Marine Science Institute

What Marine Science Institute does

Marine Science Institute (MSI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1970 and headquartered in Redwood City, California, that delivers hands-on marine science education focused on San Francisco Bay ecosystems. The organization serves K-12 schools and districts (its primary segment), homeschool families, youth/family campers, and corporate groups, with programs spanning pre-K through college. Its core asset is the 90-foot research vessel R.V. Robert G. Brownlee, which enables Discovery Voyage expeditions departing from multiple Bay Area marinas (Richmond, Pittsburg, San Francisco Piers 32 and 19, and Antioch Harbor), supplemented by Shoreside programs at the Redwood City facility, Tidepool Expeditions at Pillar Point (Half Moon Bay), and Canoes in Sloughs programs in local wetlands.

MSI's product portfolio comprises approximately 15 distinct program lines including field trips, multi-exposure combination programs (blending classroom and field experiences), seasonal camps (Summer, February Break), Inland Voyages mobile aquarium visits, public events, birthday parties, staff/corporate retreats, and biomimicry curricula. All programs are aligned with California Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Delivery relies on live animal interactions, scientific research equipment, and specialized marine science educator staff rather than technology platforms. Pricing is unit-based, ranging from $35 for public outings to $3,000 per Discovery Voyage for up to 45-60 students, with automatic subsidies for school programs and sliding-scale availability.

Revenue is generated through three streams: program fees (one-time), donations, and grants from institutional funders (acknowledged at $25,000+ thresholds). Marketing and distribution occur primarily through the MSI website, direct school-district relationships, social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, X), and email newsletter. The organization entered a leadership transition in late 2025, with Marilou Seiff retiring after a 30+ year tenure and Lisa Biasillo (formerly of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance) assuming the Executive Director role in May 2026 — the fourth leader in MSI's history.

Name

Marine Science Institute

Legal name

Marine Science Institute

Website

https://sfbaymsi.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Marine Science Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1970 in Redwood City, California, offering hands-on marine science education programs aboard a 90-foot research vessel and at field sites across the San Francisco Bay Area for K-12 schools, families, homeschoolers, and corporate groups.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Science Education Services

NAICS

Zoos and Botanical Gardens (712130)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)

Keywords

• Marine science education
• Hands-on field trips
• NGSS-aligned curricula
• Youth science camps
• Environmental stewardship programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Redwood City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Program Fees: Revenue generated from field trip fees, camp registrations, class sessions, and special event bookings. Programs range from $35-$3,000+ depending on type and duration.
2. Donations: Tax-deductible charitable contributions from donors supporting affordable, high quality educational programming. Organization is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit.
3. Grants: Funding from grantors supporting educational programs. The organization acknowledges grantors who have contributed more than $25,000.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Marine Science Institute delivers hands-on marine and environmental science education programs centered on the San Francisco Bay ecosystem. Core offerings include Discovery Voyages aboard the 90-foot research vessel R.V. Robert G. Brownlee, Shoreside programs at its Redwood City facility, Tidepool Expeditions, Canoes in Sloughs, Inland Voyage mobile aquarium visits, youth camps and classes, NGSS-aligned school field trips, public events, corporate staff retreats, and birthday parties.

Product overview

Marine Science Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of marine science education programs centered on San Francisco Bay ecosystems. The core offerings include field-based programs (Discovery Voyages aboard the 90-foot research vessel R.V. Robert G. Brownlee, Shoreside activities, Canoes in Sloughs, and Tidepool Expeditions), youth camps (Summer Marine Science Camp and seasonal break camps), classroom programs (Inland Voyages mobile aquarium visits), and public events. Additional programs include Advanced Ecology, Biomimicry, Scientific Method Combinations, and Wonders of Watersheds multi-exposure series. The organization also offers corporate retreats and birthday party experiences. Programs are aligned with California science standards (NGSS) and serve students from pre-K through college, as well as families and adult groups.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• Programs reach students from pre-K through college across Bay Area schools
• +1 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Potrero GroupcoreOthers · 19 November 2025Potrero Group conducted a nationwide search for the Executive Director successor to Marilou Seiff. The executive search was led by Potrero Group to identify qualified candidates for the leadership transition at Marine Science Institute.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Save The Bay: Oakland-based nonprofit focused on San Francisco Bay protection with strong K-12 education, public events, and habitat restoration programming. Direct peer given the shared Bay Area geography, environmental education mission, and nonprofit funding model.
• The Marine Mammal Center: Sausalito-based marine conservation nonprofit combining animal rehabilitation, research, and K-12 marine science education in the Bay Area. Comparable as a Bay Area marine conservation/education nonprofit with school programs and donor-supported funding model.
• Monterey Bay Aquarium: Major California marine science education nonprofit operating a public aquarium and extensive K-12 education programs along the California coast. Highly comparable as a marine education nonprofit with hands-on programming, though at significantly larger scale and with aquarium-based rather than vessel-based delivery.
• Ocean Institute: Dana Point, California-based marine science education nonprofit offering vessel-based programs, school field trips, and camps focused on Pacific Coast marine ecosystems. Closest direct peer in terms of operating model combining a research vessel, school programs, and camps.
• Pacific Marine Mammal Center: Laguna Beach-based marine mammal rescue and education nonprofit offering school programs and public engagement in Southern California. Comparable as a regional marine science education nonprofit with school and public programming.
• Aquarium of the Bay: San Francisco Bay-area public aquarium and marine education nonprofit offering hands-on programs and school field trips focused on San Francisco Bay ecosystems. Direct geographic and programmatic peer to MSI's Bay-focused marine science education mission.

Emerging players

• Marine Conservation Institute: Marine conservation nonprofit focused on protecting ocean ecosystems through policy advocacy and science. Comparable as a marine-focused nonprofit organization, though with a more research/policy orientation than MSI's hands-on education focus.

Regional players

• Heal the Bay: Santa Monica-based marine conservation nonprofit with K-12 education programs, beach cleanups, and aquarium programs focused on Southern California coastal ecosystems. Comparable marine education nonprofit operating in a different California region.

Broad incumbents

• California Academy of Sciences: San Francisco-based natural history institution operating an aquarium, natural history museum, and research programs with extensive K-12 education offerings. Broader and larger institution with overlapping marine science education mission in the Bay Area.
• San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance: Major zoological organization operating the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park with extensive place-based education, conservation, and school programs. Relevant as a comparable nonprofit education organization and as the prior employer of MSI's incoming Executive Director.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/sfbaymsi
• YouTubeyoutu.be/KGTCbJg3SwE?si=TMKuhTr77QyMUhzY
• Facebookfacebook.com/marinescienceinstitute
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/marine-science-institute
• Instagraminstagram.com/sfbaymsi

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Marine Science Institute