What Wyland Foundation does

The Wyland Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1993 by internationally renowned marine life artist Wyland (Robert Wyland) and headquartered in Rancho Santa Margarita, California. Its mission is to promote the importance of healthy oceans and waterways through the combination of public art, science education, and community engagement programs. The foundation serves three primary stakeholder groups: K-12 students and educators (reached through the traveling Clean Water Mobile Learning Experience and National Art Challenge), U.S. mayors and municipal leaders (engaged via the National Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation across 1,000+ cities), and families and the general public (engaged through events, memberships, and volunteer programs).

The foundation's core offerings span physical, digital, and event-based programs rather than a unified technology platform. Flagship products include the 1,000+ sq. ft. Clean Water Mobile Learning Experience (a mobile science lab with a 40-seat theater and seven interactive stations), the National Mayor's Challenge (a citywide pledge competition), the National Art and Mural Challenge (K-12 art contest), Streams of Hope (a citizen science web platform), MyVolunteer Water Project (powered by Ecochallenge), and the 100+ Whaling Wall public murals worldwide. In 2025, the foundation added an AI-powered Impact Insight Tool that provides participants personalized feedback on environmental and financial benefits of their pledges.

Revenue is generated through a diversified nonprofit model: individual donations, corporate sponsorships (minimum $25,000 cash contribution, with named partners including Toyota, Disney, The Toro Company, KCAL/KCBS, and Zenni Optical), annual memberships, merchandise sales, grants from public and private funders, planned/legacy giving, and event revenue (notably the annual Wyland Gala). Geographic footprint is primarily U.S. domestic, with international brand presence through Whaling Wall murals in 14+ countries. The foundation maintains Charity Navigator 4-star and GuideStar/Candid Gold Seal of Transparency ratings. As of 2026, the foundation is engaged in a $25 million lawsuit against FIFA over the destruction of its Dallas "Ocean Life" mural.

Name

Wyland Foundation

Legal name

Wyland Foundation

Website

https://wylandfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Wyland Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1993 that advances ocean and waterway conservation through public art, mobile science education, the National Mayor's Challenge, and K-12 art programs, serving U.S. schools, city governments, and the general public.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Education & Ocean Conservation Services

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Environmental Education, Capacity Building & Community Engagement (BPADALAO), Environmental Education & Outreach (BPAGAGAH), Environmental Science & Sustainability Programs (Ecology, Climate, Conservation) (EDAMABAD)

Keywords

• Ocean conservation education
• Environmental nonprofit programs
• Water quality education
• Mobile science learning
• Watershed conservation

Headquarters

HQ city

Rancho Santa Margarita

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible charitable donations from individuals supporting clean water and ocean conservation mission. Includes annual gifts, birthday donations, in-memory/in-honor donations, and in-kind donations.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate partnerships with minimum cash contribution of $25,000, customizable partnerships with long-term supporters including Toyota, Disney, KCAL/KCBS, and Toro Company.
3. Membership Program: Annual membership with benefits including 5% discount on merchandise, early access to giveaways and events, entry into quarterly raffles, and shopping savings.
4. Merchandise Sales: Online store selling ocean-inspired gifts, Wyland art, ocean jewelry, gear and apparel, home decor and drinkware. Proceeds support hands-on science programs and national conservation efforts.
5. Grants: Funding from private and public grant-making organizations for art, science, and environmental outreach programs.
6. Legacy Giving: Bequests and estate gifts including charitable remainder trusts, real estate gifts, and life insurance beneficiary designations.
7. Event Revenue: Annual gala fundraiser with ticket sales, live and silent auctions, and VIP experiences including whale watching excursions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Wyland Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that promotes the importance of healthy oceans and waterways through art programs, science education, and live events. Its core offerings include the Clean Water Mobile Learning Experience (a traveling science lab), the National Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation, the National Art and Mural Challenge for K-12 students, the Streams of Hope web platform, MyVolunteer Water Project, and over 100 Whaling Wall public murals worldwide. Programs reach more than 2 million people annually and are funded through individual donations, corporate sponsorships, grants, memberships, merchandise sales, and event revenue.

Product overview

The Wyland Foundation operates as a nonprofit organization offering environmental education programs focused on ocean conservation and water quality. Rather than a unified software platform, the foundation provides a portfolio of distinct programs including: the Clean Water Mobile Learning Experience (a traveling science lab); the National Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation (a city competition); the National Art and Mural Challenge (a student art contest); Streams of Hope (a citizen science web platform); MyVolunteer Water Project (a conservation action web app); and the Wyland Whaling Walls (100+ public murals). Supporting offerings include teacher resources, the Water's Extreme Journey Maze exhibit, Earth Month Heroes recognition, an annual gala, and a retail merchandise shop. In 2025, the foundation introduced an AI-powered Impact Insight Tool within its conservation pledge platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Clean Water Mobile Learning Experience: A 1,000-square foot portable science lab that brings water quality, conservation, and environmental education to schools and communities.
• Wyland National Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation
• Wyland National Art Challenge
• Streams of Hope
• Wyland World Water Pledge

Products and services

• Clean Water Mobile Learning Experience A 1,000-square-foot portable science lab on wheels that brings immersive, standards-based education about water quality, water resource availability, and conservation to schools, festivals, and community events. Features a 40-person multi-sensory theater and seven interactive stations.
• Wyland National Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation An annual citywide competition engaging mayors and residents across the U.S. to pledge water-saving actions. Participants compete by population category, with winning cities receiving prizes and residents earning eco-friendly rewards.
• Wyland National Art and Mural Challenge
• Streams of Hope
• MyVolunteer Water Project
• Wyland Whaling Walls A collection of 100+ large-scale marine life murals painted by Wyland on buildings and structures worldwide. The murals serve as public art installations inspiring ocean conservation awareness.
• Wyland World Water Pledge A global initiative with six pledges for water and energy conservation that transcend geographical boundaries. The platform tracks collective progress of participant actions worldwide.
• AI-powered Impact Insight Tool An AI-powered personalization tool integrated into the conservation pledge platform that delivers real-time, personalized feedback on the environmental and financial benefits of pledges, localized to each participant's geography and water usage.
• Wyland Gala (Annual Fundraising Gala) Annual fundraising gala held at the Gray Matter Museum of Art in San Clemente, CA. Features VIP whale watching, silent and live auctions, gourmet dining, and live painting by Wyland.
• Wyland Foundation Online Shop (Merchandise)
• Annual Membership Program Annual membership program with benefits including a 5% discount on merchandise, free downloads, early access to giveaways and special events, entry into quarterly raffles, and shopping savings.
• Corporate Sponsorship Program Customizable corporate partnership program for clean water and healthy ocean conservation, with a minimum cash contribution of $25,000 and multi-year contract structures. Long-term supporters include Toyota, Disney, KCAL/KCBS, The Toro Company, and Zenni Optical.
• Legacy / Planned Giving Program Planned giving program offering bequests and estate gifts, including charitable remainder trusts, real estate gifts, and life insurance beneficiary designations, delivered with estate planning counsel from Hess-Verdon & Associates.
• Water's Extreme Journey Maze A 1,000-square-foot interactive maze exhibit (created by Minotaur Mazes) that transforms visitors into a drop of water traveling through watershed habitats. Includes hands-on water quality testing and educational activities.
• Earth Month Heroes Annual recognition program celebrating individuals who make meaningful differences in protecting waterways and oceans. Honorees receive donations to environmental charities of their choice.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3 billion gallons of water saved through National Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Partnerships

29 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership supporting the National Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation with federal environmental expertise and credibility. EPA provides programmatic guidance and co-branding for water conservation initiatives.
• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial education outreach partner for the Wyland World Water Pledge. UNEP is the leading environmental organization within the UN system working to protect coastal and marine environment from harmful land-based activities.
• The Toro CompanycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual sponsor of the National Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation providing water-saving technology expertise and product donations for prizes. Supports community water conservation initiatives.
• Zenni OpticalcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNational presenting sponsor of Wyland National Art Challenge with EcoBloomz eco-friendly eyewear line. Joint initiative with 1% for the Planet supporting ocean conservation.
• National League of CitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner for the National Mayor's Challenge engaging city leaders across the United States in water conservation programs. NLC serves as resource and advocate for 19,000+ cities.
• ToyotamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerLong-term corporate supporter focusing on education, environment, and safety. Toyota has contributed nearly $700 million to philanthropic programs in the U.S. since 1991 and supports Wyland Foundation water initiatives.
• The Toro CompanycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPartners on water-saving irrigation technologies and community conservation programs. Provides products and expertise for water-efficient landscape projects.
• US Forest ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership focused on climate change, water issues, and connecting children to nature. Co-developed Interactive Touch-Screen exhibit on watersheds for mobile learning experience.
• National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScientific partnership providing content for 4-D theater presentations including 'Finding the Balance' hurricane and climate education film with NOAA scientists.
• CBS2/KCAL9 (Los Angeles)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerLongstanding media partner (over a decade) broadcasting Earth Month Heroes coverage and event promotion. News personalities join community events celebrating environmental stewardship.
• Disneyland ResortminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate philanthropy partner supporting environmental programs. Disneyland Resort focuses on education, environment, and community in its charitable giving.
• USA SurfingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational governing body for surfing supporting clean ocean initiatives. Partnership promotes healthy oceans for sport participants and beach communities.
• Mission BlueminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSylvia Earle Alliance focused on marine protected areas worldwide. Shared mission of ocean conservation and public awareness.
• Blick Art MaterialscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerNational presenting sponsor of art contests providing $500 art supply gift cards to winning classrooms and individual prizes for student participants.
• Dana WharfminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for whale watching art excursions offering children guided marine life viewing trips with on-board art lessons from Wyland.
• General Mills FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate foundation supporting youth nutrition, fitness, social services, education, and arts and culture programs.
• White House Council on Environmental QualitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoordinates federal environmental efforts and works on environmental policy initiatives related to water and conservation.
• National Park ServiceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartners in protecting national parks and promoting environmental education at park sites across the country.
• SoCalGasminorGTM or Marketing PartnerUtility partner supporting clean water and environmental education programs in Southern California communities.
• DisneyNatureminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDisney film label dedicated to wildlife and environmental films supporting conservation awareness initiatives.
• Hess-Verdon & AssociatesminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLegal counsel providing estate planning services for legacy giving program. Assists donors with planned charitable contributions.
• Association of Zoos and AquariumsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccrediting organization for zoos and aquariums focused on animal care, wildlife conservation, education and science.
• Ocean InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarine science and maritime history education institution. 110,000+ K-12 students and 8,000 teachers participate annually in programs.
• Council for Watershed HealthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdvances health of regional watersheds, rivers, and habitats through science-based research and education.
• Scripps Institution of OceanographyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading ocean science research institution providing educational content and scientific expertise for water education programs.
• Guy Harvey FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarine biologist and artist foundation focused on ocean conservation strategies and next-generation marine scientists.
• Surfrider FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGrassroots nonprofit dedicated to protection and enjoyment of oceans, waves and beaches.
• Blue FrontierminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOcean science education organization providing exhibits and programs for environmental awareness.
• Project AWARE FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal underwater environment conservation organization operating in 175 countries with diver support.

Scale indicators20 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Oceana: The largest international ocean-advocacy nonprofit; competes with Wyland for ocean-conservation grants and corporate partnerships while operating primarily through policy and lobbying rather than education.
• Ocean Conservancy: Large, established ocean-policy and advocacy nonprofit running the International Coastal Cleanup and Trash Free Seas program — competes for the same institutional ocean-donor pool at materially larger scale.

Direct peers

• Mission Blue: Sylvia Earle Alliance advancing marine protected areas and ocean awareness; shares Wyland's celebrity-founder brand and public-engagement focus, and is a listed Wyland partner.
• Captain Planet Foundation: Environmental-education grantmaker funding K-12 project-based learning; comparable model to Wyland's classroom art and mobile-lab programs that target the same school district customers.
• Coral Reef Alliance: Marine conservation nonprofit focused on coral-reef ecosystems with a strong education and community-engagement component — analogous programmatic mix to Wyland's.
• Guy Harvey Foundation: Founded by marine artist/scientist Guy Harvey, this foundation combines ocean art with marine science education and conservation — the closest single analogue to the Wyland artist-activist model.
• Project AWARE Foundation: Global underwater conservation nonprofit running community-driven ocean cleanups and education in 175+ countries; competes with Wyland for ocean-literacy donor dollars and is a listed Wyland partner.
• Surfrider Foundation: Grassroots ocean-conservation nonprofit focused on coastal water quality, plastic reduction, and public engagement — directly overlapping Wyland's mission through community campaigns and education programs, and an active Wyland partner.
• Marine Conservation Institute: Mission-driven marine conservation and protected-areas nonprofit with strong science and advocacy profile — comparable in size and organizational model to the Wyland Foundation.
• Waterkeeper Alliance: Clean-water advocacy network with member organizations across the U.S.; directly overlaps Wyland's Mayor's Challenge pledge-based engagement and watershed-protection framing.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/WylandORG
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@WylandFoundation
• Facebookfacebook.com/thewylandfoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/wylandfoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Wyland Foundation