready to Rise (R2R) is a public-private partnership between the California Community Foundation, Liberty Hill Foundation, and the Los Angeles County Probation Department. The initiative funds community-based organizations in L.A. County that serve youth impacted by or at risk of juvenile justice involvement.

Its focus areas include:

  • Mentorship and leadership
  • Educational attainment
  • Arts and creative expression
  • Workforce development
  • Healing-centered supports

Past Recipients

Since launching in 2019, R2R has grown from a $3.2 million pilot to a multi-year, $38–50 million initiative, supporting 49 grantee organizations and serving over 25,000 youth through R2R’s integrated grantmaking and capacity-building approach Three featured grantees include:

  • EmpowHer Institute, which helps girls and gender-expansive youth develop leadership and creative expression through arts programs situated in underserved neighborhoods
  • Girls Club LA, delivering academic and socio-emotional support to girls of color, focusing on community leadership and wellness in high-need areas
  • Bridge Builders Foundation, operating diversion-focused and youth organizing programs—serving previously justice-involved youth and increasing organizational capacity through R2R funding and technical assistance

These organizations succeeded because they:

  1. Demonstrated clear alignment with R2R’s mission.
  2. Presented evidence-backed proposals with measurable outcomes.
  3. Showed capacity to scale their programs beyond the initial grant term.

Application Process

  1. Monitor release of the RFP (Request for Proposals), typically published on the California Community Foundation and Liberty Hill websites.
  2. Prepare a proposal including organizational overview, program design (mentoring, leadership, education, arts), evaluation strategy, and budget.
  3. Submit via the online grants portal before the deadline (e.g., $50K–$200K annual awards over three years)
  4. Shortlisted applicants may be invited for interviews or asked to provide supplemental materials.

Eligibility Criteria & Evaluation

Eligible applicants are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations based in Los Angeles County, offering positive youth development services to justice-impacted or at-risk youth aged approximately 11–24. Programs should center on mentorship, education, leadership, workforce, or arts-based healing support. Organizations must demonstrate cultural responsiveness, equity focus (particularly for Black and Brown youth), and prior experience serving system-affected populations

Evaluation Criteria

Applications are evaluated on:

  • Alignment with CCF’s strategic priorities and initiatives.
  • Demonstrated program impact and measurable outcomes.
  • Organizational capacity to advance CCF strategies.
  • Engagement in systemic change (civic engagement, policy, or collective impact).
  • Organizational sustainability: strong leadership, strategic plan, transparent board, and financial stability.
  • Commitment to serving Los Angeles County, with priority for Antelope Valley, eastern San Gabriel Valley, and southeast L.A. County.

Tips for Grantseekers

  • Review all program information online before applying.
  • Focus on outcomes you will achieve with the grant, not just current challenges.
  • Clearly explain how your approach differs from or improves upon others, while respecting peer organizations.
  • Provide only the information requested and strictly meet deadlines.
  • Submit early to avoid technical issues—extensions are not provided.
  • Consider collaborative applications with another nonprofit for a larger grant.

Timeline

The Ready to Rise program follows an annual grant cycle:

  • RFP Release : Once per year, typically in the first half of the year.
  • Application Window : 6–8 weeks.
  • Review & Notification : Applicants notified within 2–3 months after submission.
  • Grant Term : One year, with potential for renewal based on outcomes.

Organizations should monitor the CCF Education Focus page for the latest updates.

Where GridPolaris Fits In

Nonprofits applying for programs like Ready to Rise need more than passion — they need systems that demonstrate measurable outcomes and sustained engagement.

GridPolaris is a comprehensive mentorship management platform designed for youth-serving organizations. It helps teams:

  • Match mentors and mentees thoughtfully based on needs and goals.
  • Track sessions, milestones, and progress in real time.
  • Generate reports and metrics that align with funder requirements.
  • Maintain consistent communication between mentors, mentees, and program staff.

By using a structured tool like GridPolaris, organizations strengthen their mentorship programs, increase accountability, and showcase tangible impact — key factors in securing and sustaining grants such as Ready to Rise.

Conclusion

Whether you’re seeking Ready to Rise funding or building long-term mentorship capacity, combining effective program design with smart tools like GridPolaris helps turn second chances into lasting opportunities for young people across Los Angeles.

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