Sponsors and Partners
Join us in making waves!
Support Ocean Institute through your business as a Community Partner, a Corporate Partner, or through our Associate Board of Directors, and receive recognition through our website and around our campus!
Community and Corporate Partner Circle
Partnership with Ocean Institute enables community businesses to access
special events, tours, and priority scheduling and support for events and
customized experiences. The following are anticipated sponsorship categories
and recognition levels.
Community Partner Options
Ground Breaker – $500
Foundation Builder – $1,000
Corporate Partner Options
Foundation Builder – $5,000
Change Agent – $10,000
Maritime Champion – $15,000
Impact Leader – $17,500
Trail Blazer – $25,000
Dream Maker – $50,000
*Value deducted from tax-eligible amount. Example of experiences include memberships, special event tickets, and private tour and event options.
**Amount of opportunities with this option available is subject to change throughout the year.
Thank You to Our Generous Sponsors!
Ocean Institute is honored to recognize our generous sponsors. Thanks to your belief in our mission and your generous philanthropy, Ocean Institute earned more than $2.6 million in contributed support. THANK YOU!
Community Partners
Laguna Beach Properties
Renewal by Anderson
Dana Point Chamber of Commerce
Laguna Cliffs Marriot Resort & Spa
Cityside Fiber
RIFFE
Hobie
Corporate Partners
South Coast Water District
Dragonhorse
South Orange County Wastewater Authority
Joining Forces for Good
Check out some of our current and past partnerships listed below.
Ocean Encounters at Kids Club Waldorf Astoria
Explore the ocean without ever leaving the shore. Stop by Kids Club to delight in a complimentary interactive experience as Ocean Institute presents a hands-on exhibit where you can touch, feel, and learn about various creatures that live in our ocean waters. Activities include specialty touch tanks, an echo location station where you can experience how dolphins hear, a display of ocean artifacts, and ocean-themed story time at 1pm, 2pm, and 3pm.
Kids Club, 1 Monarch Beach Resort N, Dana Point
Saturdays, 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm (May 23 through September 5)
Recommended ages 2 and up.
FREE to Resort Guests only.
Partnering for a Sustainable Future: SCWD & Ocean Institute
South Coast Water District (SCWD) is proud to partner with the Ocean Institute on the Estuary Exploration Exhibit, an interactive educational experience that connects SCWD’s mission of delivering clean, reliable water with the importance of protecting coastal ecosystems. Visitors will learn where our water comes from, why conservation matters, and how desalination can help ensure a sustainable future – all tied to the protection and sustainability of estuary environments. As part of this collaboration, SCWD is also sponsoring student participation in the Adopt-a-Class program, expanding access to hands-on marine science experiences for elementary students within our service area. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to sustainability, education, and maximizing community impact through environmental stewardship.
Collaboration with Ocean Wishes Foundation and Kids Sea Camp
Ocean Institute is excited to partner with Ocean Wishes Foundation, a non-profit organization that promotes education and fosters the protection and preservation of our marine environments, and Kids Sea Camp, who specializes in family dive travel and training. This partnership enables Ocean Institute to expand our accessibility even further and immerse students in our underwater world. With a large receipt of diving gear, along with sponsored certification courses, we are further able to embody our mission, Experience is the teacher. Ocean Wishes has supported women scuba divers all over the world, elevating those with a passion for the ocean through their Women Scholarships for the Ocean. Since 2007, Ocean Wishes has helped fund over 30 young researchers, scientists, and ocean advocates. Kids Sea Camp has issued over 8,000 diving certifications since starting in 2000. 25 years later, founders of Ocean Wishes and Kids Sea Camp, Margo and Tom Peyton, have instilled a passion for our underwater world in many lives globally.
Learn More:
Toddler Time Wednesdays with Rivian
Ocean Institute is thrilled to partner with Rivian during their Toddler Time Wednesdays at the Rivian showroom in Laguna Beach! Little Currents: Powered by OI + Rivian is designed for children aged 0-2, this engaging program introduces little ones to ocean-inspired sensory experiences that foster early development, parent-child bonding, and plant the seeds that can ignite a love for the world around them. Each session, held once a month on Wednesdays from 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM, features a fun mix of sensory play, sing-along circles, themed crafts, and interactive story time. Modeled after our popular Tiny Tots program, this pop-up experience provides a safe and welcoming space for toddlers to explore while parents connect and learn about other family-friendly offerings from Ocean Institute.
Navigating the Future: Ocean Institute and Nordhavn Partner to Inspire the Next Generation
The Ocean Institute is thrilled to announce an exciting new partnership with Nordhavn, a globally renowned yacht manufacturer headquartered in Dana Point, CA. This collaboration underscores a shared commitment to education, innovation, and environmental stewardship, making waves in how we inspire and educate young minds. Through this partnership, Nordhavn is sponsoring the participation of approximately 280 students in our Adopt-A-Class (AAC) Program, providing them with transformative, hands-on learning experiences. These students will explore topics that marry engineering ingenuity with environmental responsibility, reflecting the values that Nordhavn and the Ocean Institute hold dear.
About Nordhavn
Nordhavn is a name synonymous with excellence in marine engineering and design. For decades, they have crafted some of the world’s most reliable and innovative yachts, designed to take adventurers across the globe’s most challenging waters. Nordhavn’s dedication to precision, sustainability, and innovation aligns seamlessly with the Ocean Institute’s mission to educate and inspire the next generation of ocean stewards.
By partnering with Ocean Institute, Nordhavn is making a significant investment in the future, helping students from diverse backgrounds understand the critical connections between science, technology, engineering, and the environment.
What is the Adopt-A-Class Program?
Ocean Institute’s Adopt-A-Class Program is designed to break down barriers and provide access to high-quality ocean education. Many schools face budget constraints that prevent them from accessing field trips and experiential learning opportunities. The AAC Program steps in to bridge that gap by funding student participation in Ocean Institute’s renowned educational programs.
Thanks to Nordhavn’s sponsorship, students will engage in programs that:
For many students, this program represents their first opportunity to experience the ocean up close and personal, sparking curiosity and inspiring careers in STEM fields or even a new approach to learning for them.
The Impact of Hands-On Learning
Research shows that experiential learning can profoundly impact a student’s understanding and retention of scientific concepts. By putting engineering and environmental stewardship at the forefront of the curriculum, Nordhavn and Ocean Institute are helping students connect the dots between what they learn in the classroom and the real world.
Imagine a student observing the engineering marvels behind Nordhavn yachts and then applying those concepts in a hands-on activity to design a sustainable vessel or learn about how ship technology can minimize environmental impact. These moments ignite passion and create lifelong learners.
A Shared Vision for the Future
At Ocean Institute, we believe that partnerships like this are the key to driving lasting change. Together with Nordhavn, we are building a legacy that empowers young people to become the engineers, scientists, and environmental stewards of tomorrow.
This partnership isn’t just about providing access to education; it’s about creating a ripple effect. The students impacted today will grow into leaders who innovate and advocate for our planet, ensuring that the oceans remain a source of inspiration, wonder, and opportunity for generations to come.
Join Us in Making Waves
We’re grateful for Nordhavn’s support and proud to see their dedication to the community and the environment reflected in this partnership. Whether you’re an educator, parent, or community member, you can play a role in supporting our mission.
By joining forces, we can ensure that every child, regardless of their background, has the chance to discover the ocean’s wonders and their role in protecting it.
To learn more about the Adopt-A-Class Program or how you can support, email us at oi@oceaninstitute.org or call 949-496-2274.
Let’s navigate the future together.
Collaboration with CHOC and Seacrest Studios
The Ocean Institute is thrilled to announce its reimagined collaboration with Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC), a pediatric healthcare system based in Orange County, Calif., to provide enriching, educational, and fun video content to young patients at their hospital in Orange. This exciting project, facilitated through Seacrest Studios, an initiative of The Ryan Seacrest Foundation, aims to bring the wonders of California’s coastline and maritime heritage directly to the children and families at CHOC Hospital.
Through this collaboration, patients will have access to both pre-recorded and live content that explores the diverse marine life inhabiting our shores, as well as the fascinating maritime history of California. Additionally, engaging activity sheets will accompany the videos, offering hands-on learning experiences for the patients.
“We are incredibly excited to work with CHOC and Seacrest Studios to bring the beauty and knowledge of our coastline to young patients,” said Robyn Takeshita, Education Programs Senior Manager at the Ocean Institute. “Our goal is to provide CHOC’s patients
with a fun, educational program; helping them learn more about ocean animals and maritime history. We are thrilled to spark joy and curiosity for both the patients and their families during their hospital stay, and hope that it’s a welcomed distraction. “
Seacrest Studios, located within CHOC Hospital, provides a state-of-the-art multimedia broadcast center where patients can participate in the creation of content, interact with live broadcasts, and enjoy a variety of educational and entertaining programming. The collaboration with the Ocean Institute will enhance the offerings available at Seacrest Studios, allowing patients to virtually explore the ocean and its inhabitants.
The Ocean Institute has long been dedicated to educating the public about marine science, maritime history, and environmental stewardship. This new initiative with CHOC and Seacrest Studios is an extension of their commitment to fostering a deeper
connection between people and the ocean, even for those who cannot experience it firsthand.
For more information about this partnership and upcoming content, please contact Kaitlyn Davidson at
kdavidson@ocean-institute.org.
Collaboration with Robyn’s Nest and the Sahm Family Foundation
Ocean Institute is thrilled to announce the Sahm Naturalist Academy Program (SNAP), taking place from June 30 to July 2, 2024. This year’s program is in partnership with Robyne’s Nest, an organization dedicated to supporting at-risk and homeless high school students.
SNAP aims to cultivate a deeper connection between students and the natural world. Through various scientific explorations such as taking samples and making observations, students gain hands-on experience that not only enhances their understanding of our ecosystems but also instills a sense of stewardship for the environment. During this rendition of SNAP, students will have the opportunity to engage in a diverse range of activities, including a Native Plant Garden Exploration, Birding, a Tide Pool Hike, Fishing and Whale Watching on board our Research Vessel, Sea Explorer, a Geology Hike, and sailing on the Spirit of Dana Point.
“We are so privileged to have the students from Robyne’s Nest join us at Ocean Institute for our Sahm Naturalist Academy Program,” added Robyn Takeshita, School Programs Manager at Ocean Institute. “This multi-day, overnight experience allows us to offer their students the opportunity to explore and connect with nature through hands-on scientific explorations, hopefully inspiring a deeper care for the environment.”
