Ocean Conservancy is a Washington, DC-based 501(c)(3) environmental nonprofit organization established in December 1972. The organization works to protect the ocean from today's greatest global challenges through science, policy, and outreach. Ocean Conservancy is classified under the NTEE category of Water Resources, Wetlands Conservation & Management.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$95.3M
-0.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.3M
-18.9% YoY
Grant Count
43
-29.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$53K
+15.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Ocean Conservancy is working to protect the ocean from today's greatest global challenges. The organization employs science, policy, and outreach to advance conservation solutions that benefit the ocean and the people and communities that depend on it.
Primary Program Areas:
Science, Policy and Outreach: Uses the best available knowledge, evidence, and science, public opinion polling, and political science to inform conservation, advocacy, and outreach efforts. The organization reaches members, supporters, partners, and ocean- and coastal-concerned audiences through its website, email, direct mail, social media, reporter outreach, and original reports and content.
Ocean-Based Solutions: Works to advance solutions to address climate change as one of the greatest challenges facing the ocean, partnering with key decision-makers at local, state, national, and international levels.
The organization emphasizes that durable conservation solutions require meaningful partnerships with citizens, businesses, scientists, decision-makers, and governments at multiple levels.
Grantmaking
Ocean Conservancy functions as both a recipient of grants and a grantmaker. Based on the most recent IRS Form 990 filing (2024):
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Ocean Conservancy's grantmaking focuses primarily on Alaska, Florida, and Virginia. The organization works at local, state, national, and international levels to advance ocean conservation solutions.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of Fiscal Year 2024 (July 2023 – June 2024):
- Total Assets: $95,267,498
- Total Revenue: $49,196,694
- Total Expenses: $51,835,370
- Total Liabilities: $13,300,000
- Employees: 181–182
Financial Position:
Ocean Conservancy maintains significant financial stability with assets exceeding $95 million. The organization's expenses exceeded revenues in fiscal year 2024, reflecting investment in conservation work.
Audit Findings:
An independent audit for the fiscal year ending June 2024 identified a material weakness in internal controls—a deficiency in internal financial or governance controls that could limit the organization's ability to track and report financial data reliably.
Ratings & Accreditation:
- Charity Navigator Rating: 4-Star (95% overall score)
- BBB Wise Charity: Accredited
- Tax Status: 501(c)(3) organization; donations are 100% tax-deductible as allowed by law
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $95,267,498 | $96,130,718 | $95,022,230 |
| Revenue | $49,196,694 | $48,602,165 | $49,652,396 |
| Expenses | $51,835,370 | $51,861,192 | $40,853,139 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $1,984,291 | $626,127 | $1,168,097 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
147 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
CEO: Janis Searles Jones
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JANIS SEARLES JONES | CEO | 50 | $677,431 |
| JOHN SARGENT | CHAIR | 2 | — |
| SANJAY A PINGLE | VICE CHAIR | 2 | — |
| W BOWMAN CUTTER | TREASURER | 2 | — |
| DENISE GODREAU | SECRETARY | 2 | — |
| CLAIRE BERNARD | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| ERIN BROWNE | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| BONNIE M CRABTREE | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| COLIN LE DUC | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| LAURA FRANCIS | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| STEVE GIBBS | DIRECTOR (THRU 07/23) | 2 | — |
| JEFF ROSENTHAL | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| PAUL SHANG | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| TY STIKLORIUS | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| TROY TEMPLETON | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| SUZANNE H WOOLSEY | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| EMILY WOGLOM | EVP | 45 | $292,963 |
| KENNETH DONALDSON | CFO | 45 | $251,840 |
| SARAH HUMPHRIES | CHIEF OF DEVELOPMENT | 45 | $300,637 |
| KATHERINE ANDREWS | CHIEF OF STRATEGY | 45 | $274,503 |
| ADRIENNE LOFTIN | CHIEF PEOPLE & CULTURE OFFICER | 45 | $250,599 |
| SARAH BEIDERMAN | CHIEF OF STAFF | 45 | $177,269 |
| CHRIS DORSETT | VP, CONSERVATION | 40 | $234,388 |
| SCOTT HIGHLEYMAN | SENIOR ADVISOR, OCEAN CONSERVANCY | 40 | $196,649 |
| JEFFREY WATTERS | VP, EXTERNAL AFFAIRS | 40 | $195,858 |
| GEORGE LEONARD | CHIEF SCIENTIST | 40 | $199,045 |
| MALISSA LASH | VP, RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT | 40 | $191,007 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**September 2024:** NOAA awarded Ocean Conservancy $5.2 million to remove large debris from U.S. coastal waters.
NEWS: NOAA to Award Ocean Conservancy $5.2M to Remove Large Debris from**July 2024:** Ocean Conservancy applauded the latest round of NOAA grants supporting coastal restoration.
NEWS: NOAA to Award Ocean Conservancy $5.2M to Remove Large Debris from**November 2024:** Jupiter Narrows Conservation Alliance and Ocean Conservancy unveiled new partnerships, major funding, and restoration plans for mangrove conservation.
NEWS: NOAA to Award Ocean Conservancy $5.2M to Remove Large Debris fromContact Information
Address: 1300 Nineteenth Street, NW, 8th Floor, Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 800-519-1541
Website: oceanconservancy.org
EIN/Tax ID: 23-7245152
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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