David and Lucile Packard Foundation - Ocean Program

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Enriched International · Found: 2026-03-10 22:15

Major funder of ocean conservation research. Example: $17.7M over 5 years to PISCO consortium. Supports marine ecological studies, policy, sustainable fisheries, climate resilience.

Source: https://www.packard.org/what-we-fund/conservation-and-science/ocean/

Funding Details

Funder: The David and Lucile Packard Foundation
Funding Goal: Protect and restore ocean habitats, ensure fair and sustainable fisheries, end illegal fishing, support human rights in seafood supply chains, advance offshore wind energy, and conserve ocean areas rich in marine life in the US, Indonesia, and Chile.
Funding Amount: $480 million announced in April 2024 to advance ocean conservation (multi-year commitment)
Deadline: Unknown (Unknown)
How to Apply: Packard Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals. Grantees are identified proactively by foundation staff. Interested organisations can register on the Grantee Portal (packard.fluxx.io) and explore current grantees and approaches at https://www.packard.org/what-we-fund/conservation-and-science/ocean/. Contact: https://www.packard.org/contact/
Target Region: United States (California), Indonesia, Chile (primary focus); global for policy/advocacy work
Contact: Packard Foundation, Los Altos, California. Contact: https://www.packard.org/contact/
Last Checked: 2026-03-15 12:43

Application Checklist

Eligibility

Must have an established track record in ocean conservation, fisheries, or clean energy

Project Scope

Must work in priority areas: marine conservation in US/Indonesia/Chile, sustainable fisheries, or offshore wind (California)
Target beneficiaries include Indigenous peoples, coastal communities, small-scale fishers

Required Documents

Organisations can register interest via Grantee Portal at packard.fluxx.io

Constraints

Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals — all grants are made proactively
Grants are multi-year; no application deadline as process is foundation-initiated

Summary

The David and Lucile Packard Foundation's Ocean Initiative is a major philanthropic programme that in April 2024 announced $480 million to advance ocean conservation. The Foundation has made ocean grants since 1968, making it one of the longest-running ocean philanthropy programmes in the world. The programme's thematic scope focuses on three key issue areas: (1) Conserving ocean areas rich in marine life to sustain communities and livelihoods in the US, Indonesia, and Chile; (2) Ending illegal fishing, improving seafood worker conditions, protecting human rights, and ensuring responsible sustainable fisheries management; and (3) Advancing responsible floating offshore wind energy in California to accelerate clean energy transition as a global model. Eligible activities include marine protected area designation and management, Indigenous-led marine sanctuary development, sustainable fisheries research and advocacy, seafood supply chain transparency, illegal fishing prevention, offshore wind energy policy and planning, and coastal community engagement. Geographically, the Foundation focuses primarily on the US (especially California), Indonesia, and Chile for marine conservation, with a broader policy and advocacy scope globally. The Foundation explicitly centres Indigenous peoples, coastal communities, small-scale fishers, and seafood workers in its approach. Eligible applicants are organisations working in the priority issue areas within the target geographies. The Foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals; all grantees are identified proactively. Current grantees include BirdLife International, Seafood Legacy Co., and Coral Triangle Center, among others. The $480 million commitment is a multi-year pledge. Individual grant amounts are not publicly specified; grantees range from major international NGOs to smaller specialised organisations.

Historical Context

First ocean grant made in 1968. In April 2024, Packard Foundation announced $480 million to advance ocean conservation over the coming years. Programme recently updated with a 2025 strategy overview document. New VP for Environment and Science appointed in February 2025.

Why it was added

R13-RF1: One of the largest private ocean conservation funders

Sources

https://www.packard.org/what-we-fund/conservation-and-science/ocean/

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