Division of Boating and Waterways Aquatic Center Boating Safety Education Grant

The California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) administers the Aquatic Center Grant Program to promote safe and enjoyable boating through educational opportunities. DBW is a division within California State Parks, and its mission includes fostering recreational boating while ensuring public safety and environmental stewardship. The Aquatic Center Grant Program specifically supports local public agencies, nonprofit organizations, and higher education institutions operating aquatic centers in California that provide hands-on boating instruction and safety training. The primary objective of the Aquatic Center Grant Program is to improve knowledge of boating laws, vessel handling, water and weather conditions, rules of the road, equipment requirements, and environmental practices among recreational boaters. Through this initiative, DBW seeks to reduce boating accidents, increase compliance with safety regulations, and promote environmentally responsible boating practices. Participating aquatic centers serve as training hubs where individuals can gain practical boating skills in a structured educational setting. The scope of the funding allows eligible organizations to cover costs associated with equipment and training resources needed for delivering boating safety education. Grants can be used to support program activities such as safety instruction, vessel operation training, and scholarships for students or participants who may not otherwise have access to boating education. The program is designed to support both new and ongoing efforts to provide safe boating opportunities to communities across California. Eligibility for funding is outlined in Section 668.2 of the Harbors and Navigation Code. Applicants must be local public agencies, nonprofit organizations, or colleges and universities operating in California. Private individuals, for-profit businesses, and organizations outside of California are not eligible. DBW encourages new applicants to first review the Online Grant Application System and consider attending an Aquatic Center Directors' Meeting to learn more about program requirements. These meetings, held annually in Northern and Southern California, are open to the public and provide networking and information-sharing opportunities for potential grantees. The application process requires submission through the Online Grant Application System (OLGA). The application period for the 2025–2026 cycle will open on September 15, 2025, and close on October 24, 2025, at noon. Applicants are expected to comply with grant agreement requirements, including annual and inventory reports submitted to DBW. Information on required forms, reporting expectations, and grant management guidelines will be posted online as resources for grantees. DBW evaluates applications based on program goals, eligibility compliance, and demonstrated capacity to provide effective boating safety education. Contact for the Aquatic Center Grant Program is Amy Rigby, who can be reached by email at amy.rigby@parks.ca.gov or by phone at (916) 902-8798. Interested applicants may also consult the DBW website for updates, sample applications, and related program resources. The program follows an annual cycle, with recurring deadlines each fall, and organizations are encouraged to plan accordingly for future grant opportunities.