Ted Waitt established the Waitt Foundation in 1993 to reflect his family’s heartfelt commitment to give back to the community by “helping good people do great things” through research and education. Since then, the foundation has donated over $100 million to non-profit and charitable organizations both at home and abroad.

The Waitt Foundation’s emerging core mission is to protect the earth’s oceans and restore the seas to full productivity. Funding partnerships and projects in conjunction with its grantees and two institutes, the foundation supports a variety of national and international programs with a primary focus on ocean conservation. By raising global awareness through scientific research, education, media, social and policy change, our goal is to reverse the current decline of ocean life while inspiring humanity to make informed choices that contribute to a healthy marine ecosystem. The foundation’s current ocean conservation efforts are focused on creating, strengthening, and expanding Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and promoting Sustainable Fishing Practices.