Virgin Islands Conservation Society

What Virgin Islands Conservation Society does

Virgin Islands Conservation Society (VICS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit environmental organization headquartered in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, and recognized as the oldest conservation NGO in the territory (founded 1968). The organization runs three core programs: Blue Flag USVI (international eco-certification for beaches and marinas, for which VICS serves as the exclusive National Operator under the Foundation for Environmental Education); Eco-Schools USVI (Pre K-12 environmental literacy and STEAM education, with a 5-year MOU signed with the VI Department of Education in 2025); and VI Clean Coasts (a 2018 partnership with the VI Department of Planning and Natural Resources bundling Eco-Certification for businesses, Clear Waters for marinas, Refill Bottles Not Dumpsters for schools, and Stormwater Resilience for property owners). Supporting projects include the Disaster Risk Reduction Management Program, Plastic Recycling collection, Solar Affordability, and the Sea Walls ARTivism initiative with PangeaSeed Foundation.

The underlying technology is physical-environmental rather than digital: VICS deploys Elkay filtered bottle filling stations (NSF/ANSI 42 and 53 certified) across schools and deploys atmospheric water generators at partner sites such as Red Hook Dive Center to extract and filter water vapor into potable supply. Programs are delivered through on-site coordinators across St. Thomas, St. John, St. Croix, and Water Island, reaching 100+ eco-certified businesses, 7 public schools (~4,000 students), and numerous marinas and coastal properties.

The revenue model is non-commercial and grant-dependent: individual donations (PayPal, Keela platform), tiered corporate sponsorships ($100 to $5,000+ annually), annual memberships, and federal grant funding from EPA (Water Smart Schools), FEMA via the National Wildlife Federation (Disaster Risk Reduction), and NOAA via DPNR (Coastal Curriculum). Eco-Certification is free to businesses, with seed grants up to $3,500 reimbursable for eco-friendly equipment. VICS is supported by a small staff (~10 employees) including Executive Director Anne Marie Hoffman and field coordinators, with oversight from a board that has historically included long-serving figures such as marine scientist Dr. Kenneth Haines.

Name

Virgin Islands Conservation Society

Legal name

Virgin Islands Conservation Society

Website

https://viconservationsociety.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Virgin Islands Conservation Society is the oldest non-profit conservation organization in the U.S. Virgin Islands, operating Blue Flag eco-certification, Eco-Schools K-12 environmental education, and the VI Clean Coasts waste-reduction initiative across St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix, funded by donations, corporate sponsorships, and EPA/FEMA/NOAA grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

St. Thomas

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations: Individual donations from supporters and community members. The organization accepts donations through PayPal and a dedicated Keela platform.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Tiered corporate sponsorship program ranging from $100 to $5,000+ annually, offering social media recognition, website listing, annual report inclusion, and promotional materials.
3. Membership Program: Annual membership program supporting environmental conservation work in the USVI.
4. Grant Funding: Grant funding from government agencies including EPA, FEMA, and NOAA for specific environmental programs and initiatives.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Virgin Islands Conservation Society (VICS) is a non-profit environmental conservation organization that administers three core programs: Blue Flag USVI (eco-label certification for beaches and marinas), Eco-Schools USVI (K-12 environmental education with Green Flag awards), and VI Clean Coasts (waste reduction initiatives including Eco-Certification for businesses, Clear Waters for marinas, Refill Bottles Not Dumpsters for schools, and Stormwater Resilience). The organization provides free certifications, grants seed funding up to $3,500 to businesses for eco-friendly equipment, and installs water filtration systems in schools.

Product overview

Virgin Islands Conservation Society (VICS) is a non-profit environmental conservation organization operating as a collection of environmental programs rather than a unified software product. The organization's portfolio centers on three core initiatives: Blue Flag USVI (beach and marina eco-certification), Eco Schools USVI (K-12 environmental education with Green Flag awards), and VI Clean Coasts (waste reduction comprising Eco-Certification for businesses, Clear Waters for marinas, Refill Bottles Not Dumpsters for schools, and Stormwater Resilience for property owners). Supporting programs include disaster risk reduction management, recycling collection, solar affordability, and coastal curriculum development. The organization connects these programs through community engagement, corporate sponsorships, and partnerships with government agencies, offering membership opportunities and volunteer positions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• VI Clean Coasts: A local collaborative effort between VICS and DPNR Division of Coastal Zone Management established in 2018, aimed at reducing single-use plastic and polystyrene in the USVI. Includes four initiatives: Clear Waters, Eco-Certification, Refill Bottles Not Dumpsters, and Residential Erosion Control.
• Blue Flag USVI
• Eco-Schools USVI

Products and services

• Blue Flag USVI International eco-label certification program for beaches and marinas meeting rigorous standards of environmental quality, safety, and sustainability. VICS serves as the authorized National Operator for receiving applications and monitoring certified sites in the U.S. Virgin Islands.
• Eco-Schools USVI International environmental education program engaging Pre K-12 students, faculty, administrators, and community volunteers in comprehensive environment-based learning to improve environmental literacy and STEAM skills. Operated under Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) umbrella with Bronze, Silver, and Green Flag award levels.
• VI Clean Coasts Collaborative initiative between VICS and DPNR Division of Coastal Zone Management to reduce single-use plastic and polystyrene in the USVI. Comprises four sub-initiatives: Eco-Certification, Clear Waters, Refill Bottles Not Dumpsters, and Stormwater Resilience & Outreach.
• Eco-Certification Free certification program supporting USVI businesses in improving their environmental footprint through waste reduction strategies, with seed grant funding available for eco-friendly projects up to $3,500. Eco-Certification Plus available for businesses adopting additional sustainability practices.
• Refill Bottles Not Dumpsters Initiative providing schools with filtered bottle filling stations and reusable water bottles to eliminate single-use plastic bottles and provide clean drinking water.
• Clear Waters Initiative helping marinas and coastal businesses obtain clear waters through mobile pump-out stations, clean water information and awareness, and marine pollution removal.
• Stormwater Resilience & Outreach Program helping property owners in USVI assess and manage erosion and stormwater runoff on residential property, currently focused on the Jersey Bay Watershed in St. Thomas.
• Eco-Certified Restaurants Recognition program for restaurants that have eliminated expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam) from operations, with Eco-Certification Plus available for businesses adopting additional sustainability practices.
• Water Smart Schools VI Drinking water safety and waste reduction program active in seven public schools, providing filtered bottle filling stations, reusable bottles, and water quality testing curricula.
• Corporate Sponsorship Program Tiered corporate sponsorship program ranging from $100 to $5,000+ annually, offering social media recognition, website listing, annual report inclusion, and promotional materials.
• Disaster Risk Reduction Management Program Climate resilience curriculum for schools developed through a FEMA grant with the National Wildlife Federation, teaching disaster preparedness in-school and as after-school program.
• Coastal Curriculum Comprehensive coastal guide covering USVI history and marine natural resources including coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds, authored with support from Coastal Zone Management Division of DPNR through NOAA Coastal Zone Management Award.
• VI Recycling Community recycling program accepting plastics (numbers 1, 2, & 5) and aluminum every Saturday at The Market STT and Thursday at Moe's Northside.
• Solar Affordability Program Share the Sun program offering Nature's Generator solar systems at discounted rates to low- and moderate-income families on St. Thomas and St. John.
• Sea Walls St. Thomas ARTivism program in partnership with PangeaSeed Foundation bringing ocean conservation messages through murals painted by local artists.

Quantifiable outcome

• Businesses save over $2,000 per year on waste costs after eco-certification
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers16 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• PangeaSeed FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Sea Walls: Artists for Oceans program. PangeaSeed Foundation's groundbreaking ARTivism program brings ocean conservation messages through murals. Clean Sweep Fredericksted partnered with PangeaSeed in 2019 for Sea Walls St. Croix activation.
• VI Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) - Division of Coastal Zone ManagementcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Collaborative partnership between VICS and DPNR for VI Clean Coasts initiative, established in 2018. DPNR is phasing out single-use plastic cups from its offices and switching to paper cups. Joint initiative aims to reduce single-use plastics and polystyrene in the USVI.
• USVI Hotel and Tourism AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011Partnership for Blue Flag Program administration in the USVI. VICS manages Blue Flag Program in partnership with the USVI Hotel and Tourism Association.
• National Wildlife FederationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliate Member relationship. America's largest and most trusted conservation organization working to unite Americans from all walks of life in giving wildlife a voice since 1936. VICS participates in NWF initiatives including the Disaster Risk Reduction Management Program through FEMA grants.
• Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociate Member of FEE, the world's largest environmental education organization with members in 77 countries. VICS serves as USVI delegate for Eco-Schools and National Operator for Blue Flag program.
• Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEPIC serves as the grant administrator for Water Smart Schools VI program. EPIC (Environmental Protection in the Caribbean) works to protect the Caribbean environment.
• Virgin Islands Marine Advisory Service (VIMAS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVIMAS is part of the University of the Virgin Islands Sea Grant College Program, located within the Center for Marine and Environmental Studies. Partner for Water Smart Schools VI program, providing water quality testing curriculum and kits.
• Teal Earth SolutionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-authored the U.S. Virgin Islands Coastal Curriculum along with VICS and VI Professional Charter Association, with support from Coastal Zone Management Division of DPNR through NOAA Coastal Zone Management Award.
• Virgin Islands Professional Charter AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-authored the U.S. Virgin Islands Coastal Curriculum along with VICS and Teal Earth Solutions to preserve coastal and marine natural and cultural resources.
• Rotary East EcominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Ivanna Eudora Kean Interact Club and VICS Eco-Schools program to revitalize the Kean arboretum. Built outdoor classroom and planted new trees.
• Rotary Club of St. Thomas East ECOminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with Rotary Club of St. Thomas East ECO for installation of water refill station at St. Thomas Swimming Association pool facility.
• Big Blue & YouminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouth workshop collaborator for Sea Walls St. Croix activation in 2019 alongside PangeaSeed Foundation.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• RARE: Global conservation organization specializing in behavior-change campaigns for sustainable fishing, coastal management, and community-based conservation. Overlaps with VICS on community engagement and coastal stewardship in the Caribbean.
• Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL): International nonprofit focused on coral reef conservation through sustainable reef tourism and community partnerships. VICS's Coral Safe Sunscreen advocacy and Blue Flag program operate in the same coral-protection thematic space.

Broad incumbents

• Ocean Conservancy: Large U.S. marine conservation nonprofit focused on ocean health, plastic reduction, and policy advocacy. Overlaps thematically with VICS's VI Clean Coasts plastic and Styrofoam reduction work, but at substantially greater national and international scale.
• Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE): Global umbrella network under which VICS operates Eco-Schools, Blue Flag, and Green Flag. FEE is both a network partner and a broad incumbent governing the same certification frameworks that VICS delivers locally.
• National Wildlife Federation: America's largest conservation organization and a VICS affiliate member. Overlaps with VICS on wildlife and habitat conservation advocacy, and is also a direct funding/grant partner via FEMA, but operates at national scale with far larger resources.
• Surfrider Foundation: Larger U.S.-based environmental nonprofit focused on beach access, water quality, and plastic pollution reduction. VICS's VI Clean Coasts and Clear Waters programs address overlapping beach and water quality issues, but Surfrider operates at much broader national scale.

Regional players

• BVI Conservation and Fisheries Department (Nonprofit Partners): British Virgin Islands conservation organizations and partners running adjacent programs on coastal management, marine protection, and community education. Relevant regional peer given proximity to the USVI and overlapping Caribbean conservation focus.
• Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Environment Programme: Regional intergovernmental environmental coordination body for the Caribbean. VICS's work on coastal zone management and watershed resilience sits within the broader regional agenda CARICOM helps coordinate, but does not compete directly.

Direct peers

• St. Croix Environmental Association (SEA): Direct USVI-based environmental conservation nonprofit serving St. Croix with comparable community conservation, education, and watershed programs. SEA is the most geographically and operationally similar peer to VICS, including joint activities (e.g., Lignum Vitae tree planting) with VICS.
• Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC): Caribbean environmental nonprofit protecting biodiversity and natural resources across the Eastern Caribbean. EPIC is both a partner (administers grants for VICS's Water Smart Schools) and a direct peer running comparable conservation and education programming in the region.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/vicleancoasts
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/virgin-islands-conservation-society
• Instagraminstagram.com/viconservationsociety

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Virgin Islands Conservation Society