1999/2000 WHALE TAIL GRANTS PROGRAM
for Coastal and Marine Education
GUIDELINES AND APPLICATION FORMS
INTRODUCTION
The California Coastal Commission’s 1999/2000 Whale Tail Grants Program for Coastal
and Marine Education is aimed at encouraging the development of programs to teach
California’s children and the general public to value and take responsibility for the health
of the state’s marine and coastal environments. Beach operation and maintenance-type
projects that have an educational component are also eligible for the grants.
BACKGROUND
The program will distribute funds from sales of the California Coastal Commission’s
Whale Tail Coastal Protection License Plate. The Whale Tail License Plate is an official
“specialty” license plate issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles for cars registered
in California. Proceeds from the sales of the plates benefit the California Coastal
Commission’s Adopt-A-Beach Program, California Coastal Cleanup Day and a wide
variety of coastal and marine education projects throughout the state.
In 1998, the Coastal Commission started the Whale Tail Grants Program, along with a
second competitive, small grants program – the Adopt-A-Beach Grants Program. The
Adopt-A-Beach Grants Program focuses on enhancing existing Adopt-A-Beach
Programs, whereas the Whale Tail Grants Program is a more general grant program that
funds a broad range of marine and coastal education projects. Attachment A is a list of
1998 Whale Tail and Adopt-A-Beach grant recipients. On September 15, 1999, the
California Coastal Commission authorized the staff to allocate $20,000 to the Adopt-ABeach Grants Program, and $25,500 to the Whale Tail Grants Program.
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.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
•
Fund Total 1999/2000: $25,500
•
Size of Grants: any amount up to $25,500 ($5-10,000 most likely)
•
Application Format: Applications must be submitted on the attached application
forms with attachments. (The application is also available on the Commission’s
website: )
•
Deadline for Applications (postmarked by): November 15, 1999. Proposals may
not be submitted via FAX.
•
Project Selection: Coastal Commission staff will review all proposals and make
recommendations to the Commission, which will vote at its February 2000
Commission Meeting (tentative).
•
Notification: Applicants will be notified following the Commission vote, most likely
by the end of February 2000.
•
Questions? Contact Shauna O'Donnell at (415) 904-5271/sodonnell@coastal.ca.gov; or
Chris Parry at (415) 904-5208/ cparry@coastal.ca.gov.
ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS
Applicants must be either a non-profit organization or a governmental entity. For beach
operation and maintenance projects, the applicant must be a non-profit organization or
local governmental agency.
ELIGIBLE PROJECTS
Projects will be evaluated using the criteria described below. Grants will not be awarded
to provide for an organization’s general, ongoing administrative costs, or to fund
advocacy work. One-year projects are encouraged. If you’d like to discuss your idea in
advance of submitting an application, contact the Commission’s Public Education
Program staff at (415) 904-5200.
CRITERIA FOR GRANT AWARDS
1. Educational Component: Projects funded under this program should have a strong,
high-quality educational component involving the marine or coastal environment.
Projects that reach audiences in underserved communities, including multicultural
and inland areas, are especially encouraged.
2. Project Concept: We seek creative and innovative approaches that are potentially
expandable or applicable in other geographic areas.
3. Proposal Content: The proposal itself should demonstrate that the concept has been
fully thought out and developed into a concrete project with clearly stated goals,
California Coastal Commission
1999/00 Whale Tail Grant Application
2 of 10
objectives, project design, method of implementation and evaluation, and accurate
cost information.
RULES FOR GRANT AWARDS:
Conditions for grant awards will include the following:
•
Grantee agrees to put the California Coastal Commission logo on any promotional
materials produced for the program.
•
Grantee agrees to hold the California Coastal Commission harmless.
•
Grantee agrees to use waiver of liability forms developed by the California Coastal
Commission (or the equivalent) where appropriate.
•
Funds cannot be used to purchase food, beverages or prizes.
•
Projects of up to 3 years in length are eligible for the program.
•
Indirect costs must be capped at 10% of employee salaries and benefits.
OTHER GRANT REQUIREMENTS
1. Administrative. The grantee must assume responsibility for administering the
project, including: employing any necessary staff or consultants, maintaining
complete accounting and time records, and providing fiscal management.
In preparing the grant application, applicants should refer to Attachment B (Section
3.1.7.2 A of the State Contracting Manual). If awarded a grant, all contracts with the
state, and any subcontract under the grant, must comply with all provisions of the
State Public Contract Code.
2. Payment. Grant funds will not be available in advance of expenditures. Expenses will
be reimbursed on a no more frequently than monthly basis upon submission of an
invoice by the grantee. Reimbursement will be dependent upon successful completion
of work as set out in the proposal.
3. Schedule. Because the funds were appropriated in FY 1999/2000, which ends on
June 30, 2000, proposals must include work tasks that begin before June 30, 2000.
California Coastal Commission
1999/00 Whale Tail Grant Application
3 of 10
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
A complete application package will consist of an original and two copies of the
following materials:
1. Application Summary (see attached form)
2. A maximum two-page project description, including the following information: (a)
the goals and objectives of your project, (b) a description of the audience (number of
people, ages, demographics) and geographical area served by your project, and (c) the
techniques that will be used to evaluate project success.
3. A tasklist and timeline for the project. (Bear in mind that funds will not be available
until March of 2000 and work tasks must be scheduled to begin before June 30,
2000.)
4. A budget (using the provided Application Budget Form or a similarly formatted
budget page).
5. A resolution from the applicant’s governing body that contains the following
authorizations: authority to submit the proposal, authority to enter into a contract with
the California Coastal Commission if the grant is awarded, and designation of the
applicant’s authorized representative (name and title). If these authorities have been
delegated, a letter including these authorizations from an official with delegated
authority is sufficient.
7. A description of the applicant’s organization, including:
• the year it was founded,
• its qualifications for undertaking the proposed project,
• the qualifications of key staff assigned to the project,
• a description of the organization’s current annual budget including sources of
funds (budget information is not necessary for government agencies),
• the names and occupations of board members or organization leaders, and
• brochures or other materials that describe the organization’s mission or
purpose.
8. The following attachments:
(a) For non-profits, proof of non-profit status in the form of an exemption letter from
the IRS or California Franchise Tax Board.
(b) A project site list and/or map.
(c) Any other supporting material such as brochures, newsletters, press clippings and
letters of support.
Submit complete application packages to:
California Coastal Commission
1999/00 Whale Tail Grant Application
Whale Tail Grants Program
California Coastal Commission
45 Fremont St, Suite 2000
San Francisco, CA 94105
4 of 10
1999/2000 Whale Tail Grants Program
APPLICATION SUMMARY
1. Applicant Organization:_________________________________________________
2. Name and Title of Contact Person _________________________________________
3. Address:
_____________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
4. Telephone:_________________Fax:___________________Email:_____________________
5. Website: ________________________________
6. Project Title: __________________________________________________________
7. Brief Project Summary:
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
8. Number of people who will be served by the project (estimated)_________________
9. Requested Grant: ________________________
10. Total Project Budget: _____________________
11. Months Required to Complete Project: _______
Start date: __________ End date: ___________
12. Is your organization a non-profit corporation? _____
13. Proposal Prepared by: _______________________ Title: ______________________
Signature: _________________________________ Date: _____________________
California Coastal Commission
1999/00 Whale Tail Grant Application
5 of 10
1999/2000 Whale Tail Grant Application Budget Form
PROPOSED BUDGET
(The applicant does not need to use this form, but should follow the general structure.)
Organization Name: _______________________________________________
Project Title: _____________________________________________________
Requested Grant: _________________________________________________
Grant Request Budget
Total Project Budget
(if different)
Personnel:
Salaries and Wages (1)___________________
___________________
Benefits (2)
___________________
___________________
___________________
___________________
Postage/Shipping
___________________
___________________
Supplies/Materials
___________________
___________________
Travel (3)
___________________
___________________
Indirect Costs (4)
___________________
___________________
Other:
_____________
___________________
___________________
_____________
___________________
___________________
Total Operating Expenses
___________________
___________________
Total Budget
___________________ ___________________
Total Personnel
Operating Expenses
(1)
Attach an explanation of rate(s) and hours.
Benefits not to exceed 28% of the salary or wage
(3)
Personal vehicle travel reimbursement not to exceed $.24/mile.
(4)
Indirect costs include, for example, a pro rata share of rent, utilities, and certain salaries. Indirect costs
capped at 10% of employee salary and benefits.
(2)
California Coastal Commission
1999/00 Whale Tail Grant Application
6 of 10
ATTACHMENT A
1998 Whale Tail and Adopt-A-Beach Grants Awards
W
hale Tail Grants Program for Coastal and Marine Education
This annual grant program is aimed at encouraging the development of programs to
teach California’s children and the general public to value and take responsibility for the health of
the state’s marine and coastal environments. Grants are also available for non-profit organizations
and local governments for beach operation and maintenance activities with an educational
component. The 1998/99 grant program was advertised in September 1998, with a November 15,
1998 deadline. The staff received 52 grant applications for a total of $389,403.
In January, 1999, the Commission awarded the following four grants, totaling $23,000:
•
California Aquatic Safety, Inc. Ventura Junior Lifeguards
$6,238
Project Title:
Project Location:
Project Timeline:
Channel Islands Coastal Experience Camp for “At Risk” Youth
Ventura Harbor and Channel Islands
April to November 1999.
Total Project Budget:
$9,157.
The CASI Junior Lifeguard Program is dedicated to providing educational and recreational
opportunities in and around the marine environment for students of all ages. The Program
currently focuses on providing water safety education and introduces young people to safe marine
and aquatic recreation opportunities. The Whale Tail Grant to CASI added a new element to the
Junior Lifeguard Program, the Channel Islands Coastal Experience Camp. The Whale Tail Grant
funds the majority of the first year’s costs of running the camp.
•
Slide Ranch
$10,000
Project Title:
Kid’s Ecology Learning Project (KELP)
Project Location:
Muir Beach, Marin County
Project Timeline:
March to December, 1999.
Total Project Budget:
$18,320.
Slide Ranch provides farm-based environmental education to more than 7,000 Bay Area
residents annually. The 134 acre site is composed of a homestead-scale organic farm,
coastal wildlands, and tide pools, which serve as an outdoor classroom for learning about
the interdependence of people and the natural world. Its programs emphasize accessibility
for culturally diverse, low-income, urban, senior, special needs, homeless or otherwise atrisk populations regardless of their ability to pay for services.
California Coastal Commission
1999/00 Whale Tail Grant Application
7 of 10
•
Palisades Charter High School
$2,417
Project Title:
Marine Education and Advocacy Program
Project Location:
Los Angeles
Project Timeline:
May, 1999 to June, 2000.
Total Project Budget:
$57,455.
Palisades Charter High School draws students from all over the greater Los Angeles area.
The school’s mission is to educate its diverse student body by developing their skills and
talents to help them make a positive contribution in our global society. The Palisades
Charter High School Marine Education and Advocacy Program offers predominantly
underrepresented minority students an opportunity to develop a deep understanding and
appreciation for our local marine environment, prepares students for college science
classes and helps to motivate students to pursue careers in science.
•
Surfrider Foundation – Santa Cruz Chapter
Project Title:
Project Location:
Timeline:
Total Project Budget:
$4,345
Education Outreach Expansion
Santa Cruz County and surrounding area
April 1999 to April 2000.
$9,290.
The Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to the
protection and enhancement of the world’s waves and beaches through conservation,
activism, research and education. The organization’s Santa Cruz Chapter was founded in
1991. The Education Outreach Program teaches students about watersheds, ocean
pollution and coastal issues.
A
dopt-A-Beach Grants Program
This grant program is designed to strengthen and encourage innovation with the
Coastal Commission’s Year ‘Round Adopt-A-Beach Program. Only current and
prospective Adopt-A-Beach managers were eligible to apply for Adopt-a-Beach grants.
The Commission allocated a total of $20,000 for this program.
The grant program was advertised in September 1998, with a November 15, 1998 deadline. The
staff received 15 grant applications for a total of $102,011.
In January 1999, the Commission awarded the following three grants.
•
Yosemite National Institutes
Project Title:
Project Location:
Timeline:
Total Project Budget:
$6,670
Adopt-A-Beach – Marin Headlands
Rodeo Beach at Fort Cronkhite, Golden Gate National Recreation
Area
March 1, 1999 to April 30, 2000.
$6,670.
The Headlands Institute (HI) is an educational nonprofit organization that provides outdoor field
science programs. Children come to the residential field-science programs for one- to five-day
sessions that instill in them a personal connection to the natural world and responsible actions to
sustain it.
California Coastal Commission
1999/00 Whale Tail Grant Application
8 of 10
•
Northcoast Environmental Center
Project Title:
Project Location:
Timeline:
Total Project Budget:
$6,650
Adopt-A-Beach Outreach and Enrollment
Humboldt County
March 1999 to September 1999.
$6,650.
The Northcoast Environmental Center (NEC) is a non-profit organization founded in
1971 and is one of the most active environmental groups in the resource-rich region.
NEC has been the countywide coordinator for Coastal Cleanup Day for the past 14 years
and brought out over 1,600 volunteers in 1998.
Program Status. The Center is just getting started in its project to take over and strengthen the
Adopt-A-Beach Program for Humboldt County. A staff person to run the program is on-board,
and the Center has scheduled its first teacher training.
•
Heal the Bay
Project Title:
Project Location:
Timeline:
Total Project Budget:
$6,680
Adopt-A-Beach – Los Angeles County
Los Angeles County
March 1999 to March 2000.
$25,000.
Heal the Bay is a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to making Santa Monica Bay
and Southern California coastal waters safe and healthy for people and marine life. Heal the Bay
is currently the coordinator for both the Adopt-A-Beach Program and Coastal Cleanup Day for
Los Angeles County.
Program Status. Heal the Bay received a grant to continue for the fourth year as the Los Angeles
County coordinator of the Adopt-A-Beach program, and to improve its successful program by
adding the following components:
•
•
•
Bus transportation to bring a school class from each of approximately 10 underserved Los
Angeles County elementary schools to the beach for participation in one Adopt-A-Beach
cleanup
Dissemination of the Coastal Commission “Save Our Seas” curriculum to these classrooms
prior to the beach cleanup.
Data analysis of the trash collected at these school Adopt-A-Beach cleanups
California Coastal Commission
1999/00 Whale Tail Grant Application
9 of 10
FISCAL GUIDELINES
ATTACHMENT B
STATE CONTRACTING MANUAL
Sec. 3.17.2.
SUBVENTION AID OR LOCAL ASSISTANCE CONTRACT
FISCAL CONTROL PROVISIONS
A. Payment provisions in subvention aid contracts should be on a cost-reimbursement
basis with a ceiling specifying the maximum dollar amount payable by the agency.
Contracts must set forth in detail the reimbursable items, unit rates, and extend total
amounts for each line item. The following information is provided as a guide:
1. Identify and justify direct cost and overhead costs, including employee fringe benefits.
2. Monthly, weekly, or hourly rates, as appropriate, and personnel classifications should be
specified together with the percentage of personnel time to be charged to the contract, when
salaries and wages are a reimbursable item.
3. Rental reimbursement items should specify the unit rate, such as the rate per square foot.
4. If travel is to be reimbursable, the contract must specify that the rates of reimbursement for
necessary traveling expenses and per diem shall be set in accordance with the rates of the
Department of Personnel Administration for comparable classes and that no travel outside the
State of California shall be reimbursed unless prior written authorization is obtained from the
agency.
California Coastal Commission
1999/00 Whale Tail Grant Application
10 of 10
