2025 George H.W. Bush Vamos A Pescar Education Fund
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations that can deliver fishing education and stewardship programs to California audiences. Eligible applicants likely include nonprofits, schools, and community organizations with experience in environmental or recreational education. Programs must include multiple bilingual events, hands-on or experiential activities, and measurable outcomes.
Projects must run between March 1 and September 30, 2025. Events can combine in-person and virtual formats. All programs need evaluation components, clear goals, and defined metrics for success.
This grant is for organizations that can deliver fishing education and stewardship programs to California audiences. Eligible applicants likely include nonprofits, schools, and community organizations with experience in environmental or recreational education. Programs must include multiple bilingual events, hands-on or experiential activities, and measurable outcomes.
Projects must run between March 1 and September 30, 2025. Events can combine in-person and virtual formats. All programs need evaluation components, clear goals, and defined metrics for success.
Program description
Funds may be used for projects, including but not limited to experiential or hands-on fishing education, community activities promoting good fishery stewardship, technical fishing skills development, fishing-related workshops and classes, apprentice-level fishing trips with hands-on instruction, and other such events that promote recreational fishing in California. Multiple bilingual events with the same audience must occur throughout the grant cycle in order for programs to be considered. All events submitted as part of the grant application must: Programs must have an evaluation component, established goals and objectives, and defined metrics to measure outcomes to be considered for funding. Be able to use in-person events and virtual platforms in conjunction with one another, as required by current local and state health and safety standards at the time of each event. Creativity around the integration of virtual and hands-on learning is encouraged. Begin no sooner than March 1, 2025 and conclude no later than September 30, 2025. Events planned before or after this date or reoccurring events that stretch beyond these dates should not be included on the application.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
Details
This grant is for organizations that can deliver fishing education and stewardship programs to California audiences. Eligible applicants likely include nonprofits, schools, and community organizations with experience in environmental or recreational education. Programs must include multiple bilingual events, hands-on or experiential activities, and measurable outcomes.
Projects must run between March 1 and September 30, 2025. Events can combine in-person and virtual formats. All programs need evaluation components, clear goals, and defined metrics for success.
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- Grant application form
- Project narrative with goals, objectives, and evaluation plan
- Budget and budget narrative
- Evidence of bilingual program capacity
- Program timeline with event dates
- Organizational background or credentials
Program contact
- 📧 R3StatewideProgram@wildlife.ca.gov
- 📞 1-916-203-1362
Funding track record
Past applications & awards under this program (California Grants Portal) — how competitive it is.
By fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Applications | Awarded | Award rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-2025 | 8 | 2 | 25% |
Source: California Grants Portal
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Generally nonprofits, schools, and community organizations can apply. You must demonstrate ability to deliver multiple bilingual fishing education events to California communities.
What types of activities are funded?
Hands-on fishing education, fishing skills workshops, fishing trips with instruction, stewardship activities, and community events. Virtual and in-person formats can be combined.
What is the project timeline?
All events must occur between March 1, 2025 and September 30, 2025. Programs cannot begin before or extend beyond these dates.
Are there required program components?
Yes. Programs must include evaluation plans, established goals and objectives, and defined metrics to measure outcomes. Multiple bilingual events must occur throughout the grant cycle.
What is the typical award amount?
Awards range from $5,000 to $20,000. Total available funding is $50,000 across all awardees.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Emphasize bilingual outreach. Multiple events in different languages demonstrate community reach and access.
- Build evaluation into your program from the start. Identify measurable outcomes before activities begin.
- Plan flexibility for health and safety changes. Your proposal should allow for virtual pivots if needed.
- Clearly connect fishing activities to stewardship values. Show how hands-on activities teach conservation principles.
- Start planning early for March 1 launch. Recruitment and logistics need 2-3 months of lead time.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications lack clear, measurable evaluation metrics or goals. Proposals include only single-language events instead of bilingual programming throughout the cycle. Projects schedule events outside the March 1–September 30, 2025 window.
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