← Back to US Funders Directory

National Marine Sanctuary Foundation

Annual Giving
$7.3M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.1M
Decision Time
3mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $7.3 million (2023)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: Varies by program; approximately 2-3 months from deadline to award announcement
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $100,000
  • Geographic Focus: United States and territories (focused on national marine sanctuaries)

Contact Details

Address: 8455 Colesville Rd Suite 1275, Silver Spring, MD 20910-6478

Website: https://marinesanctuary.org

Email for Grant Inquiries: rfp@marinesanctuary.org

Program Operations Manager: Gina Digiantonio at grants@marinesanctuary.org (for budget and application questions)

Overview

Founded in 2000, the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation serves as the official nonprofit partner of the National Marine Sanctuary System. The Foundation provided more than $20 million of funding into sanctuaries in 2023 to support conservation efforts including responding to marine heatwaves, removing marine debris, whale disentanglement, and STEM education programs. The Foundation has earned a 4-star rating on Charity Navigator. Under the leadership of President and CEO Joel R. Johnson (appointed July 2023), the Foundation emphasizes community-driven conservation, equity, and access to marine resources. Their strategic approach centers on three pillars: conservation and restoration, connecting people and communities to sanctuaries through outreach and education, and creating the next generation of ocean stewards.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Sanctuary Community Fund: $10,000 - $100,000 (approximately $1 million awarded per round)

  • Supports community partner engagement to increase public support, long-term stewardship, and sustainable use of national marine sanctuaries
  • Rolling applications with periodic deadlines
  • Project duration: typically 9 months
  • Application method: Online through C-STAAR portal

Ocean Odyssey Education Grants: Up to $20,000

  • Supports STEM education programming in formal education programs, informal education programs, and university programs
  • Provides immersive educational experiences connecting students with ocean science and exploration
  • Application method: Email to rfp@marinesanctuary.org

Ocean Odyssey Marine Debris Prevention Awards for DEIJA: $5,000 - $10,000

  • Supports communities that are underserved, underrepresented, or overburdened by marine debris
  • Focuses on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Justice, and Accessibility
  • Typically 10-15 grants awarded per competition (totaling up to $100,000)
  • Application method: C-STAAR online portal

Priority Areas

  • Recently Designated Sanctuaries: Priority given to partners serving sanctuaries designated after June 1, 2024
  • Community Engagement: Projects that raise awareness, increase access, and support community learning about sanctuaries
  • Indigenous and Underrepresented Communities: Specific outreach to Indigenous governments, organizations, and peoples, and underrepresented groups intrinsically linked to waters
  • Conservation and Restoration: Habitat restoration, coral resilience, marine debris removal
  • STEM Education: Formal and informal educational programs advancing ocean science education
  • Public Resources Development: Creating best practices to protect sanctuary waters

What They Don't Fund

  • Federal government agencies as primary applicants (can be partners)
  • Foreign entities or organizations
  • Individual applicants (organizations may include individuals as independent contractors)
  • Projects conducted outside the United States or territories
  • Applicants with paid staff serving on the Foundation's Board of Trustees

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Joel R. Johnson, President and CEO (appointed July 2023): Johnson brings a 20-year track record in storytelling and advocacy for environmental protection. He states: "As a storyteller, I believe in the power of stories to unite people in common cause to address crises such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and systemic inequity." On the Foundation's approach, he emphasizes: "Marine sanctuaries are people-powered, local, and community-driven. For over 50 years, national marine sanctuaries have centered around community needs, participation, and input."

Johnson's vision for equity: "The Blue Economy should be open to everyone. A healthy ocean is a right and key to protecting nature and people. We must lift up Indigenous peoples and underserved communities, longtime stewards of our treasured waters."

Board of Trustees

Co-Chairs: Dawn Rodney and Laura Zagar

Treasurer: Elizabeth Crego

Secretary: Mark McDade

Notable Trustees:

  • Admiral Tim Gallaudet, PhD, Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy (ret) and CEO of Ocean STL Consulting
  • Timothy J. Greene, Sr., Chairman of the Makah Tribal Council of Neah Bay, Washington
  • Heather Ludemann, leads the David & Lucile Packard Foundation's marine conservation work in the U.S.
  • Dr. Justin Dunnavant, Assistant Professor in the Department of Anthropology at UCLA
  • Dr. Ruth Perry
  • Dr. Fabrice Egros, President of Corporate Development at Lupin
  • Susanna Kondracki, principal of Golden Woods Consulting LLC with 30 years in Financial Services

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Sanctuary Community Fund:

  1. Register your organization in C-STAAR (Collaborative System for Tracking Activities, Awards, and Reporting) at https://marinesanctuary.smartsimple.com/s_Login.jsp
  2. Navigate to find the Sanctuary Community Fund RFP and click "Start Application"
  3. Review the Request for Proposals document, FAQs, video instructions, and webinar recording available at https://marinesanctuary.org/sanctuary-community-fund/
  4. Submit complete application through the online portal by the deadline

Ocean Odyssey Education Grants:

  • Email all application materials to rfp@marinesanctuary.org
  • Subject line: "Ocean Odyssey Mini Grant Application: [Name of School/District]"

Ocean Odyssey Marine Debris Awards:

  • Apply through C-STAAR online portal
  • Review specific RFP for eligibility and requirements

Decision Timeline

  • Application Review Period: Approximately 2-3 months from deadline to award announcement
  • Award Announcements: Vary by program (e.g., Sanctuary Community Fund awards announced in early year following application)
  • Project Start Date: Projects can typically begin 1-2 months after award announcement pending finalized agreements

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly disclosed. However, the Foundation strongly encourages organizations that have never been recipients of National Marine Sanctuary Foundation grants to apply if they meet eligibility criteria, suggesting openness to new applicants.

In 2023, the Foundation made 64 grants. In 2024, they awarded 12 grants totaling more than $84,000 through the Ocean Odyssey Marine Debris Awards alone.

Reapplication Policy

The Foundation does not publicly specify restrictions on reapplication for unsuccessful applicants. Organizations that have not previously received grants are actively encouraged to apply. For specific questions about reapplication, contact the Program Operations Manager at grants@marinesanctuary.org.

Application Success Factors

Letters of Support and Commitment: Letters of support that demonstrate project capacity are encouraged and help reviewers understand your ability to complete the project successfully and on time. Letters of commitment from project partners are required.

Community Connection: The Foundation emphasizes community-driven conservation. As CEO Joel Johnson states, sanctuaries are "people-powered, local, and community-driven." Applications should demonstrate strong community engagement and participation.

Equity and Inclusion: The Foundation prioritizes lifting up Indigenous peoples and underserved communities. Applications that center DEIJA principles and engage diverse sectors of the community, particularly Indigenous governments and underrepresented groups, are valued.

Alignment with Sanctuary Priorities: Projects should clearly align with the specific sanctuary's needs and priorities. Understanding the local context and how your project supports sanctuary management goals strengthens applications.

Capacity Demonstration: New applicants are encouraged but must demonstrate organizational capacity to complete the project successfully and on time. Include relevant experience, partnerships, and resources.

Clear Budget Justification: If unsure about allowable expenses, reach out to the Program Operations Manager before submitting. Clear, justified budgets that align with project goals are essential.

Recent Funded Projects Examples:

  • Mission: Iconic Reefs program in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary for coral heat tolerance research
  • Shearwater Tagging Project at Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary
  • Military family engagement programs at Monterey Bay and Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuaries
  • Science Communication Fellows aboard the E/V Nautilus

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Community-centered approach is essential: Demonstrate how your project is driven by and serves local communities, particularly Indigenous peoples and underrepresented groups
  • Build partnerships early: Letters of commitment from partners are required; strong partnerships demonstrate capacity and community buy-in
  • Align with specific sanctuary needs: Research the particular sanctuary you'll be working with and show clear understanding of its priorities and challenges
  • Don't hesitate to ask questions: The Foundation provides support through webinars, FAQs, and direct contact with program staff—use these resources
  • First-time applicants are welcome: The Foundation actively encourages applications from organizations that have never received their grants
  • Think long-term stewardship: The Foundation values projects that build sustainable, long-term relationships between communities and sanctuaries
  • Emphasize storytelling: Under Johnson's leadership, the Foundation values compelling narratives that unite people around ocean conservation

References

← Back to US Funders Directory