Securing the future of the ocean

Each year, millions of people from around the globe draw inspiration from the Monterey Bay Aquarium and look to us to protect the ocean and its wildlife. Thanks to the generosity of our donors and members, we’ve been able to make a huge difference. But with threats to ocean health increasing, we must do more. That’s why it is essential that we build our endowment, so our programs can continue to make a difference, both now and in the future.

In 1996, we established the Aquarium’s Endowment Fund for the Future of the Ocean. It includes our Board-Designated Fund, and permanently designated contributions and bequests from donors. In 2011, we created the Children’s Education Endowment Fund so we can always offer free Aquarium admission to California schoolchildren — something we’ve been committed to doing since opening day. We invest contributions made to our Endowment Fund, and each year we withdraw a percentage of the fund’s yield to fund our critically important programs.

At the end of 2022, our endowment reached $292 million and provided $10.7 million to support our free education programs for schoolchildren, teens, and teachers as well as our cutting-edge conservation and science initiatives that help ensure a healthy ocean — in perpetuity.