RFP: Explore the Coast Grant Applications Due March 22, 2021

The California State Coastal Conservancy (Conservancy) announces the availability of grants to public agencies, tribes and nonprofit organizations for programs that facilitate and enhance the public’s opportunities to explore California’s spectacular coast. 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 own 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”).

Past Grantee Brown Girl Surf

ETC Priority Communities may include but are not limited to lower-income individuals and households, people with disabilities, people of color, immigrant communities, foster youth, and others.

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

• Provides an enjoyable experience at the coast.
• Reduces economic, physical, operational, or societal barriers to accessing or enjoying the coast.
• Inspires ongoing coastal resource stewardship ethic through active learning and interactive activities.

We anticipate that approximately $750,000 will be awarded in this grant round. Applicants may request a grant amount up to $50,000. The average grant amount awarded ranges between $20,000 – $40,000. Applicants should apply for projects that could start in late 2021 or early 2022 and will be completed by February 2024. The Conservancy will base the size of the award on each project’s needs, its overall benefits, and on the extent of competing demands for funds.

A recording of the webinar the Conservancy held on Wednesday, February 10, 2021, 11 am – 12 pm to walk through the Explore the Coast Grant Program and address common questions regarding the application is here.  The slides from that webinar are here.

The application can be downloaded here. 

Applications must be submitted via email to grants@scc.ca.gov by Monday, March 22, 2021.

The Conservancy seeks to continuously improve our grant application process. Please take some time after completing the ETC Grant application to provide feedback on your experience as an applicant. The survey link can be accessed here. Responses will be collected anonymously.