State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2025-28 CDSS Removal Defense Grant

Department of Social Services · State of California

At a glance

State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2025-28 CDSS Removal Defense Grant is a closed California state grant opportunity from the Department of Social Services (State of California). The application deadline was April 11, 2025. Total estimated funding is $8.4M. Applicant types listed as eligible include nonprofit. It is listed on the California Grants Portal. Cost sharing is not required.

Summary assembled from the official notice's fields. The official notice governs.

Key facts

Mar 24, 2025Posted
Apr 11, 2025Application deadline

Opened: Mar 24, 2025
Close date: Apr 11, 2025
Award floor: Not specified
Award ceiling: Not specified
Est. total funding: $8,400,000
Expected awards: Not specified
Matching funds: Not required
Funding instrument: Grant

Program details (as published on the California Grants Portal)

Type: Grant
Funding source: State
Matching funds: Not Required
Funding method: Reimbursement(s)
Estimated number of awards: Between 30 and 35
Estimated award amounts: Dependant on number of submissions received, application process, etc.
Award period: Quarterly Reviewed
Expected award announcement: 7/1/2025
Letter of intent: Not required
Geography: Statewide
How to submit: Online: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KRV7ZP5

Who can apply

Applicant categories as listed on the California Grants Portal. GrantsJunction maps them to detailed applicant types for search and matching.

Nonprofit

Additional information on eligibility (from the listing)

The RFA process is open to all California-based nonprofit organizations that request at least the minimum level of funding to provide RD services as defined in this RFA. To be eligible for Removal Defense, an applicant shall meet the minimum eligibility criteria

Can your organization apply?

A quick check against the listed applicant types — other requirements in the notice still apply.

Based on the published notice. Review the official notice for complete eligibility requirements.

What it funds

Purpose and description as published on the California Grants Portal.

Purpose

Under the Removal Defense program, CDSS grants funds to selected qualified nonprofit organizations to provide legal services to immigrants currently in or facing removal proceedings. Pursuant to the RFA process, the CDSS will select nonprofit organizations that meet the qualifications and demonstrate the ability to provide RD services.

Description

Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) sections 13302-13307 authorize the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) to award funding to qualified nonprofit organizations to provide services to immigrants residing in, or formerly residing in, the State of California.

Program page on the agency site ↗

Past applications & awards

Historical data · not a prediction

Reported by the agency for this listing

Fiscal year 2024–2558 applications · 33 awards

Counts as published on the California Grants Portal. Award counts can read zero until decisions are announced.

Awards published: 33
Total awarded: $8,400,000
Median award: $182,910 calculated
Smallest – largest: $98,141 – $1,111,759

Recipients by type: Nonprofit (33)

Areas served: Los Angeles County (12), Orange County (6), Fresno County (5), San Diego County (5), Alameda County (4), San Bernardino County (3), San Francisco County (2), Sacramento County (2), San Mateo County (1), Napa County (1), Sonoma County (1), Santa Clara County (1)

Largest awards to organizations

Immigrant Defenders Law CenterSFY 2025-28 Removal Defense Program (RD)$1,111,759 · FY 2024–25
Catholic Charities of Los Angeles Inc.SFY 2025-28 Removal Defense Program (RD)$642,848 · FY 2024–25
Immigrant Legal DefenseSFY 2025-28 Removal Defense Program (RD)$635,904 · FY 2024–25
California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation (CRLAF)SFY 2025-28 Removal Defense Program (RD)$436,832 · FY 2024–25
Central American Resource Center- CARECEN- of CaliforniaSFY 2025-28 Removal Defense Program (RD)$380,903 · FY 2024–25
Human Rights FirstSFY 2025-28 Removal Defense Program (RD)$359,993 · FY 2024–25
Immigrant Institute of the Bay AreaSFY 2025-28 Removal Defense Program (RD)$312,127 · FY 2024–25
Coalition for Humane Immigrant RightsSFY 2025-28 Removal Defense Program (RD)$304,009 · FY 2024–25
Services, Immigrant Rights & Education NetworkSFY 2025-28 Removal Defense Program (RD)$296,148 · FY 2024–25
Centro Legal de la RazaSFY 2025-28 Removal Defense Program (RD)$288,538 · FY 2024–25

Source: California Grants Portal grant award data. Awards to individuals are counted but not named. Past awards show who was funded; they do not predict future decisions.

Program contact (as published)

ImmigrationServices@dss.ca.gov
1-916-764-7104

Quick answers

Who is eligible to apply for “State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2025-28 CDSS Removal Defense Grant”?

The official listing names these applicant types as eligible: Nonprofit. It adds: “The RFA process is open to all California-based nonprofit organizations that request at least the minimum level of funding to provide RD services as defined in this RFA. To be eligible for Removal Defense, an applicant shall meet the minimum eligibility criteria” Additional restrictions may apply; review the full guidelines.

How much funding is available through “State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2025-28 CDSS Removal Defense Grant”?

Per the notice, total estimated program funding is $8,400,000.

How do I apply for “State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2025-28 CDSS Removal Defense Grant”?

Applications go directly to Department of Social Services, not through GrantsJunction. Submission: online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KRV7ZP5. Read the program guidelines on the agency's site first; state programs set their own forms and registration requirements.

Other open California state opportunities, matched on agency, categories and wording.

OpenState of California