Explore the Coast
At a glance
Explore the Coast is a closed California state grant opportunity from the Coastal Conservancy (State of California). The application deadline was January 30, 2026. Individual awards are listed as up to $100K. Applicant types listed as eligible include nonprofit, public agency and tribal government. It is listed on the California Grants Portal. Cost sharing is not required.
Summary assembled from the official notice's fields. The official notice governs.
Key facts
- Nov 19, 2025Posted
- Jan 30, 2026Application deadline
- Opened
- Nov 19, 2025
- Close date
- Jan 30, 2026
- Award floor
- Not specified
- Award ceiling
- $100,000
- Est. total funding
- Not specified
- Expected awards
- Not specified
- Matching funds
- Not required
- Funding instrument
- Grant
Program details (as published on the California Grants Portal)
- Type
- Grant
- Funding source
- State
- Matching funds
- Not Required
- Funding method
- Advances & Reimbursement(s)
- Estimated number of awards
- Dependant on number of submissions received, application process, etc.
- Award period
- June 1, 2027
- Expected award announcement
- Sept 2026
- Letter of intent
- Not required
- Geography
- 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.
- How to submit
- By email: grants@scc.ca.gov
Who can apply
Applicant categories as listed on the California Grants Portal. GrantsJunction maps them to detailed applicant types for search and matching.
- Nonprofit
- Public Agency
- Tribal Government
Additional information on eligibility (from the listing)
The Conservancy may award grants to public agencies, federally recognized tribes, andnonprofit organizations that constitute a 501(c)(3) under the Internal Revenue Code. Othercommunity-based organizations and tribes or California Native American communities that are not federally recognized may apply with a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor.
A quick check against the listed applicant types — other requirements in the notice still apply.
Based on the published notice. Review the official notice for complete eligibility requirements.
What it funds
Purpose and description as published on the California Grants Portal.
Purpose
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.
Description
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.
Program contact (as published)
Taylor Samuelson
taylor.samuelson@scc.ca.gov
1-510-286-4182
Quick answers
Who is eligible to apply for “Explore the Coast”?
The official listing names these applicant types as eligible: Nonprofit, Public Agency and Tribal Government. It adds: “The Conservancy may award grants to public agencies, federally recognized tribes, andnonprofit organizations that constitute a 501(c)(3) under the Internal Revenue Code. Othercommunity-based organizations and tribes or California Native American communities that are not federally…” Additional restrictions may apply; review the full guidelines.
How much funding is available through “Explore the Coast”?
Per the notice, individual awards are listed as up to $100k.
How do I apply for “Explore the Coast”?
Applications go directly to Coastal Conservancy, not through GrantsJunction. Submission: by email to grants@scc.ca.gov. Read the program guidelines on the agency's site first; state programs set their own forms and registration requirements.
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