At the September meeting, the Ocean Protection Council approved up to $2,000,000 in funding to the California Coastal Commission for tribal and environmental justice small grants through the 2025-26 WHALE TAIL® Competitive Grants Program.

The application period for the 2025-2026 grant cycle is now open!

WHALE TAIL® Grants fund projects that connect people to the California coast and its watersheds through education, stewardship, and outdoor experiences. Projects can engage people of any age and can take place anywhere in California.

• Application deadline: Monday, December 15, 2025 by 8:00 p.m.
  
• Grant amounts: Applicants may request any amount up to $50,000. Up to $2,000,000 total is available, with half dedicated to projects led by California Native American tribes, tribally-led entities, and organizations engaging California Native American tribal communities. At least 25% of projects funded outside of the tribal set-aside will be small grants up to $25,000.
  
• Eligible applicants: Federally recognized tribes, California Native American tribes as defined by Governor’s Executive Order B-10-11 (applying through a 501(c)(3) organization), non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations, projects of a non-profit fiscal sponsor, public schools or districts, government entities.
  
• WHALE TAIL® Grants focus on engaging communities that face barriers accessing coastal and marine opportunities. Organizations based in and composed of the communities they are engaging are strongly encouraged to apply.

To apply and learn more about this funding opportunity, visit the WHALE TAIL® Grants Website.

Application Walk-Through

Coastal Commission staff will hold a Zoom meeting on Thursday, November 6, 2025, 3:30 p.m to 5:00 p.m., with a detailed walk-through of the grant application and guidelines, including time for general questions about the grant and application process. Register for the Zoom meeting.

Funding for this grant cycle comes from OPC’s California Climate Investments.