Gulf of Mexico Alliance
Gulf of Mexico Alliance is a public charity based in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Formed in 2010, it supports the Gulf of America’s ecological and economic health through grantmaking, education, and other efforts described in its filing.
Gulf of Mexico Alliance at a glance
In short: Gulf of Mexico Alliance gave $2.3M across 25 grants in 2025 (avg $91K), top state Louisiana. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $2,264,362
- +33.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 25
- +25.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $90,574
- +6.6% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $49,231
- Total assets
- $10,934,697
- +5.1% vs 2024
- Primary geography
- Louisiana (44% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Gulf of Mexico Alliance
- Contact
Mailing address: 1151 Robinson Street, Ocean Springs, MS 39564
Phone: (228) 215-1242
Website: https://gulfalliance.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Gulf of Mexico Alliance funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Morehouse SWCD ($506K). Together the top 10 received $1.8M.
Organizations only. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($54,021), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
72 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 48 grants of 72 (67%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2025 grant dollars were distributed among recipients in Louisiana (44%), Mississippi (27%), Texas (13%), Florida (6%), and Minnesota (4%). The listed 2025 grants also include recipients in Alabama.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 25 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Gulf of Mexico Alliance gives
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $191K (2022) to $10.1M (2019). In 2025 it made 25 grants totaling $2.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Morehouse SWCD Bastrop, LA | To support the ecological and economic health of the gulf of America | $506,075 |
| Mississippi Department of Marine Resources Biloxi, MS | To support the ecological and economic health of the gulf of America | $329,318 |
| The Water Institute Baton Rouge, LA | To support the ecological and economic health of the gulf of America | $194,882 |
| Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission Ocean Springs, MS | To support the ecological and economic health of the gulf of America | $183,774 |
| French Quarter Festivals Inc New Orleans, LA | To support the ecological and economic health of the gulf of America | $130,169 |
| Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium Chauvin, LA | To support the ecological and economic health of the gulf of America | $125,146 |
| Hamline University Saint Paul, MN | To support the ecological and economic health of the gulf of America | $100,327 |
| Mississippi State University Mississippi State, MS | To support the ecological and economic health of the gulf of America | $96,822 |
| Partnership for Gulf Coast Land Conservation Tallahassee, FL | To support the ecological and economic health of the gulf of America | $75,000 |
| Auburn University Auburn University, AL | To support the ecological and economic health of the gulf of America | $57,915 |
Ready to take the next step with Gulf of Mexico Alliance?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $10,934,697 | $5,320,625 | $4,973,717 | $2,264,362 | 25 | $464,400 |
| 2024 | $10,407,510 | $4,506,348 | $4,773,519 | $1,698,716 | 20 | $504,285 |
| 2023 | $10,700,885 | $2,366,932 | $2,929,480 | $352,697 | 11 | $389,761 |
| 2022 | $11,024,936 | $1,698,085 | $3,212,553 | $190,556 | 6 | $101,318 |
| 2021 | $13,035,124 | $2,165,687 | $4,984,037 | $366,461 | 10 | $347,995 |
| 2020 | $16,033,278 | $2,434,480 | $9,382,912 | $345,955 | 13 | $387,055 |
| 2019 | $22,983,005 | $22,320,759 | $18,674,100 | $10,093,747 | 35 | $449,603 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Alliance’s stated mission is to promote the protection, restoration, enhancement, understanding, awareness, and wise use of the Gulf of America’s natural resources through cooperative efforts involving research, planning, management, information and resource sharing, and public education.
Its 2025 grants went to organizations including research and public institutions, conservation groups, and a cultural festival organization. For example, the Partnership for Gulf Coast Land Conservation describes its own mission as increasing voluntary land and water conservation in the Gulf of Mexico region. French Quarter Festivals says its mission is to promote New Orleans through special events that showcase the city’s culture and heritage. Mississippi State University’s stated mission includes encouraging and promoting new technologies and research through work with business, industry, and the university.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the Alliance reported 25 grants totaling $2,264,362. Grant amounts ranged from $9,872 to $506,075, with a median of $49,231. The stated purpose for the largest listed awards was to support the ecological and economic health of the Gulf of America.
Among the largest grants were $506,075 to Morehouse SWCD in Bastrop, Louisiana; $329,318 to the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources; $194,882 to The Water Institute; and $183,774 to the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission. Other listed awards included $130,169 to French Quarter Festivals, $125,146 to Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium, and $100,327 to Hamline University.
The filing says grantees must submit routine financial and activity reports according to schedules set out in individual grant agreements.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Joe Spraggins, Brian Lezina, Patti McCurdy, Lainie Edwards, Gareth Leonard, Chris Wells, Jim Pahl, and Cory Horan as board members; Steven Schar as chair-elect; and Laura Bowie as executive director.
Gulf of Mexico Alliance is led by Laura Bowie, Executive Director & Secretary on every filing since 2019; 3 of 13 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Laura Bowie
Executive Director & Secretary
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$135K (2019) → $143K (2025)
Chris Blakenship
Chair
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nora Ginn
Development Director
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$103K (2021) → $107K (2025)
Constance Thrift
Treasurer & Business Adminst
Treasurer → Treasurer & Business Adminstrations Director, 2021
Treasurer & Business Adminstrations Director → Treasurer & Business Adminst, 2023
On filings since 2019
40 hrs/week
$76K (2019) → $94K (2025)
Joe Spraggins
Board Member
Vice Chairman → Chairman, 2021
Chairman → Board Member, 2023
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gareth Leonard
Board Member
Chairman → Board Member, 2021
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Steven Schar
Chair-Elect
Board Member → Chair-Elect, 2025
On filings since 2022
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brian Lezina
Board Member
Chair → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Chris Wells
Board Member
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cory Horan
Board Member
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jim Pahl
Board Member
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lainie Edwards
Board Member
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Patti McCurdy
Board Member
Chair Elect → Board Member, 2025
On filings since 2023
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (8)
- Former: Will Underwood (2022–2024) — Board Member
- Former: Bren Haase (2019–2022) — Chair-Elect
- Former: Charles Wilson (2019–2022) — Chief Science Officer
- Former: John K. Shaw (2019–2022) — Gomri Program Management
- Former: Hank Burch (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Toby Baker (2019–2021) — Board Member
- Former: Christopher Kirby (2019–2020) — Project Manager
- Former: Kevin Claridge (2019) — Chair
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $143K, to Laura Bowie (Executive Director & Secre). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Gulf of Mexico Alliance
How much does Gulf of Mexico Alliance give each year?
Gulf of Mexico Alliance gave $2.3M across 25 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $1.7M across 20 grants.
What is Gulf of Mexico Alliance's typical grant size?
Gulf of Mexico Alliance's median grant in 2025 was $49,231, and its average grant was $90,574, across 25 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does Gulf of Mexico Alliance give grants?
Gulf of Mexico Alliance's top state is Louisiana, with 44% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Mississippi (27%) and Texas (13%). The most frequent recipient cities were Corpus Christi, TX (3 grants), Baton Rouge, LA (2 grants), Tallahassee, FL (2 grants) and College Station, TX (2 grants).
Does Gulf of Mexico Alliance give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 25 grants with a stated purpose on Gulf of Mexico Alliance's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support.
Who are Gulf of Mexico Alliance's largest grantees?
Gulf of Mexico Alliance's largest 2025 grantees include Morehouse SWCD ($506,075), Mississippi Department of Marine Resources ($329,318) and The Water Institute ($194,882), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. It also paid 1 grant to individuals ($54,021), which are not listed by name. Together they received 45% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Gulf of Mexico Alliance?
Gulf of Mexico Alliance reported $10.9M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $5.3M.
What does Gulf of Mexico Alliance fund?
The Alliance’s stated mission is to promote the protection, restoration, enhancement, understanding, awareness, and wise use of the Gulf of America’s natural resources through cooperative efforts involving research, planning, management, information and resource sharing, and public education. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Gulf of Mexico Alliance?
Gulf of Mexico Alliance has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check gulfalliance.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Gulf of Mexico Alliance's EIN?
Gulf of Mexico Alliance's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-2968791. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS October 14, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS September 9, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS October 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 18, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 8, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS July 9, 2020)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS July 9, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Gulf of Mexico Alliance's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
Washington, DC
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation makes competitive grants for science-based projects that conserve or restore fish, wildlife, plants, and habitats; it does not fund advocacy or litigation. Its 2025 grants had a median of about $106,500, and it supports projects across all 50 states and U.S. territories. Applications are competitive and program-specific; whether pre-proposals are required varies by program.
Assets
$3.6B
Grants
1,286
Total Given
$464.4M
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
National Academy of Sciences
Washington, DC
The National Academy of Sciences funds research and related scientific work, with 2024 grants ranging from $14,801 to $5.15 million and a median award of $131,674. Grants went to recipients across multiple U.S. states, especially Louisiana, Texas, Florida, Mississippi, and Massachusetts. The profile does not state whether NAS accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$1.6B
Grants
98
Total Given
$32.1M
The Nature Conservancy
Arlington, VA
The Nature Conservancy funds conservation work, including land and easement acquisition, research, planning, organizational capacity, and sustainable agriculture, across the United States and internationally. In 2025, its grants had a median of about $31,000, with awards ranging from about $5,000 to $2.1 million; some regional programs offer grants of up to $100,000.
Assets
$10.1B
Grants
671
Total Given
$67.8M
National Marine Sanctuary Foundation
Silver Spring, MD
The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation funds conservation and restoration, marine science, education, debris removal, and community stewardship connected to U.S. national marine sanctuaries and their watersheds, including the Great Lakes. Its 2024 grants ranged from $5,657 to $719,437, with a $40,000 median; its Sanctuary Community Fund offers $10,000–$100,000 for specified communities. The available information does not say whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$15.5M
Grants
61
Total Given
$5.6M
William Randolph Hearst Foundation
New York, NY
The William Randolph Hearst Foundation supports established U.S. nonprofits in culture, education, health, and social services, with grants typically around $100,000 (2024 awards ranged from $1,000 to $2 million). It accepts applications through its grants portal and funds organizations across the United States.
Assets
$942.7M
Grants
264
Total Given
$34.9M
More similar funders
More Funders in Mississippi
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Gulf of Mexico Alliance funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 11, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/gulf-of-mexico-alliance-morg_76870b560d3546618f9b16b3e85d23df
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_272968791_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Gulf of Mexico Alliance funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/gulf-of-mexico-alliance-morg_76870b560d3546618f9b16b3e85d23df},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-11. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Gulf of Mexico Alliance's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
Gulf of Mexico Alliance down — hundreds of funders to go?