Fresh Success Provider Application
Overview
California community colleges, nonprofit organizations, K-12 adult schools, and other government entities may be eligible to participate in Fresh Success, a CalFresh Employment and Training (E&T) program. Fresh Success allows campuses and organizations to receive a 45 percent federal reimbursement for employment and training activities provided to CalFresh recipients. Federal reimbursement funding can help expand and enhance existing services, improve food security, and support participants on their paths to self-sufficiency. CalFresh E&T can also help fund supportive services such as transportation, textbooks and course supplies, testing fees, dependent care, and more.
The Foundation for California Community Colleges (FoundationCCC) acts as a statewide intermediary on behalf of the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) to help eligible organizations access CalFresh E&T funding through Fresh Success. As part of this role, Fresh Success supports providers in implementing and sustaining their CalFresh E&T programs through the following services:
- Onboarding training and ongoing technical assistance
- Tools, handbooks, and planning templates
- Direct contracting with providers and support in developing budgets
- Assistance in developing E&T Plans and securing approvals
- Facilitation of partnerships and data-sharing agreements with county CalFresh agencies
Goals
FoundationCCC is seeking organizations that can provide high-quality employment and training services for CalFresh participants. These services should support participants achieve the following goals:
Increase skills attainment and credentialing
Improve employability by removing barriers
Support job placement, retention, and wages
Eligibility
Your organization may be eligible if it meets the following criteria:
- Is a California community college, K-12 adult school, other government entity, or a 501(c)(3) nonprofit
- Provides employment and training services such as employment assessments, case management, educational programs, work readiness training, apprenticeships, job placement, and supportive services
- Uses non-federal funding to provide those services to low-income individuals receiving CalFresh (food stamp) benefits
- Operates in a Fresh Success partner county and meets their partnership criteria
How to Apply
- Review the Fresh Success Application Information document and additional resources (linked below) before applying.
- Submit a Fresh Success Provider Application by November 6, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time.
- Questions about the application may be emailed to freshsuccess@foundationccc.org no later than October 12, 2026.
- Please use “Fresh Success Application Q&A” in the subject line for all application-related questions.
- FoundationCCC will invite selected organizations to participate in the next onboarding cohort.
- Additional approvals and contract execution will be required before an organization becomes eligible to draw down federal reimbursement as a Fresh Success provider.
Important Deadlines
| Application opens | September 28, 2026 |
| Last date to email questions | October 12, 2026 |
| Responses to questions published by | October 16, 2026 |
| Applications due | November 6, 2026, 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time |
| Invitations to participate in cohort announced | December 7, 2026 |
| Cohort onboarding, approval process, and contracting | January-July 2027 |
| Anticipated program start date | October 1, 2027 |
*Please be advised that key dates and deadlines are subject to change and will be updated on this page as adjustments are made.
Resources
Application Questions and Responses
| To be published on October 16, 2026. |