Ceiba Foundation for Tropical Conservation

What Ceiba Foundation for Tropical Conservation does

Ceiba Foundation for Tropical Conservation is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, founded in 1995 at the University of Florida and operational since 1997, that protects threatened tropical ecosystems in Ecuador through conservation easements, locally-managed reserves, and community-led stewardship. The organization pioneered South America's first conservation easement at the El Pahuma Orchid Reserve in 2000 and operates three primary reserves — El Pahuma (700+ acres of cloud forest in the Andes), Lalo Loor (430–490 acres of Pacific coastal dry forest), and access to Tiputini Biodiversity Station in the Amazon — plus a newer Luis Lopez reserve (~1,200 acres, 2021) and an emerging Coastal Conservation Corridor across four municipalities targeting 75,000+ acres.

Ceiba's product portfolio spans two main lines. First, conservation programs built on its core technology — a conservation easement framework that keeps land in local hands through financial incentives and property tax exonerations, supported by systematic camera trap wildlife monitoring and GIS-based habitat mapping. Second, education programs delivered in partnership with the University of Wisconsin-Madison, including the flagship Tropical Conservation Semester (16 honors credits over 18 weeks), summer courses in Coral Reef Ecology (Belize) and Water for Life (Ecuador), Conservation Internships, and EduTour Adventures. The Seeds of Sustainability grant program extends impact to conservation partners in Kenya, Uganda, and Sierra Leone.

The revenue model combines individual donations (tax-deductible, with tiered giving options and crypto/IRA acceptance), study abroad program fees through the UW-Madison partnership, and grants from institutional funders including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, World Wildlife Fund, and the United Nations Development Programme. Ceiba serves three primary customer segments: individual donors, US/Canadian university students seeking field-based conservation education, and Ecuadorian rural communities and municipalities partnering in conservation incentives. Operations are delivered through a Madison, Wisconsin headquarters and a Cumbayá, Quito regional office, with field stations at reserves and a community center in Tabuga, Ecuador.

Name

Ceiba Foundation for Tropical Conservation

Legal name

Ceiba Foundation for Tropical Conservation

Website

https://ceiba.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Ceiba Foundation for Tropical Conservation is a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that protects threatened tropical forests in Ecuador through conservation easements, locally-managed reserves, and study abroad programs accredited by the University of Wisconsin-Madison, serving donors, university students, and rural Ecuadorian communities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Tropical Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219)

SIC

Forestry (800)

akta.pro primary industry

Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation (BPAGAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Land Trusts & Protected Areas (BPAGAGAC), Conservation, Restoration & Biodiversity Services (Habitat, Wetlands, Riparian) (IMAMAJAH), Nature, Biodiversity & Ecosystem Conservation (BPADALAE)

Keywords

• Tropical conservation services
• Environmental education programs
• Habitat protection easements
• Biodiversity research
• Conservation study abroad

Headquarters

HQ city

Madison

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting conservation programs. Accepts one-time and monthly donations with designated giving options for specific programs. EIN# 31-1565636 for 501(c)(3) status.
2. Study Abroad Program Fees: Revenue from university-accredited study abroad programs including Tropical Conservation Semester (16 credits), Coral Reef Ecology in Belize, Water for Life in Ecuador, and Conservation Internships. Programs partnered with University of Wisconsin.
3. Government and Foundation Grants: Grant funding from organizations including U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (3-year grant for Conservation and Sustainable Use Area), World Wildlife Foundation, and United Nations Development Programme for specific conservation and recovery programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Ceiba Foundation for Tropical Conservation runs community-managed conservation reserves in Ecuador (Lalo Loor Dry Forest Reserve, El Pahuma Orchid Reserve, Coastal Conservation Corridor) alongside accredited study abroad programs (Tropical Conservation Semester, Coral Reef Ecology, Water for Life, Conservation Internships, EduTour Adventures) offered in partnership with the University of Wisconsin. The foundation also operates the Seeds of Sustainability small grant program supporting locally-led conservation projects globally.

Product overview

Ceiba Foundation for Tropical Conservation offers a portfolio of conservation and education programs focused on protecting Ecuador's tropical ecosystems. The core educational offerings include the flagship Tropical Conservation Semester (an 18-week study abroad program), summer courses in Coral Reef Ecology (Belize) and Water for Life (Ecuador), Conservation Internships, and EduTour Adventures. Conservation programs include the Lalo Loor Dry Forest Reserve and El Pahuma Orchid Reserve, with access to the Tiputini Biodiversity Station for Amazon research. The Seeds of Sustainability grant program supports global conservation partners, while the Coastal Conservation Corridor initiative aims to protect and reconnect fragmented forest habitats along Ecuador's Pacific coast.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Seeds of Sustainability: Small grant program that catalyzes locally-led projects addressing biodiversity loss, climate change, and environmental inequality
• Tropical Conservation Semester
• Coral Reef Ecology
• Water for Life
• EduTour Adventures

Products and services

• Tropical Conservation Semester Ceiba's flagship 18-week study abroad program that takes students through Ecuador's diverse ecosystems including the Amazon rainforest, Galapagos Islands, and cloud forests, earning 16 university honors credits through the University of Wisconsin partnership.
• Coral Reef Ecology Intensive two-week marine biology course based in Belize on Glovers Reef Atoll, where students snorkel and conduct research on the second largest barrier reef in the world.
• Water for Life Summer course on the coast of Ecuador examining water quality, sustainability of land and water management practices, and community health in rural coastal communities.
• Conservation Internships Student internship program offering opportunities to contribute to habitat protection, environmental education, and community development projects in Ecuador, including camera trapping, water quality sampling, and wildlife research.
• EduTour Adventures Educational adventure tours accompanying study abroad courses to destinations including the Galapagos Islands and Amazon Rainforest.
• Lalo Loor Dry Forest Reserve 450-490 acre reserve protecting threatened tropical dry forest on Ecuador's Pacific coast in Manabí Province, managed in partnership with the Loor family since 2004 under a 25-year conservation easement signed in 2020.
• El Pahuma Orchid Reserve Over 700 acres of cloud forest reserve established in 1999 on the slopes of the Andes, protecting orchids, hummingbirds, and spectacled bears; site of South America's first conservation easement within the Chocó Andino Biosphere Reserve.
• Tiputini Biodiversity Station Research facility in the Amazon rainforest of Ecuador, one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, where Tropical Conservation Semester students conduct field research and Ceiba raises funds to support station operations.
• Seeds of Sustainability Grant Program Small grant program that catalyzes locally-led projects addressing biodiversity loss, climate change, and environmental inequality, supporting conservation partners globally from Ecuador to Kenya, Uganda, and Sierra Leone.
• Coastal Conservation Corridor Initiative to conserve 31,000 hectares (75,000 acres) of threatened coastal forest remnants by reconnecting isolated habitat patches through a Conservation and Sustainable Use Area spanning four counties in partnership with local municipalities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Protected 1502+ acres through conservation incentives in 2025, doubling beneficiaries from 2024
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 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

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• Local Municipalities (Jama, Pedernales, San Vicente, Sucre)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Four coastal municipalities implementing Conservation and Sustainable Use Areas (ACUS). Pedernales, San Vicente, Jama ratified declarations; Sucre joined expanding potential forest protection to 250,000+ acres.
• World Wildlife Foundation (WWF)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Partnership for earthquake recovery and Build Back Better initiatives in coastal Ecuador communities. WWF supported recovery workshops and reconstruction methodologies training for community leaders.
• University of Wisconsin-MadisoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing academic partnership for accredited study abroad programs. The University of Wisconsin provides academic credit (16 honors credits) and institutional support for the Tropical Conservation Semester and other programs. Students from any US or Canadian institution can participate through this partnership.
• UNICEFsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership enabling youth education visits to the National Center for Aquaculture and Marine Research in Santa Elena, providing science and conservation experiences for coastal youth.
• A Mano ManabasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partner organization for the Discovering Ecosystems environmental education program, bringing youth groups to Puerto López for marine biodiversity experiences.
• REDD+ Group in EcuadormajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with international climate change initiative (World Bank, Ecuadorian Ministry of Environment) securing $24 million for biological corridors and sustainable development in the Jama Conservation Corridor.
• Fundación CooperasupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for construction of two classrooms for Tabuga elementary school, supporting rural education initiatives.
• Wildlife Conservation SocietysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership at Glover's Reef Marine Reserve in Belize, with WCS facilities on Middle Caye used as base for Ceiba's Coral Reef Ecology course.
• Lima Family (El Pahuma Orchid Reserve)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThree generations of Lima family managing the El Pahuma Orchid Reserve since 1999, operating eco-tourism and protecting cloud forest in Chocó-Andino Biosphere Reserve.
• Loor Family (Lalo Loor Dry Forest Reserve)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEudaldo 'Lalo' Loor and family managing 450+ acre dry forest reserve. Ceiba supported transition to local management with 25-year conservation easement signed in 2020.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Wildlands Network: Conservation nonprofit focused on landscape connectivity and wildlife corridors. Ceiba's Coastal Conservation Corridor work (linking fragmented forest remnants across 75,000 acres) is directly comparable in mission and approach.
• Amazon Conservation Association: US-based nonprofit conducting Andean-Amazon conservation research and community programs, including the Tiputini Biodiversity Station that Ceiba's TCS students use. Highly comparable geographic, scientific, and community-based programmatic overlap.
• Rainforest Trust: Direct peer that protects tropical habitats globally through land purchases, easements, and partner-led reserves. Closely comparable to Ceiba's easement-driven, reserve-anchored conservation model, though Rainforest Trust operates at significantly larger scale and broader geography.
• Re:wild: Global species and habitat protection organization formerly known as Global Wildlife Conservation. Comparable mission of protecting threatened ecosystems and species with a partnership-driven, locally-embedded operating model.

Emerging players

• Blue Ventures: Marine conservation organization combining community-based conservation with field-based education and expeditions. Comparable to Ceiba in its integration of study-abroad-style field programs with community-led marine and coastal conservation (e.g., Belize coral reef work).

Broad incumbents

• The Nature Conservancy: Largest global conservation nonprofit; comparable mission of habitat protection via easements and partnerships with landowners, including in Ecuador and Latin America. Ceiba is a much smaller, locally-focused counterpart within the same broad institutional ecosystem.
• World Wildlife Fund (WWF): Existing partner of Ceiba on coastal Ecuador earthquake recovery; operates globally with comparable focus on species and habitat conservation. Ceiba functions in part as an on-the-ground implementation partner in WWF-supported geographies.
• Conservation International: Global conservation organization operating across the Andes and Chocó-Andean corridor with similar biodiversity and community-livelihood goals. Comparable mission in tropical biodiversity protection but with vastly greater resources and a global mandate.

Regional players

• Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) Galápagos Institute: Existing academic partner of Ceiba; comparable as an Ecuador-based academic institution running field conservation and study abroad programs in the same ecosystems where Ceiba operates.
• Galápagos Conservancy: US-based nonprofit focused exclusively on conservation in Galápagos, Ecuador. Highly comparable as a US-headquartered nonprofit funding Ecuador-based field conservation, with similar donor base and tropical-habitat focus.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ceibafoundation
• Facebookfacebook.com/CeibaFoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ceiba-foundation-for-tropical-conservation
• Instagraminstagram.com/ceibafoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 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 Ceiba Foundation for Tropical Conservation