Waitt Foundation - Blue Prosperity Coalition

Enriched US Foundation · Found: 2026-03-10 13:22

Foundation supporting ocean conservation through the Blue Prosperity Coalition, partnering with island nations (Azores, Bermuda, FSM, Fiji, Maldives, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu) for marine protection and sustainable blue economies. Broader strategic partnership beyond ROC grants.

Source: https://waittfoundation.org/

Funding Details

Funder

Waitt Foundation

Funding Goal

To protect and restore ocean health through marine protected areas, sustainable fisheries management, and Blue Prosperity initiatives in partnership with island nation governments worldwide.

Funding Amount

Up to $20,000 per ROC Grant (up to 20.000 €)

How to Apply

Rolling applications reviewed monthly. Submit via online portal only (no email, mail, or fax). Must include: budget, project timeline, proof of non-profit status. Funds distributed within 2 weeks of funding decision. Contact: rocgrants@waittfoundation.org

Target Region

Global — priority on island nations and Blue Prosperity Coalition partner countries (Azores, Bermuda, FSM, Fiji, Maldives, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu)

Contact

rocgrants@waittfoundation.org (ROC Grants); sbrody@waittinstitute.org (media inquiries)

Official Page

https://waittfoundation.org/roc-grants/

Last Checked

2026-03-11 18:01

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Applicant must be an NGO or academic institution and maintain that affiliation for the full project duration
• Priority given to projects supporting Blue Prosperity Coalition partner island nations (Azores, Bermuda, FSM, Fiji, Maldives, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu)

Project Scope

• Project must focus on sustainable fishing or marine protected areas (MPAs)

Required Documents

• Submit via online portal only — include budget, project timeline, and proof of non-profit status
• Applications without a budget will not be considered

Constraints

• Project duration must not exceed 6 months
• ROC Grant must be the primary funding source — not supplementary to a larger grant
• No indirect costs or administrative fees are permitted in the budget

Summary

The Waitt Foundation is a US-based philanthropic organization dedicated to ocean conservation, operating through grants, government partnerships, and applied research. Its flagship vehicle for external funding is the Rapid Ocean Conservation (ROC) Grants Program, which offers small, fast-turnaround grants of up to $20,000 to NGOs and academic institutions working on emerging ocean conservation challenges. The foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals outside the ROC program, and the broader strategic Blue Prosperity Coalition work is implemented through direct government partnerships rather than open grant competitions. The ROC Grants Program prioritizes projects that support island nations, with particular emphasis on the eight Blue Prosperity Coalition partner governments: Azores, Bermuda, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Maldives, Samoa, Tonga, and Vanuatu. Eligible projects must advance sustainable fishing practices or marine protected areas (MPAs) through scientific research, policy development, fisheries management, or communications work. Projects are limited to six months in duration and grants must serve as the primary funding source — not supplementary to larger efforts. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed monthly, with no fixed deadlines. Submissions must be made via the online portal and include a budget, project timeline, and proof of non-profit status. The foundation commits to distributing funds within two weeks of funding decisions, making this one of the faster small-grant mechanisms available in the marine conservation space. The broader Waitt ecosystem includes the Waitt Institute (technical assistance to governments) and the Blue Prosperity Coalition (a multi-stakeholder advocacy and implementation network). The foundation describes its wider grant approach as catalytic — supporting projects with clear timelines and the potential to leverage major policy moments.

Historical Context

The Waitt Foundation is a founding partner of the Blue Prosperity Coalition. The ROC Grants Program operates on a rolling monthly review cycle; no information on past funding rounds or total historical disbursements was publicly available.

Why it was added

Waitt Foundation broader program supporting marine conservation in island nations through Blue Prosperity Coalition partnerships. Complementary to ROC grants program.

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