WHALE TAIL® Competitive Grants Program - Guidelines and Application Forms - Funded by the WHALE TAIL® License Plate

Sep 19, 2026

The document provides guidelines and application forms for the California Coastal Commission’s WHALE TAIL® Competitive Grants Program for 2019/2020. It explains the program’s background and funding sources, including license plate proceeds and voluntary state tax contributions, and outlines eligible applicant types and audiences in California. It details grant size, categories and special subcategories, submission format, postmark deadline, selection process, and notification timeline. It also lists key resources, eligibility restrictions, and contact information for applicant questions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryForms

FormatPDF

Pages16

Reading Time6 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Background

Other Resources

Program Overview

Eligibility of Applicants and Projects

Questions

2019/ 2020 WHALE TAIL® Competitive Grants Program Postmark Deadline: November 4, 2019 Guidelines and Application Forms Funded by: The WHALE TAIL® License Plate Program Voluntary contributions on the California state tax form Supporting programs that teach California’s children and the general public to value and take action to improve the health of the state’s marine and coastal environments A project of: California Coastal Commission 45 Fremont Street, Suite 2000 San Francisco, CA 94105 (415) 904-5200 [www.coastal.ca.gov](www.coastal.ca.gov) 2019/ 2020 WHALE TAIL® COMPETITIVE GRANTS PROGRAM GUIDELINES AND APPLICATION FORMS INTRODUCTION The California Coastal Commission’s WHALE TAIL® grants support programs that teach California’s children and the general public to value and take action to improve the health of the state’s marine and coastal environments. Adopt-A-Beach programs, as well as other beach maintenance and coastal habitat restoration projects that have an educational component, are also eligible for the grants. Attachment A is a sample list of summaries of some past grant recipients. BACKGROUND The California Coastal Commission started the WHALE TAIL® Competitive Grants Program in 1998. For many years, all of the funding for this program came from California’s WHALE TAIL® Specialty License Plate. Proceeds from sales of the license plates also benefit the Coastal Commission’s year-round Adopt-A-Beach Program, California Coastal Cleanup Day, and other education and stewardship projects. In 2014, a “check-off” box was added to the California state tax return form to provide taxpayers the option to voluntarily contribute to the Protect Our Coast and Oceans Fund. Proceeds from contributions to the Protect Our Coast and Oceans Fund specifically benefit the WHALE TAIL® Grants Program. Since 2015, these donations have added to the funds available for the grants each year. The California Coastal Commission is a state regulatory and planning agency that operates under the 1976 Coastal Act to manage the conservation and development of coastal resources in California. The Commission’s Public Education Program works to increase public knowledge of coastal and marine resources and to engage the public in coastal protection and restoration activities. OTHER RESOURCES In addition to this grantmaking program, the Coastal Commission’s Public Education Program offers a wide range of free curricular resources and programs for teachers and students. Find them at [www.coastal.ca.gov/publiced/directory/educate.html](www.coastal.ca.gov/publiced/directory/educate.html) and [coastforyou.org](coastforyou.org). We also encourage educators to become familiar with and integrate into their projects, when appropriate, the principles and concepts of ocean literacy, California’s Environmental Principles and Concepts, the state’s Next Generation Science Standards, and the Common Core Standards. PROGRAM OVERVIEW • Size of Grants: any amount up to $50,000 (25-50% of the funding will be allocated in small grants up to $12,000) . Approximately $300,000 will be distributed. • Categories of Grants: The WHALE TAIL® Grants Program will fund projects that fall into anyone of the following three categories: 1) shoreline cleanup and enhancement programs (such as Adopt-A-Beach); 2) youth education programs; 3) programs for educating the general public. In addition, applicants have the option to request funding under two special subcategories: a) projects addressing climate change as it re lates to the ocean or coastline; and b) grants for organizations with annual operating budgets of $500,000 or less, that are working with underserved communities. (See examples of underserved communities under selection criterion \#2 on page 3 . ) • Format: Applications must be submitted on the attached application forms with attachments. Please print double-sided and use minimal packaging wherever possible. • Deadline for App

FAQs

What types of projects are eligible under the WHALE TAIL® Competitive Grants Program?

Eligible projects include shoreline cleanup and enhancement programs (such as Adopt-A-Beach), youth education programs, and programs educating the general public. Special subcategories cover projects addressing ocean/coast climate change and grants for organizations with annual operating budgets of $500,000 or less working with underserved communities.

Who can apply, and what are key eligibility restrictions?

Applicants must be a non-profit organization, school or district, or a government entity. Grants are not for general ongoing administrative costs or advocacy work, and proposals cannot include religious content in their programming.

What are the application submission requirements and deadlines?

Applications must be submitted using the attached application forms with attachments, printed double-sided with minimal packaging. Applications must be postmarked by November 4, 2019, and cannot be submitted via fax or e-mail.

Sep 19, 2026

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