Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Foundation

What Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Foundation does

Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Foundation (HBOIF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation established in 1971 that supports FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute's marine science and ocean engineering research. The Foundation maintains an endowment corpus of $122.6 million as of June 30, 2025, operates four Florida specialty license plate programs (Aquaculture, Protect Florida Whales, Protect Wild Dolphins, Save Our Seas), and runs annual fundraising events including the Love Your Lagoon Gala and the Indian River Lagoon Symposium. Through discretionary grants, the Foundation funds research in aquaculture, harmful algal blooms, Indian River Lagoon monitoring, marine mammal conservation, and the biomedical potential of marine invertebrates, with a multi-year $5.48M New Faculty Hire Program that has recruited 8 principal investigators.

The Foundation's primary beneficiary is FAU Harbor Branch, which receives the substantial majority of grant flows. Secondary funding is directed to Florida Stranding Organizations — Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute, and Dolphins Plus Marine Mammal Responder — via license plate proceeds for 24/7 marine mammal response. Beyond grant-making, the Foundation manages land parcels that may be leased, sold, developed, or donated in the future, and stewards more than 40 years of continuous environmental data through the Indian River Lagoon Observatory's automated water quality measurement stations.

The Foundation operates with a lean staff of 1-10 employees led by Executive Director Staci Barney Rosalia (appointed November 2023) and Director of Operations Cyndi Permenter. The Board follows a spending policy of CPI plus 5% on a rolling three-year average of endowment market value, setting the ceiling on annual grant disbursements. Revenue mechanics include endowment investment returns, specialty license plate proceeds ($20-$25 per plate plus registration fees), private donations, planned gifts through estate planning, and potential land asset monetization. The governance board, chaired by Cara Perry, retains sole discretion over grant-making to FAU Harbor Branch.

Name

Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Foundation

Legal name

Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Foundation, Inc.

Website

https://hboifoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation that provides grants, endowment stewardship, and license plate proceeds to support FAU Harbor Branch's marine science and ocean engineering research and education.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Research Philanthropy

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental & Climate Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Major Gifts, Planned Giving & Endowment Development (EDALAOAC), Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts (EDADAHAC), Marine Conservation & Citizen-Science Experiences (reef monitoring, turtle walks) (THAAAIAH)

Keywords

• Marine science funding
• Ocean engineering research
• Nonprofit grantmaking
• Environmental monitoring
• Endowment stewardship

Headquarters

HQ city

Vero Beach

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Endowment Investment Returns: The Foundation maintains an endowment corpus of $122,649,449 (as of June 30, 2025) comprised of the J. Seward Johnson, Sr., Charitable Trust Endowment Fund and the Seward Johnson Trust Fund for Oceanography. Investment objective is highest possible total return through capital appreciation and income return consistent with prudent risk levels.
2. Specialty License Plate Proceeds: Four Florida specialty license plates (Aquaculture, Protect Florida Whales, Protect Wild Dolphins, Save Our Seas) generate annual proceeds directed to FAU Harbor Branch for marine exploration, research, conservation, and education. Aquaculture plate ($25 plus fees), Protect Wild Dolphins plate ($20 plus fees).
3. Foundation Grants: Strategic grant funding to FAU Harbor Branch for research and education in marine sciences and ocean engineering. Grants include multi-year commitments like the $5,481,051 New Faculty Hire Program and single-year research grants.
4. Donations and Planned Gifts: Private gifts including annual donations to Harbor Branch special funds at Florida Atlantic University Foundation, planned gifts (cash, stocks, bonds, retirement assets, real estate, insurance policies) through estate planning.
5. Land Asset Stewardship: The Foundation owns several parcels of land that may be used in the future to support FAU Harbor Branch through possible lease, sale, development, or donation.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

HBOIF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation that stewards a $122M endowment and provides strategic grant funding to FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute for marine sciences and ocean engineering research and education. The Foundation generates revenue through endowment investment returns, four Florida specialty license plates (Aquaculture, Protect Florida Whales, Protect Wild Dolphins, Save Our Seas), private donations and planned gifts, and event sponsorships from the annual Love Your Lagoon Gala. It funds faculty recruitment, the Indian River Lagoon Observatory, marine mammal stranding response, the Summer Internship Program, the Indian River Lagoon Graduate Research Fellows Program, and the Marilyn C. Link Memorial Scholarship.

Product overview

Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that serves as a grant-making foundation supporting FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute. The Foundation fulfills its mission through three channels: (1) investment and stewardship of endowment assets and land holdings, (2) strategic grant funding to FAU Harbor Branch for marine sciences and ocean engineering research, and (3) ambassadorship to inspire public awareness of Harbor Branch's scientific activities. Key products include the Specialty License Plate Program (Aquaculture, Protect Florida Whales, Protect Wild Dolphins, Save Our Seas) directing proceeds to marine conservation; the Indian River Lagoon Observatory (IRLO) environmental sensor network; the Indian River Lagoon Graduate Research Fellows Program; the annual Love Your Lagoon Gala; and the Indian River Lagoon Symposium. The Foundation also supports faculty recruitment, the Summer Internship Program, and the Marilyn C. Link Memorial Scholarship.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Specialty License Plate Program Four Florida specialty license plates (Aquaculture $25, Protect Florida Whales $25, Protect Wild Dolphins $20, Save Our Seas $25, plus registration fees) that generate proceeds directed annually to FAU Harbor Branch for marine exploration, research, conservation, and education, and to Florida stranding organizations for marine mammal response. Plates are designed by marine artists Guy Harvey, Wyland, and Steve Diossy.
• Indian River Lagoon Observatory (IRLO) Network of automated water quality measurement stations in the Indian River Lagoon estuary, providing 40+ years of environmental monitoring data on water quality, harmful algal blooms, and ecosystem function for researchers and the public. Funded through HBOIF grants to FAU Harbor Branch.
• Indian River Lagoon Graduate Research Fellows Program Competitive grant program funding graduate student research on the Indian River Lagoon ecosystem, providing financial support for graduate student salary, tuition, travel to present research, and research materials.
• Love Your Lagoon Gala Annual signature fundraising gala dinner event hosted since 2012 to raise funds and awareness for Indian River Lagoon research, featuring sponsors at Mangrove, Seagrass, Dolphin, Manatee, and Seahorse levels. Has raised $739,786 since 2012 through FY2025.
• Indian River Lagoon Symposium Annual multi-institutional symposium providing forum for discussing Indian River Lagoon science and its application to lagoon management, drawing over 600 participants over two days.
• Summer Internship Program Hands-on marine science and technology experiences for young minds, supported by The Link Foundation. Established in 1974 and has provided hands-on marine science and technology experiences to over 700 young minds since inception.
• Marilyn C. Link Memorial Scholarship Scholarship program supporting students in marine science and technology fields.

Quantifiable outcome

• $739,786 raised through Love Your Lagoon events since 2012
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 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

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Florida Atlantic University (FAU)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2007FAU acquired Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution in 2007. HBOIF serves as the direct support organization to Florida Atlantic University to support FAU Harbor Branch, providing grants for research and education in marine sciences and ocean engineering. The Foundation's Board retains sole discretion over grant-making to FAU Harbor Branch.
• Atlanta Consulting GroupcoreOthersProvides investment services to best steward HBOIF's endowment corpus. Investment objective is highest possible total return through capital appreciation and income consistent with prudent risk levels.
• The Link FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHas historically and continues to provide significant support to Harbor Branch's summer internship program, which has provided hands-on marine science experiences to over 700 young minds since 1974.
• Clearwater Marine AquariumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFlorida Stranding Organization awarded funding under Protect Wild Dolphins and Protect Florida Whales license plates for providing care and assistance to stranded wild dolphins and Florida whales.
• Hubbs-SeaWorld Research InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFlorida Stranding Organization awarded funding under Protect Wild Dolphins and Protect Florida Whales license plates for marine mammal stranding response.
• Dolphins Plus Marine Mammal ResponderminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFlorida Stranding Organization awarded funding under Protect Wild Dolphins license plate for dolphin stranding response.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium: Independent, nonprofit marine research institution in Sarasota, Florida conducting marine science with a related supporting foundation structure. Comparable as a Florida-based marine research entity with parallel endowment and donor-supported research programs, though Mote operates the research labs directly while HBOIF funds FAU Harbor Branch.

Direct peers

• The Ocean Foundation: Community foundation dedicated to ocean-focused philanthropy, supporting marine conservation, research, and education initiatives. Closely comparable as a dedicated marine grantmaking entity that stewards restricted and unrestricted funds for ocean science and conservation, paralleling HBOIF's endowment and license plate funding model.
• Waitt Foundation: Family foundation that funds ocean conservation, marine protected areas, and sustainable fisheries through grantmaking. Directly comparable as a private grantmaking foundation supporting marine science research and conservation programs, similar scale and structure to HBOIF.
• Schmidt Marine Institute: Philanthropic foundation funding ocean science, marine conservation, and sustainable fisheries research. Directly comparable as a private grantmaking foundation that channels resources to marine research and conservation programs, similar in model to HBOIF's support of FAU Harbor Branch.

Emerging players

• Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute: Nonprofit marine research institute focused on marine mammal, fisheries, and ocean ecosystem science, which also serves as a Florida Stranding Organization recipient funded through HBOIF's license plate program. Comparable as a marine research nonprofit in the same stranding and conservation ecosystem that both receives and channels philanthropic support.

Broad incumbents

• The Nature Conservancy: Global environmental nonprofit that deploys philanthropic and grantmaking capital toward conservation outcomes including coastal and marine ecosystems. Comparable as a large-scale environmental grantmaking organization with marine-relevant programs, though much broader in mission and geography than HBOIF's lagoon-focused mandate.
• National Fish and Wildlife Foundation: Largest U.S. private nonprofit conservation grantmaker funding fish, wildlife, and habitat projects nationwide. Comparable as a conservation grantmaking foundation with marine and coastal programs, though operating at materially larger scale and broader geographic scope than HBOIF.
• Pew Charitable Trusts: Major national nonprofit that funds ocean conservation including marine protected areas, fisheries, and coastal restoration through grantmaking and advocacy. Comparable as a large environmental grantmaking institution with significant marine funding programs, operating at much greater scale than HBOIF.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/HBOIFoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Foundation