Laguna Ocean Foundation

What Laguna Ocean Foundation does

Laguna Ocean Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2003 and headquartered in Laguna Beach, California, dedicated to marine habitat protection, coastal ecosystem restoration, and tidepool education along the Laguna Coast. Its portfolio of programs spans the Tidepool Education Program — delivered by Tidepool Biologists and Tidewater Docents at 8 tidepool locations reaching more than 70,000 visitors annually — the flagship Aliso Creek Estuary Restoration Project, K-12 educational programs aligned with science curricula, an Emerging Leaders mentorship pipeline, and a GIS Program supporting habitat and species mapping. Technology components include a Mobile Tidepool Explorer Guide co-developed with UC Irvine and a portable Lifesize Accessible Tidepool Model, both intended to extend the reach of in-person education.

The foundation operates on a donation and grant-funded revenue model, relying on individuals, corporate sponsors (e.g., Rivian, Montage Laguna Beach, Surf and Sand Resort), philanthropic foundations (e.g., Samueli Foundation, Drew Forbes Legacy Fund), and government partners (e.g., City of Laguna Beach, California State Parks, California Coastal National Monument). Pricing for the primary public offering — tidepool education — is free; private tidepool tours for groups are offered on a contact-for-availability basis. Distribution is regional, concentrated across Laguna Beach and Orange County, with programming delivered through physical tidepool sites, K-12 schools, community events such as KelpFest and Coastal Cleanup Day, and digital channels including the mobile guide, website, social media, and email newsletter. Strategic emphasis is on building a professional, integrated, science-based conservation model underpinned by long-standing community engagement and regulatory partnerships that have helped establish Marine Protected Areas and contribute to national monument protections along the Laguna Coast.

Name

Laguna Ocean Foundation

Legal name

Laguna Ocean Foundation

Website

https://lagunaoceanfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Laguna Ocean Foundation is a Laguna Beach-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that protects marine habitats and coastal ecosystems through tidepool education at 8 sites, the Aliso Creek Estuary Restoration, K-12 programs, and community conservation initiatives serving visitors, students, and local residents.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

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

Keywords

• Marine conservation
• Tidepool education
• Coastal restoration
• Environmental education
• Ocean stewardship

Headquarters

HQ city

Laguna Beach

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that relies on donations from individuals, corporations, and community supporters. EIN: 71-0953427.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Laguna Ocean Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that protects and restores marine habitats and coastal ecosystems along the Laguna Beach coastline. It delivers free tidepool education at 8 tidepool locations, runs the Aliso Creek Estuary Restoration Project, and operates K-12 and Emerging Leaders educational programs supported by conservation science and community engagement.

Product overview

Laguna Ocean Foundation operates as a conservation nonprofit offering a portfolio of interconnected programs focused on marine habitat protection and coastal ecosystem restoration. Its core offerings include tidepool education services (featuring Tidepool Biologists and Docents at 8 locations), the Mobile Tidepool Explorer Guide (a digital tool developed with UC Irvine), and private guided tours. The foundation also runs the Aliso Creek Estuary Restoration Project as its flagship conservation initiative, alongside K-12 educational programs, an Emerging Leaders mentorship program, GIS mapping services, and accessible education tools including a portable lifesize tidepool model. All programs are supported by community engagement activities, beach cleanups, and events like KelpFest.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Tidepool Education Program Free in-person tidepool education delivered by Tidepool Biologists and Tidewater Docents at 8 tidepool locations across Laguna Beach, reaching over 70,000 visitors annually.
• Mobile Tidepool Explorer Guide Digital mobile guide developed with UC Irvine that helps visitors explore tidepools responsibly, providing species information, Marine Protected Area rules, and safety guidance.
• Private Tidepool Tours Private guided tidepool tours led by Tidepool Biologists for work retreats, family gatherings, and special events, with pricing available upon contact.
• Lifesize Accessible Tidepool Model Portable, interactive lifesize tidepool model built with Drew Forbes Legacy Fund support to bring tidepool education to individuals unable to visit the tidepools in person.
• Aliso Creek Estuary Restoration Project Major restoration initiative to re-establish tidal flow, reshape the wetland basin, restore native habitat, and improve water quality at the Aliso Creek Estuary, with full Environmental Impact Report preparation underway as of October 2024.
• K-12 Educational Programs Science-based educational programs for K-12 students focusing on ocean conservation, marine habitats, and coastal ecosystems, aligned with curriculum standards.
• Emerging Leaders Program Mentorship program for aspiring marine scientists, educators, and community organizers, supporting leadership development and professional skills in ocean conservation.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reached over 130,000 community members and visitors
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Montage Laguna BeachcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLuxury hotel partner supporting ocean conservation efforts in Laguna Beach through the 'Brands We Support' initiative.
• RivianminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerElectric vehicle company partnering to support environmental initiatives.
• Pacific Mammal Research CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner focused on marine mammal conservation and education.
• San Diego Zoo Wildlife AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation partner supporting marine and wildlife habitat protection.
• California State ParkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner managing state parks including those with tidepool areas.
• Laguna Canyon FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal conservation organization partnering on canyon and coastal protection.
• Laguna Beach Garden ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal community partner focused on environmental education.
• American Cetacean SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner focused on cetacean research and conservation education.
• Laguna Beach Cultural ArtsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on the Ed/ge Art Exhibit showcasing Laguna's rocky intertidal zone.
• Versilly Ocean JewelerminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOcean-themed jewelry brand supporting through 'Brands We Support' program.
• City of Laguna BeachcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity government partner supporting coastal conservation and restoration projects.
• Laguna Beach Chamber of CommerceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal business organization supporting community conservation efforts.
• CSU Long Beach Shark LabcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic research partner studying marine species and ecosystems.
• Laguna BluebeltcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization managing the Laguna Beach Marine Protected Area system.
• Laguna Water AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal water district partner in environmental stewardship.
• Rotary Club of Laguna BeachminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerService organization supporting community conservation projects.
• OCMPAC (Orange County Marine Protected Area Council)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partner for Marine Protected Area education and outreach.
• Crystal CoveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState Park partner in coastal conservation efforts.
• Surf and Sand ResortminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBeachfront resort supporting ocean conservation initiatives.
• OC CoastkeepercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnvironmental organization partner focused on water quality and marine protection.
• California Coastal National MonumentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal protected area partner - worked with LOF to have rocky areas and reefs off Laguna Beach protected as a National Monument, including Bird Rock and Seal Rock.
• UC IrvinecoreTechnology or IntegrationAcademic partner that helped develop the Mobile Tidepool Explorer Guide for responsible tidepool exploration.
• Laguna Art MuseumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural partner collaborating on ocean-themed exhibitions.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Ocean Conservancy: National marine conservation nonprofit with policy, science, and community programs; comparable mission but operates at much larger scale and broader geographic scope than Laguna Ocean Foundation.
• Natural Resources Defense Council: Large national environmental nonprofit with marine and coastal conservation work; provides a broader-incumbent benchmark for fundraising scale, policy influence, and program breadth.

Direct peers

• WILDCOAST: California/Baja-focused nonprofit that conserves coastal and marine ecosystems through protected area management, restoration, and community education — directly comparable operating model and mission.
• Crystal Cove Conservancy: Nonprofit partner of Crystal Cove State Park that supports coastal conservation, education, and habitat restoration in adjacent Orange County watersheds — closely comparable sized community-conservation nonprofit on the same coastline.
• Bay Foundation: LA-based nonprofit operating the Santa Monica Bay Restoration Plan and large-scale wetland restoration, similar to Laguna Ocean Foundation's Aliso Creek Estuary Restoration and science-based conservation work.
• Pacific Marine Mammal Center: Laguna Beach-based marine mammal rescue, rehabilitation, and education nonprofit; overlapping marine mission, geography, and explicit partner in LOF's partnership list.
• Heal the Bay: Santa Monica Bay-based coastal conservation nonprofit that combines education, volunteer programs (e.g., Beach Cleanup), and policy advocacy for marine habitat protection — directly comparable model to Laguna Ocean Foundation's tidepool education and community engagement.
• Surfrider Foundation: California-headquartered coastal conservation nonprofit focused on beach access, water quality, and marine protected areas; comparable mission, similar volunteer-driven community model, and overlapping geography along the Southern California coast.
• Orange County Coastkeeper: Local water-quality and coastal protection nonprofit serving the same Orange County region as Laguna Ocean Foundation, with overlapping partner networks (e.g., OC Coastkeeper appears in LOF's partner list).

Others

• Aquarium of the Pacific: Long Beach-based aquarium running marine science education and community programs across Southern California; complementary rather than competitive — analogous education/visitor engagement function at larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@lagunaoceanfoundation
• Facebookfacebook.com/lagunaoceanfoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/laguna-ocean-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/lagunaoceanfoundation
• Xx.com/lagunaoceanfdn

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Laguna Ocean Foundation