NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY FOUNDATION

Programs

1. Conservation & restoration:our national marine sanctuaries are america's protected areas of the ocean and great lakes that safeguard rich biodiversity and cultural treasures. They are home to iconic species like migratory whales, seabirds, countless fish species, and habitats such as coral reefs and towering kelp forests. All 18 national marine sanctuaries also preserve our maritime heritage, protecting historical assets like shipwrecks, aircraft, and other artifacts that reveal our nation's maritime history. The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation funds efforts in sanctuary communities that center people and communities in the conservation, restoration, and education of our treasured waters. Our approach emphasizes funding practical resource management that supports both thriving marine industries and robust coastal tourism markets. The program works to ensure that sanctuary marine tourism sectors remain competitive and profitable for generations of american workers and business owners. We are committed to building healthier marine ecosystems and a stronger economic foundation that creates jobs and generates revenue while maintaining the natural assets that make sanctuaries a…

   $6,517,236 spentof which $4,040,340 as grants
   22% of program spending

2. Science & technology:the national marine sanctuary system encompasses america's most iconic ocean and great lakes placesour coral reefs, shipwrecks, kelp forests, and deep-sea canyons. Each sanctuary is a national living laboratory that fuels a powerful ocean enterprise. They are platforms for science and innovation, testbeds for new technologies, and catalysts for regional economic growth. The foundation funds and helps support the ocean enterprise in sanctuaries, a network of public, private, and academic entities that develop and deliver ocean observation, measurement, socioeconomic studies, and data services. Partners develop applications across science, maritime safety, national security, and in support of marine and coastal economies. We support experts providing input to fisheries ecology, whale behavioral ecology, whale and bird tagging to better understand where keystone wildlife and endangered species found in sanctuaries. This includes one of the longest-running, consecutive-year seabird tagging projects on the u.s. East coast. Long-term data collection and preservation are central to our efforts, enabling researchers to detect trends over time, inform policy decisions,…

   $804,459 spentof which $77,075 as grants
   3% of program spending

3. Education & outreach:the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation connects people to their sanctuaries and funds public education, outreach, conservation, and maritime heritage projects that encourage people to become engaged stewards of america's ocean, coasts, and great lakes waters. We encourage local stewardship and national engagement including promoting sustainable recreation and tourism in national marine sanctuaries; establishing lifelong connections to national marine sanctuaries and monuments through education and public awareness.the foundation supports staff, operations, exhibits, and/or programs at ten visitor center sites in each of the three regions of the national marine sanctuary system, including launching a new visitor center, pacific islands ocean exploration center, designed to connect visitors in the high-tourism area of downtown honolulu to national marine sanctuaries in the pacific islands. New exhibits were developed for the new gray's reef ocean discovery center, to attract the attention of the millions of visitors to savannah, georgia every year to learn more about the resources of the offshore gray's reef national marine sanctuary and their value to the…

   $20,639,557 spentof which $1,263,252 as grants$132,981 earned by the program
   69% of program spending

4. Capitol hill ocean week (chow), the nation's premier ocean policy conference focused on the theme of leadership. Chow elevated federal, state and local leaders, tribal and indigenous elders, business executives, world renown scientists, conservation luminaries, and youth activists. Early-career and youth advocates from across the country came out in force to washington, dc, to champion ocean protection. They took center stage to share their initiatives and knowledge, advocate to elected officials, and inspire us all to be bold. Each year, chow strengthens our ability to lead the stewardship of our ocean and great lakes by making new connections and forging new possibilities, uplifting new voices, and honoring our champions. During chow, the foundation honored leaders during the ocean awards among their peers, members of the administration, and chow attendees.

   $1,741,225 spentof which $633,800 as grants
   6% of program spending

The 4 programs described on its FY2024 Form 990, listed largest first by expense. Program spending in total: $29,702,477.