Coastal Conservancy Grants: Ongoing Funding

The Coastal Conservancy offers grants to restore and protect California's coast, enhance public access, and improve climate resiliency. With millions in funding available, projects that serve disadvantaged communities or utilize nature-based solutions are prioritized. Applicants must engage with a Regional Manager for eligibility guidance and can expect grants typically between $200,000 and $5 million. This ongoing funding supports various stages of project development, including planning, construction, and monitoring.

NOTE: The first step in determining whether your project is eligible for Conservancy funding is to get in touch with the Regional Manager for your project area. The Regional Manager can give early feedback and help guide your project through the submittal process and can let you know which of the grant programs below could work best for your project.
Each year, the Coastal Conservancy issues millions of dollars in grants for projects that restore and protect the California coast, expand public access to it, and enhance its resilience to climate change.
The State of California has made an unprecedented investment in the resilience and accessibility of the coast. As a result, the Coastal Conservancy has significant funding available for projects that benefit public access, natural resources, working lands, and climate resiliency at the coast, coastal watersheds, and the San Francisco Bay.
Ongoing Funding Opportunities
Most Conservancy grants are awarded through a rolling pre-application solicitation. This includes Climate Ready, Wildfire Resilience, and all regional grant programs.
The application is a two-step process, though all applicants are encouraged to request a technical assistance consultation with the Regional Manager covering your project area to discuss project eligibility before beginning the application process. The first step in the application process is to submit a pre-application. If a pre-application meets the Conservancy’s Eligibility Criteria (found here) and there is available Conservancy funding for the project, applicants will be invited to submit a full application.
What We Fund
The Coastal Conservancy funds a wide variety of projects along the California coast, San Francisco Bay, and in coastal watersheds to increase availability of beaches, parks and trails for the public, protect and restore natural lands and wildlife habitat, preserve working lands, and increase community resilience to the impacts of climate change.
The Conservancy will fund most stages of a project including: pre-project feasibility studies, property acquisition, project planning including community involvement, design, environmental review, permitting, construction, and project-related monitoring. We do not fund operation and maintenance activities.
Available SF Bay Area Program funding pots are now mainly focused on projects that use nature-based approaches to address sea level rise. We are also coordinating support for Adaptation Projects with fellow state agencies; refer to this guide, and happy to schedule a discussion to find the best fit for your project.
The Conservancy uses Project Selection Criteria to communicate priorities to potential applicants and project partners, to evaluate grant applications, and to select projects for funding. Multi-benefit projects, projects that serve disadvantaged communities, and projects that advance the objectives in our 2023 – 2027 Strategic Plan and regional and statewide plans will receive higher priority for funding.
Grant Amounts
There are no maximum or minimum grant amounts for this funding; however, it is anticipated that most grants will be between $200,000 and $5,000,000.

Eligibility

The Conservancy can make grants to:Public Agencies, including Joint Power Authorities and Federally-Recognized Indian TribesNonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) statusOther community-based organizations and non-federally-recognized tribes may apply with a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor

Ineligibility

Disallowed Costs – Costs the Conservancy cannot pay for include, but are not limited to: Food, drinks, or snacks.  Fundraising or lobbying.