Home | Grant and Funding Opportunities | Building Forward Library Facilities Improvement Program

Visit our main page for more information on project awards.

The Building Forward Library Facilities Improvement Program is the largest single investment made by the state in California’s public libraries. The equity-based grant program helps pay for capital projects for public library buildings that address critical maintenance needs, improve energy efficiency and sustainability, extend digital access, and expand physical access to library facilities. Funds were allocated across two fiscal years: $439 million in the state’s 2021-2022 fiscal year, and $50 million in the 2022-2023 fiscal year. Budget language establishing the program prioritized grants for “life-safety and other critical maintenance and infrastructure projects.” Subsequent changes broaden eligibility to allow projects “addressing critical maintenance needs, improving energy efficiency and sustainability, and expanding access digitally and physically.”

The Building Forward Library Facilities Improvement Grant is currently closed.

Visit the Building Forward homepage for more information about awards. Current grantees can find resources on the Manage Your Current Grant page.

Questions? Please email BuildingForward@library.ca.gov.