The Children’s Lifesaving Foundation is so very proud to announce that we will be the recipients of a wonderful California Coastal Commission2022-23 Whale Tail Grant! This amazing and generous grant will be utilized towards our newly expanded Coastal Eco-Mariners Surf Camp ( a component of our Camp for All Program) for underserved youth in L.A., and we are SO very grateful to the commissioners at the California Coastal Commission, and their amazing grants and program staff ( thank you, Annie!) for their support, endorsement of our work, and new friendship. The CLF knows it’s going to have our greatest summer yet! 🌊🏄🏾‍♀️🏄🏿🏄🏿‍♂️🌊 ***BY THE WAY, did YOU know that funds raised from these lovely license plates go towards funding programs that are coastal, marine-educational and climate and land-preservation based, throughout California? It’s true! Next time you renew your vehicle, please consider purchasing a WHALE TAIL LICENSE PLATE from the DMV! Thank you, CA Coastal Commission Board of Directors and Commissioners, and the Whale Tail Grants team! We are so grateful to you all…

You can read the FULL press release from

the California Coastal Commission, below:

SAN FRANCISCO, February 17, 2023: ‘On Wednesday, February 8, the California Coastal

Commission approved 56 Whale Tail Grant applications totaling more than $2 million to

non-profit organizations, community groups, and schools for projects and programs that

provide educational experiences focused on coastal protection, public access, and

environmental justice.

“Once again, the range of proposals funded by the Whale Tail grants reminds us of how

important the coast is to all Californians, regardless of race, zip code, age, orientation, or

ability,” said Coastal Commission Chair Donne Brownsey. “This funding opens doors,

expands horizons, and inspires life choices.”

Whale Tail Grants are supported by drivers who purchase Whale Tail License Plates, as

well as California Taxpayers who “Check the Coast” at tax time with contributions to the

Protect Our Coast and Ocean Fund. Over the past 20 years the Commission has awarded

an average of $350,000 annually across approximately 20 grants, primarily for projects

that provide opportunities for inland, rural, and historically excluded communities to

experience and learn about the coast and ocean and develop leadership, stewardship, and

science-based skills. In 2021, the Legislature appropriated an additional $10 million for the Whale Tail Grant

Program, to be expended over five years. This is the second grant cycle since the new

allocation, and is much higher than the average annual allocation. After several months of

extensive public outreach, and guidance on how to apply for the grants, Commission staff

received 149 applications. Many were first-time applicants, with innovative proposals

engaging communities historically excluded from coastal education opportunities. The

additional funding enabled the Commission to distribute $2,089,226.

Some of first-time applications included funding for environmental education and coastal

experiences for tribal youth and families, low-income LGBTQ+ adults, and youth from

inland communities such as Riverside, Chualar, and San Joaquin County.

“These funds allow a whole new generation of Californians to fall in love with the coast and

we hope will help them evolve into coastal stewards,” said Chair Brownsey. “We want to

thank everyone who has purchased a Whale Tail License Plate for making this program

possible.” On February 9, 2023, the Commission unanimously approved the following 56 competitive

grants totaling $2,089,226.’