Assateague Coastal Trust

What Assateague Coastal Trust does

Assateague Coastal Trust (ACT) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit environmental advocacy organization founded in 1970 and headquartered in Berlin, Maryland. ACT operates as the licensed Waterkeeper Alliance affiliate for the lower Delmarva coastal bays, providing on-the-water advocacy and enforcement of clean water laws across Maryland, Southern Delaware, and Northern Virginia Eastern Shore through the Assateague Coastkeeper program. The organization's core products include a weekly Tidal Waters Monitoring Program measuring dissolved oxygen, turbidity, pH, conductivity, and enterococcus bacteria at 11 monitoring sites (May through September, with results published within 24 hours via Swim Guide, Water Reporter, and MyCoast apps), legislative advocacy before the Maryland General Assembly, and the Coast Kids youth and family environmental education program launched in 2003 that has delivered over 250 hands-on outdoor events.

ACT generates revenue through a diversified nonprofit model combining individual donations (processed via Click & Pledge), annual Coast Kids family memberships ($40/year first child, $30/year additional siblings), ticketed fundraising events (Toast for the Coast gala at $150/ticket, Wild & Scenic Film Festival), an annual Native Plant Sale offering 37-40+ native species at $4-$14 per plant, fee-based school programs at $3 per student, summer camp tuition, and institutional grants (notably a $2 million five-year Maryland DNR Whole Watershed grant awarded in December 2024 for Newport Bay restoration). The organization's customer base spans families with children on Coastal Delmarva, Pre-K through middle school educators, environmental advocates, and local residents in Worcester, Somerset, and Wicomico Counties. ACT's go-to-market is community-led and event-driven, relying on recurring annual programming, volunteer clean-ups, lectures, and partnerships with Salisbury University, Assateague Island National Seashore, Assateague State Park, and Hazel Outdoor Discovery Center to drive engagement, fundraising, and program delivery.

Name

Assateague Coastal Trust

Legal name

Assateague Coastal Trust

Website

https://actforbays.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Assateague Coastal Trust is a 55-year-old 501(c)(3) nonprofit environmental advocacy organization based in Berlin, Maryland, operating as the Waterkeeper Alliance affiliate for the lower Delmarva coastal bays. It conducts water quality monitoring at 11 sites, advocates for clean water laws, and delivers youth and family environmental education programs across Maryland, Southern Delaware, and Northern Virginia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Advocacy and Conservation Services

NAICS

Administration of Conservation Programs (92412)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Coastal & Marine Resources Administration (Oceans, Fisheries, Shorelines) (BPAIAMAI), Oceans, Coastal & Marine Resource Management (BPADALAI)

Keywords

• Water quality monitoring
• Environmental advocacy
• Coastal conservation
• Youth environmental education
• Watershed protection

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlín

HQ country

El Salvador

HQ region

Latin America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Primary revenue stream from individual donations, major donor cultivation, and annual fundraising events. Accepts online donations via ClickAndPledge platform and offline donations by phone and mail.
2. Membership Programs: Coast Kids family membership at $40/year for first child, $30/year for each additional sibling. Provides 12 monthly family events, t-shirt, and field guide.
3. Native Plant Sales: Annual native plant sale featuring 37+ species of native perennials, organic herbs, and heirloom tomatoes. Prices range from $4-$14 per plant.
4. Event Revenue: Annual gala events including Toast for the Coast ($150/ticket) and Wild & Scenic Film Festival generate revenue through ticket sales and sponsorships.
5. Grants and Government Funding: Funding from Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Maryland Coastal Bays Program, and other environmental organizations. The Newport Bay Watershed received $2 million Whole Watershed grant.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Assateague Coastal Trust operates a portfolio of environmental protection programs on Maryland, Southern Delaware, and Northern Virginia Eastern Shore coastal bays. Core offerings include the Assateague Coastkeeper on-water advocacy program, a Tidal Waters Monitoring Program testing 11 sites for bacteria, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, pH, and conductivity, and the Coast Kids youth and family environmental education program. Supporting programs include annual native plant sales, fundraising galas, lecture series, film festivals, summer camps, and in-school science programs.

Product overview

Assateague Coastal Trust operates as a nonprofit environmental advocacy organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs centered on clean water protection and environmental education. The core programs include the Assateague Coastkeeper (advocacy and on-water monitoring), the Tidal Waters Monitoring Program (scientific water quality data collection), and Coast Kids (youth and family environmental education). Supporting initiatives include the annual Native Plant Sale, Sip of Science lecture series, Wild & Scenic Film Festival, Nature Explorers Summer Camp, School Programs, and the Toast for the Coast fundraising event. The organization publishes monitoring data through third-party platforms including Swim Guide, Water Reporter, and MyCoast Apps.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Assateague Coastkeeper An on-the-water advocacy program patrolling and protecting Maryland, Southern Delaware, and Northern Virginia Eastern Shore coastal bays, standing up to polluters and defending the right to clean water through advocacy, education, science, and enforcement of clean water laws.
• Tidal Waters Monitoring Program Water quality monitoring program measuring dissolved oxygen, turbidity, bacteria levels (enterococcus), pH, and conductivity at 11 sites around the coastal bays from May through September, with data published via Swim Guide, Water Reporter, and MyCoast apps.
• Coast Kids Youth environmental education program connecting families with natural places on coastal Delmarva through year-round monthly events, summer camp (Nature Explorers), school programs, and hands-on outdoor experiences creating the next generation of environmental stewards.
• Annual Native Plant Sale Annual event offering over 40 varieties of native plants, organic herbs, and heirloom tomato plants to support clean water and local ecosystems through native plant gardening.
• Sip of Science Series Educational lecture series covering environmental topics such as composting, recycling, invasive species, and environmental conservation, featuring local experts and scientists.
• Wild & Scenic Film Festival Annual event featuring award-winning environmental films showcasing planetary beauty, environmental challenges, and community conservation efforts, hosted at multiple Eastern Shore venues.
• Nature Explorers Summer Camp Multi-week summer camp for children offering outdoor adventures, kayaking, bird banding, fishing, hiking, and hands-on environmental learning experiences across Delmarva.
• School Programs In-school environmental and science programs for Pre-K through middle school covering topics such as bird adaptations, ecosystems, oil spill cleanup, plankton microscopy, and renewable energy, sold at $3 per student.
• Toast for the Coast Annual fundraising gala featuring live music, farm-to-table cuisine, and wine pairings to benefit clean water initiatives and ACT's mission; tickets at $150 each.

Quantifiable outcome

• Water quality monitoring at 11 sites around coastal bays, with data published weekly to Swim Guide app and Water Reporter
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

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

• Maryland Coastal Bays Program (MCBP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2024Collaborative partner in Newport Bay Whole Watershed grant application. MCBP received $2 million initial allocation for five-year water quality improvement initiative. Kevin M. Smith serves as Executive Director.
• Lower Shore Land TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2024Collaborative partner in Newport Bay Whole Watershed grant. Matt Heim serves as Executive Director. Dedicated to conserving and enhancing natural beauty and ecological treasures of Worcester County.
• Worcester CountymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2024Local government partner in Whole Watershed initiative. Commissioner President Ted Elder expressed commitment to preserving waterways and wildlife habitat.
• Town of BerlinmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2024Local municipal partner in Newport Bay watershed restoration. Mayor Zack Tyndall committed to addressing stormwater management challenges and improving water quality.
• Waterkeeper AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerACT's Assateague Coastkeeper program is licensed by Waterkeeper Alliance, providing global backing for local water protection efforts. The Coastkeeper patrols and protects the Maryland, Southern Delaware, and Northern Virginia Eastern Shore coastal bays.
• Waterkeeper ChesapeakecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional affiliate of Waterkeeper Alliance serving the Chesapeake Bay watershed. ACT is a member organization working collaboratively on regional water quality issues.
• Maryland NonprofitsminorOthersProud member of Maryland Nonprofits, an organization supporting and strengthening nonprofit effectiveness in the state.
• W.H. Peters Outdoor AdventuresminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVendor partner providing extra kayaks for Float for the Coast event, a kayaking excursion led by Assateague Coastkeeper Taylor Swanson.
• Assateague Island National SeashoreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for summer camp programming, providing access to national seashore facilities and natural areas for environmental education experiences.
• Assateague State ParkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for summer camp programming, providing access to state park facilities for outdoor environmental education activities.
• Salisbury UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner for Coast Kids programming, including bird banding with university scientists and venue for Wild & Scenic Film Festival.
• Hazel Outdoor Discovery CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Coast Kids camping expeditions, providing outdoor discovery experiences for youth and families.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Chesapeake Bay Foundation: The largest independent nonprofit dedicated to Chesapeake Bay restoration; runs water quality monitoring, advocacy, and education across the watershed overlapping ACT's territory. Closest direct peer given shared Chesapeake-region mission, federal/state grant access, and advocacy posture.
• Surfrider Foundation: National coastal water quality nonprofit running a chapter-based volunteer monitoring network (Blue Water Task Force) and beach access advocacy that closely mirrors ACT's monitoring and clean water advocacy model, though at national scale.
• Lower Shore Land Trust: Worcester County-based land conservation nonprofit focused on protecting natural areas and waterways on the Lower Eastern Shore. Co-partner with ACT on the Newport Bay Whole Watershed grant and serves overlapping constituencies.
• Waterkeeper Chesapeake: Regional Waterkeeper Alliance affiliate coordinating multiple local waterkeeper groups across the Chesapeake watershed, including ACT. Shares advocacy, monitoring, and policy engagement scope and sits in overlapping territory.
• Anacostia Riverkeeper: A Waterkeeper Alliance-affiliated advocacy nonprofit focused on a Mid-Atlantic urban watershed; shares ACT's playbook of monitoring, legal advocacy, and community engagement but operates in a different sub-watershed.
• Maryland Coastal Bays Program: A NOAA-recognized coastal bays program administering water quality monitoring, education, and habitat restoration in the same coastal bays watershed ACT serves. Active ACT co-funding partner on the Newport Bay Whole Watershed grant, making it both peer and collaborator.

Broad incumbents

• National Audubon Society: Large national conservation nonprofit with active Maryland/Delaware chapter work on coastal habitats, birding-based education, and habitat restoration. Overlaps ACT on educational outreach and habitat advocacy at much larger scale.
• Waterkeeper Alliance: Global umbrella that licenses ACT's Coastkeeper program and coordinates a network of 300+ waterkeepers worldwide. Not a direct competitor but provides the governing structure and brand that defines ACT's advocacy capability.
• The Nature Conservancy (Maryland/DC Chapter): Global conservation nonprofit with active coastal and watershed programs in Maryland. Competes for similar state and federal conservation grants and engages in overlapping policy advocacy on Chesapeake Bay restoration priorities.

Regional players

• ShoreRivers: Eastern Shore Maryland watershed organization focused on Choptank, Chester, and Miles River protection. Operates adjacent to ACT's territory with similar monitoring, advocacy, and restoration activities, providing geographic complementarity rather than direct overlap.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/ACTforBays
• Instagraminstagram.com/actforbays

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 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 Assateague Coastal Trust