The Surfrider Foundation
The Surfrider Foundation is dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world's ocean, waves and beaches, through a powerful activist network.
The Surfrider Foundation at a glance
In short: The Surfrider Foundation reported $34K in grants paid in 2024 (a total; its filing lists no individual grants). Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Grants paid (2024)
- $34,290 — reported as a total on the IRS filing, without an itemized list
- -62.7% vs 2023
- Total assets
- $21,581,609
- +1.4% vs 2023
- Revenue (2024)
- $14,490,016
- +1.3% vs 2023
- Net investment income (2024)
- $348,879
- +24.7% vs 2023
- Expenses (2024)
- $14,543,905
- +7.8% vs 2023
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
Who The Surfrider Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Grant Size Distribution
1 grant across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $50–100K range: 1 grant of 1 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $11K (2022) to $92K (2023). In 2024 it reported $34K in grants paid, as a total without an itemized list.
Hatched bars: grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Color the Water - Co David Malana Marina Del Rey, CA | Fiscal agent for new org for bipoc surfing community & ocean enthusiasts | $51,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $21,581,609 | $14,490,016 | $14,543,905 | $34,290 | Total only | $348,879 |
| 2023 | $21,275,824 | $14,309,868 | $13,492,656 | $92,019 | Total only | $279,696 |
| 2022 | $20,166,105 | $12,280,357 | $10,864,451 | $11,293 | Total only | $31,432 |
| 2021 | $18,564,951 | $13,558,022 | $8,859,638 | $51,000 | 1 | $254,718 |
| 2020 | $13,752,426 | $12,597,004 | $8,303,339 | $12,826 | Total only | $22,732 |
"Total only": grants paid as reported on the IRS filing, which lists no individual grants for that year.
About The Surfrider Foundation
Based on IRS filings
The Surfrider Foundation is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in San Clemente, CA. IRS filing data is available from 2020 through 2024. As of 2024, the organization holds $21.6M in total assets. In 2024, it reported $34K in grants paid as a total on its IRS filing, without an itemized list. Net investment income was $349K.
Focus Areas
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
The Surfrider Foundation is led by Chad Nelsen, CEO since 2024 (on filings since 2020); 9 of 30 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Chad Nelsen
CEO
Chief Executive Officer → CEO, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$175K (2020) → $252K (2024)
Adriana Estrada
Chair
Director → Chairman, 2021
Chairman → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Lim
Chair
Director → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eduardo Anaya
Senior Director of Marketing & Communications
Marketing & Communications Director → Senior Director of Marketing & Communications, 2021
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$133K (2020) → $172K (2024)
Spencer Campbell
Senior Director of Development
Development & Membership Director → Senior Director of Development, 2021
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$125K (2020) → $161K (2024)
Zachary Plopper
Senior Environmental Director
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$120K (2022) → $134K (2024)
Edward Mazzarella
Senior Director of Network Strategy
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$117K (2024)
Airrion Copeland
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Anupa Asokan
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cliff Kapono
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ed Lunsford
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Shelby Meade
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Steve Shipsey
Director
Secretary → Director, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ted Chin
Director
Secretary → Director, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Teresa Christopher
Director
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Matt Jarvis
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Antonette Cordero
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Chris Jacobson
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christina Blaustein
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jad Dayeh
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Olivia Angus
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Penn Newhard
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robby Fraser
Director
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michelle Kremer
COO
Chief Operating Officer → COO, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$162K (2020) → $209K (2024)
Lori Booth
Associate Dir.of Institutional Giving
Global Grants Manager → Associate Dir.of Institutional Giving, 2022
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$106K (2021) → $134K (2024)
Natalie Scarlata
Western Associate Dr. of Development
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$135K (2024)
Tara Dandrea
Eastern Associate Director of Development
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$122K (2024)
Denise Leonhard
Treasurer
Director → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tom Garcia
Vice Chair
Director → Treasurer, 2021
Treasurer → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ryan Crosby
Secretary
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (13)
- Former: Angela Howe-Stemrich (2020–2023) — Senior Legal Director
- Former: Ari Lurie (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Dan Lammot (2020–2023) — Vice Chairman
- Former: Ian Stewart (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Jennifer Spies (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Natalie Hubbard (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Evan Harrison (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: Aaron Behle (2020–2021) — Chairman
- Former: Peter Stauffer (2020–2021) — Senior Environmental Director
- Former: Scott Blair (2020–2021) — Treasurer
- Former: Ed Kertis (2020) — Director
- Former: Leon Richter (2020) — Director
- Former: Robert Nixon (2020) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $252K, to Chad Nelsen (CEO). 9 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The Surfrider Foundation
How much does The Surfrider Foundation give each year?
The Surfrider Foundation reported $34K in grants paid in 2024 on its 2024 IRS Form 990, as a total without an itemized list of grants. In 2023 it reported $92K in grants paid.
How large is The Surfrider Foundation?
The Surfrider Foundation reported $21.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $14.5M.
What is The Surfrider Foundation?
The Surfrider Foundation is a public charity focused on Environment & Animals, based in San Clemente, CA. It holds $21.6M in total assets as of 2024.
Where does The Surfrider Foundation operate?
The Surfrider Foundation has awarded grants in California.
What is The Surfrider Foundation's EIN?
The Surfrider Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 95-3941826. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 14, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Surfrider Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Figures come from The Surfrider Foundation'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.
The Surfrider Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?