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The Ocean Foundation

Annual Giving
$1.2M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.2M
Decision Time
3mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: ~$1.2 million (FY 2022)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Quarterly review cycle
  • Grant Range: Varies; average ~$10,000
  • Geographic Focus: Global (over 50% of grants support projects outside the USA)

Contact Details

Mailing Address: 1320 19th St, NW, Suite 401 Washington, DC 20036

Phone: (202) 887-8996

Email for Grant Inquiries: [email protected]

Website: https://oceanfdn.org

Overview

The Ocean Foundation, founded in 2003 by underwater photographer Wolcott Henry, is the world's only community foundation dedicated exclusively to ocean conservation. Originally established as the Coral Reef Foundation, it broadened its mission to support all ocean conservation efforts. Under President Mark J. Spalding's leadership since 2003, the organization has grown from $200,000 to $24 million in assets and has invested over $84.1 million in marine conservation projects through grants and services. The foundation operates as a community foundation model, offering fiscal sponsorship, donor-advised funds, and direct grantmaking services. The Ocean Foundation has earned a Four-Star rating (93%) from Charity Navigator and holds the Platinum Seal of Transparency from GuideStar, demonstrating strong financial health and accountability.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Ocean Foundation's grantmaking is inherently donor-driven, meaning they do not maintain a generic open Request for Proposals. Instead, they solicit proposals when they have an interested donor for specific projects.

Average Grant Size: Approximately $10,000

Recent Grantmaking Activity:

  • FY 2022: $1,199,832.22 distributed to 59 organizations and individuals worldwide
  • Over two-thirds of grants support projects outside the United States

Specific Grant Programs:

  • Regenerative Tourism Catalyst Grant Program (2024): In partnership with NOAA, awarded approximately 10-15 grants ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 for projects up to 12 months supporting sustainable tourism, food systems, and seafood activities

  • Student Research Grants: Grants provided to students at the Masters and Ph.D. level for research projects, as well as scholarships for undergraduate, Masters, and Ph.D. study in the U.S. and internationally

Priority Areas

The Ocean Foundation awards grants in four primary categories:

  1. Conserving Marine Habitats and Special Places - Supporting protection of critical ocean ecosystems and marine protected areas
  2. Protecting Species of Concern - Funding for threatened and endangered marine species conservation
  3. Building Capacity of the Marine Conservation Community - Strengthening organizational infrastructure and effectiveness of conservation groups
  4. Expanding Ocean Literacy and Awareness - Educational initiatives and public engagement programs

The foundation demonstrates strong commitment to multi-year giving whenever possible, recognizing that ocean conservation requires long-term approaches. They actively support projects demonstrating commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ), incorporating a DEIA lens into all facets of conservation work.

Recent DEIJ Grant Examples:

  • Black In Marine Science: $2,000 to maintain YouTube channel sharing conversations on ocean topics with Black scientists
  • SurfearNEGRA: $2,500 for the 100 Girls! Program, providing surf camp funding for girls of color
  • Green 2.0: $5,000 in general support to increase racial and ethnic diversity in environmental causes

What They Don't Fund

  • Religious organizations
  • Election campaigns
  • Indirect costs exceeding 15%

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors

The Ocean Foundation's Board of Directors allows for up to 15 members, with over 90% fully independent with no material or pecuniary relationship with the organization. Current board members include:

  • Dr. Joshua Ginsberg - Chairperson
  • Thomas Brigandi - Vice Chair and Treasurer
  • Russell Smith - Secretary
  • Angel Braestrup - Director
  • Karen Thorne - Director
  • Lisa Volgenau - Director
  • Mark J. Spalding - Director (also serves as paid President)
  • Olha Krushelnytska - Director
  • Elliot Cafritz - Director (Temporarily On Leave)

Key Leadership

Mark J. Spalding, J.D. - President

Mark Spalding has led The Ocean Foundation since 2003, growing it from $200,000 to $24 million. He is an expert on international ocean policy and law, blue economy finance and investment, and coastal and marine philanthropy. He serves on the Ocean Studies Board of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (USA), the Sargasso Sea Commission, and is a Senior Fellow at the Center for the Blue Economy at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies. He has also served as an Advisor to the High Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy.

On Funding Approach:

Spalding advocates for "a nuanced and specific approach to local marine protection, fisheries management, food security and economic development," emphasizing that "when combined with replication of success, we can get at the particular goals in which a country will be more willing to invest public funds and business resources for such actions." He has noted that despite growing recognition of ocean-based solutions, "SDG 14, the ocean goal, [receives] only 0.01 percent of all development funding," highlighting the critical need for increased philanthropic investment in marine conservation.

Other Key Staff:

  • Nicole Ross - Communications Manager
  • Meagan Gary - Program Manager
  • Maia Hatchett - FSP Program Manager

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Ocean Foundation accepts Letters of Inquiry via email at [email protected].

Important Note: All grantmaking is inherently donor-driven. The foundation does not maintain a generic open Request for Proposals. They only solicit full proposals when they already have an interested donor for a specific project area.

Application Process:

  1. Submit a Letter of Inquiry by email
  2. Letters are reviewed by committee once per quarter
  3. All inquiries receive a response on whether funds are available
  4. If invited, applicants submit a full proposal
  5. Applicants notified via email of decision

Letters on File: The foundation keeps all Letters of Inquiry on file for reference and reviews them regularly as funds become available. If they identify a funding source that matches a project, they will contact applicants to solicit a full proposal at that time.

Decision Timeline

  • Review Frequency: Quarterly
  • Notification: Via email for both initial inquiry response and final decisions
  • Specific Timeline: Not publicly disclosed, but varies depending on donor interest and funding availability

Success Rates

The Ocean Foundation does not publicly disclose application success rates or the number of applications received versus grants awarded. In FY 2022, they made 59 grants to organizations and individuals, but the total number of inquiries received is not published.

Reapplication Policy

Letters of Inquiry remain on file and are reviewed regularly as funds become available. The foundation does not appear to have restrictions on reapplication, and they will proactively contact applicants if a suitable funding opportunity arises that matches their project.

Application Success Factors

Based on The Ocean Foundation's stated priorities and approach, successful applications demonstrate:

  1. Commitment to DEIJ: Organizations demonstrating commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice in their proposals are prioritized. The foundation actively seeks to build capacity among grantees who incorporate a DEIA lens into all facets of conservation work.

  2. Long-Term Approach: The foundation prefers to support multi-year giving, recognizing that conserving the ocean is complicated and requires sustained effort. Projects should articulate how they contribute to long-term conservation goals.

  3. Collaborative Partnerships: The foundation values collaborative and sustainable solutions. Demonstrate partnerships with other organizations, local communities, or government agencies.

  4. Innovation and Uniqueness: The foundation seeks organizations with "a unique, promising ability to address threats" to ocean health. Highlight innovative approaches or novel solutions to marine conservation challenges.

  5. Diverse Funding Portfolio: Applicants should demonstrate they have multiple funding sources and are not solely dependent on a single funder.

  6. Alignment with Four Priority Areas: Clearly articulate how your project advances one or more of their four funding categories: conserving habitats, protecting species, building community capacity, or expanding ocean literacy.

  7. Local Context and Nuance: President Mark Spalding emphasizes "a nuanced and specific approach to local marine protection, fisheries management, food security and economic development," suggesting applications should demonstrate understanding of local conditions and community needs.

  8. Fiscal Responsibility: Keep indirect costs at or below 15%, as this is a stated funding restriction.

  9. International Projects Welcome: Over 50% of their grants support projects outside the USA, so international applicants should not be deterred.

  10. Replication Potential: Spalding advocates for "replication of success" rather than simply standardized scaling, suggesting projects that can be adapted and replicated in other contexts may be particularly attractive.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Be patient with the process: Grantmaking is donor-driven, so timing depends on when a suitable donor becomes interested in your project area. A Letter of Inquiry may remain on file until the right opportunity arises.

  • Emphasize DEIJ commitment: Explicitly address how your organization incorporates diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice into your conservation work.

  • Think globally: More than half of their grants go to international projects, making this an excellent opportunity for organizations working outside the United States.

  • Start with a Letter of Inquiry: There is no formal application process without first submitting a Letter of Inquiry. Keep it concise and clearly aligned with their four priority areas.

  • Highlight long-term impact: Demonstrate how your project contributes to sustained ocean conservation rather than short-term interventions.

  • Show collaborative approach: Partnerships and community engagement strengthen applications, particularly those that can be replicated in other contexts.

  • Financial transparency matters: With a Four-Star Charity Navigator rating and Platinum Seal of Transparency, the foundation values accountability—demonstrate strong financial management in your organization as well.

References

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