The California State Coastal Conservancy is a state government grantmaker that funds coastal and San Francisco Bay projects that protect and restore natural lands and waterways, increase public access and outdoor recreation (with an emphasis on underserved communities), and advance nature-based climate resilience and local economic benefits. It implements multiple program-specific solicitations tied to state funding sources (e.g., state propositions) and typically supports capital restoration, public access infrastructure, habitat and watershed restoration, and community engagement projects across the California coast and Bay Area.
Program-driven, solicitation-based grants (no unsolicited proposals); rolling pre-application solicitations for many programs. Award sizes range widely by program — small grants up to $100K (Explore the Coast) to multi-hundred-thousand and multi-million dollar awards ($200K–$5M typical for Climate Ready; many Proposition/Restoration grants $50K–$1M). Applicants are usually invited to submit full proposals after a pre-application screening.
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Monitor the Conservancy’s solicitations/announcements and respond to pre-application requests — most programs require invitation to submit full proposals. Align projects to specific program goals (e.g., Explore the Coast for access/outreach; Proposition 1/4 or Climate Ready for restoration/resilience) and be prepared to show multi-benefit outcomes, community access/equity impacts, and partnership with local agencies; expect rolling deadlines for many programs and variable award ceilings by solicitation.
Current and upcoming funding from California State Coastal Conservancy that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Consistent with Conservancy eligible applicants: 501(c)(3) nonprofits, public agencies, and federally recognized tribes; applicants must meet program solicitation requirements.
Deadline: Rolling (pre-application solicitation)
Who can apply: Supports local communities, tribes, nonprofits, agencies, and other partners; prioritizes communities most vulnerable to climate impacts and with limited capacity.
Deadline: Rolling pre-application process
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.