OCEAN LITERACY AND STEWARDSHIP
Increase the understanding and appreciation of the importance of healthy oceans and waterways through experiential learning, citizen science, and powerful storytelling.
Grant Giving
FUNDING EFFORTS TO IMPROVE OCEAN HEALTH
Grants awarded to 89 programs since 2013
Students reached through grantee programs
Pounds of debris removed from the ocean by grantees
Grant Making Strategy
We foster systemic change to restore ocean health
Our vision for the future includes cleaner, healthier waterways through strong local stewardship and collective action around the world.
As the climate crisis intensifies, so does the impact on ocean health. We need a global paradigm shift from an extractive economy that depletes our natural resources to a sustainable economy that uses resources wisely and protects our ocean. We work to facilitate this transition by supporting local solutions to global problems, led by community organizations and industry leaders.
By supporting local pilot programs that model best practices of sustainability, restore coastal ecosystems, and advance ocean stewardship, our grantees are creating systemic change to restore ocean health.
ELIGIBILITY & GRANT FOCUS AREAS
We prioritize projects led by 501(c)(3) organizations, but other types of nonprofit or charitable entities may apply as long as the proposed project addresses one or more of 11th Hour Racing’s strategic goals. We award grants in the U.S. and globally; however, we prioritize funding on the East Coast of the United States, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, and the Caribbean. 11th Hour Racing seeks proposals that align with one or more of our focus areas:
CLEAN TECHNOLOGIES AND BEST PRACTICES
Advance practices and technologies in coastal communities and the marine industry to reduce waste, prevent plastic pollution, improve water quality, and assess new circular solutions.
ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION
Improve water quality, bolster coastal resilience, and sequester carbon through coastal habitat restoration.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
Project submissions are evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Environmental impact: the magnitude of the project’s environmental benefits.
- Capacity and organizational expertise: organizational capacity and qualifications necessary to implement the proposed project.
- Innovation and creativity: how unique the project or the methodology used are.
- Feasibility of implementation: technological, financial, and political factors that may influence the success of the project.
Strong consideration will be given to projects that involve collaborations and stakeholder engagement, model best practices, can demonstrate measurable outcomes in a one-year timeframe, and share successes broadly. For anything we fund, particularly demonstration projects or place-based work, we prefer opportunities for broader impact through replicating or scaling.
Grant Awards
- Grants are typically one year in length, and we generally offer fewer multi-year grants.
- Typical grant awards range from $40,000 – $150,000, with an average grant size of $75,000. First-time grants to new organizations are generally smaller.
- Our grant funding must be tied to a specific project with measurable outcomes. We currently do not offer general funding, capital or infrastructure grants, or endowment funding.
Grantee Stories
“It’s All About Momentum” - How The Massachusetts Oyster Project is Sustainably Enhancing Waterways
Watch new film Operation Restoration: Oyster now and discover how the Massachusetts Oyster Project is using oysters to revive marine…
Sport as a Force for Good: Seacology’s Mission To Engage the Next Generation of Environment Champions
Discover how Seacology’s 'Play for the Mangroves' initiative is engaging youngsters in environmental conservation efforts in the Dominican Republic.
Watch the 'Operation Restoration' Trailer: New Video Series on Ecosystem Restoration
Introducing Operation Restoration, a new five-part film series that highlights five of our remarkable ecosystem restoration grantees.
From boat hoists to transformative school programs - celebrating 11 years of 11th Hour Racing’s partnership with Sail Newport
11th Hour Racing’s impressive portfolio of grants offered to projects that improve ocean health currently stands at 266, a continually…
Beyond Imagination: Truth telling on behalf of the ocean with Ian Urbina
Uncovering the hidden and defining the undefined - how journalist Ian Urbina is changing the world one story at a…
11th Hour Racing’s Grant Program - the Global Jigsaw of a Thousand Heartfelt Pieces
Since 2010, 11th Hour Racing has had a simple yet global-reaching goal: to create collaborative, systemic change to better the…
11th Hour Racing Provides Support to Nonprofit Organizations in Coastal Communities
Initiatives advance equitable youth education opportunities, composting, and ecosystem restoration 11th Hour Racing announced its support of nine new U.S.…
11th Hour Racing Renews Grants with 25 Nonprofit Organizations #fortheocean
Reinforcing its mission to support local programs that model best practices of sustainability, restore coastal ecosystems, and advance ocean stewardship,…
11th Hour Racing's 2022 Highlights
In 2022, 11th Hour Racing’s work was centered in our home state of Rhode Island. From compost to music festivals…
