Explore the Coast Grants

The Explore the Coast Grants from the California State Coastal Conservancy aim to support public agencies, tribes, and nonprofits in enhancing access to California's coastal areas for communities facing barriers. This initiative prioritizes projects that facilitate enjoyable coastal experiences, reduce obstacles, and inspire stewardship among historically excluded groups. Eligible projects include transportation services, adaptive recreational activities, and community engagement events, ensuring that all Californians can connect with their coastal environment.

Background
The California State Coastal Conservancy (Conservancy) announces the availability of grants to public agencies, federally-recognized tribes and indigenous 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. 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").
ETC Priority Communities may include but are not limited to lower-income individuals and households, people with disabilities, people of color, indigenous communities, immigrant communities, foster youth, and other historically excluded communities who face societal challenges or barriers to accessing or enjoying the coast. You can use this mapping tool or other resources you know of to help determine if you are serving low-income communities (please note the tool linked will refer to these as a “disadvantaged” or “severely disadvantaged community”).
Projects should also meet one or more of the following priorities:

• Provide an enjoyable experience at the coast.

Reduce economic, physical, operational, or societal barriers to accessing or enjoying the coast.Inspire ongoing coastal resource stewardship ethic through active learning and interactive activities.
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. Other benefits such as ecosystem stewardship and environmental education are secondary benefits and are not necessary for a project to be eligible.
Examples of eligible projects:

• Providing transportation for ETC priority community members to participate in recreational, educational, or stewardship programs at the coast.
• Providing coastal experiences such as kayaking, surfing, or sailing for persons with disabilities.
• Providing beach recreation day trips for participants and their families.

Facilitating festivals, docent programs, or other outreach events to promote and increase coastal recreational opportunities for ETC priority community members. Applicants should have a clear plan for engaging ETC priority community members in large-scale festivals open to the public.
Providing overnight coastal experiences for participants.
Promoting the use of public transit to access the coast.