The California Coastal Commission's WHALE TAIL® Grants fund projects that connect people to the California Coast and its watersheds through education, stewardship, and outdoor experiences. Grant projects can engage people of all ages and can take place anywhere in California.
Please check back in October 2025 for updated details and application documents.
Application Opens: First week of October 2025
Application Deadline: December 15, 2025, 8pm
Grant Amount: Applicants can request any amount up to $50,000.
Grant Project Time Frame: We expect grant projects will be able to start May 15, 2026 - October 1, 2026 and end by November 30, 2028.
Eligibility: Non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations, projects of a non-profit fiscal sponsor, public schools or districts, government entities, federally recognized California Native American Tribes, and non-federally recognized California Native American Tribes applying through 501(c)(3)organizations.
Priorities: We focus on reaching communities that face barriers accessing marine education and stewardship opportunities. We strongly encourage applicant organizations based in and composed of the communities they are engaging.
2024/2025 Grant Recipients
Previous Grant Cycle Info:
2024/2025 Guidelines
2024/2025 Application
This program is supported by sales of the WHALE TAIL® Coastal Protection License Plate and donations to the Protect Our Coast and Oceans Fund listed on the California state tax form.
The WHALE TAIL® License Plate is an official specialty license plate issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles. Proceeds from sales of the plate benefit the California Coastal Commission's Adopt-A-Beach® Program, California Coastal Cleanup Day, and a wide variety of environmental projects throughout the state. The Protect Our Coast and Oceans Fund is a "tax check-off" fund listed on the California state tax form, offering taxpayers the option to provide voluntary donations of any amount. You can also donate by check at any time. Proceeds from contributions to this fund specifically benefit the WHALE TAIL® Grants Program.
Find more grants from the State of California:
