Explore the Coast (ETC) Grant Program

Explore the Coast (ETC) Grant Program is sponsored by California State Coastal Conservancy. The Explore the Coast (ETC) grant program seeks to provide coastal experiences for people and communities who face challenges to accessing or enjoying the coast. This includes lower-income individuals, people with disabilities, and communities of color.

Outrigger paddling events promoting coastal access and education would be a strong fit, especially if targeting these priority communities.

Explore the Coast - California Grants Portal The Explore the Coast grant program seeks to provide enjoyable coastal experiences for people and communities who face challenges or barriers to accessing the coast.

The California State Coastal Conservancy (Conservancy) announces the availability of grants to public agencies, federally recognized tribes, California Native American communities, and nonprofit organizations 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 financial cost, physical barriers or feelings of not belonging, is crucial to how people 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 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. The Conservancy may award grants to public agencies, federally recognized tribes, and nonprofit organizations that constitute a 501(c)(3) under the Internal Revenue Code.

Other community-based organizations and tribes or California Native American communities that are not federally recognized may apply with a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor. Based on the funding sources, projects must involve participants visiting the coast of California, including the shores of bays. Projects can bring participants from throughout the state to the coast, including participants from inland areas.

The date (and time, where applicable) by which all applications must be submitted to the grantmaker. Time listed as “00:00” equates to midnight. Expected award announcement The date on which the grantor expects to announce the recipient(s) of the grant.

The length of time during which the grant money must be utilized. Total estimated available funding The total projected dollar amount of the grant. Expected number of awards 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.

Estimated amount per award 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. Letter of Intent Required?

Certain grants require that the recipient(s) provide a letter of intent. Requires Matched Funding? Certain grants require that the recipient(s) be able to fully or partially match the grant award amount with another funding source.

Applicants may request a grant amount of up to $100,000. Approximately $700,000 is available for this grant round. Up to $50,000 of the $700,000 is available for participants to access the San Francisco Bay shoreline.

Due to limited funding, projects with trips to the San Francisco Bay shoreline will be extremely competitive. The funding source for the remaining $650,000 is available for projects that provide access to the outer coast. 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. 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).

Advances & Reimbursement(s) State agencies/departments recommend you read the full grant guidelines before applying. For questions about this grant, contact: Taylor Samuelson, 1-510-286-4182, taylor. samuelson@scc.

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