Black Girls Dive Foundation

What Black Girls Dive Foundation does

Black Girls Dive Foundation, Inc. (BGDF) is a 501(c)(3) volunteer-based educational nonprofit founded in 2017 in Maryland and headquartered in Owings Mills. The organization delivers the nationally recognized STREAMS program, an aquatic-based eco-STEM curriculum integrating Science, Technology, Robotics, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics with SCUBA diving instruction for African American girls and other underrepresented youth in marine sciences. Programming is delivered through five physical chapters (Maryland - Liberty Road Parks & Recreation Center and St. Frances Academy; New Jersey - Sprout U School of the Arts; Georgia - Georgia Aquarium; Delaware - University of Delaware), supplemented by capstone expeditions to Key Largo, the Egyptian Red Sea, and Andros Bahamas.

The underlying technology stack is pedagogical and field-based rather than software-based: SCUBA training under PADI and American Academy of Underwater Sciences standards, shark satellite tagging and biotelemetry analysis in the Shark Research and Conservation Initiative, oyster monitoring on the Severn River through Project CORE in partnership with the Severn River Association, 3D printing for coral restoration in Project CORAL, and human subjects research under an IRB and Federal Wide Assurance approved by HHS/OHRP in 2021. Specialty programs include Project Trailblazer, Sea to Shining Sea debris cleanup, the Ocean Guardian Dive Club, and SWMS@BlackGirlsDive. The organization also operates an Institute for STEM Equity, Equality and Inclusion Research.

BGDF's revenue model is donation- and grant-driven. Programs are free to participants; dive gear and expedition costs are covered by philanthropy, with SCUBA certifications billed separately through PADI. Revenue streams include charitable donations and grants, a $25 annual Student Membership, and a tiered School of Friends donor program (Patron $250, Steward $500, Advisor's Circle $5,000, Director's Circle $10,000) with escalating benefits including board seats and free SCUBA certifications. The customer base is individual youth scholars, families, and high-net-worth donors; go-to-market is community-led through schools, recreation centers, aquariums, universities, social media, and earned media. Advisory and board strength is unusually deep, including leaders from WHOI, NSF, Georgia Aquarium, Pfizer, the Smithsonian MarineGEO project, the National Association of Black Scuba Divers, and the University of Miami.

Name

Black Girls Dive Foundation

Legal name

Black Girls Dive Foundation, Inc

Website

https://blackgirlsdivefoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Black Girls Dive Foundation is a Maryland-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2017 that delivers the nationally recognized STREAMS aquatic-based eco-STEM program, combining SCUBA diving with Science, Technology, Robotics, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics education for African American girls and other underrepresented youth through five chapters across four states.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth STEM and Marine Science Education

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620)

akta.pro primary industry

After-School, Tutoring & Academic Enrichment Nonprofits (BPAGADAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

College Access, Scholarships & Student Success Nonprofits (BPAGADAE), Scuba Diving & Freediving Centers (Training, Guided Dives) (THAAAKAD), Diving Experiences (Scuba Dives, Dive Trips, PADI/SSI Courses) (THAJAJAD)

Keywords

• Marine science education
• STEM youth programs
• SCUBA diving instruction
• Nonprofit education services
• Aquatic conservation initiatives

Headquarters

HQ city

Owings Mills

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: Primary funding from grants and generous gifts from donors supporting the STREAMS program and educational initiatives
2. Membership Dues: Student memberships at $25 annually and School of Friends memberships ranging from $250 to $10,000 providing donor benefits and access to events
3. Donor Tiers: Tiered donor program including Patron ($250), Steward ($500), Advisor's Circle ($5,000), and Director's Circle ($10,000) with escalating benefits including Board seats and scuba certifications

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Black Girls Dive Foundation is a 501(c)(3) volunteer-based educational nonprofit that delivers an aquatic-based eco-STEM program (STREAMS) integrating Science, Technology, Robotics, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics with SCUBA diving instruction for youth, primarily African American girls. The foundation runs local chapters, conservation initiatives (Project CORAL, Project CORE, Shark Research & Conservation, Project Trailblazer), and domestic/international SCUBA capstone expeditions.

Product overview

Black Girls Dive Foundation operates as a single unified educational nonprofit organization offering the STREAMS program as its flagship aquatic-based eco-STEM initiative, which integrates Science, Technology, Robotics, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics with SCUBA diving. This core program is supplemented by specialized conservation initiatives including Project CORAL (using 3D printing for coral reef restoration), Project CORE (oyster monitoring with the Severn River Association), Shark Research and Conservation, Project Trailblazer, Sea to Shining Sea, and the Ocean Guardian Dive Club. The organization also provides capstone expeditions domestically and internationally, maintains local chapters in multiple states, and offers tiered membership options for students and donors.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• STREAMS Program A nationally recognized aquatic-based eco-STEM program integrating Science, Technology, Robotics, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics with SCUBA diving, providing youth with hands-on marine science education and conservation experiences.
• Project CORAL (Collaborative Ocean Research And Leadership) An eco-STEM program exposing youth to ocean science, conservation, and leadership development through hands-on coral reef restoration using 3D printing.
• Project CORE (Collaborative Oyster Restoration and Education) An oyster monitoring and conservation initiative in partnership with the Severn River Association, using blended learning to connect youth to in-field experiences on the Severn River.
• Shark Research and Conservation (SRC) Initiative A research initiative providing scholars with opportunities to learn shark behavioral ecology and conservation, including shark research expeditions, satellite tagging, and analysis of real shark biotelemetry data.
• Project Trailblazer An initiative encouraging families to explore outdoor and aquatic/green spaces, clean streams and watersheds, remove invasive plants, and plant native species to address shoreline erosion.
• Ocean Guardian Dive Club A dive club providing underwater experiences and community for young women interested in marine conservation and SCUBA diving.
• BGD Expeditions Domestic and international SCUBA capstone expeditions to locations including Key Largo Florida, Egypt (Red Sea), and Andros Bahamas, providing advanced diving and research experiences.
• SWMS@BlackGirlsDive A STEM-focused initiative integrated with the SCUBA and marine science programs.
• Student Membership A $25 annual membership providing youth with access to tools, scholarships, training, role models, and members-only events including Discovery Scuba events.
• School of Friends Donor Membership (Patron, Steward, Advisor's Circle, Director's Circle) A tiered donor membership program ranging from $250 (Patron) to $10,000 (Director's Circle) providing financial supporters with benefits including donor recognition, annual dinner tickets, and board seats at higher tiers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% of BGD scholars achieve college admission acceptance
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Severn River Association (SRA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Collaborative partnership for Project CORE (Collaborative Oyster Restoration and Education), an oyster monitoring and conservation initiative addressing Maryland's fragile oyster population. Utilizes innovative pedagogical tools and blended learning delivery model connecting youth learning through in-field experiences on the Severn River.
• Georgia AquariumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAtlanta chapter host location where BGD Scholars participate in Ocean Voyager exhibit diving experiences with whale sharks and manta rays, and complete capstone expeditions. Georgia Aquarium CEO Dr. Brian Davis serves on the BGD Advisory Board.
• National Association of Black Scuba Divers (NABS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganizational affiliation with the National Association of Black Scuba Divers. BGD Co-Founder Dr. Nevada Winrow serves as National Chairwoman of Youth Programs for NABS. NABS President Dr. Anthony Ford serves as BGD Scuba Instructor and Instructor Trainer.
• Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvisory board member Gwyneth Packard is a Senior Engineer in the Oceanographic Systems Laboratory at WHOI where she develops autonomous underwater vehicles. Provides technical expertise and industry connections for marine science programming.
• National Science FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvisory board member Dr. M. Brandon Jones serves as program manager for NSF's Geosciences Directorate overseeing undergraduate and graduate education programs and diversity, inclusion and belonging efforts. Provides grant program expertise and scientific credibility.
• Smithsonian MarineGEO ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvisory board member Ross Whippio serves as head technician for the Smithsonian's MarineGEO project and regularly leads research diving operations worldwide, providing research opportunities and scientific diving expertise.
• Living Oceans FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmy Heemsoth, M.S. from Living Oceans Foundation serves as Marine Science faculty, contributing coral reef ecology and conservation expertise to BGD programming.
• University of MiamiminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Neil Hammerschlag, Professor at University of Miami, serves as Marine Science faculty contributing shark research and conservation expertise to the SRC Initiative.
• Coral Restoration FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBGD Scholars visit Coral Restoration Foundation during capstone expeditions to Key Largo, Florida for hands-on coral restoration education and experience.
• Ocean Exploration Trust / E/V NautilusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-Founder Dr. C. Nevada Winrow sailed aboard the Nautilus Expedition Vessel for a September-October expedition to Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, conducting first-ever exploration of ten seamounts.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Girls Inc. A national youth-development nonprofit serving girls from underserved communities with STEM, education, and leadership programming. Comparable as a girls' empowerment and STEM-equity organization, though not marine-science specific.
• Fabien Cousteau Ocean Learning Center: A marine education nonprofit offering hands-on aquatic programming, research, and expedition experiences for youth. Comparable in combining dive training with marine science education, though without BGDF's DEI specialization.
• Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF): REEF runs marine conservation education and citizen-science programs around reef ecosystems. While not focused on DEI, it is comparable in mission to engage non-traditional audiences in marine science field work and conservation.

Broad incumbents

• Project AWARE Foundation: A dive-community-led global nonprofit addressing underwater conservation; it is broadly comparable as a marine conservation nonprofit operating inside the SCUBA community, with a much larger global footprint.
• National Marine Sanctuary Foundation: A larger marine conservation and education nonprofit supporting the National Marine Sanctuary System. Comparable as a marine-science education provider serving youth, though with much broader programmatic scope and federal ties.
• Ocean Exploration Trust: Operates the E/V Nautilus, which BGDF's founder has sailed aboard for expeditions. It runs ocean exploration and STEM-education programming at significantly larger scale and offers comparable hands-on research opportunities for youth.

Direct peers

• DIVEheart: DIVEheart is a nonprofit using SCUBA and diving as a therapeutic, educational, and confidence-building tool for underserved populations. It shares BGDF's model of using diving as an educational and empowerment platform for marginalized communities.
• Minorities in Shark Sciences (MISS): MISS focuses on increasing representation of women of color in shark science — directly overlapping with BGDF's Shark Research and Conservation Initiative. Both organizations combine field research, education, and pipeline-building for underrepresented youth.
• National Association of Black Scuba Divers (NABS): NABS is the most direct peer — an organization focused on representation of African Americans in diving and marine sciences. BGDF's co-founder serves as NABS National Chairwoman of Youth Programs, and the two share mission, community, and partner networks.
• Black in Marine Science (BIMS): BIMS is a direct peer advancing Black representation in marine science through community, mentorship, and programming. It shares BGDF's DEI-in-marine-science mission and targets a similar youth and early-career audience.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/blackgirlsdivefoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/blackgirlsdivefoundation

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 Black Girls Dive Foundation