Sea of Stars

A 5-year pledge of support for ocean education!

The Sea of Stars is a prominent public area where individual donors are recognized with a custom star for a $10,000 contribution for five years.

Sea of Stars Donors may elect to fulfill their $50,000 pledge in one or two years while receiving their Star recognition for a five year term. Donors may wish to reserve a Star for a family member or share a short message with thousands of students who walk across the Sea of Stars. Donors to our Sea of Stars are invited to complimentary events throughout the year and have unlimited admission to Ocean Institute during public hours for themselves and up to 6 guests.

Sea of Stars donors who have an interest in extending the impact of their gift beyond five years can designate their gift to Ocean Institute’s permanent endowment to fund education programs and tuition assistance for underserved children for generations to come. 

Your Star is an investment into the educating of children in the most unique, powerful way that sparks their passion for the ocean now and throughout their lifetime. Your Star will influence the lives of children so that they become knowledgeable and passionate about the ocean and its inhabitants.

Please contact our Development Team at development@oceaninstitute.org to find out more!

The LegaSea Society

The Ocean Institute LegaSea Society recognizes those who have included Ocean Institute in their estate plan in a variety of ways.

The LegaSea Society is a special group of friends who believe in the purpose and values of Ocean Institute. We want to ensure a better tomorrow for our children. This group celebrates those who have included Ocean Institute in their estate plans through a bequest, an alternative planned gift, or an outright gift to Ocean Institute’s endowment fund. 

Planned Giving Opportunities:

• Testamentary Bequest- *This is the most straight forward, cost effective planning arrangement
• Life Insurance
• Retirement Plan Assets
• Charitable Remainder Trust
• Charitable Lead Trust
• Appreciated Asset

Individuals or Families that choose to partner with Ocean Institute in this way would receive the following:

• An annual reception held in honor of the members of our LegaSea Society
• Name placed on Ocean Institute’s Donor Wall
• Tax benefits and estate planning advantages when selecting a charity as a beneficiary
• Leaving a charitable legacy

Please work with your personal attorney or financial advisor to include Ocean Institute within your estate, as there are no Estate Planning professionals available through our organization.

Once Ocean Institute is added or for more information, please contact our Development Team at development@oceaninstitute.org 

Naming Opportunity for the At-Sea: Acquisition and Acclimation Lab

$150,000

The At-Sea Acquisition and Acclimation lab is the first stop for any organism joining our living collection. Here, incoming organisms are monitored and carefully treated by our husbandry team for any potential medical conditions or health concerns to ensure a safe transition into our display tanks. The lab is equipped with a stand-alone life support system inclusive of chiller units, filters, and pumps.

Naming Opportunity for the Learning Lab inside the Packard At-Sea Center

$750,000

This gift will fund general operations. (It can be given over two years if needed). This large teaching space in the Packard At-Sea Center provides visiting schools with the science lab that they never had! Equipped with high-powered microscopes, cameras, dissection equipment, artifacts, and all the resources needed to dive into science, this Learning Lab supports in-depth, hands-on learning experiences for 50,000 visitors each year.

Naming Opportunity for the Living Collections Lab in the Packard At-Sea Center

$750,000

This gift will fund general operations. The Living Collections Lab gives students a unique opportunity to get “up close and personal” with a sampling of our coast’s local biodiversity. Serving as the scientists, students can observe and compare adaptations and defense strategies employed by organisms that live within the kelp forest, benthic zone, rocky reefs, and pelagic ocean habitats.

Naming Opportunity for the Surf Deck

$1,000,000

This gift will fund general operations and be recognized with a surf-themed plaque on the Surf Deck. The gift can occur over two years if needed. This multi-use space is the most impressive location on the campus with its unobstructed view of the Pacific. In addition to serving as the home to 8,000 students annually during day and overnight programs, the Surf Deck hosts events including distinguished speakers, educational conferences, collaborative partner thinktanks, VIP and corporate receptions, and community gatherings. It is the jewel of the organization.

Naming Opportunity for the Surf Science Learning Center

$1,000,000

This gift will fund general operations (can occur over two years if needed). The Surf Science Learning Center engages students in investigations related to the science on surf, sand study, underwater robotics, and watershed science. The sponsor’s name will be prominently placed on the building outside of this indoor/outdoor lab area.

For more information about naming opportunities, please contact our Development Team at development@oceaninstitute.org

Adopt-A-Class

Created in 2001, Ocean Insitute’s flagship outreach program

The At-Sea Acquisition and Acclimation lab is the first stop for any organism joining our living collection. Here, incoming organisms are monitored and carefully treated by our husbandry team for any potential medical conditions or health concerns to ensure a safe transition into our display tanks. The lab is equipped with a stand-alone life support system inclusive of chiller units, filters, and pumps.

Naming Opportunity for the Learning Lab inside the Packard At-Sea Center

$750,000

This gift will fund general operations. (It can be given over two years if needed). This large teaching space in the Packard At-Sea Center provides visiting schools with the science lab that they never had! Equipped with high-powered microscopes, cameras, dissection equipment, artifacts, and all the resources needed to dive into science, this Learning Lab supports in-depth, hands-on learning experiences for 50,000 visitors each year.

Naming Opportunity for the Living Collections Lab in the Packard At-Sea Center

$750,000

This gift will fund general operations. The Living Collections Lab gives students a unique opportunity to get “up close and personal” with a sampling of our coast’s local biodiversity. Serving as the scientists, students can observe and compare adaptations and defense strategies employed by organisms that live within the kelp forest, benthic zone, rocky reefs, and pelagic ocean habitats.

Naming Opportunity for the Surf Deck

$1,000,000

This gift will fund general operations and be recognized with a surf-themed plaque on the Surf Deck. The gift can occur over two years if needed. This multi-use space is the most impressive location on the campus with its unobstructed view of the Pacific. In addition to serving as the home to 8,000 students annually during day and overnight programs, the Surf Deck hosts events including distinguished speakers, educational conferences, collaborative partner thinktanks, VIP and corporate receptions, and community gatherings. It is the jewel of the organization.

Naming Opportunity for the Surf Science Learning Center

$1,000,000

This gift will fund general operations (can occur over two years if needed). The Surf Science Learning Center engages students in investigations related to the science on surf, sand study, underwater robotics, and watershed science. The sponsor’s name will be prominently placed on the building outside of this indoor/outdoor lab area.

For more information about naming opportunities, please contact our Development Team at development@oceaninstitute.org