Giving to Ocean Institute

Artifact Donation Guidelines at the Ocean Institute                           

The Ocean Institute is a 501c(3) organization committed to expanding awareness and understanding of marine environments of the guests who visit. Using labs, aquaria, offshore experiences, and artifacts, the Ocean Institute works to inspire actions of learning, sustainability, and conservation. Our collections are reflective of these ideas and support the educational opportunities we provide for schools and the community.

We are interested in learning about potential donation items that will positively promote our organization’s mission.  

If you have an item you would like to donate, please read the conditions outlined below and fill out the form at the bottom of the page. Understanding the policies we have and the ones we must conform to as a scientific-educational facility will help make the donation process as smooth as possible. 

Thank you.

Before Bringing your item in:                                                                       

Tell us about it! If you have an item you would like to donate, please read the conditions outlined below and fill out the form at the bottom of the page. Artifact donation proposals will not be accepted unless a form with attached pictures is submitted. This helps us correctly access its possible position within our collection and whether the donation aligns with Ocean Institute’s mission. Please do this before bringing your collection item to the Ocean Institute.  

Donations will not be accepted if a form is not filled out, drop offs will be asked to fill out form. Addressing the items before they come also helps to understand the significance of the donation and gives the opportunity to provide accurate education and/or history about the item. 

We can’t accept everything.

Please understand that the Ocean Institute cannot accept everything proposed as a donation to us. Objects that bring into question State or Federal regulations (explained below), or do not align with the mission of Ocean Institute, are more likely to be denied.  

Our collections                                                                                                      

Our collections are used for the education of the community and school groups. We currently have 3 categories for collections: 

Living Collections: Collections of living animals occupying our aquaria used for educational programs and research. It is intended for the organisms here to be cared for in alignment with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. We collect via our Scientific Collection permit or transfers between other professional institutions. We are unable to accept living animal donations. 

Exhibit Collections- This collection is used to exhibit displays and educational programs. It comprises objects used in research and those documenting aspects of maritime history, marine science, and terrestrial ecology. It is intended that objects in this collection are preserved and maintained for an elongated amount of time. 

Teaching Collections- This collection consists of objects used in educational programs, hands-on demonstrations, or as component parts to repair or create facsimile artifacts. It is not intended that items in this collection are preserved. 

Conditions for Exhibit Collections                                              

Animal parts, or artifacts have stipulations when it comes to accepting them as donations. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have regulations that we, as a scientific institution, must abide by. These conditions correspond with the Marine Mammal Act of 1972, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, protected state and federal lands and coastal areas, and state-protected species. 

ANY bird parts, bones, feathers, or otherwise, cannot be accepted at this time. 

Bones, preserved parts, or parasites taken from any marine mammal after the year 1972, or endangered species parts after 1973, must have copies of permits or other documentation showing the material were obtained legally by the donor. Artifacts that were collected before the years 1972-73 must submit a letter outlining how the artifact came into their possession. 

Acceptance of these types of artifacts depends entirely on the legality of owning them, in accordance with CDFW and NOAA laws or regulations. 

The localities of the collection of all said artifacts MUST be known. 

Donations are Tax Deductible                                                                           

 As a non-profit institution, donations made to the Ocean Institute may be claimed as tax deductions. In order to be claimed, the object must be appraised for its value. In accordance with the regulations issued by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), appraisal or estimates of an artifact’s value is solely the responsibility of the donor and that benefiting institutions cannot provide a fair market value. Therefore, the Ocean Institute cannot provide appraisals or fair market evaluations, either expressed or implied, to donors. We ask that you consult your attorney, the IRS, or a licensed appraiser for any questions or concerns addressing tax-deductible donations. 

Donation uses and displays 

All the donations Ocean Institute receives are important; whether they are displayed or not. Items that are donated for exhibit purposes are placed into a rotating collection. This means that certain exhibits may change throughout the year and our displayed artifacts with them. We cannot guarantee that artifacts will be displayed; display may affect the condition of some artifacts, artifacts may be loaned to other institutions, or it doesn’t match our collection at that time. 

Disclaimer                                                                                                                 

The Ocean Institute, because of the nature of our collections and rotations, must accept gifts free of trust, obligation, or conditions that need to be met. We ask that items being donated are surrendered of ownership by the donor. If you would like to receive back your donation at some point in time, please contact us at oi@oceaninstitute.org discuss the loaning of an object. 

We cannot accept unsolicited donations. Please do not mail, ship, or drop off any items intended for donation without receiving permission from Ocean Institute staff. Information detailing the origins and “story” behind items, to the best of the donor’s ability, is required.