‘Tis the season! Here are 10 organization can you feel good about gifting to this giving season.
1. The Perry Institute for Marine Science
The Perry Institute for Marine Science (PIMS) was founded in 1970 by John H. Perry Jr. and is one of the oldest research organizations in the Bahamas. This program-based, non-profit partners with governments, international NGOs, and the local Bahamian community to conduct marine focused research and run conservation, education, and citizen science programs all around the world.
PIMS also founded the Reef Rescue Network that focuses specifically on coral reef restoration. Efforts include establishing marine protected areas (MPAs), working closely with local communities to reduce local environmental threats, and growing and outplanting different coral species to repopulate and rejuvenate struggling reefs. Currently, the Reef Rescue Network works on 14 different islands and has outplanted over 4,794 corals! For just $25 you can help the Reef Rescue Network plant a critically endangered coral species on a reef.
To donate to this organization click here.
2. Bimini Biological Field Station Foundation
Also known as the Bimini Shark Lab, the Bimini Biological Field Station Foundation (BBFSF) is a non-profit founded in 1990 by Dr. Samuel Gruber. Today, BBFSF emphasizes the importance of research, education, and conservation, on all marine life, but specifically elasmobranch species such as sharks and rays. BBFSF’s mission is to understand the biology of sharks and rays, educate future scientists through unique and engaging research opportunities, and enhance conservation through research publication and community engagement.
Donations go to funding BBFSF research, more specifically: supporting two full-time, live-in, phD students for three years, research supplies, fuel for boats, and tags for animals that help record important information like migration routes and feeding habits. If this sounds like something you’d like to support, click here.
3. Whale Shark and Oceanic Research Center
The Whale Shark and Oceanic Research Center (WSORC) is a non-profit organization located in Utila, Honduras and has been conducting whale shark research since 1997. Utila is considered a whale shark “hotspot” and individuals can be spotted year-round! The organizations mission is to gather data on whale sharks and their environmental conditions to better understand population dynamics and why whale sharks congregate in Utila, while also trying to mitigate anthropogenic threats to these animals such as boat-collisions, irresponsible whale shark tourism, and pollution.
Donations to WSORC will help sponsor whale shark research and education. To make a donation click here.
4. Beneath the Waves
Beneath the Waves is a non-profit organization founded in 2013 and is dedicated to promoting ocean conservation through technology and ocean policy influence, focusing specifically on the conservation of threatened species, establishing marine protected areas, and creating nature based solutions to climate change.
Beneath the Waves has surveyed over 1 million square kilometers of the ocean, lead 45 research expeditions, and has published 60 scientific articles. Donations to Beneath the Waves go towards program funding, field work, maintaining research equipment, and analyzing samples and data. To make it even easier, Beneath the Waves accepts donations four different ways: credit card, DAFdirect, cryptocurrencies, and through the mail! Easy right? Donate now by clicking here.
5. Marine Conservation Institute
Founded in 1996, the Marine Conservation Institute (MCI) is a non-profit organization that prioritizes the creation of Blue Parks, which are highly protected marine areas that help conserve ecosystems by restricting human activities. MCI reiterates that not all protected areas are created equal and to allow ecosystems and the organisms within them to recover, highly protected areas are critical.
These areas prohibit the extraction of any organisms or resources and have the greatest conservation benefit but their creation and maintenance are not possible without you! You can make a direct donation that will help fund MCI’s efforts to advance the Blue Parks initiative by clicking here.
6. Manta Trust
Founded in 2011, Manta Trust’s goal is to help create and maintain a sustainable ocean environment where manta rays and their relatives can thrive. Manta Trust is a UK registered charity that coordinates global mobulid research by working with a wide range of scientists, conservationists, and educators to conserve mobulid rays and their habitats.
Donations can be made on a one time basis through this link, or, to keep giving throughout the year, the Manta Trust has an option for donors to become part of “The Cyclone” and donate on a monthly or annual basis. You can join The Cyclone here.
7. PADI AWARE Foundation
The PADI AWARE Foundation is a partnership between PADI, the worlds leading scuba diver training organization, and AWARE, a partner giving program. PADI AWARE’s mission is to drive local action for global ocean conservation through citizen science, public policy, and community grants. With PADI’s global network of over 6,600 dive centers and resorts and more than 128,000 professional members worldwide, PADI AWARE Foundation can effectively utilize the diver network to address the greatest threats facing marine environments, and move towards a world where harmony between humans and the ocean is possible.
PADI AWARE Foundation has goals committed to actions that directly combat climate change, help create marine protected areas, and protect vulnerable species. 85% of the PADI AWARE Foundations conservation efforts are funded by individual donors like you! To become part of the solution, donate here.
8. Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition
Founded in 1978, the Antarctic and Southern Ocean Coalition (ASOC) has been a leading voice for conservation in the arctic regions and is currently the only non-profit organization focusing solely on this work. ASOC’s mission is to protect the Antarctic and Southern ocean’s unique and vulnerable ecosystems by providing a voice for its conservation!
General donations can be made to the organization here, or, if you’d like to specify where your donation goes you can choose to give to one (or all!) of their current campaigns: Climate Crisis, Protecting Antarctica, Responsible Tourism and Shipping, and Fisheries Management.
9. Bahamas Plastic Movement
Bahamas Plastic Movement (BPM) was founded by Kristal “Ocean” Ambrose after spending time sailing around the Great Pacific Garbage Patch in 2012. Inspired, Kristal returned home to the Bahamas with a mission to create a nation free of plastic debris and believes that this can come to fruition through education, citizen science, and policy change. BPM believes in giving people the agency to make a difference, encouraging community participation in clean ups, and challenging individuals, business, and organization to take ownership of their plastic consumption and find opportunities to make a change.
Bahamas Plastic Movement is an independent non-profit organization that relies solely on community donations to continue their work. Click here to support a powerful cause.
10. Atlantic Shark Institute
The Atlantic Shark Institute is based out of Rhode Island, USA, and is a shark research organization dedicated to supporting and funding shark scientists and researchers. With no paid employees, this unique non-profit model allows the Atlantic Shark Institute to provide funding for varying scientists and organizations being a unified voice for study in the elasmobranch community.
Donating to this organization will ensure that your money goes directly to funding shark research. Make your donation here!
It can be hard to navigate the climate crisis and everything it brings with it as a single person. Sometimes it can feel as though individual efforts are not enough, however, recognize that all of the organizations above rely on donations from people like you to support their critical research, and look at all the good they’ve been able to do with it! Thank you for doing your part in the climate movement this giving season.
Founder and CEO of LegaSea Ecology LLC
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