The California State Coastal Conservancy is soliciting applications from public agencies and nonprofit organizations for grants for projects that facilitate and enhance the public’s opportunities to “Explore the Coast.” Proposals are due May 10, 2013. A total of $1,000,000 is available for awards through this competitive grant program. There is no established minimum grant amount; the anticipated maximum grant amount will not exceed $50,000. This grant program is a great complement to the recently launched Water Trail Grant Program, which may only fund capital-outlay projects and uses bond funding only.
The purpose of the Explore the Coast grant program is to support activities that allow more people to explore California’s spectacular coast and/or enhance a visitor’s experience. This includes projects that enhance visitors’ ability to learn about natural, recreational, cultural and historic resources of the California and San Francisco Bay shorelines. Explore the Coast grants will support a wide range of activities including communication and outreach, economic development related to coastal tourism, and development of interpretive information and/or education materials. In general, this grant program prioritizes non-capital improvement projects that are generally not eligible for bond funding.
Projects should meet one or more of the following priorities:
- Enhances a visitors’ coastal experience in a way that does not currently exist;
- Increases the number of people visiting the coast;
- Provides a valuable recreational, environmental, cultural or historic learning experience;
- Serves a large number of people within the context of the population density of the surrounding area;
- Serves lower-income or other underserved populations;
- Maximizes barrier-free access for persons with disabilities; and/or
- Increases stewardship of coastal resources.
The grant announcement, with more details, is available here.
