Grant Giving

FUNDING EFFORTS TO IMPROVE OCEAN HEALTH

Grants awarded to 116 programs since 2013

Students reached through grantee programs

Shellfish planted by grantees to restore waterways

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:

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.

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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.

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ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION

Improve water quality, bolster coastal resilience, and sequester carbon through coastal habitat restoration.

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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.
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Grantee Stories

The Magic of Puerto Mosquito Bay: How Healing an Ecosystem Helped Heal a Community

Watch the new film Operation Restoration: GLOW and discover how VCHT is restoring Puerto Mosquito Bay in Vieques to its…

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Mapping Pollution, Finding Solutions: Meet ORCA, a Diverse Team of Citizen Scientists on an Inspiring Mission

Watch the new film Operation Restoration: Lagoon and see how ORCA and their diverse team of scientists are driving change…

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11th Hour Racing Supports Initiatives Addressing Critical Ocean Challenges in 2024

Initiatives support ocean literacy, ecosystem restoration, and sustainability projects. In 2024, 11th Hour Racing funded 36 renewed grants, bringing the…

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Purpose, Passion and Perseverance: Urban Rivers Is Creating a Sustainable Model for Cities Worldwide

Watch new film Operation Restoration: River and learn how Urban Rivers is revitalizing the Chicago River from a forgotten waterway…

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“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…

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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.

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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.

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4th grade sailing program at Sail Newport, Rhode Island

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…

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Fábio Nascimento/The Outlaw Ocean Project, 2017.

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…

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