Save the Manatee Club

What Save the Manatee Club does

Save the Manatee Club | 997 followers on LinkedIn. Your voice for manatees since 1981! | Save the Manatee Club, established in 1981 by the late renowned singer-songwriter, author, and entrepreneur Jimmy Buffett, along with former Florida Governor and U.S. Senator Bob Graham, is dedicated to safeguarding manatees and preserving their aquatic habitat.

Our mission is to protect manatees and their aquatic habitats for today and future generations.

Name

Save the Manatee Club

Legal name

Save the Manatee Club

Website

https://savethemanatee.org/

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Save the Manatee Club is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1981 that funds manatee research, rescue and rehabilitation, legal advocacy, and public education through its Adopt-A-Manatee® membership program, donations, merchandise, and international conservation partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wildlife Conservation

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Advocacy, Policy & Public Awareness (Animal Welfare) (BPAGAIAJ), Wildlife Rescue, Rehabilitation & Release (BPAGAIAC), Wildlife Rehabilitation & Release Centers (Public Viewing/Education) (THAAAFAC)

Keywords

• Wildlife conservation
• Marine mammal protection
• Adopt-a-manatee program
• Habitat preservation
• Conservation advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Longwood

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: Tax-deductible donations supporting emergency rescue, research and conservation, international rescue, legal action, and education and technology programs. Accepts one-time and recurring donations, stock gifts, IRA charitable distributions, vehicle donations, and legacy/planned giving.
2. Adopt-A-Manatee® Program: Symbolic adoption of real manatees starting at $25/year. Adoption includes membership packet with biography, certificate, handbook, quarterly newsletter 'The Manatee Zone', and various gifts based on adoption level. Multiple tiers from Associate ($25) to Steward ($500).
3. Merchandise Sales: The Manatee Store sells branded merchandise including apparel, gifts, and educational materials.
4. Organization Giving Program: Corporate and organizational giving programs for businesses seeking to support manatee conservation.

Pricing tiers

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Save the Manatee Club is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit conservation organization that exists to protect manatees and their aquatic habitat. Its activities include funding and conducting manatee research, supporting the rescue and rehabilitation of sick, injured, and orphaned manatees, advocating for protective policies and habitat safeguards, and educating the public about manatee conservation. The organization's principal fundraising vehicle is the Adopt-A-Manatee® symbolic adoption program, through which donors sponsor an individual, named manatee and receive an adoption packet.

Product overview

Save the Manatee Club offers a suite of conservation programs anchored by the Adopt-A-Manatee® symbolic adoption program, which serves as the primary membership vehicle and includes various membership levels with corresponding benefits. The organization supplements this with donation-based support for manatee protection, scientific research at Blue Spring State Park, rescue and rehabilitation funding through the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership, and advocacy for stronger legal protections. Digital engagement tools include live-streaming webcams at multiple Florida state parks, an online manatee sighting reporting system, and the Guardian Guides certification program for eco-tour operators. The organization also operates The Manatee Store for merchandise sales and provides educational resources, public awareness materials, and webinars. All programs work together toward the mission of protecting manatees and their aquatic habitat for today and future generations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Adopt-A-Manatee®: A symbolic adoption program where individuals can adopt real manatees for as little as $25 per year, supporting manatee protection efforts.

Products and services

• Adopt-A-Manatee® Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Supported rescue and return of largest number of manatees in one day in history (February 2023 at Blue Spring State Park)
• +3 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

27 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• African Aquatic Conservation FundminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Joint acoustic research study on African manatees in the Lower Ntem River to assess threats, distribution, and habitat use through interviews and passive acoustic monitoring.
• Haiti Ocean ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Collaborative acoustic and citizen science project investigating whether Antillean manatees still use coastal areas in southern Haiti where they haven't been confirmed since the 1980s. Uses acoustic monitoring and local interviews.
• Florida International UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Research grant for Aquatic Vegetation and Manatee Nutrition Study investigating Florida manatees' food choices in the Indian River Lagoon and how they change with seagrass availability.
• Brevard Zoo Restore Our ShoresminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Collaboration on seagrass restoration projects in the Indian River Lagoon, building metal exclusion devices to protect seagrass nurseries.
• Florida Oceanographic SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Collaboration to create seagrass mats with attached rhizomes for planting in the Indian River Lagoon to restore critically imperiled manatee habitat.
• Friends of Blue Spring State ParkminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Partnership through the Adopt-A-Manatee program for supporting Blue Spring manatee conservation.
• Friends of Manatee LagoonminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Ongoing partnership supporting manatee education and conservation awareness at Manatee Lagoon.
• Dauphin Island Sea LabminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Partnership with Manatee Sighting Network for additional funds for stranding program and manatee research support.
• Mote Marine LaboratoryminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Aerial surveys for health assessments at Cape Canaveral Energy Center and FPL facilities, integral to evaluating manatee body condition during the Unusual Mortality Event.
• Explore.orgcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Partnership for live-streaming underwater webcams at Blue Spring State Park and Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, providing public education and research observation capabilities.
• Ocklawaha River Restoration CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Principal partner in coalition to restore the Great Florida Riverway, including the Ocklawaha River, Silver River, and over 20 springs impounded by the Rodman Dam.
• University of Florida IFAS ExtensionminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Collaboration on Manatee MATES Program with FL Sea Grant and Get Up and Go Weeki Wachee. Volunteer program to reduce manatee harassment in the lower Weeki Wachee River, witnessing significant harassment reduction.
• Fundación Internacional para la Naturaleza y la Sustentabilidad (FINS) - MexicominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Supported rehabilitation of orphaned manatee calf Pompeyo. Funded releases in Quintana Roo and local education initiatives including campaign on rehabilitation process.
• University of FloridaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Collaborative body condition study using aerial imagery from drones. Partners include Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium, Mote Marine Laboratory, FWC, and USGS.
• African Marine Mammal Conservation Organization (AMMCO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Based in Cameroon. SMC supports outreach and education efforts in Lake Ossa and Nkam River expansion. Funding for genetic research, alternative livelihood programs, invasive plant species management, and boat purchase for health assessments.
• Biodiversity Preservation Center, African Aquatic Conservation FundminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Manatee mortality threat assessments and habitat monitoring in the Akwa-Cross region of Nigeria, tracking manatee hunting and conducting patrols to remove harmful nets and traps.
• Mamirauá Sustainable Development Institute - BrazilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Supports Sirenians in the Amazon Estuary Research and Conservation Network (SEA) for distribution and stranding research, rehabilitation, capacity building, environmental education, and genetic studies.
• USGS - Genetics Research GrantminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Research grant funding for manatee genetics research conducted by USGS.
• University of British ColumbiaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Grant to sponsor workshop gathering manatee scientists from across Latin America to address manatee conservation challenges.
• Omacha Foundation - ColombiaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Collaborated on rescue, relocation, and care of several manatees in Colombia to protect them from poaching.
• Get Up and Go KayakingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2020Certified all franchises of Get Up and Go Kayaking under SMC's Guardian Guides program for eco-tour operators using best practices for viewing manatees in the wild.
• U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Sirenia ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Long-standing research partnership for manatee photo-identification database (MIPS), survival estimates research, and collaborative conservation. USGS provides manatee sound recordings for educational use.
• El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (ECOSUR) - MexicominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Provided funding for health assessments and tracking equipment for manatee research in Mexico.
• Centro de Conservación de Manatíes del Caribe - Puerto RicominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Provided funding to help rebuild facility after Hurricane Maria. Created and distributed Spanish-language educational materials.
• Rainforest Awareness Rescue Education Center (RAREC) - PerucoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Funded new rehabilitation clinic for Amazonian manatees. Supports student veterinary program, rehabilitation, release, and post-release monitoring. Provided funds to fly veterinarian from Puerto Rico for rescue and health assessment.
• Wildtracks (Belize)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015Belize's only manatee rehabilitation facility. SMC provides funds for food, medicine, infrastructure (new lift system, water heating pump), and over 600 pounds of formula for orphaned manatees. Supports rescue, rehabilitation, and release of Antillean manatees.
• Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Cooperative effort of nonprofit, private, state, and federal entities for manatee rescue, rehabilitation, and release. SMC is a founding member and fiduciary sponsor. Executive Director Patrick Rose co-chairs the Partnership.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Sea Turtle Conservancy: Florida-based nonprofit dedicated to sea turtle research and conservation, with a similar membership/adoption model, public-education focus, and engagement with Florida state-park habitats. Directly comparable to SMC in mission (single marine species), funding model (donations + symbolic adoptions), and education strategy.
• Defenders of Wildlife: National nonprofit 501(c)(3) focused on imperiled wildlife and habitat conservation, with strong federal ESA advocacy, science-driven programs, and similar membership/donation revenue streams. Directly comparable mission, scale, and advocacy posture.
• Clearwater Marine Aquarium: Florida-based marine rescue, rehabilitation, and education facility operating the Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership together with SMC. Direct operational peer in manatee rehab and public education, including live animal exhibits and streaming content.
• Ocean Conservancy: National nonprofit focused on ocean health with strong federal-policy advocacy, science programs, public education, and individual-donor fundraising. Directly comparable mission scope (marine conservation) and funding structure, though broader than single-species focus.
• Oceanic Society: U.S.-based nonprofit dedicated to ocean conservation through research, ecotourism best-practices, and citizen-science programs (including state-fellow partnerships). Directly comparable in marine-wildlife focus, science-driven conservation, and education programming.
• Marine Conservation Institute: Nonprofit dedicated to protecting ocean ecosystems through science, policy advocacy, and the Global Ocean Refuge System. Similar advocacy-first posture and science-driven marine habitat protection; comparable mission to SMC's habitat-protection program.

Broad incumbents

• World Wildlife Fund (WWF): Large global conservation nonprofit with overlapping wildlife/marine species programs and similar advocacy, science, and fundraising structure. Operates at much greater scale across many species; comparable mission and revenue model but broader portfolio.
• The Nature Conservancy: One of the largest environmental nonprofits globally, with comparable science-based habitat acquisition, land/water conservation, and policy advocacy. Same 501(c)(3) nonprofit funding model (donations, memberships, planned giving), but at significantly greater scale and across broader geographies.
• International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW): International nonprofit focused on animal welfare and wildlife conservation across multiple species and continents. Overlap with SMC in wildlife rescue, international field programs, and advocacy; comparable donor-membership model.
• Wildlife Conservation Society: Global wildlife conservation organization operating field programs, research, and advocacy across many species. Directly comparable scientific research and habitat-protection portfolio to SMC, but at significantly larger scale and broader species scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/savethemanatee
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCTSa1WxrNvaiXBaErL3Vyrw
• Facebookfacebook.com/savethemanateeclub
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/save-the-manatee-club
• Instagraminstagram.com/savethemanateeclub
• TikToktiktok.com/@savethemanateeclub

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Save the Manatee Club