Become A Partner

Programmatic Impact Sponsorship

The programmatic impact sponsorship model is intended for Surfrider partners who wish to direct their donation for sponsorship of a specific national Surfrider program, initiative or campaign. Surfrider’s partnership team will work with the partner to determine which program area within our mission is most relevant to the partner’s goals for aligning with our mission and the ocean and coastal conservation movement. Under this model there are measurable impact outcomes, options for hands-on volunteer activities and activations and collaborative promotions to raise awareness for the partner’s support of Surfrider’s impact. For example, we have sponsors of the Better Beach Alliance who fund our capacity to manage our national beach cleanup program and utilize the data from the quantity and types of trash and plastic found on our beaches in local, regional and national plastic pollution policy initiatives.

Regional Support

The regional support model is designed for Surfrider partners who intend to protect specific stretches of coastline by city, state or region through Surfrider’s critical conservation and preservation efforts. With this support, Surfrider facilitates the on-going efforts of our local chapter network to defend against imminent threats and maintain proactive protection in their coastal communities. Under this model there are measurable impact outcomes, options for hands-on volunteer activities and activations and collaborative promotions to raise awareness for the partner’s support of Surfrider’s impact in the region. For example, Sanuk has sponsored “2 Miles of Smiles” in Isla Vista, California - the backyard to their headquarters. Their support has revived a local chapter’s water testing program, engaged staff in multiple beach cleanups and educational opportunities and allowed for creative impact storytelling on both of our websites, email newsletters and social media platforms.

Collaborative Product | Licensing

In our 35+ years, Surfrider has engaged in countless collaborative product partnerships. Opportunities for collaborative product are reviewed on a case by case basis and are measured by sustainability, brand alignment and distribution.The use of the Surfrider Foundation trademarks for commercial purposes, including reproduction on merchandise, is expressly prohibited unless the producer completes a license agreement with the Surfrider Foundation. Use is governed by the terms of the agreement. Parties entering into a commercial or licensing agreement will be provided with specific brand guidelines of logo and graphic usage as it pertains to the trademarks.

Surf Industry Coastal Defenders (SICD)

Surfrider's history as an organization of and representing (and protecting the playgrounds for) surfers has led to long standing relationships in the surf industry. In 2015, our CEO worked with a small team to develop the SICD program to build strong, symbiotic relationships with global surf industry brands as a means of influencing positive sustainability measures in the industry, educating industry leaders about the critical threats facing our ocean and the work Surfrider is carrying out to defend it. The SICD program raises meaningful funds and over the past 4+ years our relationships have blossomed and resulted in collaborative campaigns that help amplify promotion for Surfrider's impact, increased programmatic funding and the ability to hire new staff in our environmental department and dynamic participation from industry leaders on federal issues - like stopping new offshore drilling.

3rd Party Events | Cause Marketing

Special events and short-term cause-related programs offer integrated-marketing with the benefit of aligning with Surfrider’s validated position and brand and access to a qualified, loyal audience. This model supports the event or company’s promotional initiatives while helping to raise public awareness and funding for the Surfrider Foundation’s mission. Under this model, Surfrider will work collaboratively with the event or campaign partner to establish sustainability goals or messaging with option for recognition on Surfrider’s channels depending on the scope of the partnership. For example, Surfrider has been the beneficiary of concerts, music festivals, sporting events, Black Friday and Giving Tuesday campaigns.

Special Event Sponsorship

Every year, Surfrider hosts special events including our One Ocean bicoastal fundraiser in New York and California, annual Chapter Conferences and every five years, a National Chapter Summit. For each event, there are presenting and supporting sponsorship levels that include recognition and branding in communications before and after the event, recognition in the event press release and promotions, on-site branding and activation opportunities, tickets for the sponsor and their special guests and depending on sponsorship level, the option for additional activation and recognition outside of the event.

In-Kind Product Donation

Donation of products or services can support our efforts to fundraise, stoke out hardworking chapter leaders, retain volunteers and save hard costs. All donations will be acknowledged with an official donation receipt. Surfrider does not and shall not endorse or otherwise promote in-kind donated products or services. 

1% for the Planet

Business members of the 1% for the Planet network can commit to donating the equivalent of 1% of gross sales through a combination of monetary, in-kind and approved promotional support directly to the Surfrider Foundation. 1% for the Planet certifies all member donations to legitimize the members’ commitment by reviewing and confirming sales and donation details annually.

Make A Donation

At anytime, brands, companies or corporations are encouraged to make a monetary donation. All donations are tax-deductible in accordance with the tax law, acknowledged with a formal receipt and recognized in Surfrider's  Annual Report (unless the donor prefers to be anonymous). Making a no-strings-attached donation does not require any approval, agreements or formal arrangements.

Local Surfrider Chapter Opportunities

Surfrider’s chapter network carries out regular activities, campaigns and programs. Brands, companies or corporations are welcome to participate with local chapters as an option to learn more about our mission and initiate informal affiliation.

Brands or companies with a local presence where marketing is limited to a specific geography are eligible for partnership with local Surfrider chapters and typically not eligible for a formal partnership with Surfrider HQ on a national scale. Exceptions apply on a case by case basis. Additional opportunities for getting involved with local Surfrider chapters include:

• Sponsored Beach Cleanups

• Corporate Volunteer Days or Educational Presentations

• Program and Event Support

• In-Kind Donations

• Give Back | Cause-Related Campaigns

Can I use the Surfrider name and logo on my website (or elsewhere) without a partnership?

No. Out of respect for our current partners and to maintain the integrity of our partnership alignment standards, use of the Surfrider name or marks to reference partnership, a portion of proceeds donation, collaborative product or any commercial program is prohibited without explicit approval.

Can I tag Surfrider on social media to promote my donation?

Any promotion referencing commercial or monetary support of the Surfrider Foundation and any promotion tagging Surfrider must be reviewed and approved by Surfrider.

What measurable impacts can I use to describe my donation to Surfrider?

In instances where a brand, corporation or small business makes a donation to Surfrider outside of an official and contracted corporate partnership, Surfrider does not allow the use of custom measurable impacts describing support of a specific mission area for any promotional or commercial reasons. Specific measurable impacts are restricted to official corporate partnerships and grants to ensure Surfrider's ability and capacity to authentically measure and report on the impact of the donation. Companies, brands or corporations who make a donation are allowed to use the following language: “[COMPANY NAME] proudly made a donation in support of Surfrider’s mission to protect our ocean waves and beaches.”

Will Surfrider promote my products or business?

Surfrider does not and shall not endorse or otherwise promote in-kind donated products or services. Surfrider has the authority to engage in collaborative product promotions, which we may recognize in our marketing.

Will Surfrider support my kickstarter campaign?

Surfrider does not align with or promote Kickstarter or any crowdsourced fundraising campaigns.