West Oakland Community Fund
Forecasted
West Oakland Community Fund supports current West Oakland residents and businesses through job-readiness training, entrepreneurship education, and small-business assistance to advance local economic development.
Funder: Rose Foundation for Communities and the Environment
Due Dates (Anticipated): October 2027 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Up to $150,000; established nonprofits encouraged to request $50,000–$150,000; most grants last one year
Summary: Supports workforce and business development projects that directly benefit current West Oakland residents and businesses.
Key Information: Applicants outside West Oakland may apply, but projects must demonstrate direct benefits to the defined West Oakland community.
Description
The West Oakland Community Fund is administered by the Rose Foundation for Communities and the Environment to support local economic development and community benefits. It grew from residents’ advocacy around redevelopment of the former Oakland Army Base and an agreement between the City of Oakland and the Port of Oakland to provide resources for the neighborhood affected by the base’s closure.
The 2026 funding round focuses on workforce and business development, with consideration for projects incorporating educational or environmental elements. Workforce projects include job-readiness training in culinary and food service, light manufacturing, logistics and maritime transportation, and construction. Business development includes entrepreneurship education, financial preparedness, long-term mentoring, coaching, technical assistance for start-ups, and programs helping local businesses train and hire West Oakland residents. Future rounds may have different subject priorities.
