Explore the Coast Grants
Forecasted
Explore the Coast Grants support communities facing barriers to coastal access by funding enjoyable visits to California’s coast and bays that foster lasting connections and coastal stewardship.
Funder: California State Coastal Conservancy
Due Dates (Anticipated): March 2027 (Full application)
Funding Amounts: No minimum grant size; maximum depends on available funds
Summary: Grants support enjoyable coastal experiences for communities facing barriers to accessing California’s coast.
Key Information: At least 70% of participants must be from Explore the Coast Priority Communities.
Description
The California State Coastal Conservancy’s Explore the Coast grant program funds experiences at California’s coast and the shores of its bays for people who face barriers to accessing or enjoying them. Priority Communities include lower-income households, people with disabilities, people of color, California Native American communities, immigrant communities, foster youth, and other historically excluded communities.
Projects must offer an enjoyable coastal experience and reduce economic, physical, operational, or societal barriers to participation. They may also encourage coastal stewardship, community leadership, and lasting positive connections with the coast. Past grants have supported surfing and ocean education, sea kayaking, youth outings, and learning about coastal conservation and traditional ecological knowledge.
