Grants for Marine & Fresh Water

3M FOUNDATION

The 3M Foundation invests in marine conservation projects in communities where the company has a business presence.

ADDAX & ORYX FOUNDATION

The Addax & Oryx Foundation is a Swiss nonprofit organization that seeks to enable poor communities in the Middle East and Africa to escape poverty via sustainable development.

ADDITIONAL VENTURES

AV makes grants Biomedical Research, Climate Action, and Community & Democracy initiatives; however, its climate action grants intersect with ocean sciences.

AGUA FUND

The Agua Foundation supports organizations advocating for clean water and protecting watersheds.

PAUL G. ALLEN FAMILY FOUNDATION

The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation supports a wide range of marine and freshwater conservation, protection and research projects.

PAUL M. ANGELL FAMILY FOUNDATION

This funder is interested in species protection, as well as projects designed to improve the health of ocean habitats and their resilience to climate change.

ARCADIA FUND

The Arcadia Fund supports on-site and off-site conservation efforts as well as policy advocacy and conservation leadership.

AYRSHIRE FOUNDATION

Besides its geographic preferences, the Ayrshire Foundation has very few hard-and-fast rules for giving. Environmental issues are key aspects of its investment, which includes a commitment to the conservation and mindful public use of marines and rivers.

BAY & PAUL FOUNDATIONS

Support for marine and river programs is a key part of Bay & Paul’s commitment to the environment and its importance to future generations. Funding leans toward research.

BEN & JERRY’S FOUNDATION

The philanthropic arm of the Vermont-based ice cream company dedicates its grantmaking to conservation, including that of marine environments, rivers, and other bodies of water.

PRINCE BERNHARD NATURE FUND

The Prince Bernhard Nature Fund prioritizes animal and wildlife projects in developing countries, as well as the tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

BEZOS EARTH FUND

Bezos Earth Fund is the climate funder created by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. It supports environmental conservation and justice, climate change and clean energy, marine and freshwater restoration, and animal and wildlife preservation.

BOBOLINK FOUNDATION

The Bobolink Foundation’s coastal conservation focus area primarily centers around the Altamaha River in Georgia.

BOEING COMPANY

Boeing primarily supports education, workforce development, the environment, financial stability, and health. Boeing divides its giving by state, and gives in 20 states total (plus Washington, D.C.). Areas of focus vary by state, but a focus on marine conservation is clear.

L.P. BROWN FOUNDATION

The L.P. Brown Foundation supports a variety of organizations in the United States dedicated to marine and freshwater conservation.

BULLITT FOUNDATION

The Bullitt Foundation gives entirely to urban environmental issues in the Pacific Northwest. It funds efforts to create sustainable cities and maintain healthy relationships between cities and their ecosystems, including bodies of water. 

BURNING FOUNDATION

Through it’s environmental giving, the foundation supports efforts to protect threatened rivers and forests, native fish populations, and land and open space for ecological and recreational purposes.

BUTLER CONSERVATION FUND

The Butler Conservation Fund solely focuses on environmental conservation, preservation and protection.

CALDERA FOUNDATION

The Caldera Foundation invests in organizations combating climate disruption and advocating for the sustainable use of the planet’s natural resources. Its marine conservation prioritizes Israel, Palestine, and the Pacific Ocean.

CAMPBELL FOUNDATION

Campbell is interested in policy and community mobilization in the Chesapeake Bay area and the Pacific Ocean’s U.S. Coastal region. Funds projects that get folks involved in waterway conservation.

MARGARET A. CARGILL PHILANTHROPIES

Cargill’s grants span the globe. The foundation seeks grantees that can work through adversity on the local level to create lasting change.

CATERPILLAR FOUNDATION

The Caterpillar Foundation supports organizations that alleviate the root causes of poverty, focusing on education, the environment, and basic needs.

HAROLD K.L. CASTLE FOUNDATION

This is the largest private foundation in Hawaii, with assets of $165 million and annual giving around $6 million to a mix of community, education, and marine conservation causes. The funder gives upwards of $2 million a year to oceans, focusing on nearshore conservation. 

CLIMATE EMERGENCY FUND

The Climate Emergency Fund supports climate change and environmental activism through its various campaigns and grants. It makes grants in the U.S. and around the world.

COCA-COLA FOUNDATION

Coca-Cola’s marine conservation efforts support organizations that protect watersheds and promote water conservation awareness.

SARAH K. DE COIZART FOUNDATION

The Sarah K. de Coizart Charitable Trust invests in marine conservation organizations that address watersheds, wetlands, and ocean habitats.

RE:WILD

Formerly part of the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, funding isn’t tied to any particular species or region, but it has a soft spot for animals endangered by irresponsible fishing practices and poaching.

DOMINION FOUNDATION

Dominion’s marine conservation grantmaking covers highly specific and regional environmental concerns.  

CORNELL DOUGLAS FOUNDATION

A significant portion of Cornell Douglas’s funding is directed toward organizations that are involved with marine and freshwater conservation.

MAX AND VICTORIA DREYFUS FOUNDATION

Open to any marine, river or water environmental program that can make a compelling case that Dreyfus funding will make a big difference.

EARTHWATCH INSTITUTE

Earthwatch is a unique and holistic environmental funder that approaches marine conservation through a climate change lens.

ECOLAB FOUNDATION

Ecolab Foundation gives toward conservation of oceans, rivers, and other bodies of water through its Community Grants program, and more specifically within the foundation’s focus on Environment & Conservation.

EDISON INTERNATIONAL

This funder’s grants for marine and freshwater predominately focus on the expansive region of SoCal. Related work supports partnerships, education and training, among other interests.

FLORA FAMILY FOUNDATION

The Flora Family Foundation’s marine conservation grantmaking supports improving coastal resiliency in California and Fiji. The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funding.

GEORGIA-PACIFIC FOUNDATION

Philanthropic arm of the paper manufacturer supports river and marine areas through its Environment program, with a stated interest in clean water; unique in that all giving funds general operating support. 

GLOBAL GREENGRANTS FUND

The Global Greengrants Fund funds organizations that protect oceans and marine life.

HEINZ ENDOWMENTS

This funder’s environmental giving focuses on the health and sustainability of Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania. This includes giving toward clean water, watershed protection and restoring the state’s rivers.

HEXBERG FAMILY FOUNDATION

The Hexberg Family Foundation does not have a specific grantmaking program dedicated to marine conservation organizations; however, it offers a fair number of related-grants.

ROY A. HUNT FOUNDATION

The Roy A. Hunt Foundation focuses its marine conservation-related grants on protecting the nation’s waters from toxic waste disposal.

JOYCE FOUNDATION

The Joyce Foundation gives generously to groups managing stormwater, preventing pollution, rehabilitating damaged shorelines and waterways, and defending the lake ecosystem against invasive pests such as the Asian carp.

JRS BIODIVERSITY FOUNDATION

The foundation is interested in preserving and advancing freshwater resources in Africa. It values research-based efforts that feature partnerships and multi-tiered approaches.

J.M. KAPLAN FUND

The J.M. Kaplan Fund supports organizations that protect deep-sea beds and conserve near-shore marine ecosystems. 

F.M. KIRBY FOUNDATION

The F.M. Kirby Foundation supports a variety of marine conservation organizations across the United States.

KINGFISHER FOUNDATION

The Kingfisher Foundation’s grantmaking largely revolves around sustainable fisheries management and protecting fish ecosystems.

LAZAR FOUNDATION

The Lazar Foundation names aquatic ecosystems as a main area of interest for their conservation funding.

MAX AND ANNA LEVINSON FOUNDATION

This foundation awards grants to organizations working toward the protection of biodiversity and ecosystems. Has a slight focus on the West and often gives to projects protecting rivers and river basins, especially related to pollution from extraction industries.  

MAKI FOUNDATION

The Maki Foundation’s marine and freshwater grants focus on river and water basin protection and conservation.

MARISLA FOUNDATION

Marisla’s Environmental Program places a heavy emphasis on marine resource conservation in western North America, Chile, and the western Pacific.

CHARLOTTE MARTIN FOUNDATION

Martin funds marine conservation organizations that are concerned with sustainably preserving marine habitats and ecosystems.

MINDEROO FOUNDATION

This Australian funder gives for marine conservation projects around the world.

MOORE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

Not to be confused with the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, this foundation focuses on “fighting the degradation of water systems through advocacy, research and education.”

GORDON AND BETTY MOORE FOUNDATION

A huge grantmaker in marine conservation, the Moore Foundation has two major initiatives: marine conservation in North America and a Wild Salmon Ecosystems Initiative, dealing with the North Pacific.

MOSAIC COMPANY FOUNDATION

Mosaic awards grants to marine conservation organizations operating in areas of the world where the company has an operational presence.

CHARLES STEWART MOTT FOUNDATION

Much of this foundation’s grantmaking centers on the Great Lakes through its Freshwater Ecosystems program. This funder supports protection of specific places, policy, and strengthening the greater movement.

CURTIS AND EDITH MUNSON FOUNDATION

The Munson Foundation focuses on marine conservation efforts (especially around fisheries) in eastern North America and the Caribbean basin, with geographic focuses in Alabama, Florida, and D.C.

LAIRD NORTON FAMILY FOUNDATION

Laird Norton seeks watershed conservation groups working in Washington and Oregon.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY

While well-known as a media company, National Geographic is also an active grantmaker, with some of its programs focusing on ocean conservation and research. Grants are competitive, but generally open to applications.

NEW WORLD FOUNDATION

The New World Foundation invests in marine conservation organizations that build “community resilience in the face of climate disruption.”

OAK FOUNDATION

This large, international foundation gives to three main issues related to marine conservation—industrial fisheries, small-scale fisheries, and reducing plastic waste.

OCEANKIND

Oceankind makes grants to support those working in marine conservation, preservation, and restoration worldwide. It was founded by Lucinda Southworth, wife of Google-founder, Larry Page.

DAVID AND LUCILE PACKARD FOUNDATION

Packard is one of the largest foundations in the country, and much of its environment funding involves marine habitats. Grantmaking is science-heavy and surrounding a handful of regions.

PARK FOUNDATION

Park is interested in water protection and policy to ensure that drinking water in the United States is clean, affordable and accessible, and is protected.

PATAGONIA

Patagonia sets aside 1 percent of its sales to support environmental efforts in several around the world, and has a special interest in protecting native freshwater fish, among conservation efforts. 

PENTAIR FOUNDATION

Pentair broadly supports marine and water conservation without naming a particular strategy.

IRWIN ANDREW PORTER FOUNDATION

The Irwin Andrew Porter Foundation supports environmental conservation organizations around the world; however, it does not award many grants each year.

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION OF DIVE INSTRUCTORS FOUNDATION

The PADI Foundation funds research and education programs related to the protection of marine ecosystems. 

PEW CHARITABLE TRUSTS

Pew is no longer a foundation, and has no marine grantmaking program, but still ends up giving large amounts to partners in marine causes. It also runs a couple of competitive programs worth noting.

PISCES FOUNDATION

This fund’s priorities are climate change, environmental education, and water resources. It’s particularly interested in innovative approaches to protecting U.S. water supplies and resources.

QUADRIVIUM

Quadrivium primarily supports the Environmental Defense Fund’s efforts to combat overfishing, which threatens biodiversity and global food security.

ROBERTSON FOUNDATION

This fund brings an investment-like approach to fighting climate change on a policy and public education level. It looks for large, well-established grantees with the resources and capacity to achieve the greatest possible results.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN

This fund supports organizations working in climate change, key marine species, innovative technology and public education. LOIs are by invitation only, but introductory emails are welcome.

SAVE OUR SEAS FOUNDATION

Awards marine conservation grants related to research, education, and conservation of threatened aquatic species and marine habitats—especially sharks, rays, and skates. All grantees are required to participate in public awareness activities as a condition to receiving funding.

SCHMIDT OCEAN INSTITUTE

This institute accepts applications to use its state-of-the-art ocean vessel and equipment to advance ocean research and exploration through innovation, technology, and open sharing of information.

SIMONS FOUNDATION

The foundation launched a huge program in 2014 to study the microbial ecosystems of the ocean and gain better understanding of carbon and energy processes in the ocean. Early and mid-career researchers working in marine biology should watch Simons like a hawk.

SUMMIT FOUNDATION

The foundation’s Conserving the Mesoamerican Reef program focuses on both land-based and coastal/marine issues that threaten the Mesoamerican Reef in Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and the northern coast of Honduras.

SUSTAINABLE OCEAN ALLIANCE

Grants support “young ocean leaders” and grassroots organizations working to address urgent ocean issues.

TURING FOUNDATION

The Turing Foundation supports organizations focused on the sustainable development, conservation and protection of the nurseries of the seas.

TURNER FOUNDATION

Turner’s water initiative prioritizes the maintenance of natural water infrastructures, water efficiency, the preservation of aquatic ecosystems, sustainable fishing and supporting watershed organizations in the U.S.

VERE INITIATIVES

Vere Initiatives is the philanthropic vehicle of Dirk and Natasha Ziff. It supports environmental causes that intersect with climate change and ocean conservation, to a lesser extent, journalism, democracy and place-based initiatives.

G. UNGER VETLESEN FOUNDATION

Vetlesen funds marine protection, conservation, and research projects. 

WAITT FOUNDATION

While Waitt gives to a lot of big marine players like Oceans 5, Oceana, and Pew, it funds smaller projects, too. Promoting Marine Protected Areas is a signature issue.

WALTON FAMILY FOUNDATION

Walton has two main subprograms for the environment: Freshwater Conservation and Marine Conservation. Geography in the U.S. includes the Colorado and Mississippi river basins, the Gulf of California and the Gulf of Mexico.

WATERLOO FOUNDATION

The Waterloo Foundation invests in organizations that improve fish stocks, protecting tropical rainforests, and halting the practice of deforestation.

VIRGINIA WELLINGTON CABOT FOUNDATION

The Virginia Wellington Cabot supports a variety conservation organizations around the country.

WILBURFORCE FOUNDATION

Wilburforce works to protect marine life and their habitats by investing in science-based interventions, advocating for effective policymaking, and supporting capacity building efforts to achieve sustainable outcomes.

ZENNSTROM PHILANTHROPIES

Zennström’s environmental grantmaking entirely focuses on conservation and restoration of the Baltic Sea, “one of the most threatened major bodies of water in the world.”