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Explore the Coast

Grantor:
Coastal Conservancy
Portal ID:
16229
Status:
Closed
Opportunity Type:
  • Grant
Last Updated:
Categories:

Details

Purpose:

The State Coastal Conservancy’s Explore the Coast (ETC) grant program seeks to provide coastal experiences for people and communities who face challenges to accessing or enjoying the coast (“ETC Priority Communities”). ETC Priority Communities include but are not limited to lower-income individuals and households, people with disabilities, people of color, immigrant communities, and foster youth, among others.

Description:

The ocean, coast, and beaches have long been recognized and used as spaces of joy, relaxation, and healing for many Californians. The ability to experience the coast without fear of physical barriers, feelings of not belonging, or financial challenge is crucial to how individuals cultivate their lifelong connections with the coast. The Explore the Coast grant program seeks to provide enjoyable coastal experiences for people and communities who face challenges or barriers to accessing or enjoying the coast (“ETC Priority Communities”).

Projects should also meet one or more of the following priorities:

Provide an enjoyable experience at the coast or bay shore.
Reduce economic, physical, operational, or societal barriers to accessing or enjoying the coast or bay shore.
Inspire ongoing coastal resource stewardship ethic through active learning and interactive activities.
Approximately $1 million is available for this grant round. Applicants may request a grant amount of up to $100,000.

Applicants should apply for projects that could start in late 2023 or early 2024 and aim to be completed by January 2026. 

Eligible Applicants
Public agencies, federally-recognized tribes, and nonprofit organizations are eligible for funding. To be eligible, a nonprofit organization must qualify under the provisions of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Other community-based organizations and tribes or indigenous communities that are not federally-recognized may apply with a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor. PLEASE NOTE: Organizations that have a current Explore the Coast Grant are only eligible if their existing grant will be complete by December 1, 2024. In addition, organizations with a current Explore the Coast grant cannot apply for funding that would overlap their existing grant.

Eligible Project Locations
Projects must involve visiting the coast of California including the shores of bays. The Conservancy is interested in supporting programs that bring participants to the coast from throughout the state, including inland areas.

Eligible Projects
Eligible projects include a wide range of programs and activities that help to bring people to the coast and/or enhance their experience at the coast. At least 60% of participants served by the grant must be from ETC Priority Communities. Competitive projects will provide participants with joyful and culturally relevant coastal experiences. Other benefits such as ecosystem stewardship and environmental education are secondary benefits and are not necessary for a project to be eligible.

 

Eligibility Requirements

Eligible Applicants:

  • Nonprofit
  • Public Agency
  • Tribal Government

Public agencies, federally-recognized tribes, and nonprofit organizations are eligible for funding. To be eligible, a nonprofit organization must qualify under the provisions of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Other community-based organizations and tribes or indigenous communities that are not federally-recognized may apply with a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor. 

Eligible Geographies:

Projects must involve visiting the coast of California including the shores of bays. The Conservancy is interested in supporting programs that bring participants to the coast from throughout the state, including inland areas.

Important Dates

The date (and time, where applicable) by which all applications must be submitted to the grantmaker. Time listed as “00:00” equates to midnight.
The date on which the grantor expects to announce the recipient(s) of the grant.
TBD
The length of time during which the grant money must be utilized.
January 2026.

Funding Details

The total projected dollar amount of the grant.
$1,000,000
A single grant opportunity may represent one or many awards. Some grantors may know in advance the exact number of awards to be given. Others may indicate a range. Some may wish to and wait until the application period closes before determining how many awards to offer; in this case, a value of “Dependent” will display.
Dependent
Grant opportunities representing multiple awards may offer awards in the same amount or in varied amounts. Some may wish to wait until the application period closes before determining per-award amounts; in this case, a value of “Dependent” will display.
$1 – $100,000
Certain grants require that the recipient(s) provide a letter of intent.
No
Certain grants require that the recipient(s) be able to fully or partially match the grant award amount with another funding source.
No
The funding source allocated to fund the grant. It may be either State or Federal (or a combination of both), and be tied to a specific piece of legislation, a proposition, or a bond number.
  • State
The manner in which the grant funding will be delivered to the awardee. Funding methods include reimbursements (where the recipient spends out-of-pocket and is reimbursed by the grantor) and advances (where the recipient spends received grant funds directly).
  • Reimbursement(s)

How to Apply

State agencies/departments recommend you read the full grant guidelines before applying.

Resources

For questions about this grant, contact:
taylor samuelson, 1-510-286-4182, taylor.samuelson@scc.ca.gov

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