Coastal Stories
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations and community groups planning storytelling projects in California's coastal region. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, community-based organizations, and government agencies that partner with historically excluded communities. Projects must focus on public-facing installations or materials (murals, signage, monuments, guides) that tell stories of BIPOC people, people with disabilities, immigrants, low-income communities, and others historically excluded from coastal narratives.
All projects must be connected to publicly accessible outdoor spaces within the Coastal Conservancy's jurisdiction and reach the public. The program prioritizes community-led projects with strong community and landowner partnerships. Eligible activities include planning, community engagement, hiring storytellers and artists, design, permitting, and implementation of interpretive materials.
The program seeks to correct one-sided histories, tell stories in more inclusive ways, and develop new content that shares previously untold stories.
This grant is for organizations and community groups planning storytelling projects in California's coastal region. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, community-based organizations, and government agencies that partner with historically excluded communities. Projects must focus on public-facing installations or materials (murals, signage, monuments, guides) that tell stories of BIPOC people, people with disabilities, immigrants, low-income communities, and others historically excluded from coastal narratives.
All projects must be connected to publicly accessible outdoor spaces within the Coastal Conservancy's jurisdiction and reach the public. The program prioritizes community-led projects with strong community and landowner partnerships. Eligible activities include planning, community engagement, hiring storytellers and artists, design, permitting, and implementation of interpretive materials.
The program seeks to correct one-sided histories, tell stories in more inclusive ways, and develop new content that shares previously untold stories.
Program description
We seek to fund projects that plan, develop, and implement storytelling installations or materials (such as murals, signage, monuments, or guides) that represent communities and voices that have been historically excluded in the storytelling of California’s coast and publicly accessible lands. These communities may include but are not limited to BIPOC people, people with disabilities, immigrant communities, low-income communities, and other historically excluded communities. All projects must present a story connected to publicly-accessible outdoors spaces within our jurisdiction, in a way that will reach the public. We encourage proposals for projects that are community-led, that show strong community and landowner partnerships, and that use creative forms of historical, ecological, and cultural storytelling. Pre-proposals are due by 5pm on January 31, 2022. Pre-proposals submitted after this date will continue to be considered on a rolling basis. Based on this review, applicants may be invited to submit a full proposal or asked to provide further information on their project. The State Coastal Conservancy (Conservancy) is a State agency established in 1976 to protect and improve natural lands and waterways, help people access and enjoy the outdoors, and sustain local economies and agriculture. The Coastal Stories program is part of the Conservancy’s Explore the Coast (ETC) program, which seeks to provide coastal experiences for people and communities who face challenges to accessing or enjoying the coast. These are the priorities of the Coastal Stories grant program: Promote a sense of belonging in outdoor spaces by presenting perspectives that include BIPOC and/or other historically excluded communities.Engage representatives of BIPOC and/or other historically excluded communities to develop and share their coastal perspectives and stories.Improve educational content in California’s outdoor spaces by correcting one-sided histories, retelling stories in more appropriate and inclusive ways, and developing new content that shares untold stories.Use creative forms of interpretation and storytelling. We will fund planning and preparation activities such as hiring historians/ storytellers/ artists, community engagement, designing materials, acquiring permits and permissions, and installation, creation, or implementation of project. Please see our Inclusive Interpretive Material Guidelines for specific suggestions on producing inclusive content.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
Details
This grant is for organizations and community groups planning storytelling projects in California's coastal region. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, community-based organizations, and government agencies that partner with historically excluded communities. Projects must focus on public-facing installations or materials (murals, signage, monuments, guides) that tell stories of BIPOC people, people with disabilities, immigrants, low-income communities, and others historically excluded from coastal narratives.
All projects must be connected to publicly accessible outdoor spaces within the Coastal Conservancy's jurisdiction and reach the public. The program prioritizes community-led projects with strong community and landowner partnerships. Eligible activities include planning, community engagement, hiring storytellers and artists, design, permitting, and implementation of interpretive materials.
The program seeks to correct one-sided histories, tell stories in more inclusive ways, and develop new content that shares previously untold stories.
How to apply
Application links
Program contact
- 📧 coastalstories@scc.ca.gov
- 📞 1-510-286-1015
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-2022 | 81 | — | 0% |
Source: California Grants Portal
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