Algalita Marine Research and Education
Working towards a world where plastic pollution is unthinkable.
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
Since 1999, Algalita has been at the forefront of the Great Plastics Awakening. Our mission is to inspire the next generation of visionaries to believe in a better future. We connect young people with scientists, experts, politicians and businesses to have real conversations about plastic consumption. Our hands-on experiences develop future leaders who are excited to solve the big picture.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Annual International Youth Summit
A summit designed by young people, for young people and adults working together to take action against single-use plastic consumption. Over 200 participants, including 140 students, from all over the world travel to the Ocean Institute in Dana Point, CA, for a two and half day conference to dive into their local projects, share and network with each other, and work with mentors to further develop their plans. Each year, 15 Summit alumni are selected to become Peer Advisors and lead the following year’s event.
Please visit https://algalita.org/summit/ for more information.
Wayfinder Society
The Wayfinder Society is an online platform that gives young leaders the tools, guidance and network to meet the challenge and discover new solutions. It guides youth through a sea of discovery and provides the tools and network to tackle plastic pollution in their community. Participants earn rewards, including scholarships and grants, for accomplishing goals.
See https://algalita.org/wayfinder/ for more information.
Teacher Resources
To support educators we provide science-based educational resources, presentations, and workshops. We’ve already reached thousands of middle and high school students across the country and we aim to keep improving and growing. We teach about the sources and impact of plastic pollution, and empower the next generation to be a part of the solution.
We provide free teacher workshops, in-class and field experiences, as well as free Debris Science Investigation Kits and NGSS aligned supplemental curriculum.
Please visit https://algalita.org/educators/ for more information
Where we work
External reviews
Photos
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Reports and documents
Download strategic planLearn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
We envision a future free of plastic pollution. From science to policy, technological innovations to changing throwaway culture, we believe its critical to pass along our complex understanding of the issue to the next generation of young leaders.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Our mission is not to pick trash out of the sea. It is to fundamentally shift our way of thinking on land. We empower young people to think critically, demand action and be agents for change. When we educate, the next generation responds with solutions. They get behind a cause that has wide-ranging impact, and they support it with fervor to use environmental education to provoke action by bridging real-world science with real-time solutions; Community Building - to help communities build healthy habits by designing and coordinating campaigns that address the challenges of todays throw-away culture; 3) Changing the System - to drive change on a national, system-wide scale by forming alliances with partner organizations, policy-makers, and industry.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Algalita is internationally known as the organization that started the movement to end plastic pollution nearly 30 years ago. We were the first to discover, and bring attention to, the swirling soup of plastic pollution in the Pacific – now known by many as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Since then, we've worked to revolutionize the plastic pollution conversation by building a web of connections between researchers, activists, industry leaders, educators, and young people across the globe. Some of our most notable achievements include being the first organization in history to develop ocean plastic monitoring protocols, the first to host international youth summits on the issue, and the first to inspire CA state-level plastic pollution legislation (2005). Algalita was also instrumental in the launch of the first national plastic pollution legislation, the Break Free From Plastic Pollution Act, and was featured in the Emmy award winning documentary, The Story of Plastic. Over the past two decades, our researchers have published 21 peer-reviewed scientific papers.
Today, Algalita investigates to educate. Our mission is to design and deliver educational experiences that empower individuals to understand the full-scope of plastic pollution’s impact on people and the planet, while also providing tangible ways to support solutions.
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Algalita Marine Research and Education
Board of directorsas of 04/28/2023
Mallory Burden
Kevin Poffenbarger
Owner of EPD Consultants, Inc
Ron Jagner
Retired Engineer, Boeing Company
Mallory Burden
Cal Recycle
Jeffrey Carrick
Audit Manager, Windes
Nikhil Davé
Engineering Physics/Fluid Mechanics, Retired
Marieta Francis
Greg Shea
Retired Engineer, Boeing Company
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? No -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? No -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? No -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? No -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? No
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
No data
Gender identity
No data
Transgender Identity
No data
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data