“Technology for All: Access Made Easy”
We are a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Grass Valley, California, dedicated to promoting digital equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Our mission is to provide free technology resources to individuals with low income, their families, and nonprofit organizations.
We provide educational content in various forms such as infographics, videos, podcasts, and guides. Our goal is to equip you with the necessary tools for today's digital world.
Check out our guides to overcome barriers and access the most modern tools, regardless of your race, gender, or socioeconomic status.
Guides
How to use
Electric Vehicle and Plug-in Hybrid Incentives
Free Cell Service and Smartphone for Folks with Low Income
Free Internet Plus a Complete Overview of all Internet Options
Use a Positive Affirmation for Your Master Password
My favorite places to spend EBT
Check your EBT balance, and much more with the propel app
findhelp.org - Search and Connect to Social Care in all Counties and States
Chat Support
🎧 New: Listen as audiobooks
All our guides are now available as audiobooks in the free Storyvox Android app — offline neural text-to-speech, no tracking, no ads. Read the announcement → or get Storyvox at storyvox.techempower.org.
Phone Support
Call 211 from any phone to connect with a real person! 📞 (provided by 211connectingpoint.org)
Resources
Resources
CalEITC — California Earned Income Tax Credit
Money
$3,756
CalFresh recipients; low‑income individuals; families with a child under 6; current and former foster youth ages 18–25
LIHEAP — Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program
Home
No content
low-income households
Hospitality House
Home
No content
Homeless single adults and families in Western Nevada County with 45+ days of county residency; approved pets welcome; no photo ID required.
Curry Resource Center
Home
No content
people experiencing homelessness or housing instability in Nevada County
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher
Home
No content
low‑income individuals and families
GitHub Student Developer Pack - GitHub Education free 1 year
Student
Tech
Free access to 100+ developer tools including GitHub Copilot, cloud credits, domains, and learning resources for one year
Currently enrolled students aged 13+ with a valid school-issued email or student ID
Cursor · Students free 1 year
Student
Tech
One free year of Cursor Pro AI-powered code editor ($240 value)
Eligible university students with a valid .edu email
1yr student Google AI One Plans free
Student
Tech
ENDED 2026-03-11. New signups: free Gemini + 1-month AI Pro trial only. Pre-March enrollees keep access until 2026-06-30.
Offer closed to new signups as of 2026-03-11. Existing enrollees retain access through 2026-06-30.
Free AI Coding Assistant: Complete Guide
Tech
Student
Nonprofit
Free to $20/month AI coding assistant — saves $240-$2,400/year vs paid plans
Everyone. Students: 1 yr Cursor Pro free (.edu). Nonprofits: 75% off Claude. Open-source maintainers: 6 mo Claude Max free.
Propel - America’s #1 EBT app
Food
Money
Health
Tech
Free app to check EBT balance, track transactions, and access curated offers for low-income households
EBT cardholders and low-income individuals
Enhanced Care Management QIP
Health
No content
people experiencing homelessness or housing instability, frequent ER or hospital users, individuals with serious mental health needs or substance use disorder, those at risk of nursing home placement who wish to stay in the community, individuals leaving jail or prison, children or youth in foster care or the child welfare system, pregnant or postpartum individuals at higher risk for complications
The card that comes with connections - Hello Alice
Money
$50
small businesses
How to Get SUN Bucks
Children
Food
$120 per eligible child loaded onto an EBT card for summer food purchases
Children who qualify for free or reduced-price school meals, or receive CalFresh, CalWORKs, or Medi-Cal at or below 185% FPL
All Residential Services - Northern Rural Energy Network
Home
Free energy efficiency kits, home assessments, and rebates for energy upgrades
Residents in Northern Rural Energy Network service territory
Home - Northern Rural Energy Network
Home
Free home energy assessments, free energy efficiency kits, and rebates for energy upgrades to reduce bills and improve home comfort
Residents in 17 rural Northern California counties: Alpine, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, El Dorado, Humboldt, Lake, Lassen, Mendocino, Mariposa, Nevada, Placer, Plumas, Sierra, Sutter, Tuolumne, and Yuba. Customers of PG&E, Pioneer Community Energy, Sonoma Clean Power, or Redwood Coast Energy Authority.
EasyEDA Campus Promotion Ambassador
Student
Tech
Official ambassador certificate, priority access to new features, limited-edition merchandise, $20 JLCPCB coupon per successful teacher referral
Currently enrolled college or high school students, preferably majoring in electronics or enthusiasts with experience in campus activities, community building, and student leadership
CAEATFA GoGreen Home Energy Financing
Home
$1,000-$75,000 loans for home energy upgrades; rates from ~4% APR; up to 20-year terms; 0% or 2% rates available for income-qualified households doing heat pump projects
Any California homeowner or renter (single-family, townhome, condo, mobile home, or 1-4 unit building). Open to customers of all utilities — IOUs (PG&E, SCE, SDG&E, SoCalGas) and publicly owned utilities (SMUD, LADWP, etc.). Credit scores from 580 accepted. Low-income households in disadvantaged communities qualify for 0%/2% rate buydowns on heat pump projects.
Ask the Ref – Bereau of Automotive Repair Smog Check Referee Program
Car
No content
everyone
Battery storage for homeowners
Home
SMUD: up to $5,400 per Powerwall + $110/qtr ongoing. PG&E: free permanent battery via RSI (if eligible) or up to $500 for portable backup. Federal 30% tax credit ended 12/31/2025.
SMUD program: SMUD residential customers with Tesla Powerwall on Solar and Storage Rate, enrolled within 90 days of PTO. PG&E options: income-qualified households (SGIP RSSE waitlist), fire-risk areas (RSI free battery, $500 portable rebate).
Property tax home owners exemption
Money
Home
$7,000 reduction to assessed home value, saving approximately $70 annually on property taxes
California homeowners whose home is their primary residence as of January 1
Lease EV Discounts – Ride and Drive Clean
Car
$17,400
MCE customers
Leasing New EVs and Incentives - Electric For All
Car
Browse new EV models with available federal, state, and local incentives by ZIP code
All U.S. residents considering an EV purchase or lease
Medicare-Savings-Programs-in-California
Senior
Health
Helps pay Medicare premiums, deductibles, and copayments for eligible low-income Californians
Medicare enrollees with monthly income up to $1,330 (QMB) / $1,596 (SLMB) / $1,796 (QI) individual, with proportional couple limits. Asset limit $130,000 individual (reinstated Jan 1, 2026).
California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) Adoption Account
Tech
$30 million authorized for FY 2025-26. CPUC funds up to 85% of project cost; applicant provides 15% match. No published per-project cap. 24-month performance period. Deadlines every Jan 1 and Jul 1; next is July 1, 2026.
Nonprofits (501(c)(3)), community-based organizations, local governments, public libraries, schools, senior centers, and tribes serving California communities with low broadband adoption. Preference for low-income, senior, and other underserved communities.
Gold Country Senior Services | Gold Country Senior Services
Senior
Range of programs supporting health, well-being, and independence of older adults in Western Nevada County
Age 60+ in Western Nevada County (Grass Valley, Nevada City, Penn Valley, Lake Wildwood, Lake of the Pines, Alta Sierra, and nearby). Meals on Wheels prioritizes seniors who can't shop or cook and those recently hospitalized or with chronic illness.
CDFA - Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program
Senior
Food
Farmer
$50/season EBT card for fresh produce at California farmers' markets, plus possible local match dollars
California seniors 60+ with household income at or below 185% federal poverty (~$2,413/mo single, $3,261/mo for 2). Self-certified. One card per senior per season.
Property Tax Postponement
Senior
Money
Home
Defer current-year property taxes on principal residence, secured by a lien against the property
California homeowner age 62+, blind, or disabled; main residence; at least 40% equity; household income $55,181 or less (2025-26); current on mortgage and property taxes; no reverse mortgage.
Welcome to the DDS Autism Resource Hub : CA Department of Developmental Services
Health
Children
Comprehensive autism resource hub with links to free services, mental health support, family resources, employment programs, and educational tools
Individuals with autism and developmental disabilities, their families, caregivers, and professionals in California
IDD Thrive | SCDD
Health
No content
People with intellectual or developmental disabilities in California; their family members and caregivers; direct support professionals and service providers.
Statewide Self-Advocacy Network SSAN | SCDD
Health
No content
self‑advocates and persons with disabilities
Neurodiversity Resources Database | Stanford Neurodiversity Project | Stanford Medicine
Health
Free searchable database of curated resources for the neurodiverse community, with personalized solutions and quality-evaluated listings
All neurodiverse community members; no stated restrictions on access
Find a Dentist | InsureKidsNow.gov
Children
Health
Free or low-cost dental care for California kids and most adults through Medi-Cal Dental and CHIP, plus directory tools to find a participating dentist.
Kids up to age 19 on Medi-Cal or CHIP — full dental coverage. Adults on Medi-Cal also covered (note: July 2026 changes for some adults based on immigration status; kids unaffected).
Check Your Eligibility | SilverSneakers
Health
Senior
Free gym access, fitness classes, and on-demand workouts through eligible Medicare plans
Seniors with eligible Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement plans
Desire database
Home
Free comprehensive database of renewable energy incentives, rebates, tax credits, and efficiency policies searchable by location
Open to all; searchable by zip code for location-specific incentives and policies
eMotion Autos | Used Electric Vehicle Dealership
Car
Up to $15,000+ in stacked incentives on a used EV for income-qualified buyers (federal $4,000 + MCE/SJCE rebates + DCAP grant).
everyone
Home Buyer | Nevada County Habitat for Humanity
Home
Affordable homeownership with below-market mortgage terms, 500 hours sweat equity requirement, ongoing homeowner support and financial counseling
Nevada County residents who meet income criteria and demonstrate need for affordable housing; selection based on need, ability to pay, and willingness to partner (500 hours sweat equity); no discrimination based on race, sex, color, age, handicap, religion, marital status, or income source
Western Digital AV-GP 500-GB Internal Hard Drive, Set of 20
Nonprofit
Tech
No content
Nonprofits and libraries registered with TechSoup that meet eligibility requirements
676a3e6f339e5.pdf.pdf
Nonprofit
Tech
No content
676a3e6f339e5.pdf.pdf
676a3e6f339e5.pdf.pdf
Farmer
Money
No content
4imprint - One by One Charitable Giving
Nonprofit
$500
employed by or board members of a U.S. 501(c)(3) charity, a religious organization, or an accredited school
Store-Based Giving Guidelines | Giving Guidelines | Ross Stores, Inc.
Nonprofit
$300-$500 gift cards to Ross Dress for Less or dd's DISCOUNTS for school/professional clothing for disadvantaged youth
501(c)(3) nonprofits, schools, or government programs serving at least 60% youth from low-income families, within 25 miles of a Ross or dd's DISCOUNTS store, with ongoing academic or life skills programs for ages 3-24
Nonprofit
$300-$500 gift cards to Ross Dress for Less or dd's DISCOUNTS for school/professional clothing for disadvantaged youth
501(c)(3) nonprofits, schools, or government programs serving at least 60% youth from low-income families, within 25 miles of a Ross or dd's DISCOUNTS store, with ongoing academic or life skills programs for ages 3-24
$8000 mini split TECH Public Reporting HEEHRA Rebates
Home
Up to $8,000 rebate for heat pump equipment through HEEHRA
Income-qualified California single-family and multifamily residents
Free 55" TV - Telly I The biggest thing to happen to TV since color.
Tech
No content
everyone
Eligibility and Application $12000 EV incentive
Car
Up to $12,000 incentive toward purchase or lease of a new or used EV
Income-qualified California residents; call 1-833-202-DCAP for details
Apply - California E-Bike Incentive Project
Money
$1,750-$2,000 voucher toward purchase of a new electric bike
California residents 18+ with household income at or below 300% of federal poverty level (e.g., $45,180 for individual, $93,600 for family of 4)
Better Deals for Every Shopper: 5 Tips to Save More at Raley's!
Money
Food
No content
California State Library Parks Pass | Nevada County, CA
$10–$25 saved per park visit (one car, one day)
Anyone with a free California public-library card. No income test.
Recreation Collection | Nevada County, CA
Get Started - CA Department of Rehabilitation
Health
Free personalized employment services including job search skills, training, educational assistance, disability equipment, and support services (childcare, transportation)
People with disabilities in California seeking employment or independent living support
Student Emergency Fund | Sierra College
Student
Money
Emergency grants of up to $500 for students facing financial hardship to stay in school
Currently enrolled Sierra College students with demonstrated financial need
Auburn | Legal Services of Northern California
Legal
Free legal assistance with housing, public benefits, Medi-Cal, Social Security, SSI, and more
Low-income residents of Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, and Sierra counties
Residential Storage Initiative
Home
Free battery storage system installation valued at over $15,000 for outage resilience
PG&E residential customers with 5+ EPSS outages since Jan 1, 2024, enrolled in CARE/FERA/Medical Baseline/Self-Identified Vulnerable program; single-family home with own meter
Permanent Battery Storage Rebate
Home
Up to $7,500 rebate for permanent battery storage (potentially stackable with SGIP)
PG&E residential electric customers who experienced 5+ Wildfire Safety outages since Jan 1, 2024
Ebike School presents Ebikes For Good
Tech
Free e-bike
18+, U.S.-based, fill out the entry form on . No income test. Odds are very low; no posted deadlines or current-cycle confirmation as of 2026-05-17.
Free paint! Nevada County Household Hazardous Waste
Home
Free disposal of household hazardous waste and free reuse paint and products
Nevada County residents
TextNow | Introducing Free Essential Data
Tech
No content
Incentives & Rebates - Nevada Irrigation District
Home
Toilet rebate up to $100; turf removal $1/sq ft up to $1,000; raw-water storage tank rebate (500+ gal). Currently paused — call to confirm funding.
Nevada Irrigation District residential and business customers
Financial Aid Programs - California Student Aid Commission
Student
Money
Cal Grant A: up to $12,570/yr (UC), $9,708 (private nonprofit), $5,742 (CSU). Cal Grant B: tuition + $1,656 access award. Chafee Grant: $5,000/yr for foster youth. Middle Class Scholarship: family income up to $250,000. Golden State Teacher Grant: up to $20,000 with 4-year teaching commitment. Extra $6,000/yr if you have dependent children.
California students meeting income and GPA requirements; specific programs for foster youth, middle class families, military members, and aspiring teachers
CalVCB - CA Victim Compensation Board
Legal
No content
victims of crime
California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB)
Money
Health
Legal
Up to $70,000 per victim. Examples: $10,000 mental health, $12,818 funeral, $3,418 relocation.
California residents (or non-residents victimized in California) who suffered a qualifying violent crime, cooperate with police (exceptions for DV/sexual assault/trafficking), and were not the aggressor.
Schoolhouse | Free Online Tutoring
Student
Children
100% free peer-to-peer tutoring for SAT prep, math homework help, and small-group learning sessions
All students and teachers worldwide; tutors must pass certification
Free hotspot Project 10Million Direct to Parent/Guardian Eligibility | T-Mobile Support
Children
Tech
Free mobile hotspot with 200GB data per year for 5 years plus access to at-cost laptops and tablets
K-12 students in households enrolled in NSLP, SNAP, EBT, TANF, CEP, FDPIR, Medicaid, or Head Start
Regional Housing Authority- Sutter, Yuba, Nevada, & Colusa Counties
Home
Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, project-based vouchers, USDA rural-development rentals, and Homes2Families homeownership in the 4-county region — Nevada County's HCV waitlist is run through RHA
Low-income households, seniors, people with disabilities, and current/retired ag or cannery workers in Sutter, Yuba, Nevada, or Colusa counties
FIS Financial Literacy for Adults - Overview- Free with EBT
Money
No content
How Business Owners Can Use The Augusta Rule Tax Strategy
Money
Tax-free rental income by renting your home to your business for up to 14 days per year under IRS Section 280A
U.S. business owners who own a home that is not their primary place of business
How to acquire surplus Federal Personal Property | GSA
Nonprofit
No content
state and local government agencies, public organizations, and eligible nonprofit tax‑exempt organizations
Computers for learning Personal Property Management System
Nonprofit
Tech
No content
Public, private, or parochial K-12 schools (pre-K through grade 12) and educational nonprofits with 501(c) tax-exempt status. Must be located in the U.S., U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, or the Northern Mariana Islands.
Pioneer Community Energy | HVAC $75 rebate Tune-Up Program
Home
$75
Pioneer customers; single-family residential dwellings
Scholarship search Scholly
Student
Money
Up to $25,000 per scholarship; ~$13,000/month via Easy Apply
High school students (juniors/seniors), current undergrad and grad students, U.S. citizens or lawful residents, most scholarships require age 13+. No high GPA, transcripts, or recommendation letters needed for most listings.
$2,000 Scholarship | Sallie Mae
Student
Money
$2,000
parents with a college-enrolled child; college/university students; parents with a high school senior; high school juniors or seniors planning college enrollment.
Nevada County - Reusable 1 lb. Propane Cylinder Redemption Form Survey
Home
No content
eligible residents
Museums for All
Free tire repair and rotation
Car
Kentucky Fried Wishes - KFC Foundation
KFC Foundation — Kentucky Fried Wishes Grant
Nonprofit
Money
$10,000
Invite-only as of 2026. Must be invited by KFC Foundation. Eligibility floor: U.S.-based 501(c)(3), governmental, or IRS-recognized charity in good standing with the IRS for at least 2 years, operating locally and serving U.S. communities.
The New Charity Fundraising Experience Has Arrived on GoFundMe
Free online donation pages; full fundraising platform via GoFundMe Pro (custom pricing)
U.S.-based 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofits
eBay for Charity
Scholarship Finder | CareerOneStop
Student
Money
Searchable database of 9,500+ scholarships, fellowships, grants, and financial aid opportunities
Students at all levels from high school through graduate school and professional development
AWS IMAGINE Grant Program - Nonprofit Cloud Solutions - AWS
Nonprofit
Tech
Up to $200K unrestricted cash + $100K AWS credits (Pathfinder); $150K + $100K (Go Further Faster); $50K + $20K (Momentum to Modernize). 2026 Round One deadline: June 5, 2026.
Registered 501(c) nonprofits in the US; registered charities in UK & Ireland
Cal-works at BenefitsCal. Together, we benefit.
Money
$
Low-income families with at least one child in the home; eligibility based on citizenship, age, income, resources and assets
Cash Assistance for Individuals | General Assistance Nevada County, CA
Money
Emergency supplemental cash assistance for individuals ineligible for federal or state aid programs
Nevada County, CA adult residents who are not eligible for CalWORKs, SSI/SSP, or other federal/state cash aid. Employable applicants must register with Cal-JOBS and complete weekly job searches.
NeoCharge Referral Program $40 off EV smart splitter
LeiaPix - Convert 2D to 3D Depth Animation AI Technology
Tech
Free AI-powered tool to convert 2D images into 3D depth animations with export options
Everyone
Free shipping label to donate your old clothes! Give Back Box
Services · The Arc of Placer County
Health
No content
Adults and youth (16+) with intellectual or developmental disabilities living in Placer County or surrounding areas.
Become a Chapter - Contact Us | The Arc
Nonprofit
No content
existing nonprofit; community members; individual
Notion Ambassadors: Application
Tech
No content
Power users who evangelize Notion in their workplace, school, or community; people comfortable hosting events, creating tutorials, or producing YouTube/TikTok content about Notion
Autodesk Education & Student Access | Autodesk
Student
Tech
No content
Free Notion for education
Student
$120/year value — free Notion Plus plan ($10/month) for as long as your school email is active
College/university students, college/university teachers, and verified higher-education student organizations with a valid school email (.edu or institutional). K-12 students and teachers are NOT eligible.
Free College Saving Accounts - CalKIDS
Children
Student
Free college savings accounts with seed deposits to help pay for future higher education expenses
California public school students identified as eligible through the Local Control Funding Formula and newborns born in California
Learn More | Chick-fil-A Apply for a True Inspiration Awards Grant
Nonprofit
A to Z Master Template Mountain Bounty Farm
Food
Transfer station live CAM | Nevada County, CA
Home
Request Assistance for Free Medical Transportation | Mercy Medical Angels
Health
Free medical transportation via airline tickets, gas cards, bus and train tickets for patients in need
Patients needing transportation to healthcare who meet financial eligibility requirements
Industry Leading Insurance for Nonprofits - NonProfits' United
Nonprofit
Stable, affordable workers' compensation and vehicle insurance with dedicated risk management support for nonprofits
California 501(c)(3) nonprofits. Vehicle pool requires 3+ vehicles. Workers' comp requires a safety program and acceptable claims history.
The information you need to find child care you can trust. - My Child Care Plan
Children
Free tool to find quality licensed child care providers in California by answering a quick survey
Families in California seeking child care
Home | YouTube Social Impact
Nonprofit
Youtube Social Impact Playbook
Nonprofit
AARP Foundation Free Tax-Aide Service
Money
$0
Open to anyone; focus on taxpayers age 50+ or with low to moderate income. No strict income limit. Cannot handle small-business-with-employees, rental income, or AMT returns.
Home | soroptomist mini grants
Nonprofit
$
Placer County Chipper Program - Placer Resource Conservation District
Home
$80
Placer County residents; landowners who meet the “Very Low Limit” criteria.
What is Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA)? - Placer Resource Conservation District
Farmer
$0
Farmers, ranchers, backyard and community gardeners, small-scale farmers, forestland owners, residents within the Placer RCD service area, federal land management agencies, county and municipal government, land managers, organizations
Urban Awareness USA $1,000 Mini Grant
Nonprofit
$1,000
At-Risk Youth, Alcoholism, Single Parents, Teenage Boys, Military Families, Christianity, Minority Men, Mentoring Programs, Community & Economic Development, Minority Women, Sports & Recreation, College Scholarships
Micro Grants for Social Change | The Pollination Project
Nonprofit
$10,000
everyone
Application – Seeds of Change
Nonprofit
$500
Everyone
Charitable Giving | Costco
Nonprofit
$250,000
Spark Good Local Grants Guidelines
Nonprofit
$5,000
Public charities, recognized government entities (state, county or city agencies), K-12 public or nonprofit private schools, charter schools, community/junior colleges, state/private colleges or universities, churches or other faith-based organizations with proposed projects benefiting the community at large. Everyone.
Homeschool Discount Laptops | NFS is a Nonprofit Organization
Children
$
Any U.S. homeschool family. No income test, no paperwork — self-identify at checkout by entering 'Homeschool' as the educational institution.
Mattress Disposal in California
Home
$
Household, Business
FoodFinder maps food resources with help from Google
Food
Nonprofit
$120,000
Anyone — no income requirement to search. Individual pantries may set their own rules (ZIP code, ID, household size).
Partners - Grow with Google
Nonprofit
$10,000
Libraries, Chambers of commerce, Downtown associations, Small business development centers, Workforce development organizations, State and local government, Schools and universities, Veteran-focused organizations, everyone
Tips and Tutorials - Google for Nonprofits
Nonprofit
$10,000
everyone
Environmental Quality Incentives Program | Natural Resources Conservation Service
Home
No content
agricultural producers, forest landowners
Acorns Referrals: How It Works | Acorns $5 or sometimes up to $259
Money
$259
Everyone
$400 Bonus Checking Accounts — Wells Fargo
Money
$400
new checking customers; primary account owners aged 17‑24; Wells Fargo Campus Card participants; qualifying non‑civilian military personnel; individuals meeting the $500 minimum daily balance or $500 qualifying electronic deposits criteria.
ReConnect Loan and Grant Program | USDA
Nonprofit
$150M
Alaska Native Corporations, Tribal Governments, Colonias, Persistent Poverty Areas, Socially Vulnerable Communities, everyone
$3 coupon Email Sign-up - Grocery Outlet
Food
$3
everyone
Nevada County Used Oil & Filters
Home
$
Everyone
Non-profit discount – DreamHost Knowledge Base
Nonprofit
$0
US-based 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(19) organizations
Up to $9500 off - Sacramento's Clean Cars 4 All
Car
$9,500
Income-qualified residents in disadvantaged communities
Electric Vehicles rates for residential PGE customers
Home
$15
Residential EV rates: everyone
Business low use EV rate - BEV1: smaller workplaces and multi-unit dwellings
Business high use EV rate - BEV2: sites with fleets and public fast-charging stations
eCAP Home
Nonprofit
Tech
No content
(DEPRECATED) NMHA | Caring 4 Cal
Health
Money
No content
Direct care workers and caregivers
Calculate Used Vehicle Fees
Car
$0
California vehicle buyers and owners
Who is eligible for a CalKIDS account? | CalKIDS
Children
Up to $1,500
Everyone
Programs - MAIN - Games for Love
Children
$0
Kids in hospitals (via hospital partnership); any child/teen for free coding; students with childhood adversity for STEM scholarships; aspiring engineers for internships
Central Sierra Healthy Soils Program
Farmer
$5,000
Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers
Pediatric FAQS - Lindsey A Robinson DDS - Grass Valley, CA
Children
Health
$0
Children and parents in the Grass Valley, CA area seeking pediatric dental care
Winter Preparedness | Nevada County, CA
Home
$0
All Nevada County, CA residents. No income or age restrictions. General public winter preparedness resource.
California | Rural Development
Nonprofit
Home
No content
eligible rural Californians; eligible businesses and manufacturers; small business owners; entrepreneurs
REACH Program - Dollar Energy Fund
Home
$1,000
low‑income households (≤200 % of federal poverty level), seniors 62 + years, residential single‑family homes or apartments (including Section 8/government‑subsidized housing) with an outstanding utility balance of at least $100 (or $50 for seniors)
Low Income Rate Assistance Program - Nevada Irrigation District
Home
$0
Low-income residential customers living in single-family homes in Nevada, Placer, and Yuba counties
Miracle Flights. A Cure For Distance
Children
Health
$0
Children age 17 and under who are medically cleared to fly commercially and have a confirmed appointment at a treatment site too far from home; household income at or below 3× federal poverty guideline; up to 2 adult parents/guardians fly with the child. Apply 14+ days before travel.
Community Beyond Violence
Health
Legal
No content
survivors of interpersonal violence and their families
Express Ride
Health
$
Everyone
Auto Body Inspection Program - Bureau of Automotive Repair
Car
Free
California vehicle owners whose collision repairs were done in California after they bought the car
Parts Locator Service (PLS) – Ask the Ref
Car
$0 (free service; parts cost varies)
everyone
Repair Cost Waivers – Ask the Ref
Car
$650
Everyone
Free Medical Transportation Services
Health
Car
$200
Medi-Cal members who lack a valid driver's license, have no working household vehicle, or cannot travel or wait alone due to physical, cognitive, mental, or developmental limitations
Home - North Lake Tahoe Express
Car
$0
Everyone
Sacramento's Clean Cars 4 All
Car
$5,000
California's Low Cost Auto Insurance
Car
$250
Income-eligible, good drivers
grants.gov/applicants/grant-applications/how-to-apply-for-grants
Nonprofit
$500,000
Everyone
CDFA - Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program
Food
Nonprofit
Varies by round ($10K–$3M)
Agricultural producers or processors, Nonprofit organizations, Local government entities, Tribal governments, Institutions such as schools, universities, or hospitals
CDFA - Grant Programs
Farmer
$
Non-Profit, Tribal Gov, Higher Education, Government, Schools (K-12), Farmers and Ranchers, Other Business
Vehicle to Everything (V2X) Pilot Programs for Ford F-150 Lightning
Home
Car
$
Everyone
Multifamily Housing and Small Business EV Charger Program
Nonprofit
$0
Multifamily housing units, not-for-profit organizations, small businesses
Purchasers - Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Project | California HVIP
Nonprofit
$420,000
Individual owner-operators, small businesses, corporate leaders, school districts, and municipal fleets
Home - Clean Mobility Options
Nonprofit
The maximum grant, incentive, rebate, etc. listed is $1.5 million.
Disadvantaged Community, AB 1550-designated low-income community, California Native American Tribal Government
FARMER GRANTS | Northern Sierra Air Quality Management District
Farmer
$150 million
Farmers and operators of agricultural equipment in California; equipment must be used in farming and meet emission tier requirements (when applications are open).
Woodsmoke Reduction Program | Northern Sierra Air Quality Management District
Home
$12,000
Residents of Nevada, Sierra, or Pumas County who use a non‑EPA‑certified wood‑burning stove or fireplace as their primary heat source and whose stove was manufactured before July 1 1988.
DMV Surcharge Program Fund (AB 2766) Grant Information | Northern Sierra Air Quality Management District
Nonprofit
$
Nonprofit
(DEPRECATED) Welcome to Direct File | Direct File | Internal Revenue Service
Money
No content
taxpayers with simple tax needs
Free Sand & Sandbags - City of Grass Valley
Home
No content
City of Grass Valley residents; Nevada County residents
Free Sand Available | Nevada County, CA
Home
No content
Nevada County residents
Get COV
ID Tested | Nevada County, CA
Health
$
Uninsured, Underinsured, and/or have poor access to other testing resources
Discount LED bulbs - Pioneer Community Energy | LED Discounts
Home
$150
Everyone
Fruit and Vegetables Every Week: Mountain Bounty Farm — Pay with EBT Calfresh
Food
$20%
Income Eligible
Become a Member | Rotary Club of Nevada City
Nonprofit
$0
Everyone
Services – FREED Center for Independent Living
Health
Senior
No content
People with disabilities, older adults (60+), family members or caregivers
ncagrassvalley | Art. Advocacy. Opportunity.
Health
$
Adults in Nevada County, CA who are developmentally disabled or intellectually challenged
The Clinic! - Nevada County Citizens For Choice
Health
$0
everyone
Alliance for Workforce Development – Connecting Job Seekers and Employers
Money
$0
Adults seeking work in Butte, Lassen, Modoc, Nevada, Plumas, or Sierra counties; separate youth track for ages 17-24
Bright Futures for Youth | Serving Nevada County
Children
$500,000
Nevada County youth ages 10–25 (varies by program). No income proof required for NEO drop-in, SAFE, or Cinderella Project.
United Way Programs - A Healthier Nevada County
Health
$
Nevada County residents, community members, everyone
Free fruit! - Sierra Harvest Gleaning
Food
No content
volunteers, people in need
Search for Unclaimed Property
Money
No content
property owners, heirs, and anyone with a claim (including deceased relatives’ heirs)
Cash Access - California EBT Surcharge-Free ATMs
Money
$0.00
California residents receiving cash benefits on their EBT card (CalWORKs, Refugee Cash Assistance, General Assistance). CalFresh-only recipients cannot withdraw cash.
Stores Accepting Calfresh Online
Food
$
Everyone
Children's Community Chest: Emergency Funds - Sierra Nevada Children's Services
Children
$40-$500
Children 0-18 in Nevada or Sierra County, CA; request must come from a public or nonprofit agency on the family's behalf
The information you need to find child care you can trust. - My Child Care Plan
Children
$
Everyone
Mindfulness Practices for Families | ZERO TO THREE
Children
$
Children, parents
Tasty Recipes on Your Budget | EatFresh
Food
$
CalFresh (SNAP, or food stamps) eligible individuals and families
Congregate Lunch Café | Gold Country Senior Services
Food
Senior
$
Everyone
Senior Firewood Program | Gold Country Senior Services
Home
Senior
# Senior Firewood Program | Gold Country Senior Services
<!-- Max Grant: $ -->
Category: Home, Seniors
URL:
# Senior Firewood Program
Since 1979, the Senior Firewood Program has provided extra warmth to low-income seniors by delivering firewood for winter. The group of dedicated volunteers cut, split and deliver the firewood to seniors in need in our community.
## Program Details
## Eligibility
- Low-income seniors 60 or older who live in Western Nevada County and are struggling to heat their home.
- Lives alone or with another age-eligible, low income senior
## Enrollment
- Our enrollment is full for the winter of 2023-2024. We are not accepting new clients at this time.
## Firewood Removal
Thank you to our generous community!
We are not currently adding softwood removals to our waitlist; oak wood removals can be added to the list but there is still a significant wait.
GCSS gladly removes wood under the following conditions:
- Trees must be down (we cannot fell trees).
- Wood needs to be located within 10 miles of Grass Valley and accessible by vehicle.
- We do not accept Grey or Foothill Pine, kindling or remove slash; sorry!
- At this time, our Softwood Yard is full – we currently have a long waitlist to remove wood. Thank You!
To donate wood, please call (530) 615-4541 or email us at: .
## Some of our Amazing Volunteers
Low-income seniors 60 or older who live in Western Nevada County and are struggling to heat their home. Lives alone or with another age-eligible, low income senior
Free Food - How To Get Food - Interfaith Food Ministry
Food
$
Income eligible
Free Food - Get Food Here - Food Bank
Food
$50
Income Eligible
Free Childcare: Sierra Nevada Children's Services - The Official Childcare Resource and Referral Agency for Sierra and Nevada Counties
Children
$
Income Eligible
Free Prenatal, Birth, Day Care, and Preschool Programs: Head Start and Early Head Start - How to Apply
Children
No content
Household income at or below 2026 federal poverty guideline (family of 4 = $33,000), OR receiving TANF/CalWORKs, SSI, SNAP/CalFresh, OR child in foster care, OR family experiencing homelessness, OR pregnant (Early Head Start).
2 free mini splits $1000 rebate X2, TECH Clean California - Single Family HVAC | The Switch Is On Incentive Finder
Home
$1000
Contractors
Free Residential Charger and Splitter $700 Rebate
Home
Car
$5,000
Income-eligible households
Energy Smart Homes - Whole House Rebate - Single Family | The Switch Is On Incentive Finder
Home
Up to $5,500 (waitlisted 2026)
Contractors, Homeowners
$200 off per ton mini split
Home
$200
Contractors
Free heat pump water heater and installation
Home
$10,385
Closed — was income-qualified (≤80% AMI or ≤250% FPL), single family, retrofit only, through TECH-enrolled contractor
PG&E Induction Cooktop Loaner Program
Home
$0
Active PG&E residential or commercial customer. No income requirement.
Free $500 Generator or Battery Program - PGE
Home
$500
Income Eligible
Crisis Care Services and Support | Nevada County, CA
Health
$
everyone
Free Games | Download A Free PC Game Every Week - Epic Games Store
Children
$
Everyone
Free Reading Coach Preview
Children
$500
everyone
$75 off Smart thermostats | Golden State Rebates
Home
Up to $60 (up to $100 on promo)
Residential customers on a residential rate with an active meter serviced by a Participating California Utility
$900 off Heat pump water heaters | Golden State Rebates
Home
Up to $700 instant rebate
Residential customers
Use EBT SNAP for Grocery Delivery or Pickup | Instacart
Food
$
Income Eligible
Borrow a Hotspot | Nevada County Library
Home
$
Adult or Teen Nevada County Library cardholders in good standing (Youth, Limited, and Educator cards excluded)
Free Electric Vehicle Charger (Level 2) - Empower EV Program
Home
Car
$5,000
Active PG&E residential customers who own or lease a qualifying EV; households with income ≤ 80 % of area median income or enrolled in CARE, FERA, Medi‑Cal, CalFresh, SSI, etc.
30% off the top up to $4000 Federal Tax Credits for Pre-owned Plug-in Electric and Fuel Cell
Car
$4,000
Everyone
$1000 or $4000 off a Used Electric Vehicle
Car
$4000
PG&E residential electric customers; Rebate Plus requires income qualification or enrollment in CalFresh, Medi-Cal, SSI, WIC, LIHEAP, CalWORKs, or similar assistance program
Free Cannabis Compassion Program • Elevation 2477'
Health
$
California residents in need, patients with a current MMIC or Doctor's Recommendation
30% Off Used Electric Vehicle Discount up to $4000 | Use KeySavvy
Car
$4,000
Income Eligible
Vehicle Retirement $1500 - Bureau of Automotive Repair
Car
$1500
Income Eligible
Consumer Assistance Program Smog Repair Assistance - Bureau of Automotive Repair
Car
$1,450
Everyone
FREE Backup Power Transfer Meter Program
Home
$0
PG&E residential customers in Tier 2/3 High Fire-Threat Districts or on Enhanced Powerline Safety Setting (EPSS) circuits, with 200A or less 120/240V service, a SmartMeter, and a compatible portable generator with a NEMA L14-30R receptacle.
Energy Savings Assistance Program pge.com
Home
$8,000
Renters and homeowners; home 5+ years old; household income at or below the ESA limits (e.g. $39,125 for 1 person, $80,375 for 4 in 2026) OR enrolled in CalFresh, Medi-Cal, SSI, LIHEAP, WIC, TANF, NSLP, BIA General Assistance, Head Start (Tribal), or Healthy Families A/B
California Fruit & Vegetable EBT Pilot Project
Food
$1-for-$1 CalFresh match on fresh fruits & vegetables, up to $60 per household per month at participating stores
CalFresh recipients, EBT clients
How I Earn Reward Points Paying My Property Taxes - With No Extra Fee
Home
$1,000
everyone
Ride free with student id
Student
Car
$0
Currently enrolled Sierra College students (credit or noncredit)
Solar for NonProfits - We Help Nonprofits with Solar Grants
Nonprofit
$0 down; historically ~16%+ off solar installer bids via SPA. Federal 30% credit value via IRA direct pay for nonprofit-owned systems. Time-sensitive: ~July 4, 2026 construction-start deadline under OBBB.
Nonprofits, tax exempt organizations
2x Free Whole House Batteries - Participating in Self-Generation Incentive Program (SGIP)
Home
$1.10/Wh battery + $3.10/W solar (waitlist)
Low income and medically vulnerable customers, communities living in high fire-threat areas, communities that have experienced two or more utility Public Safety Power Shut-off (PSPS) events, "critical facilities" that support community resilience in the event of a PSPS or wildfire
Free legal service for low income inventors
$
Inventors in CA, HI, AK, OR, or NV with gross household income under 3× federal poverty level (~$47,880/yr for 1; ~$99,000/yr for family of 4 in 2026). Must have an actual invention and complete a free 39-min USPTO training video.
zcal – Fast Free Online Meeting Scheduling
Tech
No content
Zeffy (formerly Simplyk) | 100% Free Fundraising Platform
Nonprofit
$0
Nonprofits
The Nonprofit Cooperative
Nonprofit
Free training, peer roundtables, vetted vendor matching, and SVP NYC grant-window alerts.
Any U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofit. National scope, not Nevada County–only. Free for nonprofits; for-profit vendor tracks are separate and paid.
Banish An App A Day: The Smartphone Spring Cleaning Challenge 🧹
Health
Tech
No content
everyone
Free paper bags when paying with Calfresh 270 / Proposition 67)
Food
$
CalFresh / EBT / WIC / SNAP recipients
COVID.gov/tests - Free at-home COVID-19 tests
Health
$
everyone
Search Engine Journal: Google Ad Grants: A Guide For Nonprofits
Nonprofit
$10,000
Charities and nonprofits
Free Adobe Express for Nonprofits
Nonprofit
$0
Nonprofits
Children
$0
Everyone
Free Canva Nonprofit
Nonprofit
$120/year per user (free for up to 50 users)
U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofits with their own IRS determination letter. Group-exemption subordinates no longer qualify as of 2026.
First U.S. – Official Site of Better Than FREE Checking
Money
$1
Everyone
40% off PG&E CARE and FERA enrollment
Home
No content
Income-qualified households (any size for both CARE and FERA as of 2025) OR participation in qualifying public assistance programs (CalFresh, Medi-Cal, SSI, WIC, etc.). Tenants of sub-metered residential facilities apply through a separate sub-metered application.
$15 Bonus Calfresh at the Nevada City Farmers Market
Food
$30/week
Nevada County CalFresh recipients (EBT card + photo ID showing Nevada County residency required for the Market Match bonus)
Thrift Stores in Nevada County
Home
Children
$
Open to everyone. Salvation Army Clothing Closet provides free clothing for those in need.
EMERGENCY CRISIS INTERVENTION PROGRAM (ECIP)
Home
$1000
Income Eligible
WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (WAP)
Home
$
Low-income households at or below CSD monthly income limits (e.g., $2,660 for 1 person, $5,500 for 4 in 2026). Priority for households below 75% of federal poverty guidelines, seniors, people with disabilities, families with young children, and homes with high energy burden. No asset limit. Renters welcome with landlord permission.
THE LOW-INCOME WATER ASSISSTANCE PROGRAM (LIHWAP)
Home
$500
Program ended March 31, 2024. No new applications accepted. See page for current alternatives.
Free $350-$1000: HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (HEAP aka LiHEAP)
Home
$1000
Income Eligible
Free tax help from IRS-certified volunteers. | GetYourRefund
Legal
Money
$89,000
Household income under ~$69,000 for help filing, under ~$89,000 to file yourself with support. All 50 states. English and Spanish.
Cash App Taxes - 100% Free Tax Filing for Federal & State
Money
$
Everyone
Free Medical Care, and Food | BenefitsCal. Together, we benefit.
Food
Health
$150
Income eligible individuals, migrants or seasonal farmworkers
🌟 TechSoup.org: The First Step to Accessing Technology Grants 🌟
Nonprofit
No content
501(c)(3) nonprofits and qualifying public libraries; not available in U.S. territories
$10/year No Markup Domain Name Registration
Nonprofit
Tech
No content
everyone
Free ready to use website with Notion, Fruition, and Cloudflare
Nonprofit
No content
nonprofits, small businesses, individuals
This App Creates Step-by-Step How-to Guides for Anything You Do on Your Computer
Tech
Nonprofit
$29
everyone
Free New York Times | Nevada County, CA
Home
$3455
Any California resident. No income limit. Library card helpful but not required for in-branch access.
Free Library Resources | Nevada County, CA
Children
Student
$
Adults, children, California residents, veterans and their families, older adults, students, everyone
Free You Need A Budget - YNAB.com for Good
Money
No content
People in marginalized or underrepresented communities taught financial literacy (served by 501(c)(3) nonprofits)
California Volunteers | California
Nonprofit
$0
College students with financial need (College Corps); Californians 18+ with HS/GED and U.S. citizenship or lawful residency (Climate Action Corps); varies by program (AmeriCorps California).
Free Slack for Nonprofits
Nonprofit
No content
Nonprofit organizations
Camunda for Nonprofits
Nonprofit
No content
Registered nonprofits and NGOs (501(c)(3) or equivalent), humanitarian or philanthropic for‑profit initiatives, universities/research groups/academic projects, hobby and personal‑use projects, small businesses or startups automating small processes
Copalana for Nonprofits
Nonprofit
$250,000
everyone
New Relic.org Observability for Good
Nonprofit
Tech
$400
Nonprofit organizations (501(c)(3) or international equivalent)
PagerDuty Impact Pricing for Nonprofits
Nonprofit
$500
501(c)(3) nonprofits, private foundations, nonprofit healthcare, B Corps, educational institutions, and mission-aligned social enterprises. Government agencies and credit unions excluded.
Free Fiber - A Story of The California Line Extension Program Grant
Home
$
Income Eligible
$15 HotSpot. Mobile Beacon Offers Nonprofits Unlimited Data on T-Mobile Network For Just $10 a Month.
Nonprofit
No content
501(c)(3) nonprofits; public libraries; schools; healthcare organizations
Free Food - WIC
Food
Children
Free nutritious food benefits (fruits, vegetables, whole grains, milk, eggs, cereal, juice, peanut butter, and more)
Children, pregnant women, mothers with new babies, young children under age 5 years
MEALS ON WHEELS
Food
Senior
Two hot lunches per week, suggested $4/meal donation, no one turned away for inability to pay
Home-bound seniors age 60+ in Western Nevada County who have trouble preparing meals or shopping
Free Technology Resources for Nonprofits
Nonprofit
$2,000 (USD)
Nonprofits, everyone
Form a Nonprofit in California - a Complete Guide
Nonprofit
$600
everyone
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