What seacoast science center does

Seacoast Science Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit marine science education organization founded in 1992 and headquartered within Odiorne Point State Park in Rye, New Hampshire, on the traditional ancestral homeland of the Abenaki, Pennacook, and Wabanaki Peoples. The Center operates on behalf of the New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation, delivering hands-on marine science education, interactive exhibits featuring Gulf of Maine marine life, live animal displays, touch tanks, and tide pool programming to families, K–12 school groups, and general visitors. Its conservation portfolio includes Marine Mammal Rescue and stranding response, coastal habitat restoration, coral gene banking, and community science programs such as the annual BioBlitz, which has documented 2,402 species since 2003.

The Center runs a diversified revenue model spanning daily visitor admissions (ticketed via FareHarbor), annual memberships managed through NeonCRM, individual and corporate donations, school group program fees (e.g., $375 per group for Rocky Shore Investigation), and special events including the Atlantic Grill Music by the Sea summer concert series, which functions as the largest annual fundraiser. Corporate sponsorship tiers include title (Atlantic Grill), presenting (Partners Bank), and supporting partners. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors chaired by Charles Potter, with Executive Director Kate Leavitt leading a staff of approximately 26 across education, marine mammal response, aquarist operations, marketing, fundraising, and facility maintenance roles.

The Center is embedded in a deep institutional ecosystem: federal partners include NOAA, NASA, NSF, and the National Marine Fisheries Service (via the Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program); academic partners include the University of New Hampshire through multiple marine science programs; and professional affiliations include the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. In 2024, the Center earned Candid Platinum Transparency and Charity Navigator Four Star ratings, signaling strong non-profit accountability. Geographic scope is regional (New Hampshire and New England), with a 50-mile radius restriction on donation requests and an explicit restriction that contributions cannot be made to organizations outside New England.

Name

seacoast science center

Legal name

Seacoast Science Center, Inc.

Website

https://seacoastsciencecenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Seacoast Science Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 1992 that operates marine science exhibits, education programs, and conservation initiatives within Odiorne Point State Park in Rye, New Hampshire, serving families, K–12 school groups, and regional visitors across New England.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Science Education & Environmental Conservation

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine Conservation & Citizen-Science Experiences (reef monitoring, turtle walks) (THAAAIAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Marine & Freshwater Conservation (BPAGAGAE), Coastal & Marine Resources Administration (Oceans, Fisheries, Shorelines) (BPAIAMAI)

Keywords

• Marine science education
• Environmental conservation
• Interactive exhibits
• Citizen science programs
• Wildlife rescue services

Headquarters

HQ city

Rye

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Revenue from daily visitor admissions to the Science Center exhibits and programs. Tickets sold through FareHarbor online platform with pricing tiers for members, non-members, children, seniors, and military.
2. Membership Program: Annual membership subscriptions providing free/discounted admission, member-only pre-sale access to events, and other benefits. Managed through NeonCRM platform.
3. Donations: Charitable donations from individuals and organizations supporting marine science education and conservation mission. Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
4. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate partnerships and sponsorships including title sponsors (Atlantic Grill), presenting sponsors (Partners Bank), and supporting sponsors for events like the Music by the Sea concert series.
5. Event Revenue: Revenue from special events including the Atlantic Grill Music by the Sea concert series (annual summer fundraiser), BioBlitz participation fees, and event space rentals.
6. School Programs: Fees for organized school group programs such as Rocky Shore Investigation (Citizen Science Program) at $375 per group for grades 6-12.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Seacoast Science Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit marine science education organization that operates interactive exhibits, aquariums, and live animal displays at Odiorne Point State Park in Rye, New Hampshire. It delivers hands-on marine science programs for schools, families, and visitors, alongside conservation services including marine mammal rescue, coastal habitat restoration, community science (BioBlitz, Rocky Shore Investigation), and coral gene banking. The center generates revenue from daily admissions, memberships, donations, school program fees, and the annual Atlantic Grill Music by the Sea concert fundraiser.

Product overview

Seacoast Science Center operates as a non-profit marine science education organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs focused on ocean education, conservation, and public engagement. The core offerings include hands-on exhibits featuring Gulf of Maine marine life, Marine Mammal Rescue response services, and structured education programs for schools and teachers. The center runs seasonal camps and daily visitor programming including tide pool explorations. Conservation initiatives encompass Community Science (citizen science) programs such as the annual BioBlitz and Rocky Shore Investigation, alongside Coastal Habitat Restoration partnerships. The Atlantic Grill Music by the Sea concert series serves as the primary annual fundraiser. All offerings center on the mission to inspire conservation of the ocean through experiential learning at Odiorne Point State Park.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Marine Mammal Rescue
• Education Programs
• Interactive Exhibits
• Marine Science Camps
• Rocky Shore Investigation (School Program)
• BioBlitz
• Coastal Habitat Restoration
• Atlantic Grill Music by the Sea Concert Series
• Daily Visitor Programs
• Coral Gene Banking

Quantifiable outcome

• 426 species identified in 2024 BioBlitz event, bringing total to 2,402 species documented since 2003
• +1 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

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• New Hampshire Division of Parks and RecreationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Center operates within Odiorne Point State Park on behalf of New Hampshire State Parks. The Division of Parks and Recreation partners with Rockingham County Conservation District on habitat restoration projects, having invested over $600,000 since 2009.
• Rockingham County Conservation District (RCCD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in coastal habitat restoration at Odiorne Point State Park since 2009. RCCD leads invasive plant management and native habitat restoration efforts, having invested over $600,000 with over 10,000 volunteer hours.
• University of New HampshirecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiple partnerships including UNH Marine Docents, UNH School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering, and UNH Sea Grant. UNH volunteers participate in pollinator area plantings along Route 1A.
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency partner listed among institutional collaborators. Funding provided through NOAA's Office for Coastal Management under the Coastal Zone Management Act for habitat restoration projects.
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency partner; Center is part of NASA-funded Learning Ecosystems Northeast project, building local learning communities committed to empowering next generation of climate stewards.
• Atlantic GrillflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerTitle sponsor for the annual Atlantic Grill Music by the Sea concert series, the Center's largest annual fundraiser. Located just 2 miles north of the Center in Rye, NH.
• Partners BankflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor for Atlantic Grill Music by the Sea concert series, supporting the annual summer fundraising event.
• Centrus DigitalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate partner providing in-kind sponsorship for events including BioBlitz and Music by the Sea concert series.
• Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstitutional partner providing professional standards and network for marine science education organizations.
• National Marine Fisheries ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency partner for marine mammal rescue and conservation efforts, including Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program.
• One Percent for the PlanetminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEnvironmental giving program supported by corporate partners, with Center listed as Platinum Corporate Partner recipient.
• NH Green Crab ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity science partnership with UNH Sea Grant for tracking and monitoring invasive green crab populations in New Hampshire coastal waters.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• New England Aquarium: Regional aquarium and marine science education center with exhibits, marine mammal rescue, citizen science, and school programs. Direct peer on mission, audience, and programs, though larger and Boston-based.
• Mystic Aquarium: Connecticut-based aquarium and marine science institution with exhibits, beluga/seal programs, marine mammal rescue, and K-12 education. Highly comparable in operating model and Northeast regional footprint.
• National Marine Life Center: Massachusetts-based marine wildlife hospital and science education center focused on marine mammal rehabilitation and STEM education. Comparable by mission and small nonprofit scale in New England.

Regional players

• Cape Cod Museum of Natural History: Regional natural history museum and nature education center on Cape Cod with exhibits, field programs, and citizen science. Comparable by nonprofit science education model serving coastal New England families and schools.
• Audubon Society of New Hampshire: State-level conservation and environmental education nonprofit in New Hampshire operating sanctuaries, nature programs, and citizen science. Comparable as a regional conservation-education competitor for members, donors, and school programs.

Broad incumbents

• Monterey Bay Aquarium: National-scale aquarium and ocean conservation institution with exhibits, conservation research, and major fundraising. Comparable in mission and programs, but operates at significantly larger scale and budget.
• Shedd Aquarium: Major urban aquarium with marine mammal programs, education, and conservation partnerships. Comparable mission and programs; much larger scale and broader geographic reach.

Others

• UNH School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering: Academic partner and pipeline for marine science research, volunteers, and citizen science collaboration in NH. Indirect peer via shared mission, talent flow, and partnership overlap.
• The Nature Conservancy (NH Chapter): National conservation nonprofit with active NH coastal and habitat restoration programs. Competes for the same donor and grant pool and operates adjacent conservation-education programming.

Emerging players

• Island Institute: Maine-based coastal community and marine research nonprofit. Comparable as a regional marine-conservation-education organization competing for similar New England coastal grants and donor attention.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/seacoastsciencectr
• Facebookfacebook.com/seacoastsciencecenter
• Instagraminstagram.com/seacoast_science_center
• Pinterestpinterest.com/seacoastscience
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/seacoast-science-center

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about seacoast science center