Organization: The Ocean Foundation

Focus Areas:	Environment
Countries Served:	All 17 countries: Anguilla Australia Bahamas Belize Canada China Costa Rica Fiji Israel Saint Kitts and Nevis Madagascar Mexico French Polynesia Puerto Rico Seychelles Tanzania, United Republic of United States   Summary by region: Latin America & Caribbean Australia & Oceania Northern America Asia Africa

Description of Services:
TOF is a 501c3 independent, international community foundation working to provide intensive, high-end philanthropic advisory services that are customized to meet the specific needs of all of our donors. We model our philanthropy on that of a traditional community foundation: Providing practical services to support philanthropic activity, and adding our unique expertise on where marine conservation can best be advanced. We host field of interest, donor and committee advised funds, we provide fiscal sponsorship services, and we undertake consulting projects. Our slogan for our donors is "Tell us what you want to do for the oceans, we will do the rest."
History:
In 2002, a group of experienced marine conservationists and funders founded the Coral Reef Foundation (CRF) to provide a donors' portal for coral reef conservation. Potential donors reacted positively to this innovative approach, but many felt that the idea did not go far enough. It became clear that the model needed to be expanded, offering donors the opportunity to support other ocean conservation efforts. The Foundation formally expanded its mission and changed its name to The Ocean Foundation in May, 2003. Our revenue over time is as follows: 2004 = $250,000 2005 = $701,470 2006 = $1,642,396 2007 = $2,063,159 2008 = $4,475,548
Accomplishments & Progress:
TOF FOSTERS PROJECTS: Part of TOF's role in ocean conservation is to house projects until they can stand on their own, find other homes, or are completed. An example is the Marine Photobank TOF RESEARCH REPORTS: - An annual Survey of Marine Conservation Philanthropy - South American fisheries conservation - Marine Environments of the Middle East TOF MAKES GRANTS: With donations of over $4 million in FY2007-8, TOF's grantmaking has been conducted to support for a variety of site-based, communications, community development, and/or policy-oriented marine conservation projects TOF HELPS CONNECT PEOPLE: Through its sponsorship of conferences, workshops, and other events, TOF helps the field become more unified, collaborative, and strategic