Published August 12, 2025
In this article, we lay out what the Sea Change Grants program is and why it exists. To learn more or apply, please visit our Sea Change Grants program page.
At Open Water, we believe that clean oceans and healthy waterways are essential to a sustainable future. That’s why we created the Sea Change Grants program, an initiative designed to support grassroots ocean conservation efforts across the U.S. Through this open grant program, we provide funding to small, impact-driven nonprofit organizations working to protect and preserve marine ecosystems. Any and all 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations within the United States focusing on ocean conservation are encouraged to apply. These grants are one way we’re investing in a post-plastic future, where clean oceans thrive and decision makers encourage change.
Our grants typically range from $500 to $2,500, depending on the scale of the project, existing funding, and the number of grantees selected in a given year.
Grants can be game changers for nonprofit organizations, getting the ball rolling on projects they have been crafting, widening their reach, and strengthening their visibility to (hopefully) receive more grants in the future! Maybe money can’t buy happiness, but at Open Water, we know that any extra money an organization receives can really change the trajectory.
Other than simply tasting delicious, we are proud of our water for the impact it makes. As David Attenborough beautifully put it in a recent video on the ocean, “the most important place on earth is not on land.” He’s right. It’s easy to forget the role that oceans and their creatures play in our everyday lives, especially for those who don’t live in coastal areas. But they do, and it is therefore necessary that we support organizations putting time and effort into protecting them. That’s why we use proceeds from every can of our delicious water to uplift these grassroots organizations, and even sometimes attend their events! We have had some great partners in the past, and each and every one of them has done something for the oceans, lakes, or rivers around them.
One of our 2025 partners is Big Blue & You, a nonprofit grounded in youth-driven impact, diverse leadership, and a deep commitment to empowering the next generation. The nonprofit puts an emphasis on including everyone in the conversation, especially young women of color who haven’t been given as many opportunities to get involved. The heart of Big Blue & You’s work is rooted in ocean advocacy. This year, Big Blue & You is receiving a grant from Open Water to fund the The Sea Youth Rise Up project. The program trains youth leaders in ocean advocacy and encourages their participation in the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation’s annual Capitol Hill Ocean Week (CHOW).
Beyond a simple focus of protecting the ocean, we at Open Water support education, advocacy, and engagement for all. The oceans are bigger than all of us, and, without them, we wouldn’t have much of anything. That’s why we encourage you to support these organizations however you can- whether that’s by donating, volunteering, spreading the word, or simply choosing products that align with your values. And if you find yourself cleaning a beach on a warm day, it may help to have Open Water handy!
