Changing Tides Foundation

What Changing Tides Foundation does

Changing Tides Foundation is a 501(c)-style nonprofit foundation founded in 2016 and headquartered in Encinitas, California, with a staff of approximately 11. The organization delivers surf and skate mentorship programs to underserved teen girls and young women, combining ocean-based skill-building with mental wellness tools and environmental education. Its flagship offering is the Women's Outreach Mentorship Program (WOMP), implemented in San Diego County through partnerships with Monarch School, Casa de Amistad, and Groundswell Community Project, and internationally through local nonprofits in Panama (Give & Surf), the Dominican Republic (Mariposa Foundation), Peru (Beyond the Surface Foundation), and El Salvador (Hijas del Mar). A Skate Mentorship Program is scheduled to launch in March 2026 to extend the model to inland youth.

The foundation supplements its mentorship work with environmental campaigns — the Plastic Swear Jar Challenge, Plant Based March, the Community Compost Movement, and the Where Does It Go? educational series — which together link donor engagement to demonstrable outcomes (e.g., 35,000+ lbs of food waste diverted over two years). Revenue is diversified across six streams: individual donations, corporate sponsorships, tiered membership (Tide Shifter and Tide Changer), event ticketing (Seaster Stories Film Night and others), affiliate partnerships with mission-aligned brands (Activist Skincare, JOI, Active Skin Repair), and limited-edition merchandise. Programs are delivered free of charge to beneficiaries; no formal pricing exists for services. Distribution relies on direct program delivery through partner organizations, community-led volunteer recruitment, an Instagram-led content strategy, and event-based community activation, with the Squarespace-hosted website serving as the donation and membership hub. The organization is founder-led by Co-founder Anna Santoro and Executive Director Becky Mendoza, with no parent company, subsidiaries, or disclosed funding rounds.

Name

Changing Tides Foundation

Legal name

Changing Tides Foundation

Website

https://changingtidesfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Changing Tides Foundation is a nonprofit founded in 2016 and based in Encinitas, California, that delivers surf and skate mentorship programs to underserved teen girls and young women in San Diego County and across four international partner countries (Panama, Dominican Republic, Peru, El Salvador).

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Mentorship Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (8132), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997)

akta.pro primary industry

Surf Schools & Surf Camps (THAAAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Surf, Kitesurf & Wind Sports Adventures (THAJABAK), Marine Conservation & Citizen-Science Experiences (reef monitoring, turtle walks) (THAAAIAH)

Keywords

• Surf mentorship programs
• Youth development services
• Environmental education campaigns
• Nonprofit community programs
• Women empowerment initiatives

Headquarters

HQ city

Encinitas, California

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations: Individual donations from supporters who contribute to educating, empowering and creating opportunities for young girls and women. The foundation solicits donations through their website with a dedicated donate page.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Partnerships with forward-thinking brands that support the mission and amplify messages of positivity, purpose, and conservation. Brands sponsor programs and events in exchange for association with the foundation's mission.
3. Membership Program: Tide Shifter and Tide Changer membership tiers provide ongoing support with associated benefits. Members receive exclusive access and contribute to sustaining programs throughout the year.
4. Event Revenue: Seaster Stories Film Night generates ticket sales from community events featuring inspiring films, meaningful conversation, and community gathering. Event also includes raffles and merchandise.
5. Affiliate Partner Sales: Partner affiliate links where a portion of purchases benefits CTF projects. Partners include Active Skin Repair, Activist Skincare (20% discount code CTF20), and JOI (10% discount code CTF10).
6. Merchandise Sales: Artist Series merchandise including Jungmaven hemp x cotton t-shirts featuring featured artists. 100% of proceeds from merchandise sales benefit the organization.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Changing Tides Foundation is a nonprofit that runs surf and skate mentorship programs for underserved teen girls and young women, pairing ocean/skateboarding experiences with mental wellness tools, environmental education, and community connection. Programs are delivered in San Diego County and through international nonprofit partners in Panama, the Dominican Republic, Peru, and El Salvador, complemented by environmental campaigns, an annual women's film night, membership tiers, and limited-edition merchandise.

Product overview

Changing Tides Foundation operates as a nonprofit offering a portfolio of mentorship programs and environmental campaigns rather than a unified software product. The core offerings include the Surf Mentorship Program (WOMP) for underserved teen girls, and the Skate Mentorship Program launching in 2026. These are complemented by environmental campaigns including the Plastic Swear Jar Challenge, Plant Based March Challenge, Community Compost Movement, and Where Does It Go? educational series. Additional offerings include membership tiers (Tide Shifter and Tide Changer), the annual Seaster Stories Film Night event, and merchandise through the Featured Artist Series. All programs are connected by the mission of empowering women through ocean connection, mentorship, and environmental stewardship.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Surf Mentorship Program (WOMP) Flagship surf-and-mentorship program using surfing, ocean connection, mental wellness tools, and environmental education to uplift underserved teen girls and young women. Delivered with community partners in Panama, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Peru, and Southern California.
• Skate Mentorship Program Movement-based mentorship program adapted from the surf mentorship model for inland youth and girls/gender-expansive youth living farther from the coast, removing logistical barriers to community, confidence, and mentorship.
• Plastic Swear Jar Challenge Annual environmental awareness campaign challenging participants to reduce single-use plastic consumption by tracking and pledging to avoid single-use plastic items, framed as 'plastic swear words'.
• Plant Based March Challenge Month-long challenge encouraging participants to eat plant-based foods to reduce environmental impact from industrial agriculture, including a downloadable guide with grocery lists, sample meals, and recipes.
• Community Compost Movement Educational composting program that empowers individuals and communities to divert food scraps from landfills, beginning as a women-run pilot compost pickup program in Oahu, Hawaii.
• Where Does It Go? Educational video series exploring where everyday items go after disposal, examining recycling, clothing waste, food waste, and motor oil impacts on the environment.
• Tide Shifter and Tide Changer Membership Tiered recurring membership program supporting the foundation, with benefits including exclusive events, merchandise discounts, and early access to programs.
• Seaster Stories Film Night Annual ticketed women's film night featuring inspiring films about women reclaiming narratives and breaking boundaries through surfing, with community gathering, raffles, and merchandise.
• Featured Artist Series Merchandise Limited-edition apparel collaboration featuring artwork from artists like Meg Jacovino and Haley Bugelli printed on Jungmaven hemp x cotton T-shirts, with 100% of proceeds benefiting foundation programs.

Quantifiable outcome

• Empowered over 100 young women in San Diego since 2022
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Groundswell Community ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSan Diego-based nonprofit partner collaborating on WOMP (Women's Outreach Mentorship Program) including Mother Daughter Surf Program co-led with Casa de Amistad. Groundswell provides surf therapy and mentorship expertise for unhoused youth programs.
• Monarch SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSan Diego school serving unhoused and housing-insecure youth. CTF delivers WOMP surf program sessions during summer, bringing surf therapy, mentorship, and community-building activities to at-risk youth in Barrio Logan.
• Casa de AmistadcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSan Diego community partner organization supporting underserved youth. Co-leads Mother Daughter Surf Program with Groundswell Community Project, providing mentorship and community space for programs.
• Give & SurfcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPanama-based nonprofit that collaborated on CTF's first-ever teen surf program in Bocas del Toro, bringing local girls into the ocean for the very first time. Represents CTF's founding international partnership.
• The Mariposa FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDominican Republic nonprofit partner for WOMPDR program. Featured in Surfer Magazine October 2018 issue, bringing surf mentorship to young surf ladies through locally led initiatives.
• Beyond the Surface FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPeru-based partner expanding access to the ocean while supporting locally led initiatives that empower girls to grow confident, capable, and connected to their coastlines.
• Hijas del MarcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEl Salvador partner featured in CTF's short film Marea following Sindy Portillo, Andrea Magaña, and Suri Barrera as they carve new paths for girls in surfing, skating, and art.
• Jenny Yang / Ocean DaughtersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSurfing content creator from Taiwan and founder of Ocean Daughters, an all-female surf community. Joining CTF as a volunteer for summer programs, bringing visibility to CTF through her creator platform.
• Activist SkincareminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNatural skincare brand in eco-friendly, 100% refillable packaging. 1% For The Planet Member. CTF receives affiliate revenue through partner links with 20% discount code CTF20 for customers.
• Active Skin RepairminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNon-toxic skincare brand for cuts, scrapes, and skin irritations. 1% For The Planet Member. CTF receives affiliate revenue through partner links on CTF website shop.
• JOIminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlant-based milk maker (almond/cashew). Zero preservatives, kosher, vegan. CTF receives affiliate revenue with 10% discount code CTF10 for supporters.
• Surfer MagazineminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFeatured in October 2018 issue covering WOMPDR program with Mariposa Foundation. Provided significant media exposure and credibility through surf industry publication.
• GRLSWIRLcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWomen's skate community partner for Untamed Daughters event bridging gap between women's skate and surf empowerment. Co-created inclusive event with beach cleanup, surf lessons, skate sessions, and yoga.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/changingtidesfoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/changing-tides-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Changing Tides Foundation