Wishtoyo Foundation

What Wishtoyo Foundation does

Wishtoyo Foundation, also operating as Wishtoyo Chumash Foundation, is a Native-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1997 by Chumash ceremonial elder Mati Waiya. Headquartered in Ventura, California, the organization integrates Chumash cultural preservation with environmental protection, youth education, and legal advocacy across traditional Chumash territory in southern California. Its core program portfolio spans cultural preservation (Šmuwič Chumash Language School, Chumash Basketry Preservation Program), K-12 education (Chumash Maritime Lifeways field trips serving approximately 2,500 youth annually at the Chumash Village near Nicholas Canyon Beach in Malibu), environmental science (Watershed Monitoring and Scientific Research Program, Ventura Coastkeeper), and advocacy (Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary campaign, Wishtoyo Water Initiative, legal cases).

The foundation operates three physical sites: the Chumash Village in Malibu (8,000-year-old village site, not open to general public), the Wishtoyo Conservancy in Santa Paula (land healing and Indigenous food systems), and the Ventura mailing address. Ventura Coastkeeper, the 54th and first Native-led member of the international Waterkeeper Alliance, monitors 50+ sites in the Utom (Santa Clara River) watershed and has driven 29 Clean Water Act 303(d) listings.

The business model is a hybrid nonprofit revenue structure with no publicly disclosed financials. Revenue streams include individual donations processed via Network for Good (2,122+ supporters), a five-tier membership program ($25-$1,000/month), field trip fees ($500-$1,500 per trip on a sliding scale), $5,000/year program partnerships, planned giving instruments, and government/foundation grants (e.g., $947,000 California Department of Fish and Wildlife Fisheries Restoration Grant). Customer segments include K-12 schools, Indigenous youth, individual donors, and First Nations communities. Distribution is regional (Ventura, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Kern, San Luis Obispo counties), with global reach limited to online donations.

Name

Wishtoyo Foundation

Legal name

Wishtoyo Foundation

Website

https://wishtoyo.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Wishtoyo Foundation is a Native-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1997 that integrates Chumash cultural preservation with environmental protection, K-12 marine education, and water policy advocacy across southern California, serving schools, Indigenous youth, and 2,100+ individual donors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Conservation and Cultural Preservation Services

NAICS

Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations (813), Grantmaking Foundations (813211)

akta.pro primary industry

Environment, Climate & Sustainable Development IGOs (BPADAAAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Social Justice & Human Rights Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAN), Ecosystem Services & Natural Capital Programs (Water, Biodiversity Credits, PES) (IMAMAJAK)

Keywords

• Environmental conservation programs
• Cultural preservation services
• Marine science education
• Watershed monitoring services
• Indigenous-led advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Ventura

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Wishtoyo generates revenue primarily through individual donations processed via Network for Good. Donors can make one-time, monthly, annual, or weekly contributions at various levels, with options to designate funds to specific programs.
2. Membership Program: The organization operates a membership program with five tiers ($25-$1000/month) providing subscribers with newsletter access, early event registration, and invitations to member-only events. Chumash community members qualify for a discounted $15 annual rate.
3. Field Trip Fees: The Chumash Maritime Lifeways education program generates revenue through field trip fees ranging from $500-$1500 per trip, offered on a sliding scale basis.
4. Program Partnerships: Corporate and individual program partnerships at $5,000/year provide benefits including behind-the-scenes program access, site visit invitations, donor appreciation event access, and two tickets to the annual fundraiser.
5. Planned Giving: The organization accepts planned giving options including bequests, living trust gifts, Donor Advised Fund contributions, IRA Charitable Rollovers, and stock/bond donations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Wishtoyo Foundation is a Native-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers environmental protection, Chumash cultural preservation, K-12 marine science education, and policy/legal advocacy programs. Its core offerings include the Chumash Maritime Lifeways field trip program, the Inter-Tribal Youth Summer Field Study, Watershed Monitoring and Scientific Research, the Ventura Coastkeeper water quality program, the Šmuwič Chumash Language School, and the Chumash Basketry Preservation Program, delivered from the Chumash Village in Malibu and the Conservancy in Santa Paula.

Product overview

Wishtoyo Foundation is a Native-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1997, dedicated to preserving Chumash culture and protecting natural resources. Rather than offering a unified software product, the organization provides a portfolio of cultural preservation and environmental advocacy programs. Core offerings include: Chumash Maritime Lifeways education field trips integrating marine science with Indigenous knowledge; the Inter-Tribal Youth Summer Field Study Program; Watershed Monitoring and Scientific Research; Ventura Coastkeeper (first Native-led Waterkeeper Alliance member); the Šmuwič Chumash Language School; and Chumash Basketry Preservation. The organization also operates the Wishtoyo Chumash Village and Conservancy, runs the Wishtoyo Water Initiative campaign, conducts legal advocacy, and organizes live advocacy campaigns for marine sanctuaries, steelhead salmon, and sacred site protection.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ventura Coastkeeper: A program of Wishtoyo Foundation dedicated to protecting, preserving, and restoring the ecological integrity and water quality of Ventura County's inland waterbodies, coastal waters, and watersheds. It is the 54th member and first Native-led member of the international Waterkeeper Alliance.
• Chumash Marine Lifeways: Land and Water
• Šmuwič Chumash Language School
• Chumash Basketry Preservation Program
• Inter-Tribal Youth Summer Field Study Program
• Watershed Monitoring and Scientific Research Program
• Wishtoyo Conservancy

Products and services

• Chumash Maritime Lifeways: Land and Water A 3-hour field trip education program integrating marine science with Chumash culture, teaching K-12 students about ocean conservation through Indigenous perspective and traditional ecological knowledge. Located at Wishtoyo's Chumash Village in Malibu.
• Inter-Tribal Youth Summer Field Study Program An immersive overnight week-long experience for up to 24 Indigenous youth at Wishtoyo's Village and Limuw (Santa Cruz Island), emphasizing STEAM subjects, scientific research skills, and cultural identity strengthening.
• Watershed Monitoring and Scientific Research Program Environmental monitoring program conducting water quality testing, ecological assessments, and scientific research throughout the Santa Clara River (Utom) watershed and Ventura County watersheds at over 50 monitoring sites.
• Ventura Coastkeeper Program Water quality protection and advocacy program, the first Native-led member of the Waterkeeper Alliance, focused on protecting Ventura County's waterbodies and watersheds through education, legal enforcement, and restoration.
• Šmuwič Chumash Language School Language preservation program opened in 2010 at Wishtoyo's Chumash Village, dedicated to teaching and preserving the Šmuwič/Barbareño Chumash language through songs and stories.
• Chumash Basketry Preservation Program Cultural preservation program teaching Chumash basketry through master basketweaver Tima Link Lotah on a multigenerational level to preserve this traditional art form.
• Live Advocacy Campaigns Advocacy campaigns including Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary, Southern Steelhead Salmon protection, and Save Oak Flat from destructive mining.
• Legal Advocacy and Cases Environmental and cultural legal advocacy using Endangered Species Act, CEQA, NEPA, and California Public Trust Doctrine to protect ancestral lands, waters, and sacred sites.
• Foundation Membership Program A tiered recurring membership program ($25-$1,000/month) offering newsletter access, early event registration, and invitations to member-only events, with Chumash community members eligible for a discounted $15 annual rate.
• Corporate Program Partnership Annual corporate and foundation partnership at $5,000/year providing behind-the-scenes program access, field day participation or site visit opportunities, donor appreciation event access, and two tickets to the annual fundraiser.

Quantifiable outcome

• 2,500 youth served annually through marine education programs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered supporting and core.

• Technical Advisory Committee (Dr. Sean Anderson, Dr. Richard Ambrose, Dr. David Jacobs, Mark Abramson)supportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2013Independent technical experts from CSU Channel Islands, UCLA, and Santa Monica Bay Restoration Foundation providing scientific review and guidance for Santa Clara River Estuary restoration study.
• California State Parks Channel Coast DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Santa Clara River Estuary restoration project, providing in-kind support and collaborative project management for the 42-acre habitat restoration feasibility study and design.
• California Department of Fish and WildlifecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFisheries Restoration Grant Program principal funder for Santa Clara River Estuary restoration feasibility study ($947,000 budget). Collaborates on MPA tribal co-management agreements.
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdditional funding partner for Santa Clara River Estuary restoration project, contributing funds alongside California Department of Fish and Wildlife and McGrath Trustee Council.
• cbec eco engineeringsupportingTechnology or IntegrationLead restoration design engineering firm for Santa Clara River Estuary Habitat Restoration and Enhancement Feasibility Study.
• WRA Environmental ConsultantssupportingTechnology or IntegrationEnvironmental consulting support for the Santa Clara River Estuary restoration feasibility study.
• Dr. Richard ApplegatesupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRenowned linguist and specialist in Chumash language who has contributed to preservation efforts. Works with language apprentices to document and preserve endangered Chumash languages.
• UCLA Ecology and Evolutionary Biology ProgramcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for watershed-wide research on aquatic invasive species and Arroyo Toad habitat assessment in the Utom (Santa Clara River) watershed. Spring 2024 partnership for Ecology Practicum course (EEB 183) student project.
• California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides on-campus laboratory space for water quality analysis, enhancing watershed monitoring program capacity. Students from CSUCI serve as interns in the watershed monitoring program since 2019.
• Waterkeeper AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational organization of which Ventura Coastkeeper is the 54th member and first Native-led member. Provides network, resources, and framework for waterway protection advocacy.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Strengths3 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/WishtoyoChumashFoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/wishtoyochumashfoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wishtoyo-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Wishtoyo Foundation