Schmidt Ocean Institute
Preselected recipients only
Schmidt Ocean Institute is a private foundation in Palo Alto, California. In tax year 2024 it gave $587,331 in 19 grants; the typical grant was $6,000 and the largest $180,000. It only gives to organizations it selects itself and does not accept unsolicited applications.
From its IRS Form 990-PF for tax year 2024.
- Grants paid, 2024$587,331
- Number of grants19
- Typical grant$6,000
- Largest grant$180,000
- Assets$109 million
- New grantees75%
Giving in 2024 was up from $405,059 the year before.
75% of its 2024 grantees had not received a grant from it the year before, a sign it is open to new organizations.
Giving by year
| Tax year | Grants paid | Number of grants | Assets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $405,059 | 14 | $137 million |
| 2024 | $587,331 | 19 | $109 million |
How to apply
Schmidt Ocean Institute says in its IRS filing that it only makes contributions to preselected organizations, so unsolicited applications are unlikely to be considered. Organizations it funds are usually invited.
Foundation website IRS filings on ProPublica
What Schmidt Ocean Institute funds
Where it gives
Its US grants went to recipients in 9 states, the most to California. It also paid $39,000 in 2 grants to recipients outside the US.
| State | Grants | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| California | 2 | $215,000 |
| District of Columbia | 4 | $161,000 |
| Florida | 1 | $100,000 |
| Colorado | 1 | $99,831 |
| New York | 3 | $60,000 |
| Maine | 2 | $20,000 |
| Rhode Island | 1 | $5,000 |
| Ohio | 1 | $4,000 |
| Maryland | 2 | $3,500 |
Grants paid in 2024
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Regents of the University of California | Seawater measurements to track ocean acidification | $180,000 |
| Marine Technology Society Inc | MATE ROV Competition | $100,000 |
| University of South Florida Foundation Inc | To support university programs that broaden access to the OCEAN STEAM fields and related blue economy workforce | $100,000 |
| University Corporation for Atmospheric Research | National Oceans Science Bowl 2024 | $99,831 |
| Nautilus Think Inc | To produce original content on the UN Ocean Decade and ocean research | $50,000 |
| Marine Technology Society Inc | MATE ROV 2024 Competition and Championship | $50,000 |
| Mongabayorg Corporation | Scientific Expeditions series | $35,000 |
| Fundacion TBA21 | UN Ocean Decade confeence | $34,000 |
| World Ocean Observatory | World Ocean Explorer Exhibits 2024 | $15,000 |
| Marine Technology Society Inc | Marine Technology Society Sponsorship - Oceans (Global) Student Poster Competition | $6,000 |
| Smithsonian Institution | Summit on Ocean Biodiversity reception | $5,000 |
| Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers | IEEE AUV Symposium 2024 | $5,000 |
| Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers | IEEE Marine Imaging Workshop 5 | $5,000 |
| Gordon Research Conferences | Gordon Research Conference on Ocean Mixing | $5,000 |
| Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences | OceanHackWeek 2024 | $5,000 |
| Escuela Rural San Miguel Conimo | To support the ship-to-shore connection with local public school | $5,000 |
| Envision Excellence in STEM Education | National STEM Festival -- student scholarships | $4,000 |
| Society for In Vitro Biology Incorporated | SIVB 16th International Conference sponsorship | $3,000 |
| IOOS Association | IOOS Committee Meeting Jul 2024 | $500 |
Officers and trustees
- Wendy Schmidt
- Eric Schmidt
- John Kelly
- Jyotika Virmani
- Frances Babb
Questions people ask
Does Schmidt Ocean Institute accept grant applications?
No. Its IRS filing says it only makes contributions to preselected organizations.
How much does Schmidt Ocean Institute give?
$587,331 in tax year 2024, across 19 grants, with a typical grant of $6,000.
Who runs Schmidt Ocean Institute?
Its 2024 filing lists Wendy Schmidt (Director/President), Eric Schmidt (Director/Vice President), John Kelly (Treasurer/Cfo) and Jyotika Virmani (Executive Director) among 5 officers and trustees.
What does Schmidt Ocean Institute fund?
Based on its grants, mainly environment and conservation, education and science and research.