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California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) Adoption Account

California Advanced Services Fund (CASF) Adoption Account

Phone number
(415) 355-4999 (William Goedecke, CPUC program lead) — preferred contact: CASF_Adoption@cpuc.ca.gov
Category
Tech
Auto tags
Eligibility
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.
Auto Summary
CPUC grant program funding California nonprofits, libraries, schools, tribes, and local governments to run digital literacy classes, free public Wi-Fi, and outreach helping low-income people get online. Pays up to 85% of project cost; 15% match required. Next deadline July 1, 2026 (uses new D.25-11-003 rules).
Value
$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.
Espanol
Google Translate available on the CPUC website for Spanish and other languages
URL
https://www.cpuc.ca.gov/industries-and-topics/internet-and-phone/california-advanced-services-fund/casf-adoption-account
Last verified 2026-05-17
The CASF Adoption Account gives California nonprofits, schools, libraries, senior centers, tribes, and local governments money to run digital literacy classes, set up free public Wi-Fi spaces, or do outreach that helps low-income people get online. It is run by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). The program is open and accepting applications.

Who can apply

Your organization can apply if it is one of these and serves a community with low broadband adoption:
  • Nonprofit organization (501(c)(3)) or community-based organization
  • Local government
  • Public library
  • School
  • Senior center
  • Tribe or entity organized under Tribal law
Preference goes to projects in low-income communities, senior communities, and communities facing other barriers to getting online. [Source: cpuc.ca.gov/industries-and-topics/internet-and-phone/california-advanced-services-fund/casf-adoption-account (accessed 2026-05-17)]

What you can get money for

Two kinds of projects qualify:
  • Digital Literacy projects — classes that teach people how to use computers, phones, and the internet. Public education campaigns about getting online.
  • Broadband Access projects — setting up free Wi-Fi in community rooms, libraries, senior centers, or nonprofit spaces. Outreach work like helping people compare internet plans, or running a call center that helps people sign up for service.

How much money

The program has $30 million authorized for fiscal year 2025-2026. There is no published cap on a single grant — the size depends on your project.
CPUC pays up to 85% of the project cost. You must cover the other 15% from other sources (your own funds, other grants, donated time, or leveraged funds from partners). [Source: cpuc.ca.gov/industries-and-topics/internet-and-phone/california-advanced-services-fund/casf-adoption-account (accessed 2026-05-17)]
Grants run for a 24-month performance period. [Source: grants.ca.gov/grants/california-advanced-services-fund-broadband-adoption-account-july-2026-cycle (accessed 2026-05-17)]

When to apply

Applications are accepted any time, but they are reviewed in batches by deadline:
  • July 1, 2026 — next cycle (uses new rules, see below)
  • January 1, 2027
  • July 1, 2027
  • Every January 1 and July 1 after that, until the money runs out
If a deadline lands on a weekend or holiday, it moves to the next business day. Award decisions for the July 2026 cycle are expected in late 2026.

Important: new rules start July 2026

The CPUC approved updated Adoption Account Guidelines in Decision D.25-11-003. These take effect for the July 2026 round and every round after. If you are applying in July 2026 or later, you must use the new application forms in the updated package — old forms will not work. A Letter of Intent is also required for the July 2026 cycle. [Source: cpuc.ca.gov/industries-and-topics/internet-and-phone/california-advanced-services-fund/casf-adoption-account (accessed 2026-05-17)] [Source: grants.ca.gov/grants/california-advanced-services-fund-broadband-adoption-account-july-2026-cycle (accessed 2026-05-17)]

How to apply

  1. Read the Application Instructions PDF.
  1. Download the Adoption Account Application Package (ZIP).
  1. Submit a Letter of Intent and the completed application package before your target deadline.
  1. Email questions to CASF_Adoption@cpuc.ca.gov or contact program lead William Goedecke at (415) 355-4999 / william.goedecke@cpuc.ca.gov. [Source: grants.ca.gov/grants/california-advanced-services-fund-broadband-adoption-account-july-2026-cycle (accessed 2026-05-17)]

Common pitfalls

  • Match math — your 15% match must be real and documented. CPUC accepts leveraged funds from other grants, public purpose programs, and self-funding, but you have to show where it comes from.
  • Using old forms — for July 2026 onward, use only the v2 (updated) application package. Submissions on old forms get rejected.
  • Skipping the Letter of Intent — required for the July 2026 cycle.
  • Underestimating reporting — funded projects must submit a Ramp Up / Year 1 report, a Completion Report, and ongoing budget-and-payment-request workbooks. Build staff time for this into your budget.
  • Weak community-need data — projects in clearly underserved areas score better. Use census or CPUC broadband-map data to show your service area has low adoption.

Where to get help

Sources

  • CPUC Decision D.25-11-003 (referenced on CPUC page, effective July 2026)