Rock The Ocean Foundation
Rock The Ocean Foundation is a Nashville-based 501(c)(3) focused on ocean conservation through public awareness, scientific research, education, benefit concerts (notably the Tortuga Music Festival), brand partnerships and a merchandise collection. The official site includes mission and core-issues pages, staff listings with contact emails, partner and event information, and donate/volunteer pages.
Source: Website · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
A small-to-mid sized ocean conservation organization or marine research/education center with programs (ideally coastal/Florida-focused) that can deliver measurable research, education, or public outreach outcomes.
Good Fit
- • Projects focused on ocean conservation, marine research, species protection, or reef restoration
- • Located in or partnering with organizations in Florida or nearby coastal regions
- • Capacity to manage project-restricted grants in the $10K–$50K range
- • Clear public outreach or education components that connect research to audiences
- • Willingness to frame work as a fundable research or program grant rather than unrestricted operating support
Geography
Observed giving is strongly geographically concentrated: three states received awards in the latest year but Florida accounted for 89% of dollars, indicating a locally-focused footprint despite a Tennessee foundation location.
Recipient Variety
The latest year shows 18 distinct recipients and the foundation funded many independent marine organizations across three years, with both repeat grantees and new entrants, indicating a broad recipient set for the foundation's size.
New Applicants
Direct evidence of turnover exists (roughly five new recipients in the latest year and multi-year repeating recipients), which suggests new entrants can access funding, but no formal application process was found so openness cannot be confirmed as fully open.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
