The Coastal Conservancy is a state agency, established in 1976, to protect and improve natural lands and waterways, to help people get to and enjoy the outdoors, and to sustain local economies along California’s coast.
The Coastal Conservancy Grants program issues millions of dollars yearly for projects that restore and protect the California coast, expand public access to it, and enhance its resilience to climate change. Funded by the State of California's investment in the coast's resilience and accessibility, the program supports projects that benefit public access, natural resources, working lands, climate resiliency at the coast, coastal watersheds, and the San Francisco Bay. The grant process involves a rolling pre-application solicitation with a two-step application process, encouraging early consultation with a Regional Manager to assess project eligibility. The Conservancy funds a wide array of project stages, excluding operation and maintenance activities, and focuses on multi-benefit projects, those serving disadvantaged communities, or advancing the objectives of their 2023 – 2027 Strategic Plan and regional or statewide plans. While there are no specified minimum or maximum grant amounts, anticipated grants generally range between $200,000 and $5,000,000.