About The Ocean Foundation
As the only community foundation for the ocean, The Ocean Foundation’s 501(c)(3) mission is to support, strengthen, and promote those organizations dedicated to reversing the trend of destruction of ocean environments around the world. We focus our collective expertise on emerging threats to generate cutting edge solutions and better strategies for implementation.
Because the ocean covers 71% of the earth, our community is global. We have grantees, partners, and projects on all of the world’s continents. We engage with donors and governments involved in ocean conservation anywhere in the world.
The Ocean Foundation uses a well-established business model, the community foundation, to serve donors and partners who are passionate about the future of our coasts and ocean.
This model enables us to increase the capacity of conservation organizations, host various projects and funds, and effectively connect regional and community-based non-profits with the support that they need. By raising millions of dollars each year from individuals, corporate donors, private foundations, and governments, we succeed in promoting healthy ocean ecosystems that benefit the human communities depending on them.
We advance innovative and customized philanthropic solutions for donors. We simplify the giving process so that they can focus on their chosen passion for the coasts and ocean. We also evaluate marine conservation projects and determine the most effective organizations for our donors to support.
What We Do

Community foundation services
We can turn your talents and ideas into sustainable solutions that promote healthy ocean ecosystems and benefit the human communities that depend on them.
Our History


Partners
How can you help? If you recognize the value of investing resources in strategic ocean solutions or want a platform for your corporate community to participate in, we can work together on strategic ocean solutions. Our partnerships take many forms: from cash and in-kind donations to cause-related marketing campaigns. Our fiscally sponsored projects also work with partners on many different levels. These cooperative efforts are helping to restore and protect our ocean.

REVERB
TOF is partnering with REVERB through their Music Climate Revolution campaign.

Golden Acre
Golden Acre has partnered with The Ocean Foundation since 2021 and is proud to support mangrove and seagrass restoration projects.

PADI
PADI is creating a billion torchbearers to explore and protect the ocean.

Lloyd’s Register Foundation
Lloyd’s Register Foundation is an independent global charity that builds global coalitions for change.

Mijenta Tequila
A portion of Mijenta’s sales proceeds will support TOF’s global initiatives.

Dolfin Home Loans
Dolfin Home Loans is committed to giving back to ocean cleanup and conservation efforts around the world to ensure healthier oceans and waterways.

OneSource Coalition
We joined the OneSource Coalition to engage industry actors and plastic manufacturers on a framework for a circular economy.

Perkins Coie
TOF thanks Perkins Coie for their pro bono support.

Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton
TOF thanks Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton for their pro bono support.

NILIT Ltd.
NILIT Ltd. is a privately owned, international manufacturer of nylon 6.6 fibers, and is a supporter of TOF’s Blue Resilience Initiative.

Barrell Craft Spirits
Barrell Craft Spirits is an independent blender and bottler of unique, aged, cask strength sourced whiskey and rum.

Ocean and Climate Platform
The OCP is committed to making the voice of civil society heard and participates in the mobilization of ocean stakeholders.

Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles has become the first United States professional sports team to offset their travel.

SKYY Vodka
SKYY Vodka is proud to enter into a partnership with TOF to protect and conserve the ocean.

International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW)
TOF and IFAW collaborate on areas relating to the health, welfare and abundance of the ocean.

BOTTLE Consortium
The Ocean Foundation is partnering with the BOTTLE Consortium (Bio-Optimized Technologies to keep Thermoplastics out of Landfills and the Environment) to coordinate on their mutual objectives to advance the science and engineering of polymers to make …

ClientEarth
The Ocean Foundation is working with Client Earth to explore the relationship of ocean plastic pollution to human health.

Marriott International
The Ocean Foundation is proud to partner with Marriott International, a global leader in sustainability. Marriott has partnered with TOF on a pilot project to sustainably harvest sargassum at sea and repurpose it …

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The Ocean Foundation is working with the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to cooperate on international and national scientific efforts to advance research, conservation and our understanding of …

National Maritime Foundation
The Ocean Foundation is working with the National Maritime Foundation to facilitate greater coordination and progress in addressing Blue Carbon, climate resilience, and promoting the Blue Economy. Other areas for …

Ocean-Climate Alliance
TOF is an active member of the Ocean-Climate Alliance which brings leading ocean-climate organizations together to advance an ocean-climate restoration agenda. This differs from the current climate agenda in that …

Global Partnership on Marine Litter
TOF is an active member of the Global Partnership on Marine Litter (GPML). GPML’s goals are the following: (1) Providing a platform for cooperation and coordination; sharing ideas, knowledge and …

Credit Suisse
In 2020 The Ocean Foundation collaborated with Credit Suisse and Rockefeller Asset Management (RAM), a division of Rockefeller Capital Management, on the launch of the Ocean Engagement Strategy, meeting the …

Global Island Partnership
GLISPA aims to promote action to build resilient and sustainable island communities.

Centre for Marine Sciences, UWI
TOF is working with the Centre for Marine Sciences, UWI to monitor ocean acidification.

CONABIO
TOF is working with CONABIO in the Mexican seas in the context of climate change and variability.

FullCycle
FullCycle has joined forces with The Ocean Foundation to keep plastics out of the ocean by turning municipal waste into energy.

Universidad del Mar, Mexico
TOF is working with Universidad del Mar- Mexico- to monitor local ocean acidification parameters.

International Alliance to Combat Ocean Acidification
TOF is working with the Alliance to combat Ocean Acidification.

Yachting Pages Media Group
TOF is working with Yachting Pages Media Group on a media partnership.

Universidad Nacional de Colombia
TOF is working with UNAL to restore seagrass and study how it can mitigate ocean acidification.

The National University of Samoa
TOF is working with NUS by providing equipment to monitor local ocean acidification parameters.

Eduardo Mondlane University
TOF is working with Eduardo Mondlane University by providing affordable equipment to monitor local ocean acidification parameters.

The World Resources Institute (WRI) México
WRI Mexico and TOF join forces to reverse the destruction of ocean & coastal ecosystems.

Conservation X Labs
The Ocean Foundation is joining forces with Conservation X Labs to revolutionize conservation.

Restore America’s Estuaries
TOF is working with RAE to elevate the restoration, conservation, and resiliency work among the coastal community.

Palau International Coral Reef Center
TOF is working with the Palau International Coral Reef Center to monitor ocean acidification.

UNEP’s Cartagena Convention Secretariat
TOF is working with UNEP’s Cartagena Convention Secretariat throughout the Caribbean.

The University of Mauritius
TOF is working with the University of Mauritius by providing affordable equipment to monitor local ocean acidification parameters.

SPREP
TOF is working with SPREP to exchange information on developments and current activities in relation to the marine environment

The Smithsonian Institution
TOF is working with the Smithsonian Institution to promote the recognition of the ocean and climate nexus.

REV Ocean
TOF is cooperating with REV OCEAN on vessel cruises that examine ocean acidification and plastic pollution.

Pontifica Universidad Javeriana, Colombia
TOF is working with Pontifica Universidad Javeriana to monitor ocean acidification.

NCEL
TOF works with NCEL to provide ocean expertise and learning opportunities to NCEL members.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
TOF thanks the following firms for their pro bono support.

ESPOL, Ecuador
TOF is working with ESPOL- Ecuador- by providing affordable equipment to monitor local ocean acidification parameters.

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP
TOF thanks the following firms for their pro bono support.

Arnold & Porter
TOF thanks the following firms for their pro bono support.

Confluence Philanthropy
Confluence Philanthropy advances mission investing by supporting foundations, donors, and families.

Roffé Accessories
Based in New York City, Roffé Accessories is a men’s and women’s wholesale apparel company specializing in luxury market design and merchandise.

Rockefeller Capital Management
The Rockefeller Climate Solutions Fund seeks to identify profitable investment opportunities.

que Bottle
que Bottle is a California-based sustainable product design company specializing in 100% plastic-and-BPA-free collapsible water bottles.

North Coast Brewing Co.
North Coast Brewing Company is a pioneer in the craft beer movement.

Luke’s Lobster
Luke’s Lobster is a sustainable seafood restaurant.

Loreto Bay Company
The Loreto Bay Company is a public-private partnership aimed at providing lasting environmental legacy.

Kerzner International
Kerzner International creates and manages leading integrated entertainment destinations.

jetBlue Airways
JetBlue Airways Corporation is a major American airline and the sixth largest in the United States by passengers carried.

Jackson Hole WILD
Jackson Hole WILD convenes an industry summit for media professionals, scientists and conservationists.

Huckabuy
Huckabuy is a search engine optimization software company based out of Park City, Utah.

Fragrant Jewels
Fragrant Jewels is a bath bomb and candle company, and the flagship brand of Gravity Brands.

Columbia Sportswear
The Columbia Sportswear Company manufactures and distributes outerwear, sportswear, and footwear.

Alaskan Brewing Company
Alaskan Brewing Company is the 67th independent brewery in the country.

Absolut
Absolut Vodka is a brand of vodka produced in southern Sweden, and is sold in 126 countries, making it one of the largest brands of spirits in the world.

11th Hour Racing
11th Hour Racing promotes marine stewardship through engagement and leadership from sailing’s top athletes around the world.

SeaWeb International Sustainable Seafood Summit
A Seafood Summit focused on sustainability.

Tiffany & Co. Foundation
The Tiffany & Co. Foundation seeks to preserve the world’s most treasured landscapes and seascapes.

Tropicalia
Tropicalia is an ‘eco resort’ project in the Dominican Republic that focuses on sustainable tourism and development.

BeeSure
BeeSure develops innovative quality products by maximizing the conservation of resources and use of recycled materials.
Staff
Headquartered in Washington, D.C., The Ocean Foundation staff is made up of a passionate team. They all come from diverse backgrounds, but share the same goal of preserving and caring for our world ocean and its inhabitants. The Ocean Foundation’s Board of Directors is comprised of individuals with significant experience in marine conservation philanthropy as well as esteemed professionals in ocean conservation. We also have a growing international advisory board of scientists, policy makers, educational specialists, and other top experts.
Financial Information
Here you will find tax, financial, and annual report information for The Ocean Foundation. These reports provide a comprehensive guide to the Foundation’s activities and financial performance throughout the years. Our fiscal year begins on July 1st and ends on June 30th of the following year.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Justice
Whether it means directly instituting changes or working with the marine conservation community to institute these changes, we’re striving to make our community more equitable, diverse, and inclusive at every level.

Our Sustainability Statement
We cannot approach companies to learn more about their sustainability goals unless we can walk-the-talk internally. Practices TOF has embraced toward sustainability include:
- offering public transportation benefits to staff
- having bike storage available in our building
- being thoughtful about necessary international travel
- opting out of regular housekeeping while staying in hotels
- using motion detection lights our office
- using ceramic and glass plates and cups
- using real utensils in kitchen
- avoiding individually packaged items for catered meals
- ordering reusable cups and utensils at events outside our office when possible, including an emphasis on sustainable alternatives to plastic materials (with post-consumer plastic resin materials as a last resort) when reusable cups and utensils are not available
- composting
- having coffee maker that uses grounds, not individual, single-use plastic pods
- using 30% recycled paper content in copier/printer
- using 100% recycled paper content for stationary and 10% recycled paper content for envelopes

