Explore the Coast 2025 RFP Released!
Photo: Outdoor Outreach
The California State Coastal Conservancy announces the availability of Explore the Coast grants to public agencies, federally recognized tribes and California Native American communities, and nonprofit organizations for programs that facilitate and enhance the public’s opportunities to explore California’s spectacular coast and San Francisco Bay shoreline.
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. Furthermore, joyful memories of the coast can organically inspire stewardship. 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.
Applicants may request a grant amount of up to $100,000. Approximately $650,000 is available for this grant round. Up to $46,000 of the $650,000 is available for participants to go to the San Francisco Bay shoreline. Note – projects that have trips to the San Francisco Bay shoreline will be extremely competitive due to the limited funds. The remaining $604,000 must be used to bring participants to the outer coast.
The Explore the Coast Grant program is highly competitive. For the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 ETC Grant Round, 19% and 12% of the applications were funded respectively. We encourage you to contact us if you have any questions regarding the competitiveness of your project.
Webinar
The Conservancy held a webinar walk through the Explore the Coast Grant Program and address questions regarding the application. The recorded webinar is available here.
Application Assistance
The Conservancy will offer two one-hour Technical Assistance “Office Hour” sessions where Conservancy staff will answer more specific grant questions and provide guidance with application preparation to potential applicants via zoom meeting. Break-out rooms will be an option for one-on-one assistance.
- January 9th Technical Assistance registration link is here.
- January 21th Technical Assistance registration link is here.
Application Materials
The RFP Instructions can be found here. Please read them carefully before submitting an application.
IF USING WORD: Please download the application using the link here.
IF USING GOOGLE DOCS: Please access the application using the link here. When it is opened, go to file > “Make a copy”. You can then freely edit and share the document in Google Docs. When you are ready to submit the application, go to File > Download > Microsoft Word (.docx). If you do not have a Microsoft Office license, you can instead download the document as a PDF and send it to the email below.
Submit completed application as a word document or PDF to grants@scc.ca.gov by Friday, January 24, 2025, by 11:59 pm.
Applicants are highly encouraged to attach up to 3 relevant photos (preferably as jpg) with their application submission; these attachments should not exceed 10MB total. Letters of support will be requested after the applicant has been notified that they are being recommended for funding to the Conservancy Board.
Please be aware that all documents submitted to the Conservancy become public records. The Conservancy will assume that submitted photos are permissible for use unless the applicant clarifies otherwise.