Who We Are
Oceans 5 is the largest funder collaborative in ocean conservation. Since our founding in 2011, we have awarded over 500 grants totaling approximately $335 million in grants to nearly 300 organizations in more than 150 countries and regions. Oceans 5’s funders represent 25+ leading marine philanthropies and individuals, while our global staff spans eight countries and speaks 22 languages.
The Change We Seek
Oceans 5 envisions a restored and resilient ocean and thriving marine life that support healthy coastal communities for generations to come. We bridge global and community-informed ocean conservation strategies and ocean-climate solutions, driving impact-oriented collaboration, grantmaking, policy advocacy, and leadership to support these efforts throughout the world’s ocean and coasts.
Oceans 5’s work elevates ocean conservation and climate as a shared global priority. By leveraging expertise, cultivating inclusive coalitions, supporting science-based and community-informed strategies, and strengthening political will, we help ensure conservation efforts are inclusive, evidence-based, well resourced, and durable. Together, these efforts contribute to a restored and resilient ocean that sustains marine life and coastal livelihoods into the future.
Oceans 5 is a sponsored project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors.
History
Oceans 5 began in 2011 as a bold experiment: four founding philanthropies hired a single executive director to test whether funders could truly work together to protect the ocean at scale.
In its early years, the collaborative operated like a start-up—small, focused, and learning by doing—while building trust among partners and showing that shared strategy and pooled resources could deliver real results. As successes mounted, interest grew and new funders joined, steadily expanding both the collective funding base and the scope of work while the focus on policy remained clear.
Over time, Oceans 5 evolved from a scrappy pilot into a durable institution, growing to 25 funders and a team of 22 staff by the mid-2020s, with a far broader global reach and a diverse network of grantees across dozens of countries. What started as a simple idea has matured into a confident, fully realized collaborative—one that combines collective philanthropy, long-term partnerships, and a sustained commitment to safeguarding the ocean for future generations.
Partners & Members
The Oceans 5 collaborative is shaped by the diverse perspectives and expertise of our partners and members, each bringing unique insights into ocean conservation challenges and solutions. Together, funders share knowledge, test ideas, and inform strategy, strengthening the quality and effectiveness of our grantmaking. This collective approach allows us to learn quickly, align around shared priorities, and support work with greater impact than any one funder could achieve alone.
Oceans 5 is a sponsored project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors.
