Oregon Ocean Conservation Fund

Oregon Ocean Conservation Fund is sponsored by Oregon Community Foundation (with partners including The Harder Foundation, Lazar Foundation, and David and Lucile Packard Foundation). This opportunity supports mission-aligned projects and measurable outcomes.

Oregon Ocean Conservation Fund - The Harder Foundation Oregon Ocean Conservation Fund Our Oregon Ocean Conservation Fund has been building awareness and engagement around five biodiverse coastal and marine systems in Oregon. Starting in 2012, these coastal water reserves were established and dedicated to conservation and scientific research where fishing and ocean development are restricted.

Despite the importance to Oregon’s culture and economy, there is limited funding to support organizations working toward a healthy ocean and coast for future generations. Recognizing this gap, three foundations pooled their funds to establish a donor-advised fund at Oregon Community Foundation focused on ocean conservation.

We provide funding for marine reserves such as the Cascade Head biosphere, Cape Compton (south of Cannon Beach), Redfish Rocks, and Cape Falcon. We also support the Oregon Coast Aquarium which does citizen science events celebrating marine ecosystems and creating public engagement and support.

Another benefit of our fund is that our model reduces the burden of seeking funding and provides one point of contact for these small organizations. Other partners on the project include the Harder Foundation, Lazar Foundation, David and Lucille Packard Foundation, and the Oregon Community Foundation (OCF).

Each funder contributes on an annual basis, and we pool our resources to make targeted grants to small organizations working along Oregon’s coast. Our coordinated approach of pooling resources is preserving ocean and coastal ecosystems by funding groups working with limited budgets that are effective at putting projects on the ground.

We believe that the people closest to the work have the best insights on what’s needed on hyper-local projects. Our aim is to gain the support of local residents who come to see these projects as part of their community and important to their wellbeing. We want to see the people reflected in this work where we can fund possibility, connection, and hope in places where so much change is happening.

Carlos Garcia, Senior Program Officer, Environment and Donor Impact Oregon Community Foundation protecting biodiversity and ecosystem health in the Pacific Northwest and Northern Rockies. Main Office: 5051 Castello Drive, Suite 11, Naples, FL 34103 Phone: 239-649-0565 | info@theharderfoundation. org Salmon Strongholds of the Pacific NW &copy 2026 The Harder Foundation |