Restore America's Estuaries

What Restore America's Estuaries does

Restore America's Estuaries (RAE) is a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit, founded in 1995 and headquartered in Washington, DC, dedicated to the protection and restoration of America's bays and estuaries. The organization operates as a coalition convener and federally designated grant administrator rather than as a project-execution entity: it channels EPA and NOAA funding through programs such as the Southeast New England Program (SNEP, $70M since 2012), the Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund (LISCIF), the Gulf Regional Oyster Network, the Great Lakes Restoration Community Grant Program, and Caring For Our Coast. In 2024, RAE awarded more than $10 million across 7 grant programs to 60 organizations in 14 states.

RAE's core operational assets are non-technological: a 20+ affiliate coalition (including The Nature Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited, National Wildlife Federation, and Environmental Defense Fund), the biennial Coastal & Estuarine Summit (1,000+ attendees, next: San Francisco September 2026), the annual Living Shorelines Tech Transfer Workshop (~300 attendees), and the Congressional Estuary Caucus established in 2017 for federal advocacy. Specialized programs such as the Coastal Blue Carbon initiative, Inclusive Coasts Initiative (2019), and Living Shorelines Community of Practice provide programmatic depth, while reports quantifying coastal watersheds' $7.9T GDP contribution and 69M jobs underpin policy advocacy.

RAE is funded through a mix of federal grant pass-through allocations, corporate partnerships (notably CITGO's Caring For Our Coast — $800K in 2025 grants, $1M in 2024; ScottsMiracle-Gro Foundation's 10+ year tenure), individual donations via a preset tier structure ($25–$250 and custom), Combined Federal Campaign contributions (#12070), event registration and sponsorship fees from the biennial Summit, and $300-per-year affiliate membership dues. Governed by a board and led by President and CEO Daniel Hayden, the organization operates with a small national staff and a network of regional implementing partners rather than direct field operations.

Name

Restore America's Estuaries

Legal name

Restore America's Estuaries

Website

https://estuaries.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Restore America's Estuaries is a 501(c)(3) national nonprofit, founded in 1995, that convenes a 20-plus member coastal restoration coalition and administers federal and corporate grants (over $10M in 2024) to municipalities, tribes, and nonprofits advancing bay and estuary restoration across the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (9241), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation (BPAGAGAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Coastal & Marine Resources Administration (Oceans, Fisheries, Shorelines) (BPAIAMAI), Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource Management (BPADALAI)

Keywords

• Coastal restoration grants
• Estuary conservation programs
• Watershed implementation funding
• Nonprofit coastal advocacy
• Living shorelines solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Corporate Grants and Sponsorships: RAE receives funding from corporate partners including CITGO Petroleum ($800,000 in 2025 grants), Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation (10+ year partnership), and other corporate sponsors for events and restoration programs.
2. Federal Government Grants: RAE administers EPA grants including the Southeast New England Program (SNEP), Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund (LISCIF), and NEP Watersheds Grant. In 2024, awarded over $10 million in grants to 60 organizations.
3. Individual Donations: Public donation program with preset amounts ($25, $50, $100, $250) and custom options, processed via credit card or PayPal. Combined Federal Campaign number 12070 for federal employees.
4. Event Sponsorships and Registration: The 2026 Coastal & Estuarine Summit in San Francisco offers sponsorship opportunities with national recognition, complimentary exhibit space, and registration benefits. Early bird registration available.
5. Affiliate Membership Dues: Annual membership program for organizations at $300 per year, with free membership for organizations sponsoring 4+ Summit participants.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Restore America's Estuaries (RAE) is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit that administers federal and corporate grant programs, convenes coastal restoration professionals through major conferences and workshops, and coordinates a national alliance of conservation organizations to protect and restore U.S. bays and estuaries. Its portfolio includes grant programs (SNEP, LISCIF, Gulf Regional Oyster Network, Great Lakes, NEP Coastal Watersheds, Caring for Our Coasts), events (biennial Coastal & Estuarine Summit and Living Shorelines Tech Transfer Workshop), advocacy (Congressional Estuary Caucus, National Estuaries Week), and membership/partnership programs (Affiliate Membership, Corporate Partners).

Product overview

Restore America's Estuaries (RAE) is a national non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and restoring bays and estuaries. Rather than a unified technology product, RAE operates a portfolio of interconnected programs including: grant programs (SNEP Watershed Implementation Grants, Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund, Gulf Regional Oyster Network, Great Lakes Restoration Community Grants, Caring for Our Coasts); conferences and events (biennial Coastal & Estuarine Summit, annual Living Shorelines Tech Transfer Workshop); advocacy initiatives (Congressional Estuary Caucus, National Estuaries Week); specialized programs (Coastal Blue Carbon, Inclusive Coasts, Living Shorelines); and membership/partnership programs (Affiliate Membership, Corporate Partners). These programs work together to advance science-based coastal restoration, facilitate funding, build community capacity, and influence policy at federal, state, and local levels.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SNEP Watershed Implementation Grant EPA-funded grant program administered by RAE to restore clean water and healthy ecosystems in Southeast New England (Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts). Funds municipalities, nonprofits, state and tribal governments for water quality and habitat restoration projects.
• Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund (LISCIF) Collaborative grant program run with EPA and the Long Island Sound Partnership that provides funding and support to community organizations throughout the Long Island Sound watershed.
• NEP Coastal Watersheds Grant EPA grant program funding coastal restoration projects within specific U.S. geographic areas following priorities of the National Estuary Program.
• Gulf Regional Oyster Network RAE-led partnership with Gulf-based organizations to protect coastal communities and restore near-shore oyster habitat across the Gulf of Mexico region.
• Great Lakes Restoration Community Grant Program Funding program supporting coastal restoration and healthy communities throughout the Great Lakes region.
• Caring for Our Coasts National grant program investing in local restoration by pairing corporate and community partners with science-vetted restoration projects across the U.S.
• Coastal & Estuarine Summit Biennial flagship conference drawing 1,000+ coastal restoration professionals, featuring sessions, posters, workshops, field trips, networking, and sponsor visibility on coastal blue carbon, living shorelines, and habitat restoration.
• Living Shorelines Tech Transfer Workshop Annual workshop bringing together practitioners, researchers, regulators, and community leaders to advance living shorelines science and practice.
• Affiliate Membership Program Annual membership program ($300/year) for organizations providing visibility, networking opportunities, and participation in national coastal restoration dialogue. Free one-year membership for organizations sponsoring or registering 4+ participants for the RAE Coastal & Estuarine Summit.
• Corporate Partners Program Partnership program engaging corporations in coastal restoration initiatives including event sponsorship, on-the-ground projects, research, and community engagement.

Quantifiable outcome

• In 2024, awarded more than $10 million in grants to 60 organizations in 14 states through 7 grant programs
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 October 2025EPA is the primary federal partner, managing the Southeast New England Program (SNEP) with RAE as administrator for watershed implementation grants. Since 2012, SNEP has provided $70 million in funding and technical assistance to municipalities, nonprofits, and state agencies. RAE has directed more than $21 million toward coastal restoration since 2018 through this partnership.
• New England Environmental Finance Center (NEEFC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 October 2025NEEFC at University of Southern Maine leads the SNEP Network providing free on-the-ground technical assistance, training, and regional resources to advance community projects in Southeast New England. Supports 15+ organizations and a record 18 new projects in 2025.
• Narragansett Bay Estuary ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 October 2025Regional partner supporting SNEP Network community assistance projects in Rhode Island, including technical assistance for Providence stormwater and sewer management initiatives.
• Long Island Sound PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 July 2025Collaborative grant administration for the Long Island Sound Community Impact Fund (LISCIF), a program to support coastal communities in the Long Island Sound watershed. RAE administers grants in partnership with EPA and the Long Island Sound Partnership (formerly Long Island Sound Study).
• Pew Charitable TrustscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 September 2024Pew sponsors and participates in RAE's Coastal & Estuarine Summit, working with RAE to address climate change and biodiversity loss through coastal ecosystem conservation and restoration.
• Galveston Bay FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Part of Gulf Regional Oyster Network, assembled through a NOAA Transformational Habitat Grant to restore near-shore oyster habitats in the Gulf of Mexico region.
• Coalition to Restore Coastal LouisianacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Gulf Regional Oyster Network partner restoring coastal habitats and operating one of the nation's largest shell recycling programs.
• Alabama Coastal FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Gulf Regional Oyster Network partner working to restore Alabama coastal ecosystems and oyster habitat.
• Pensacola and Perdido Bay Estuary ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Gulf Regional Oyster Network partner supporting oyster restoration and water quality improvement in Florida panhandle.
• Tampa Bay WatchcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Gulf Regional Oyster Network partner conducting oyster shell recycling and habitat restoration in Tampa Bay.
• Alliance for the Chesapeake BaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliate member organization working on Chesapeake Bay restoration, part of RAE's alliance of coastal restoration organizations.
• The Nature ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliate member and national conservation partner supporting coastal restoration initiatives including SNEP Network projects in Rhode Island.
• Ducks UnlimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliate member organization supporting wetland and coastal habitat conservation across the RAE alliance.
• National Wildlife FederationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliate member organization participating in RAE's coalition of coastal habitat conservation organizations.
• National Estuarine Research Reserve Association (NERRA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in National Estuaries Week celebration and coastal research collaboration, along with ANEP and NOAA.
• Association of National Estuary Programs (ANEP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in National Estuaries Week and collaborative advocacy for estuary protection and restoration programs.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Environmental Defense Fund: Environmental Defense Fund is a major environmental nonprofit and RAE affiliate member operating across multiple issue areas including climate, oceans, and ecosystems. While not exclusively focused on coastal restoration, EDF's oceans program overlaps with RAE's blue carbon and habitat restoration work and competes for similar corporate sustainability partnerships.
• Ducks Unlimited: Ducks Unlimited is a large national waterfowl and wetland conservation nonprofit and RAE affiliate member. While operating at significantly greater scale, DU shares RAE's wetland restoration focus and competes for similar federal and corporate conservation funding, particularly through NRCS and USDA programs.
• The Nature Conservancy: The Nature Conservancy is a global environmental nonprofit operating at significantly larger scale than RAE, with active coastal restoration programs. While RAE operates as RAE's affiliate, TNC is a broad incumbent with portfolios spanning marine, freshwater, and terrestrial conservation - it competes for the same federal and corporate funding pools RAE accesses.

Direct peers

• Galveston Bay Foundation: Galveston Bay Foundation is a Texas-focused coastal nonprofit and RAE Gulf Regional Oyster Network partner dedicated to preserving and enhancing Galveston Bay through habitat restoration, water quality protection, and education. Like RAE, it operates as a regional convener and restoration grant administrator for a specific estuary.
• National Wildlife Federation: National Wildlife Federation is one of RAE's affiliate members and a national conservation nonprofit that convenes affiliates and advocates for habitat and wildlife protection. It shares RAE's coalition-based nonprofit structure, federal grant administration capabilities, and focus on coastal/wetland habitat restoration.
• Surfrider Foundation: Surfrider Foundation is a grassroots coastal nonprofit focused on beach access, water quality, and coastal preservation through volunteer chapters and advocacy. It is comparable to RAE in its coastal conservation mission and grassroots coalition model but emphasizes beach/ocean recreation and volunteer mobilization rather than scientific restoration grant administration.
• Ocean Conservancy: Ocean Conservancy is a national nonprofit focused on ocean and coastal ecosystem health through policy advocacy, science, and partnerships. Like RAE, it convenes stakeholders, influences federal ocean policy, and works on coastal restoration and resilience, but with broader geographic scope including international ocean issues.
• Chesapeake Bay Foundation: The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is a regional nonprofit dedicated to restoring the Chesapeake Bay through advocacy, litigation, education, and on-the-ground restoration. Like RAE, it serves as a regional convener and administrator of restoration funding for a major U.S. estuary, operating a comparable nonprofit coalition model focused on coastal water quality and habitat.
• Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay: Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay is an RAE affiliate member focused specifically on Chesapeake Bay watershed restoration through partnerships, volunteer engagement, and reforestation. Like RAE, it operates as a coalition convener and restoration grant administrator for a specific estuary system.
• Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana: Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana is an RAE Gulf Regional Oyster Network partner focused on Louisiana coastal land loss restoration through advocacy, outreach, and on-the-ground projects. It mirrors RAE's nonprofit coalition model applied to a single state's coastal restoration needs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/RAEstuaries
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@RestoreEstuaries/playlists
• Facebookfacebook.com/RestoreAmericasEstuaries
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/restore-america-s-estuaries
• Instagraminstagram.com/raestuaries

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Restore America's Estuaries