Beach and Coast Accessibility Program

The Beach and Coast Accessibility Program is a collaborative grant initiative led by Orange County Coastkeeper in partnership with the California State Coastal Conservancy. Designed to increase equitable public access to California’s coastline, this program provides funding to federally recognized tribes, nonprofit organizations, and public agencies to acquire and maintain beach accessibility equipment. The intent is to expand opportunities for individuals with mobility challenges, including Indigenous and historically excluded communities, to enjoy California's beaches and water-adjacent areas such as lakes, rivers, and bays. This is the second round of the Beach and Coast Accessibility Program, building on the previous success of the Conservancy’s beach wheelchair initiative. The program has evolved to include a broader range of low-tech accessibility equipment, such as mats, adaptive kayak paddles, all-terrain wheelchairs, and temporary storage solutions. Funded projects must directly enhance coastal access and may also include modest outreach efforts to raise awareness of the available equipment. All funded items must be made available for free public use and maintained for a minimum of five years. Eligible applicants must be either federally recognized tribes, public agencies, or nonprofit organizations holding 501(c)(3) status. In the case of nonprofits, organizations must also demonstrate alignment with Division 21 of the California Public Resources Code, which governs the Coastal Conservancy’s work. Grant recipients are required to submit a copy of their IRS determination letter as part of their application. Applications are not accepted from individuals, and a formal registration of interest must be submitted by email to receive access to the online application form. The application process is non-competitive in the traditional sense, as funding is distributed on a rolling basis until the total pool of approximately $290,000 is exhausted. Grant requests must range from $1,000 to $30,000. Priority is given to projects led by or benefiting federally recognized tribes and Indigenous nonprofit organizations. The evaluation process assesses several criteria, including clarity of project scope, community need, ease of public use, and overall feasibility. Applicants may be contacted for clarification during review, and awards are typically announced within 90 days following receipt confirmation. Funded activities must include either the purchase of new equipment or support for upkeep and storage. The purchase must be documented within 90 days of funding, and all items must remain publicly accessible. Grant funds may also be used for outreach and signage to promote usage. However, due to funding limits, the program will not support permanent construction. All applicants are expected to submit location maps identifying the target area for equipment use and demonstrate the need through project descriptions and, where applicable, existing usage statistics. For technical questions or eligibility clarifications, applicants are encouraged to contact Genesee Ouyang at [email protected]. Applications are accepted continuously until all funds are distributed, and all awards are subject to final approval by the Coastal Conservancy's Executive Officer. Once approved, funding is disbursed following the execution of a grant agreement, which generally occurs one month after award notification.