International Surf Therapy Organization 501(c)3

Name

International Surf Therapy Organization 501(c)3

Legal name

International Surf Therapy Organization Inc.

Website

https://intlsurftherapy.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The International Surf Therapy Organization (ISTO) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2017 that serves as the central resource hub and convening body for the global surf therapy sector, connecting 25+ member organizations across 11+ countries through evaluation frameworks, academic research, and an annual conference reaching 1000+ attendees.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mental Health Nonprofit Services

NAICS

All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (541990), All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (54199)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro primary industry

Surf Schools & Surf Camps (THAAAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Surfing & Kitesurfing Experiences (Lessons, Camps) (THAJAJAJ)

Keywords

• Surf therapy programs
• Mental health interventions
• Ocean based therapy
• Nonprofit research network
• Evaluation frameworks

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (Tax ID# 82-5334056), ISTO relies on donations from individuals, foundations, and corporate sponsors. The organization accepts tax-deductible contributions.
2. Sponsorship Revenue: Corporate sponsors can contribute to ISTO as sponsors, with a dedicated form on the Join page for sponsor inquiries.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

ISTO is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates as the global resource hub for the surf therapy field, providing standardized evaluation frameworks, peer-reviewed research, an annual conference, practitioner toolkits, and a worldwide community connecting surf therapy organizations and researchers across 11+ countries. It advances surf therapy as an evidence-based mental and physical health intervention by curating academic literature, hosting convenings, and supporting member programs such as Surfing the Spectrum.

Product overview

The International Surf Therapy Organization (ISTO) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that functions as the #1 go-to resource hub for the global surf therapy sector. Rather than a traditional SaaS product, ISTO provides a suite of knowledge products and services including: the ISTO Evaluation Framework (a step-by-step evaluation guide for practitioners), the ISTO Bibliography (academic literature database), Resources (toolkits, impact reports, and the ISTO Declaration), and the Global Journal of Community Psychology Practice Special Issue on Surf Therapy (the first academic journal dedicated to surf therapy). ISTO also organizes annual conferences hosting over 100 guest speakers and 1000+ attendees, facilitates webinars and working groups, and connects practitioners worldwide through networking initiatives. The organization positions itself as an incubator, accelerator, and information hub for surf therapy prescription and practitioner community sharing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ISTO Evaluation Framework A standardized framework developed by ISTO to help surf therapy practitioner organizations measure and demonstrate the outcomes of their ocean-based mental and physical health programs. It is intended for surf therapy program operators seeking to evidence impact for funders, partners, and participants.
• ISTO Bibliography A curated bibliography of peer-reviewed academic research on surf therapy assembled and maintained by ISTO to support practitioners, researchers, and students working in the field.
• ISTO Annual Conference

Quantifiable outcome

• 28 individual representatives from 11 countries attended the 2nd Annual ISTO Conference (2018)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered founding/core, core and notable.

• Waves for Changefounding/coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2017Waves for Change is the South African NGO that conceived and founded ISTO in September 2017. As the originating organization, Waves for Change played a critical role in establishing the International Surf Therapy Organization with funding support from Comic Relief, Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, and World Childhood Foundation.
• Global Journal of Community Psychology PracticecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGJCPP hosted the world's first academic Special Issue on Surf Therapy (April 2020), a landmark 11+ article publication that doubled the total surf therapy publications and significantly advanced the evidence base for the sector.
• World Surf LeaguenotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe WSL Corona Open J-Bay surf contest (2018) was held concurrently with the 2nd Annual ISTO Conference in Jeffreys Bay, South Africa. Professional surfers including Kelly Slater, Carissa Moore, Steph Gilmore, and Courtney Conlogue signed the International Surf Therapy Declaration at the event.
• Edinburgh Napier UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEdinburgh Napier University is a contributing academic institution to ISTO, with PhD research in surf therapy being pursued by ISTO members at this institution.
• Antioch UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAntioch University Los Angeles is a contributing academic institution, with Dr. Gregor Sarkisian (Professor of Psychology) serving as Advisor to ISTO's Board of Directors and leading research efforts.
• University New South WalesnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNSW is listed as a contributing academic institution to ISTO, participating in the global surf therapy research network.
• UNICEFnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNICEF is listed as a contributing organization to ISTO, representing international development collaboration for child wellbeing through surf therapy.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Waves for Change: South African surf therapy nonprofit that conceived and co-founded ISTO in 2017. Provides surf therapy for at-risk youth and is one of the most operationally similar organizations to ISTO's member base.
• Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation: US-based nonprofit running the Ocean Therapy program for at-risk youth and veterans. Member of ISTO and partner on IRB-approved research studies, making it directly comparable in both mission and evidence-building approach.
• The Wave Project: UK-based surf therapy charity supporting young people with mental health challenges. Founded by ISTO board member Jamie Marshall, it is a flagship ISTO member organization with a directly comparable mission and beneficiary base.
• Warrior Surf Foundation: US-based nonprofit providing surf therapy for military veterans with PTSD, depression, and trauma. Member organization of ISTO operating in the same veteran mental health segment.
• Surfers Healing: US-based surf therapy nonprofit focused on children with autism. A member organization of ISTO and one of the most established surf therapy programs serving the same primary beneficiary segment ISTO targets.
• Waves of Wellness Foundation: Australian surf therapy nonprofit providing mental health programs. Member of ISTO operating in a comparable role across a different geography.
• Surf4DEM: Puerto Rico-based nonprofit using surf therapy for children with autism spectrum disorders. Member of ISTO with directly overlapping beneficiary focus and surf therapy modality.

Regional players

• OneWave: Australian mental health organization using surfing and ocean connection to combat mental illness. Comparable mission with broader community-flourishing focus rather than formal surf therapy programming.

Emerging players

• Outdoor Mental Health Network: UK-based network advocating for outdoor activity as a mental health intervention. Comparable membership/community model and evidence-advocacy mission, though broader than surf therapy alone.

Others

• Adventurers and Scientists for Conservation: Nonprofit connecting outdoor adventurers with scientists for research. Adjacent in the outdoor-wellness + research collaboration space, similar in combining adventure activities with evidence building.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCL0hXzlH_0US894ul-Gm3vA
• Facebookfacebook.com/intlsurftherapyorg
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/international-surf-therapy-organization
• Instagraminstagram.com/intlsurftherapyorg

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about International Surf Therapy Organization 501(c)3