FRIENDS OF ENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATION INC.

What FRIENDS OF ENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATION INC. does

Friends of the Environment Association Inc. (FRIENDS) is a Bahamian non-profit environmental organization founded in 1988 in Hope Town, Abaco, by four residents concerned about unsustainable use of natural resources. The organization delivers environmental education, community conservation projects, and research support across Abaco's communities, reaching over 23,000 students since launching its education program in 2006 through classroom presentations, field trips, after-school clubs, and summer camps operated across seven Abaco communities.

FRIENDS operates two physical facilities in Marsh Harbour: the Frank Kenyon Centre for Research, Education, and Conservation (opened 2015), which provides 28-bed dormitory-style accommodations, lab facilities, and meeting space for visiting researchers and student expeditions, and the Learning Centre (opened May 2023), which houses offices, an expanded classroom, the developing Exploratorium natural history exhibit, and partner NGO spaces. Core programs include the PODS Pre-college Ocean Discovery and Science Program (a STEM preparation pipeline for grades 11-12 in partnership with the University of Michigan), Sustainable Job Training apprenticeships in renewable energy and eco-tourism, Hurricane Dorian recovery initiatives, marine debris removal, and participation in national conservation working groups including the Bahamas Spiny Lobster Working Group and Northern Bahamas Mangrove Restoration Project.

The organization's revenue model is multi-stream: donations and contributions (including US tax-deductible donations through the Friends of the Environment Inc. 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor in Delray Beach, Florida), grants and foundation funding (Packard Foundation, Moore Foundation, UNDP GEF SGP, Bahamas Protected Areas Fund, Caribbean Biodiversity Fund, Center for Disaster Philanthropy), facility rentals (Kenyon Centre and Learning Centre meeting spaces), event revenue (Hope Town Turtle Trot, Reef Balls, Combustion Music Festival, Cheers to Conservation), and merchandise sales. GTM motion is community-led and event-driven, supported by a full-time staff of five Bahamians and an 11-member Board of Directors drawn from education, marine science, tourism, and government sectors. FRIENDS is registered under The Bahamas' Non-Profit Organisations Act, 2019, and holds a Platinum rating on Guidestar/Candid.

Name

FRIENDS OF ENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATION INC.

Legal name

Friends of the Environment Inc.

Website

https://friendsoftheenvironment.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Friends of the Environment is a Bahamian non-profit founded in 1988 that delivers environmental education, community conservation projects, and research facilitation across Abaco, reaching 23,000+ students through schools, camps, and two research facilities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Education & Conservation Services

akta.pro primary industry

Environmental Education & Outreach (BPAGAGAH)

Keywords

• Environmental education services
• Marine conservation programs
• Community conservation projects
• Research facility accommodations
• Sustainable youth training

Headquarters

HQ city

Marsh Harbour

HQ country

Bahamas

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: General donations to Friends of the Environment Abaco for local giving; US tax-deductible donations through Friends of the Environment Inc. (501(c)(3) organization)
2. Grants and Foundation Funding: Funding from foundations and government programs including Packard Fellowship, Moore Foundation, UNDP GEF SGP, Bahamas Protected Areas Fund
3. Education Program Sponsorship: Sponsor a Smile program at BSD$250 per child for summer camp attendance
4. Kenyon Centre Venue Rentals: Accommodation and meeting space rentals including whole center at $900/night, individual bunks at $60/person/night, private rooms at $120/night
5. Learning Centre Space Rentals: Conference room rental at $150-$200, classroom at $200-$300, and Duncan Lewis Stewart Discovery Room at $50-$100
6. Event Revenue: Fundraising events including Hope Town Turtle Trot ($30/person), Reef Ball dinners, and music festival participation
7. Merchandise Sales: FRIENDS merchandise available through RedBubble store

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Friends of the Environment (FRIENDS) is a Bahamian non-profit organization that delivers environmental education programming (classroom presentations, field trips, after-school clubs, summer camps, and the PODS pre-college ocean discovery program), community conservation projects (habitat restoration, marine debris removal, protected area advocacy), and research facilitation services in Abaco, Bahamas. It operates two physical facilities—the Frank Kenyon Centre (opened 2015) and the Learning Centre (opened May 2023)—which serve as venues for education delivery, research group accommodation, and community engagement.

Product overview

Friends of the Environment (FRIENDS) is a Bahamian non-profit environmental organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs and facilities centered on environmental education, conservation, and research facilitation in Abaco, The Bahamas. The core offerings include Education Programs (classroom presentations, field trips, after-school clubs, and Summer Camps), the PODS Pre-college Ocean Discovery and Science Program for STEM preparation, and Conservation Programs spanning habitat restoration, marine debris removal, and national conservation efforts. Physical facilities include the Frank Kenyon Centre for Research, Education, and Conservation (opened 2015) offering 28-bed accommodations for researchers and students, and the Learning Centre (opened 2023) housing offices, classrooms, and the developing Exploratorium natural history exhibit. Additional offerings include Research Facilitation services, Sustainable Job Training apprenticeships, Hurricane Dorian Recovery initiatives, Community Events (Turtle Trot, Reef Balls, Music Festival), and educational resources for teachers and students. The organization operates Campus Sustainability demonstrations and manages protected area education programs. FRIENDS functions as a platform organization connecting communities, researchers, students, and conservation partners through these integrated programs and facilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Education Programs Environmental education programs including classroom presentations, field trips, after-school clubs, and summer camps designed to build environmental stewardship among Abaco's youth and community members.
• PODS (Pre-college Ocean Discovery and Science Program) A STEM preparation program for Bahamian high school students that provides coastal ecology and conservation overview, hands-on research experience, and mentorship to help students pursue post-high school education in environmental fields.
• Frank Kenyon Centre for Research, Education, and Conservation A 28-bed research and education facility offering dorm-style accommodations, meeting spaces, lab facilities, and sustainable campus features (solar power, water catchment), available for rent by researchers, students, and community groups.
• Learning Centre A community learning space featuring an expanded classroom, Exploratorium exhibit area, conference and meeting spaces, and partner NGO offices; functions as FRIENDS' main office and educational hub with rentable spaces.
• Conservation Programs

Quantifiable outcome

• 23,000+ students reached since 2006
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Florida International UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Partnership with FIU GIS Center and FIU Institute of the Environment for Abaco Advanced Landscape and Ecosystem Monitoring Project, specifically Bahama Parrot nesting site studies
• The Nature ConservancycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2003FRIENDS became a Partner in Progress with The Nature Conservancy; capacity-building grant from The Nature Conservancy in early 2000s facilitated hiring first staff member and opening Marsh Harbour office
• Coastal Ecology and Conservation Lab at University of MichigancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint organizer of PODS pre-college ocean discovery and science program with Friends of the Environment
• Water MissionmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for water catchment and filtration system installation at FRIENDS campus for backup potable water
• Delphi ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost partner for sustainable lodge operations and fly-fishing apprenticeship at Delphi Club in South Abaco
• Bahamas National TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on protected areas management and national park oversight in Abaco
• Bahamas Marine Mammal Research OrganisationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term collaboration on marine conservation and research in Abaco waters
• Perry Institute for Marine SciencecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on reef conservation, marine debris removal, and coral restoration projects including Fowl Cays National Park response
• Engineered Electric ServicesminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerSolar installation and repair partner for FRIENDS campus and Forest Heights Academy projects
• Driftwood Food CompanyminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHost partner for sustainable farming apprenticeship program in South Abaco
• 1% for the PlanetminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMember of network connecting businesses and non-profits; FRIENDS listed as beneficiary for businesses naming them
• YachtAid GlobalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBrought school supplies following Hurricane Dorian; introduced FRIENDS to SeaLegacy team
• Rocky Mountain InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInvestigated sites for solar micro-grids in Abaco post-Dorian; introduced FRIENDS to Clinton Foundation
• Team RubiconminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUsed Kenyon Centre as headquarters for relief efforts following Hurricane Dorian
• Samaritan's PurseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUsed Kenyon Centre as headquarters for relief and recovery efforts
• The Nature Conservancy BahamascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Northern Bahamas Mangrove Restoration Project
• Bonefish and Tarpon TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership in Northern Bahamas Mangrove Restoration Project
• Bahamas Mangrove AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFRIENDS became partner in 2024 to support mangrove conservation and education in The Bahamas
• IDEA ReliefminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for marine debris removal at Mermaid Reef and community hurricane debris removal in Green Turtle Cay
• Bahamas Spiny Lobster Working GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExecutive Director serves as member; played significant role in MSC certification for spiny lobster fishery
• Perry Institute for Marine SciencecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLed coalition with FRIENDS, BNT, BMMRO, local dive shops for Fowl Cays National Park reef protection efforts

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCyxL84OIreAm4Xni3xFhAwA
• Facebookfacebook.com/friendsoftheenvironment
• Instagraminstagram.com/friendsoftheenvironment
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/friends-of-the-environment-friends

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 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 FRIENDS OF ENVIRONMENT ASSOCIATION INC.