What Surfrider Foundation does

Surfrider Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit environmental organization founded in 1984 in response to an Army Corps of Engineers excavation threat to Malibu's Surfrider Beach. Headquartered in San Clemente, California, the organization protects oceans, waves, and beaches through a distributed activist network of 200+ chapters and student clubs across the United States, with nascent international presence in India (Andaman & Nicobar Islands) and Portugal. Its core programs include the Blue Water Task Force volunteer water quality monitoring network (604 sampling sites, 10,120 samples processed in 2024), the Rise Above Plastics campaign, Ocean Friendly Gardens runoff-reduction initiative, Climate Action Program coastal restoration, and the Drilling Is Killing campaign opposing offshore oil and gas leasing.

The organization's product portfolio is non-commercial — all offerings are free public-good programs including educational resources such as the Reef Friendly Sunscreen Guide and the annual Clean Water Report. Surfrider's underlying operational infrastructure consists of a volunteer-run chapter network, partner-operated water quality labs, and legal/policy teams working in coordination with pro-bono counsel (Earthjustice) and academic partners (UCLA Frank G. Wells Environmental Law Clinic). The organization has accumulated 930+ documented coastal protection victories, including the 1991 Humboldt Pulp Mills Clean Water Act case ($5.8M in penalties), the 2018 Martin's Beach access ruling, and the 2024 Florida SB302 Coastal Resiliency law.

Revenue is generated through a diversified non-profit model: individual membership dues ($5-$50/month tiers), small-dollar donations (including stock, crypto, IRA rollovers), corporate partnerships with surf/outdoor brands (SIMA Environmental Fund, Faherty, Gray Whale, Alpaka, Rip Curl, REI), foundation grants (Harder, Packard, Resources Legacy Fund), federal grants (EPA BEACH Act), and merchandise sales via shop.surfrider.org. The go-to-market motion is community-led, leveraging grassroots advocacy, Hill Day lobbying events, and chapter-organized beach cleanups to drive member acquisition and donor engagement. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors under a non-partisan stance and operates with a lean HQ staff of 11-50 employees.

Name

Surfrider Foundation

Legal name

Surfrider Foundation

Website

https://surfrider.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Surfrider Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1984 that protects oceans, waves, and beaches through a 200+ chapter grassroots activist network, running water quality monitoring, plastic reduction, coastal restoration, and offshore drilling opposition programs across U.S. states and select international locations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Nonprofit / Ocean Conservation Advocacy

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

SIC

Services-Consumer Credit Reporting, Collection Agencies (7320)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Marine Conservation & Citizen-Science Experiences (reef monitoring, turtle walks) (THAAAIAH)

Keywords

• Ocean conservation advocacy
• Water quality monitoring
• Beach access protection
• Plastic pollution reduction
• Nonprofit environmental activism

Headquarters

HQ city

San Clemente

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Monthly membership contributions ranging from $5 to $50 per month, providing recurring revenue stream from individual supporters
2. Donations and Fundraising: One-time and recurring donations from individual donors, including stock donations, IRA rollovers, crypto donations, and planned giving options
3. Corporate Partnerships: Partnerships with surf industry brands and corporations who support environmental initiatives through the Environmental Fund
4. Merchandise Sales: Online shop selling Surfrider branded merchandise including summer collection and collaboration items

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Surfrider Foundation is a nonprofit environmental organization that runs citizen-science water quality testing (Blue Water Task Force), community sustainability programs (Ocean Friendly Gardens, Rise Above Plastics, Climate Action), and policy/litigation advocacy to protect beaches, oceans, and coastal access. It sustains these activities through individual memberships, donations, corporate sponsorships, and branded merchandise sales.

Product overview

Surfrider Foundation operates as a nonprofit environmental organization offering a portfolio of advocacy programs and educational resources rather than a commercial product platform. Its core offerings include the Blue Water Task Force water quality monitoring program, Rise Above Plastics campaign, Ocean Friendly Gardens runoff reduction program, Reef Friendly Sunscreen Guide consumer resource, Climate Action Program coastal restoration initiative, and Clean Border Water Now campaign. The organization also runs the Drilling Is Killing campaign against offshore drilling and publishes the annual Clean Water Report. All offerings are free public-good programs funded through membership, donations, and corporate partnerships, with no fee-for-service products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Blue Water Task Force: Water quality testing program that monitors bacteria levels at beaches across the U.S.
• Rise Above Plastics
• Ocean Friendly Gardens
• Climate Action Program
• Drilling Is Killing
• Clean Border Water Now
• Save Trestles

Products and services

• Blue Water Task Force Citizen-science water quality monitoring and testing program run by Surfrider Foundation chapters to track bacterial and pollutant levels at beaches and provide public data.
• Ocean Friendly Gardens Community program that designs and certifies landscaping practices aimed at reducing urban runoff and pollution reaching the ocean.
• Rise Above Plastics Advocacy program aimed at reducing single-use plastic consumption through community action, education, and policy engagement.
• Climate Action Program Climate-focused advocacy program working on policy solutions to ocean acidification, sea level rise, and coastal climate impacts.
• Clean Border Water Now Initiative focused on cross-border water pollution issues between the U.S. and Mexico, advocating for clean water in shared coastal watersheds.
• Drilling Is Killing Campaign opposing offshore oil and gas drilling, fracking, and associated fossil fuel infrastructure that threatens coastal waters.
• Surfrider Foundation Merchandise Shop Online store selling branded apparel, accessories, and surf-related merchandise, with proceeds supporting Surfrider Foundation's mission.

Quantifiable outcome

• 930+ coastal protection victories achieved
• +3 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SIMA (Surf Industry Members Association)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerSIMA's Environmental Fund channels industry resources to support non-profit ocean organizations including Surfrider. The partnership has 20+ year history with Surfrider as beneficiary of Environmental Fund grants raised at Waterman's Ball. SIMA unites surf industry around shared environmental goals of healthy oceans, healthy industry.
• Gray WhaleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting Surfrider's environmental initiatives through brand partnership
• FahertyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSustainable clothing brand partnership with collaboration collections supporting Surfrider
• AlpakaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner supporting Surfrider's environmental mission
• Rip CurlminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSurf industry brand partnership supporting coastal environmental protection
• REIminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOutdoor recreation retailer corporate partnership supporting environmental causes
• NOAAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFoundation partner providing federal agency support for ocean and coastal research and monitoring initiatives
• UCLA Frank G. Wells Environmental Law CliniccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLegal and policy partnership producing research publications including 2013 Briefing Book on Federal Law and Policy Solutions to Address Marine Plastic Pollution. Collaboration on Senate briefings and policy advocacy.
• EarthjusticecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLegal representation partner providing pro-bono counsel for environmental litigation including Maui County sewage case and Atlantic seismic challenges
• Eastern Long Island Chapter of Surfrider FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal chapter partnership with Montauk Brewing Co. for beach cleanup events and community engagement
• Outdoor AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition partnership advocating for public lands and waters in Washington D.C., representing outdoor recreation community interests
• Seward PrideminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLGBTQ+ community partnership with Kenai Peninsula Chapter promoting inclusive environmental activism

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Earthjustice: Premier nonprofit environmental law organization that provides Surfrider's pro-bono counsel in Maui County, Atlantic seismic, and other cases — directly comparable in mission delivery via litigation.
• Ocean Conservancy: Major U.S. ocean conservation nonprofit running the International Coastal Cleanup and advocating on plastics and coastal policy — directly comparable in scope and advocacy approach.
• Plastic Pollution Coalition: Global coalition working to end single-use plastic pollution — directly overlaps with Surfrider's Rise Above Plastics program and shares grassroots-advocacy DNA.
• Heal the Bay: California-based water quality advocacy nonprofit and co-plaintiff with Surfrider in the ExxonMobil plastics suit — runs volunteer-driven beach water monitoring directly comparable to Blue Water Task Force.
• Coral Reef Alliance: Marine conservation nonprofit focused on coral reef ecosystems with similar donor-supported, science-backed advocacy model — adjacent but highly comparable in funding and operational structure.
• Oceana: International ocean conservation advocacy organization focused on marine ecosystems, fisheries policy, and plastic pollution — the most direct scale comparable to Surfrider's coastal mission.

Broad incumbents

• Natural Resources Defense Council: Large multi-issue environmental advocacy organization with national reach; co-litigant with Surfrider on the Williams NESE pipeline challenge — broader portfolio but overlapping advocacy and litigation playbooks.
• Environmental Defense Fund: Major science-driven environmental advocacy organization with significant resources and a multi-issue portfolio; comparable as a peer environmental nonprofit operating at national scale.
• Sierra Club: One of the largest and longest-running U.S. environmental organizations with a far broader mission than Surfrider; co-litigant in the ExxonMobil plastics suit and a frequent coalition partner.

Emerging players

• 5 Gyres: Smaller plastic pollution research and advocacy nonprofit with strong citizen-science focus — highly comparable mission area to Surfrider's Rise Above Plastics but operating at a smaller scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/surfrider
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/surfriderfoundation
• Facebookfacebook.com/surfrider
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/surfrider-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/surfrider
• TikToktiktok.com/@surfriderfoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Surfrider Foundation