Misool Foundation
Misool Foundation is an Indonesian nonprofit that protects the world's most biodiverse reefs in Raja Ampat through ranger patrols, reef restoration, manta research, and community education, funded by donations and its sibling Misool Resort.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2011
- HeadquartersSorong, Indonesia
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Misool Foundation does
Misool Foundation (legally Yayasan Misool Ekosistem Regenerasi) is an Indonesian-registered nonprofit charity established in 2011 by the private island resort Misool, with conservation work dating back to a 2005 community lease of 100,000 acres in South Raja Ampat. The foundation operates a portfolio of seven integrated marine conservation programs centered on the 300,000-acre Misool Marine Reserve and its 24/7, 18-person Ranger Patrol: reef restoration using coral transplantation on wire mesh frames across seven sites, the Misool Manta Project (15+ years of population and behavioral data on both Oceanic and Reef mantas), ReShark shark reintroduction, and community-facing programs in education (kindergarten and high school conservation modules), waste management (Bank Sampah Sorong Raya), and sustainable livelihoods development. Its operations extend across Raja Ampat and into East Flores.
The foundation's core technology is community-based marine conservation combining environmental protection, ranger enforcement, ecological monitoring, and species research. Notable technical components include three permanent ranger stations with five patrol boats running 1,000+ patrols annually, satellite tagging and ID photography databases for manta monitoring, BRUVS shark surveys, and a coral transplantation method designed for cost efficiency. Funded through Wildlife Conservation Network (WCN) donation processing, direct wire transfers, Benevity workplace giving, and legacy gifts, the foundation benefits from a hybrid model that channels ~$100 per resort guest from Misool Resort into operations, plus grants from major foundations (MacArthur, Walton, Vulcan, USAID) and partnerships with blue-chip marine NGOs (Conservation International, The Nature Conservancy, WCS, Mission Blue, WildAid, Manta Trust).
Quantified outcomes include a 248% increase in average fish biomass inside the reserve (2007–2021), a 190% increase in shark numbers since 2012, a doubling of the local manta sub-population to 1,730+ individuals, a 25-fold increase in Oceanic manta sightings (2010–2016), 3,452m² of reef restored since 2013, and 60 illegal fishing boats intercepted per year. The foundation's annual budget is approximately $700,000 USD, of which the Ranger Patrol alone consumes nearly $250,000.
Misool Foundation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Misool Foundation
- Legal name
- Yayasan Misool Ekosistem Regenerasi
- Website
- https://misoolfoundation.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2011
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Misool Foundation is an Indonesian nonprofit that protects the world's most biodiverse reefs in Raja Ampat through ranger patrols, reef restoration, manta research, and community education, funded by donations and its sibling Misool Resort.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Misool Foundation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Marine Conservation Services
- NAICS
- Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Materials Recovery Facilities (562920)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus & Resilience Programming (BPADAEAK)
Keywords
Where Misool Foundation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Sorong
- HQ country
- Indonesia
- HQ region
- Asia
Offices3 records
Markets served
Misool Foundation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Donations and Gifts: The foundation receives 100% of donations through its partnership with Wildlife Conservation Network (WCN). Donors can give online via WCN's platform, make wire transfers to Indonesian account, include legacy gifts in wills, or use workplace giving through Benevity.
- Resort Partnership Revenue: Misool Resort provides $100 donation for each guest visiting the resort, along with administrative, logistic, and legal assistance. The resort is one of the foundation's biggest and most consistent grantors.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Misool Foundation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Misool Foundation is a registered Indonesian charity (Yayasan Misool Ekosistem Regenerasi) that manages a portfolio of marine conservation programs centered on the 300,000-acre Misool Marine Reserve in Raja Ampat. It combines 24/7 ranger patrols, coral reef restoration, manta population research, community recycling, education, and sustainable livelihoods development to protect the world's most biodiverse reefs. The foundation is the charity arm of Misool Resort, which provides consistent funding, logistical, and administrative support.
Product overview
Misool Foundation operates a portfolio of interconnected marine conservation programs centered around the Misool Marine Reserve (a 300,000-acre protected area) in Raja Ampat, Indonesia. The core programs include the Reef Restoration Project, Misool Community Education, Misool Community Recycling (Bank Sampah Sorong Raya), and Misool Community Development—all designed to work synergistically with the marine reserve. Additional programs include the ReShark initiative for shark reintroduction, the Misool Manta Project for manta ray research, and the Raja Ampat Shark and Manta Sanctuary. The Foundation is supported by its strategic partnership with Misool Resort, which provides financial, logistical, and administrative support. The organization is structured as a registered charity (Yayasan Misool Ekosistem Regenerasi in Indonesian) that empowers local communities to reclaim traditional tenureship of reefs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Misool Marine Reserve
- Reef Restoration Project
- Misool Community Education
- Misool Community Recycling (Bank Sampah Sorong Raya)
- Misool Community Development
- ReShark
- Misool Manta Project
- Raja Ampat Shark and Manta Sanctuary
Quantifiable outcome
- 248% average fish biomass increase between 2007 and 2021
- +7 more outcomes
Companies that use Misool Foundation
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Misool Foundation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Misool Foundation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Misool ResortcoreMisool Foundation was established by private island resort Misool in 2011. The resort provides $100 donation per guest, sustainable employment to 120+ people, thought leadership, administrative/logistic/legal assistance, and media expertise. It serves as the foundation's vital nerve center and biggest grantor.
- Wildlife Conservation Network (WCN)coreRegistered 501(c)(3) charity partner that processes online donations. Misool Foundation receives 100% of donations through WCN. Also provides legacy giving infrastructure for wills and estate planning.
- Conservation InternationalmajorInternational NGO supporting the foundation's conservation efforts. Dr. Mark Erdmann, marine biologist and former VP of Conservation International's Asia-Pacific Marine Programs, serves as advisor and quotes the foundation's work.
- The Nature Conservancy (TNC)majorInternational environmental organization supporting marine conservation in Raja Ampat.
- WildAidmajorPartnered with Misool to build case for shark and manta protection. Together petitioned government with 8,500+ supporters for Raja Ampat Shark and Manta Sanctuary designation.
- SeacologymajorProvided support for construction of Fafanlap Kindergarten in 2011.
- ReSharkcoreInternational collective of 90+ conservation organizations, aquariums, and government agencies focused on reintroducing endangered sharks to the wild. Misool Foundation hosts StAR Project nursery and provides ranger patrol protection.
- Manta TrustmajorPartner organization focused on manta ray research and protection, collaborating on Indonesian Manta Ray Project.
- Mission BluemajorMarine conservation organization supporting protected ocean areas.
- Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)majorInternational organization dedicated to wildlife conservation and science.
- 1% for the PlanetminorEnvironmental partnership where businesses donate 1% of sales to environmental causes. Misool Foundation is an environmental partner.
- Indonesian Marine Police Unit (Polisi Air dan Udara)majorGovernment law enforcement supporting Ranger Patrol operations in protecting the Misool Marine Reserve.
- Guardian Dive OperatorsminorLiveaboard dive operators (Amira Indonesia, Coralia, Dive Damai, I Like Liveaboard, Mermaid Liveaboards, Ondina, Pacific High Cruise, Samambaia, Silolona Sojourns, Wilderness Travel) supporting Misool Marine Reserve protection.
Scale indicators23 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights3 records
Misool Foundation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Reef Check Foundation: International reef conservation organization focused on citizen science, reef monitoring, and reef restoration. Comparable to Misool's Reef Restoration Project and long-term coral reef monitoring programs.
- Blue Ventures: Marine conservation organization that combines community-based conservation with community-led ecotourism in coastal areas. Operates a comparable integrated model of marine protection, community development, and sustainable tourism revenue.
- Sea Shepherd Conservation Society: Direct-action marine conservation organization operating anti-poaching patrols and reef protection campaigns globally. Comparable ranger patrol operations intercepting illegal fishing vessels in marine protected areas.
- Manta Trust: Dedicated manta ray research and conservation organization collaborating with Misool Foundation on the Indonesian Manta Ray Project. Operates a similar model of site-based manta research combined with community engagement.
- Coral Triangle Center: Indonesia-based nonprofit focused on marine conservation and sustainable fisheries across the Coral Triangle. Operates in the same geography as Misool with overlapping focus on MPA management and community-based conservation.
- WildAid: Marine conservation organization focused on ending illegal wildlife trade, particularly shark finning. Partnered directly with Misool Foundation on the campaign that resulted in the Raja Ampat Shark and Manta Sanctuary designation.
Broad incumbents
- Conservation International: Major international NGO operating marine conservation programs across the Coral Triangle. Dr. Mark Erdmann, Misool's advisor, was former VP of Conservation International's Asia-Pacific Marine Programs, making it both a strategic partner and the most directly comparable broad incumbent.
- The Nature Conservancy: Global environmental organization with major marine protected area programs in Indonesia and the Coral Triangle. Listed as a major strategic partner supporting Misool Foundation's marine conservation work in Raja Ampat.
- Wildlife Conservation Society: International organization operating marine conservation programs globally, including Indonesia. Listed as a strategic partner of Misool Foundation with comparable expertise in protected area management and species conservation.
Others
- Wildlife Conservation Network: 501(c)(3) charity that processes 100% of Misool Foundation's online donations. Functions as a fiscal sponsor and donation infrastructure provider for multiple wildlife conservation nonprofits, including the Coral Triangle program.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Misool Foundation social profiles
Digital presenceMisool Foundation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Misool Foundation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Misool Foundation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Misool Foundation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Misool Foundation
What does Misool Foundation do?
Misool Foundation is a registered Indonesian charity (Yayasan Misool Ekosistem Regenerasi) that manages a portfolio of marine conservation programs centered on the 300,000-acre Misool Marine Reserve in Raja Ampat. It combines 24/7 ranger patrols, coral reef restoration, manta population research, community recycling, education, and sustainable livelihoods development to protect the world's most biodiverse reefs. The foundation is the charity arm of Misool Resort, which provides consistent funding, logistical, and administrative support.
Is Misool Foundation a public or private company?
Misool Foundation is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Misool Foundation founded?
Misool Foundation was founded in 2011. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Misool Foundation based?
Misool Foundation is headquartered in Sorong, Indonesia, in the Asia region.
How does Misool Foundation make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Donations and Gifts are the primary driver. The others are resort Partnership Revenue.
Who are Misool Foundation's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Reef Check Foundation, Blue Ventures, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, Manta Trust, Coral Triangle Center and WildAid. Broad incumbents are Conservation International, The Nature Conservancy and Wildlife Conservation Society. Wildlife Conservation Network is listed as an others.
Does Misool Foundation have an API?
No public API is recorded for Misool Foundation.
What industry is Misool Foundation in?
Misool Foundation's product category is Marine Conservation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGAGAE, Marine & Freshwater Conservation, with a secondary code of BPADAEAK, Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus & Resilience Programming. Its NAICS code is 813312.