Sea Turtle Conservancy

In filing year 2024, Sea Turtle Conservancy reported 42 grants totaling $760,264. The grants ranged from $5,000 to $87,740, with a median of $14,380. The largest listed grants went to Loggerhead Marine Life Center in Florida ($87,740 for conservation research), Clearwater Marine Aquarium ($51,133 for conservation emergency), Royal Seafarer Condo Apt of Marco I ($45,500 for lighting), Gulf Specimen Marine Lab ($35,174 for conservation emergency), and Florida State Parks Foundation ($32,744 for conservation education).

Other 2024 recipients included The Florida Aquarium ($32,623), University of Central Florida Research ($31,763), Florida Atlantic University ($29,749), Zoo Miami Foundation ($28,889), Florida State University ($27,453), Wildlife Alert Reward Association ($25,000), and Mote Marine Laboratory ($23,204). The recipient-state distribution was 97% of grant dollars to Florida, 1% to Texas, and 1% to New York.

The organization administers the Sea Turtle Grants Program, funded by a portion of Florida Sea Turtle Specialty License Plate revenues. The program supports Florida sea turtle research, conservation, and education. The grants website reports more than $8 million awarded since the program began; in April 2025, the program announced $465,490.36 for 24 projects in the 2025–2026 cycle. The program distributes grants through a competitive application process. The competitive program permits up to four applications per eligible organization, institution, or agency, and gives priority to projects that advance marine turtle preservation and align with recovery plans and Marine Turtle Protection Program goals.

A portion of license plate revenues also supports emergency funding for Florida sea turtle conservation and research, including emergencies such as mass strandings and illnesses. Eligible applicants listed for that fund are Florida local governments, nonprofits, and educational institutions. Requests for emergency funding are directed to Sea Turtle Conservancy.

In its description of grantee missions, Loggerhead Marinelife Center says it focuses on conserving ocean ecosystems, especially threatened and endangered sea turtles. Gulf Specimen Marine Laboratories describes its work as supporting marine research and education. Florida State Parks Foundation says its mission is to preserve, protect, sustain, and grow Florida state parks. The Florida Aquarium describes its purpose as saving marine wildlife and being a conservation-based aquarium.