What Surfing's Evolution & Preservation Foundation does

Surfing's Evolution & Preservation Foundation is a Florida-based 501(c)(3) charitable organization founded in 2008 by Ron and Lynne DiMenna to protect the state's coastline and preserve the surfing lifestyle. Its primary functional activity is raising and distributing funds to a network of more than 120 Florida nonprofit partner organizations working in beach cleanup, water safety, conservation, accessibility, and surf culture. The foundation does not develop proprietary technology; its operations run on a standard WordPress-based website and social media presence, with no disclosed software platform, app, or API. Its intellectual property consists of the licensed ENDLESS SUMMER® trademark from Bruce Brown Films, LLC, and its own registered THE STOKED EXPERIENCE® mark, alongside co-branded SURFING CAPITAL® merchandise produced with Ron Jon Surf Shop.

The foundation's business model is donation-driven, anchored by the Endless Summer Florida specialty license plate, of which $25 per plate flows to support partner organizations. Plates are sold through all Florida Tax Collector offices statewide, providing a tax-administration distribution channel. A secondary revenue line is merchandise, including novelty plates, stickers, mounting plates, reusable bags, hats, and keychains, distributed through Ron Jon Surf Shop's physical and online stores and the foundation's website. There are no subscription tiers or enterprise contracts; the unit of monetization is per-plate donation or per-item merchandise sale, with the foundation acting as an aggregator that recycles proceeds into grants for downstream 501(c)(3) partners.

The foundation's product surface includes the Endless Summer specialty license plate, branded merchandise, the proposed Surfing's Evolution Experience immersive museum planned for Cocoa Beach, and the grant-funded programs delivered through its partner network. Notable grant outcomes include 50+ beach wheelchairs donated to Florida state parks, the first 42 Drown Zero life-saving stations in Cocoa Beach, 7 UTVs/ATVs and 3 ADA-accessible trams for state parks, $100,000 in accessible beach matting at seven parks, and the BeBot beach-cleaning robot deployed through Keep Florida Beautiful. Customer segments are Florida residents and visitors purchasing plates and merchandise, and the 120+ partner nonprofits receiving program funding across water safety, environmental, accessibility, and surf culture verticals.

Name

Surfing's Evolution & Preservation Foundation

Legal name

Surfing's Evolution & Preservation Foundation, Inc.

Website

https://preservesurfingbeaches.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Surfing's Evolution & Preservation Foundation is a Florida 501(c)(3) founded in 2008 that funds more than 120 coastal nonprofit partners through Endless Summer specialty license plate sales and merchandise distributed via Ron Jon Surf Shop.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Beach and Shoreline Preservation Nonprofit

SIC

Sporting & Athletic Goods, Nec (3949)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Surf, Kitesurf & Wind Sports Adventures (THAJABAK), Surfing & Kitesurfing Experiences (Lessons, Camps) (THAJAJAJ)

Keywords

• Beach preservation
• Ocean conservation
• Water safety
• Shoreline ecosystem
• Nonprofit fundraising

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Endless Summer Specialty License Plate Sales: The foundation's primary revenue source is the Endless Summer specialty license plate sold through Florida Tax Collector's offices. $25 from every plate sold supports partner organizations working on beach preservation, water safety, and environmental programs across Florida.
2. Merchandise Sales: The foundation sells novelty license plates, stickers, mounting plates, reusable bags, hats, and keychains through Ron Jon Surf Shop and the foundation's website. All merchandise proceeds benefit the foundation.
3. Grants and Sponsorship Program: The foundation provides grants and sponsorship funding to Florida 501(c)(3) organizations that align with the foundation's mission. Funded activities include beach cleanups, shoreline ecosystem support, conservation initiatives, beach enhancements, public education programs, lifeguard support, and surfing history programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Surfing's Evolution & Preservation Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that funds ocean and shoreline preservation by selling the Endless Summer® specialty license plate through Florida Tax Collector offices — with $25 from each plate directed to partner organizations — and by selling branded merchandise through Ron Jon Surf Shop. It also funds a portfolio of beach cleanup, water safety (Drown Zero stations), accessibility (beach wheelchairs, matting, trams), conservation (Perdido Key beach mice), and surf culture preservation programs across Florida.

Product overview

Surfing's Evolution & Preservation Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization founded by Ron and Lynne DiMenna to protect beaches, promote beach safety, education, and the history of board sports in Florida. The Foundation's core offerings include the Endless Summer® Specialty License Plate (a Florida specialty license plate raising funds for beach preservation), the proposed Surfing's Evolution Experience™ (an experiential museum in Cocoa Beach showcasing surfing history), and branded merchandise under The Stoked Experience® and Surfing Capital® sub-brands. The Foundation generates revenue through license plate and merchandise sales, distributing proceeds to partner organizations supporting shoreline preservation, beach safety, clean-up programs, accessibility improvements, and conservation initiatives across Florida's 1200+ miles of coastline.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Endless Summer® Specialty License Plate A Florida specialty license plate supporting beach preservation, with $25 from every plate sale funding partner organizations focused on shoreline ecosystem preservation, beach enhancements, clean-up programs, public education, and water safety initiatives. Sold at Florida Tax Collector offices statewide.
• Surfing's Evolution Experience™ A proposed experiential museum in Cocoa Beach, Florida that uses immersive sensory experiences to showcase the history and evolution of surfing and how it gave birth to other board sports, organized around the concept of the Stoked Life.
• Surfing Capital® Novelty License Plate A novelty license plate for those who may already have a custom government-issued specialty plate or are out-of-state, allowing supporters to show their commitment to beach preservation.
• Endless Summer® Sticker A sticker approximately 7" by 3.5" featuring the Endless Summer® brand for vehicles, trucks, RVs, mopeds, and motorcycles.
• Surfing Capital® Mounting Plate A mounting plate structure for displaying specialty license plates on vehicles.
• Surfing Capital® Reusable Bag A reusable tote bag branded under The Stoked Experience® for beach and grocery use, promoting environmental friendliness.
• Surfing Capital® Hat A comfortable cap branded under The Stoked Experience® suitable for various weather conditions.
• Surfing Capital® Keychain A decorative keychain from The Stoked Experience® brand, serving as a memorable token for supporters.

Quantifiable outcome

• Zero rip current drownings in Brevard County achieved through Drown Zero stations
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and key.

• Clearwater Marine AquariummajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025The foundation, along with Ron Jon Surf Shop, funded a 2025 summer camp season for 53 underserved youth at Clearwater Marine Aquarium. The full-day camp combined environmental education with outdoor adventure including snorkeling and kayaking. A paid educational internship was also provided for a college student from an under-resourced background.
• Keep Florida BeautifulmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025The foundation was a partner and sponsor of the 2025 Keep Florida Beautiful Annual Conference. The foundation funded BeBot, a beach-cleaning robot, for Keep Florida Beautiful, making them the first nonprofit in the U.S. to utilize this technology. The foundation also supports local Keep Florida Beautiful affiliates across the state.
• Florida Beach Patrol Chiefs AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022When the state lost funding for the beach warning flag program in 2022, the foundation stepped up to support this lifesaving program. The foundation continues to work with FBPCA leadership annually to save beach patrol agencies the costs of purchasing replacement beach warning flags, allowing them to focus on training, staffing, and equipment.
• Florida State Parks FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Expanded partnership provides beach accessible wheelchairs for every coastal Florida state park. Over 50 beach wheelchairs, floating wheelchairs, and accessible beach matting have been donated. In 2025, three ADA-accessible 11-passenger trams were donated to coastal parks. The foundation has also provided $100,000 grants for beach matting and UTV/ATV vehicles for park management.
• Brevard ZoocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020The foundation supports Brevard Zoo's Perdido Key Beach Mice conservation breeding program since 2020. This endangered species plays a critical role in preserving Florida and Alabama coastal sand dunes. The foundation has also donated utility vehicles for zoo staff to use in their conservation work. In 2025, the program collected over two dozen new beach mice to help protect the species from extinction.
• Trash TurtleskeyStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020The foundation has collaborated with and funded Trash Turtles, a family foundation started by a young activist focused on environmental awareness and trash cleanup. The organization's motto #LeaveWith3 reminds people to remove 3 pieces of trash wherever they go. The foundation helped sponsor a Jane Goodall Roots & Shoots event in Tampa.
• Drown Zero InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017The foundation has sponsored the Drown Zero project since 2019, which installs life-saving floatation device stations on Brevard County beaches. The Drown Zero stations have contributed to achieving zero rip current drownings in Brevard County for the first time in recorded history. The foundation funded the first 42 stations in Cocoa Beach and continues to support the program's expansion throughout Florida.
• Down Syndrome Foundation of FloridamajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011The foundation supports an annual swimming scholarship program for individuals with Down syndrome and their families. Since 2011, 110 families have participated in aquatic activities with $39,329 in swim scholarships provided (Spring 2024 through Fall 2025). Programs include water safety instruction and stroke lessons for older adults.
• YMCA of Central FloridacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe foundation supports the YMCA's expansion of water safety education and drowning prevention programs across multiple Central Florida locations. In a region surrounded by water, these programs provide swim lessons, safety programming, and lifesaving education to children, families, and individuals. Support helps remove financial barriers to access these life-saving programs.
• Reef ReliefmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe foundation funds reef education programs through Reef Relief, which has protected coral reefs for nearly 40 years. In 2025, their Discover Coral Reefs School Program reached more than 15,000 students across 49 states, 7 territories, and 18 countries. Additional programs include Coral Camp for Kids (278 campers), storm drain stenciling, and Plastic Free Key West initiatives.
• GreenSpace Water AlliancemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe foundation sponsors GWA's annual Earth Day cleanup events for the Indian River Lagoon. In 2025, 220 volunteers removed 2,114 pounds of litter from lagoon shorelines. Five cleanup locations across Brevard are supported through Endless Summer license plate proceeds.
• Florida Board RiderskeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe foundation supports Florida Board Riders' programs including beach cleanups, shoreline ecosystem education, water safety training, and surf culture celebration. Sales of the Endless Summer License Plate fund organizations like FLBR that make a difference across the state.
• Loggerhead Marinelife CentermajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe foundation supports Project SHIELD, a multi-faceted beach cleanup program by Loggerhead Marinelife Center. Over the past year, volunteers removed more than 2,000 pounds of debris from local Juno Beach area. The program provides conservation solutions to man-made threats facing sea turtles.
• Coastal ConnectionskeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe foundation supports Coastal Connections' fishing line recycling program to protect sea turtles and wildlife. Volunteers help sort discarded fishing line collected from 44 recycling tubes across Indian River County for repurposing through a partnership with Berkley Fishing.
• VolunteerCleanup.OrgmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe foundation supports VolunteerCleanup.Org's community beach cleanup supply grants. In one year, this resulted in 112 cleanups, 2,000+ volunteers, and thousands of pounds of debris removed ($147,000 value in volunteer time). The organization also distributes reusable pocket ashtrays and advocates for ocean-protective policies.
• Surfrider FoundationkeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple Surfrider Foundation chapters across Florida (Space Coast, Treasure Coast, Florida Keys, Miami, First Coast) receive support from the foundation for beach cleanup, ocean conservation, and surfing advocacy programs.
• Ron Jon Surf ShopcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSURFING CAPITAL is a registered trademark of Ron Jon Surf Shop of Fla., Inc. The foundation partners with Ron Jon for merchandise sales including novelty license plates, stickers, mounting plates, reusable bags, hats, and keychains. Ron Jon Surf Shop provided funding for the 2025 Clearwater Marine Aquarium camp season.
• Bruce Brown Films, LLCcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerBruce Brown Films, LLC is the owner of the registered trademark for ENDLESS SUMMER. They have graciously allowed the foundation to use the Endless Summer name for the specialty license plate fundraising program and awareness efforts. This licensing arrangement provides significant brand value to the foundation's efforts.
• YMCA of South FloridakeyStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe foundation supports Swim for Jenny, a drowning prevention program hosted by YMCA of South Florida. Since 2013, the program has provided over 100,000 swim lessons to more than 25,000 participants. The foundation is a proud supporter of water safety initiatives provided to the Florida community.
• Poralu MarinekeyTechnology or IntegrationPoralu Marine developed BeBot, an eco-friendly beach cleaning robot purchased by the foundation for Keep Florida Beautiful. BeBot is remote-controlled and 100% electric, capable of cleaning 32,000 square feet of beach per hour.
• Sand Rider (beach wheelchair manufacturer)keyTechnology or IntegrationThe foundation purchased Sand Rider beach wheelchairs (sandriderusa.com) for donation to Florida State Parks. These wheelchairs can be used in soft sand and wheeled into shallow waters, enabling people with mobility problems to access beaches.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Surfrider Foundation: National 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of oceans, waves, and beaches. Most directly comparable peer — the foundation already funds multiple Surfrider chapters in Florida, indicating overlapping mission and donor base.
• Keep Florida Beautiful: State-level nonprofit affiliate of Keep America Beautiful focused on litter prevention and beautification in Florida. The foundation is a current partner/sponsor and the most direct functional peer for beach cleanup grantmaking in the same geography.
• Reef Relief: Florida Keys-based marine conservation nonprofit focused on coral reef protection through education and advocacy. Receives direct funding from the foundation; nearly identical operating model (small staff, grant-driven, citizen-science education).
• Florida State Parks Foundation: 501(c)(3) supporting Florida's state park system — direct grantee partner of the foundation for beach wheelchairs, matting, and trams. Highly comparable as a Florida-restricted, grantmaking nonprofit tied to coastal assets.
• Loggerhead Marinelife Center: Juno Beach-based sea turtle and ocean conservation nonprofit running Project SHIELD, which receives foundation funding. Comparable scale and mission (Florida beach conservation, education, citizen engagement).
• Brevard Zoo: Regional conservation zoo and nonprofit in Brevard County, partner of the foundation on the Perdido Key beach mouse breeding program. Comparable in operating geography and conservation grantmaking focus.
• Clearwater Marine Aquarium: Florida-based marine conservation nonprofit and aquarium; co-funded with Ron Jon for the 2025 underserved youth summer camp. Comparable as a coastal Florida conservation nonprofit with education programs.

Broad incumbents

• Ocean Conservancy: National marine conservation nonprofit with broader geographic scope and a substantially larger budget. Comparable mission around ocean health and beach cleanups but at a much larger scale and broader portfolio.

Emerging players

• Surfrider Foundation Europe / Save The Waves Coalition: Smaller, mission-aligned surf-coast conservation nonprofits. Save The Waves focuses specifically on preserving surf ecosystems globally — a thematic peer in surf culture preservation though operating at smaller scale.
• YMCA of Central Florida: Regional nonprofit partner receiving foundation funding for water safety and drowning prevention. Comparable only on the water-safety program axis — broader portfolio but a key implementation partner in the foundation's mission.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/preservebeaches
• Instagraminstagram.com/surfingsevolution

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Surfing's Evolution & Preservation Foundation