What Azul does

Azul is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2011 and headquartered in Oakland, California, with additional offices in California and Washington, D.C. The organization conducts ocean conservation advocacy specifically tailored for Latino and Latinx communities in the United States, operating as the only US-based nonprofit of its kind dedicated to this intersection. Under the leadership of founder and Executive Director Marce Gutiérrez-Graudiņš, Azul works at the nexus of environmental justice, marine conservation, and Latino civic engagement. It maintains a small team of 11–50 employees and is legally organized under the fiscal sponsorship of Multiplier.

Azul's core offerings are programmatic rather than product-based. Its portfolio includes Deja el plástico (a single-use plastic reduction campaign), Latinos Marinos (a marine ambassador network), Vamos a la playa (a coastal clean-up initiative), the Rising Leaders Initiative (a fellowship and leadership development program), the Azul National Poll (a multilingual polling instrument on Latino ocean priorities), the Estrella Marina Awards, the Upwell: A Wave of Ocean Justice symposium, Blue Voces, and the Coastal Justice Lab in partnership with UC Irvine Law School. Its work combines community organizing, cultural outreach, applied research, and policy advocacy. Notable outcomes include advocacy linked to California's 2011 shark fin ban and 2016 single-use plastic bag ban, and activism credited with contributing to blocking the Poseidon desalination plant.

Azul's revenue model is that of a traditional US nonprofit: income derives from philanthropic donations and grants, channeled through its fiscal sponsor Multiplier, rather than from commercial product sales or services pricing. Its partnerships span international bodies (UNEP), academic institutions (UCI Law), and major conservation and Latino-focused NGOs (Monterey Bay Aquarium, Ocean Justice Forum, Latino Outdoors, NRDC, Multiplier). The organization does not operate a commercial technology platform, does not monetize intellectual property, and does not charge fees for advocacy or community programs.

Name

Azul

Legal name

Azul

Website

https://azul.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2011

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Azul is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2011 that conducts ocean conservation advocacy for Latino and Latinx communities in the United States, operating programs in marine protection, plastic pollution reduction, leadership development, and policy reform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Advocacy Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental Education & Outreach (BPAGAGAH)

Keywords

• Ocean conservation advocacy
• Marine environmental justice
• Latino community organizing
• Nonprofit policy advocacy
• Conservation research polling

Headquarters

HQ city

Oakland, California

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, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Grants: Azul operates as a nonprofit organization funded through donations, grants, and partnerships with foundations and other environmental organizations. The organization is legally organized under Multiplier.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Azul is a U.S.-based nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that works with Latinx/Hispanic communities to advance ocean and coastal conservation. Its offerings center on grassroots advocacy campaigns, policy engagement with state and federal legislators, leadership development programs, and multilingual public opinion research on Latino environmental priorities.

Product overview

Azul is a grassroots ocean justice organization offering a portfolio of advocacy campaigns, leadership programs, research products, and community engagement initiatives. The core programs include the Deja el plástico campaign for plastic pollution reduction, the Latinos Marinos initiative for marine advocacy, and the Vamos a la playa beach access program. Supporting programs include the Rising Leaders Initiative for leadership development, the Azul National Poll on Latinos and the Ocean for research, the Blue Voces communications series, the Estrella Marina Awards, and the co-founded Upwell symposium. Azul does not offer a technology product or platform, but rather provides advocacy services, educational programs, and policy engagement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Latinos Marinos: An initiative started in 2015 to involve more Latinxs in marine advocacy, growing from a few to over 25 advocates who visit the California state capitol to speak with legislators about ocean conservation and coastal communities.
• Deja el plástico
• Vamos a la playa
• Rising Leaders Initiative
• Estrella Marina Awards
• Upwell: A Wave of Ocean Justice
• Azul National Poll / Azul Poll
• Blue Voces

Products and services

• Azul National Poll on Latinos and the Ocean A bilingual research product that surveys U.S. Latino voters on ocean protection priorities, voter behavior, and policy solutions to inform advocacy and coalition messaging. Aimed at policymakers, partner organizations, and media.
• Rising Leaders Initiative A multigenerational leadership development program that equips emerging Latinx advocates with ambassador training, policy briefings, and mentorship to become ocean justice champions. Aimed at emerging Latino conservation leaders across the U.S.
• Upwell: A Wave of Ocean Justice symposium An annual symposium that prioritizes the experiences and voices of historically marginalized communities in ocean conservation. Open to conservation practitioners, policymakers, and community advocates.
• Blue Voces communications series A bilingual content and interview series featuring Latino advocates and policy experts speaking on ocean and coastal issues, used to inform supporters, media, and policymakers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 80% of Latino voters would be more likely to vote for candidates supporting stronger ocean protection policies (2024 poll)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• UCI Law (University of California, Irvine)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 March 2023Azul partnered with UCI Law to launch the Coastal Justice Lab, a world-class law center to advance environmental justice, ecosystem management, and community involvement in coastal governance.
• Upwell Consortium (Aquarium Conservation Partnership, Urban Ocean Lab)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Azul is a founding member of Upwell: A Wave of Ocean Justice symposium, established in 2023. The annual event prioritizes experiences and voices of historically marginalized communities in ocean conservation. Azul co-hosts with Aquarium Conservation Partnership and Urban Ocean Lab.
• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 March 2021Azul collaborated with UNEP on the landmark report 'Neglected: Environmental Justice Impacts of Plastic Pollution,' which reframed plastic pollution as an environmental justice issue and raised global awareness. The report highlighted impacts on vulnerable populations worldwide.
• Monterey Bay AquariumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMonterey Bay Aquarium co-presents California Ocean Champion Awards with Azul and features Azul's work on plastic pollution and environmental justice. The aquarium recognizes Azul as instrumental in bringing ocean justice voices to the forefront.
• Ocean Justice ForumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarce Gutiérrez-Graudiņš is a co-founder of the Ocean Justice Forum, a coalition advancing environmental justice in ocean policy.
• Latino OutdoorssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerJose G. Gonzalez, Founder of Latino Outdoors, has partnered with Azul on multiple initiatives and publicly supported Azul's polling data on Latino ocean priorities.
• NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerNRDC's Voces Verdes coalition works with Azul on Latino outreach for environmental issues. Adrianna Quintero leads NRDC's partner engagement efforts and has collaborated on ocean justice initiatives.
• Multipliers (fiscal sponsor)coreOthersAzul is legally organized under Multiplier, a nonprofit fiscal sponsor that provides administrative and operational support.
• Latino Outdoors, Mujeres de la Tierra, Resource Media, CALEJA, Voces Verdes, Coastal AdvocatessupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAzul has partnered with key organizations including Latino Outdoors, Mujeres de la Tierra, Resource Media, CALEJA, Voces Verdes, and Coastal Advocates through the years to advance shared conservation goals.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Oceana: Oceana is the largest international ocean-focused advocacy organization, campaigning on plastic pollution, fisheries, and offshore drilling through science-based policy work. Comparable to Azul's federal and international policy focus on plastic pollution and IUU fishing, though Oceana's scope is global and not demographically targeted.
• Ocean Conservancy: Ocean Conservancy is a major US ocean conservation nonprofit that runs large-scale policy campaigns (e.g., on plastic pollution, sustainable fisheries, and the International Coastal Cleanup) and national advocacy efforts. Comparable to Azul in that both pursue federal and international ocean policy outcomes, but Ocean Conservancy operates at much greater scale without a culturally specific constituency focus.
• Surfrider Foundation: Surfrider Foundation is a grassroots ocean and beach protection nonprofit that runs campaigns on plastic pollution, coastal access, and water quality with a volunteer-driven chapter model. Highly comparable to Azul's beach access, plastic pollution, and community organizing work, though Surfrider is broader-based and not Latino-targeted.
• Conservation International: Conservation International is a global conservation nonprofit working on oceans, forests, and biodiversity through science, policy, and field programs. Comparable to Azul's marine ecosystem preservation and international policy engagement, but at significantly larger scale and broader geographic scope.
• Sierra Club Foundation: Sierra Club Foundation is one of the largest US environmental nonprofits, running campaigns on climate, oceans, coastal protection, and environmental justice. Comparable to Azul on coastal and ocean protection advocacy and grassroots organizing, but with vastly greater resources and a broader issue portfolio.
• Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC): NRDC is a major US environmental advocacy organization that runs ocean, climate, and environmental justice programs, including the Voces Verdes Latino outreach coalition with which Azul directly partners. Highly comparable in policy advocacy scope and ocean/climate focus, and an explicit partner of Azul via Adrianna Quintero's engagement.
• Earthjustice: Earthjustice is a public interest environmental law organization that litigates and advocates on ocean, climate, and environmental justice issues. Comparable to Azul's Coastal Justice Lab and ocean-related policy advocacy, with stronger legal/litigation capacity and broader issue scope.
• Greenpeace USA: Greenpeace USA runs high-visibility environmental campaigns including ocean protection, plastics, and climate, using direct action, advocacy, and coalition work. Comparable to Azul in advocacy-driven ocean protection and movement-building, but at a much larger scale and without a demographic-specific constituency focus.

Direct peers

• Plastic Pollution Coalition: Plastic Pollution Coalition is a global alliance of organizations working to end plastic pollution through policy advocacy, education, and storytelling. Directly comparable to Azul's "Deja el plástico" campaign and plastics-treaty engagement, though it is broader-based rather than Latino-focused.
• Latino Outdoors: Latino Outdoors is a nonprofit that connects Latino communities with the outdoors through community-based programming and advocacy, founded by Jose G. Gonzalez who is an explicit Azul partner. Directly comparable in Latino-focused outdoor/environmental engagement, and a documented GTM and marketing partner of Azul.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/Azuldotorg
• Instagraminstagram.com/azul
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/azuldotorg

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 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 Azul