Ocean Conservancy aims to educate and empower citizens to take action on behalf of the ocean. The organization works with fishermen, scientists, conservation groups, businesses, decision-makers and the public to develop science-based practices that protect the ocean and coastal environments. Ocean Conservancy reports it has made progress on issues including ocean plastic pollution, Smart Ocean Planning, sustainable fisheries, ocean acidification and sea turtle protection. The organization also works to restore geographies including the Gulf of Mexico, the Arctic and the California Current. In 2018, Ocean Conservancy reported it had more than 1 million volunteers collect 23 million pounds of trash as a part of its International Coastal Cleanup, the largest annual volunteer effort to clean up trash littering coastlines worldwide. A portion ($2,380,359 or 12%) of Ocean Conservancy's program activities are carried out in conjunction with fund raising appeals.
For the year ended June 30, 2018, Ocean Conservancy's program expenses were:
| Marine wildlife and ecosystem protection |
$5,954,754 |
| Trash free seas |
$5,460,682 |
| Ocean policy science and governance |
$5,351,623 |
| Communications and outreach |
$5,251,252 |
| Gulf of Mexico restoration |
$1,650,079 |
| Total Program Expenses: |
$23,668,390 |
*2018 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Invitations to fund raising events, Membership appeals, Planned giving arrangements, Telephone appeals, Cause- related marketing (affinity credit cards, consumer product sales, etc.)
Ocean Conservancy incurred joint costs of $4,343,720 for informational materials and activities that included fund raising materials. Of those costs $2,380,359 was allocated to program expenses, $1,932,956 was allocated to fund raising expenses, and $30,405 was allocated to administrative expenses.
Fundraising costs were 15% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $28,564,855, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)
This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
The following information is based on Ocean Conservancy's audited financial statements for the year ended June 30, 2018.
| Source of Funds |
| Contributions, grants and bequests |
$28,564,855 |
| Investment income, net |
$1,610,654 |
| Royalties |
$102,435 |
| List rental income |
$37,594 |
| Total Income |
$30,315,538 |
- Programs: 78%
- Fundraising: 15%
- Administrative: 7%
| Total Income |
$30,315,538 |
| Program expenses |
$23,668,390 |
| Fundraising expenses |
$4,376,381 |
| Administrative expenses |
$2,380,668 |
| Other expenses |
$0 |
| Total expenses: |
$30,425,439 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses |
$-109,901 |
| Beginning Net Assets |
$46,098,517 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets |
$0 |
| Ending Net Assets |
$45,988,616 |
| Total Liabilities |
$3,201,951 |
| Total Assets |
$49,190,567 |
Note: As reported by Ocean Conservancy for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019, the organization received in-kind donations totaling $438,383 in the form of advertising ($401,223) and trash clean up supplies ($37,160).