What Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation does

Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation organization founded on October 31, 1967, in Sanibel, Florida, as an outgrowth of the 'Ding' Darling Memorial Committee. It operates ten core programs organized around four mission pillars: wildlife protection (including the longest-running uninterrupted sea turtle monitoring program in Florida, shorebird and raptor surveys, and reptile and small-mammal monitoring), water quality monitoring (the RECON real-time sensor array, a dedicated marine laboratory, and a weekly water conditions tracker), land preservation (preserves, public trails, and a Native Landscapes & Garden Center), and environmental education and advocacy (Sanibel Sea School sub-brand, Coastal Watch volunteer program, Environmental Policy & Advocacy, and the Preserving Paradise business leadership program). Its principal sub-brands are Sanibel Sea School and Coastal Watch, and its signature fundraising events include Wines in the Wild, The Cause, Beer in the Bushes, Pine Island Sounds, and the Paul McCarthy Memorial Lecture Series.

The organization's revenue model is non-commercial: it relies on individual donations and memberships (processed via DonorPerfect), fundraising events, grants from government agencies and foundations (including a two-year grant from the Captiva Erosion Prevention District), and symbolic wildlife adoption programs. It does not sell products and does not publicly disclose pricing tiers. Its go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, relying on volunteer engagement (Coastal Watch, citizen science), educational programming (Sanibel Sea School camps, after-school programs, family outings), and earned media rather than paid advertising.

SCCF serves five identified segments: Sanibel and Captiva residents and property owners (primary), visitors and tourists, the local business community (engaged via the Preserving Paradise program in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce), students and educators, and environmental advocates. Strategic partners include Captains for Clean Water, the Everglades Foundation, the Conservancy of Southwest Florida, the 'Ding' Darling Wildlife Society, the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians, the South Florida Water Management District, and the National Parks Conservation Association. The foundation is led by CEO James Evans and operates with a headcount of 11-50 from its Sanibel headquarters.

Name

Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation

Legal name

Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation

Website

https://sccf.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1967

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1967 that protects Southwest Florida's coastal ecosystems through wildlife monitoring, water quality research, land preservation, environmental education, and science-based policy advocacy, serving island residents, visitors, businesses, students, and advocates.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813)

akta.pro primary industry

Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource Management (BPADALAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Coastal & Marine Resources Administration (Oceans, Fisheries, Shorelines) (BPAIAMAI), Revetments, Groynes & Beach Nourishment (IMAFAJAD)

Keywords

• Coastal conservation services
• Wildlife monitoring programs
• Environmental education programs
• Land preservation services
• Water quality research

Headquarters

HQ city

Sanibel

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Membership: Unrestricted donations from individuals supporting conservation work, plus membership programs offering various benefits and engagement levels
2. Fundraising Events: Signature fundraising events including Wines in the Wild, The Cause, Beer in the Bushes, Pine Island Sounds, and Paul McCarthy Memorial Lecture Series
3. Grants and Government Funding: Funding from government agencies and foundations supporting specific conservation and restoration projects
4. Wildlife Adoption Programs: Adoption programs allowing supporters to symbolically adopt wildlife species, with proceeds supporting species-specific conservation efforts

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that protects coastal ecosystems of Sanibel and Captiva islands through wildlife protection, land conservation, water quality monitoring, environmental education, and policy advocacy. It operates multiple programs including sea turtle monitoring, a marine laboratory, a native plant nursery, public nature preserves, and a sea school for children and adults.

Product overview

SCCF operates as a single, unified conservation organization offering multiple interconnected programs rather than a platform-plus-modules architecture. The core programs include wildlife monitoring (Sea Turtle Program, shorebird/wildlife surveys), water quality monitoring (RECON Sensor Array, Marine Laboratory), land preservation (preserves, trails, native plant garden center), education (Sanibel Sea School), volunteer-driven restoration (Coastal Watch), environmental policy advocacy, and the Preserving Paradise business leadership program. These programs work together to protect Southwest Florida's coastal ecosystems through research, education, advocacy, and hands-on conservation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sanibel Sea School: An educational program dedicated to giving everyone the chance to connect with coastal ecosystems through weekly camps, day programs, after-school programs, family outings, and field trips.
• Coastal Watch

Products and services

• Sea Turtle Program Long-running program monitoring and protecting nesting sea turtles on Sanibel and Captiva beaches; engages volunteers and the public in nest surveys, tagging, and beach stewardship.
• RECON Sensor Array Network of in-water sensors deployed throughout the Caloosahatchee estuary and surrounding waters that continuously monitor water quality conditions to support research and policy work.
• Marine Laboratory Field and lab facility conducting water quality analysis, fisheries research, and ecological studies supporting regional coastal management decisions.
• Sanibel Sea School Environmental education program offering marine science classes, summer camps, and excursions for children, families, and adults focused on coastal ecosystems.
• Coastal Watch Volunteer-based shoreline monitoring and advocacy program that documents coastal conditions, regulatory issues, and engages residents in protecting island shorelines.
• Native Landscapes & Garden Center On-site native plant nursery and garden center selling Florida-native plants to residents and landscapers to promote wildlife-friendly landscaping.
• Preserves & Public Trails Network of conservation preserves and public hiking/nature trails on Sanibel open to the public for low-impact recreation and environmental education.
• Preserving Paradise Program Land acquisition and conservation program that purchases and manages environmentally sensitive parcels on Sanibel and Captiva to protect them from development in perpetuity.
• Environmental Policy Advocacy Policy and advocacy work engaging local, state, and federal decision-makers on issues affecting coastal water quality, wildlife, and island habitats.

Quantifiable outcome

• 670+ sea turtle nests monitored annually
• +4 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Captains for Clean WatercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 August 2025Co-founder Daniel Andrews and Chris Whitman collaborate with SCCF on water quality advocacy. Joint initiative includes Preserving Paradise program and Everglades restoration advocacy. Partners on economic impact studies quantifying costs of harmful algal blooms.
• Everglades FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 August 2025Partner in Preserving Paradise leadership program and Everglades advocacy. CEO Erik Eikenberg provides presentations on Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. Joint Everglades trips and educational programming.
• Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of CommercecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 5 August 2025Co-developer of Preserving Paradise program bringing together business leaders for water quality education. Joint advocacy for economic and environmental interests in the region.
• National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides student scholarships for Everglades Coalition Conference, supporting next generation of conservation advocates
• The 'Ding' Darling Wildlife SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partner in advocacy work, including joint participation in Everglades Action Day and conservation initiatives
• Conservancy of Southwest FloridacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint advocacy partner in Everglades Action Day and environmental policy initiatives. Collaborates on water quality and ecosystem protection efforts.
• Miccosukee Tribe of IndiansminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural and educational partner in Preserving Paradise program, providing ancestral connection to Everglades and partnership in protection efforts
• Captiva Erosion Prevention DistrictminorOthersProvided two-year funding for Coastal Resilience Manager position to help guide islands on coastal resilience journey
• South Florida Water Management DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey government agency partner in Everglades restoration, C-43 Reservoir project, and water quality management decisions affecting Caloosahatchee Estuary
• Sanibel Sea SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSeparate nonprofit organization focused on ocean education operating under SCCF umbrella, offering weekly camps, after-school programs, and family nature outings
• Coastal WatchcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCCF's volunteer program for habitat restoration and coastal stewardship, offering beach cleanups, oyster restoration, mangrove projects, and sustainability initiatives

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• The Nature Conservancy (Florida Chapter): Global conservation organization with a strong Florida chapter doing land acquisition, water, and climate work; overlaps with SCCF in coastal resilience, Everglades, and barrier-island preservation but at much larger scale.
• Surfrider Foundation: National coastal nonprofit focused on clean water, beach access, and coastal preservation; relevant peer to SCCF's water quality, Coastal Watch, and Red Tide work but operating across many U.S. coastlines.
• National Audubon Society: National bird and habitat conservation nonprofit with active Florida coastal programs and sanctuaries; comparable to SCCF's shorebird monitoring and coastal habitat work but operating at national scale.

Direct peers

• Everglades Foundation: Florida-focused nonprofit dedicated to Everglades restoration, clean water advocacy, and scientific research; core SCCF partner on the Preserving Paradise program and Everglades policy work.
• Conservancy of Southwest Florida: Regional environmental nonprofit based in Naples, FL, with overlapping missions in land conservation, water quality, wildlife protection, and environmental policy advocacy in Southwest Florida; collaborates with SCCF on Everglades Action Day.
• Captains for Clean Water: Advocacy nonprofit focused on ending harmful Lake Okeechobee discharges and restoring water quality in the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie estuaries; direct SCCF partner on Preserving Paradise and economic impact studies.
• The 'Ding' Darling Wildlife Society: Co-located on Sanibel Island, supporting J.N. 'Ding' Darling National Wildlife Refuge; long-standing SCCF partner with shared advocacy on Everglades issues and overlapping donor/visitor base.
• Calusa Waterkeeper: Southwest Florida water-quality watchdog focused on the Caloosahatchee River and Estuary; comparable to SCCF's marine lab and RECON work in monitoring pollution and enforcing water quality standards.

Others

• Sanibel & Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce: Local business association representing tourism, real estate, and hospitality on the islands; co-developer of the Preserving Paradise program with SCCF and aligned economically with healthy coastal ecosystems.
• South Florida Water Management District: State agency governing water resources and Everglades restoration projects (C-43, EAA Reservoirs); key government partner that funds and implements the water quality infrastructure SCCF advocates for.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=Zp3NiPhAh10
• Facebookfacebook.com/SanibelCaptivaConservationFoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/sccf_swfl
• Xx.com/SCCF_SWFL

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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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 Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation