Your Gift Changes Lives and Protects Oceans

Your contributions—whether in-kind, monetary, or yacht donations—directly fuel life-changing programs that connect young people with the ocean and inspire future ocean guards.

Your support drives our mission to help young people develop a deep, personal connection to the natural environment. Your contribution provides underserved children with STEAM education days, snorkeling tours, and scholarships that inspire hands-on learning and a passion for ocean conservation. Together, we’re empowering the next generation of environmental stewards to protect and preserve our oceans for the future.

All donations to Ocean Guards are tax deductible under IRS code 501(c)(3), helping you support ocean conservation while benefiting from tax savings.
Make a donation

In-Kind Donations

Transportation is one of the biggest barriers preventing underserved youth in rural or low-income areas from accessing life-changing ocean experiences. Your in-kind donations of transportation, equipment, supplies, or services can play a vital role in creating transformative ocean experiences for underserved youth. Whether you donate snorkeling gear, educational materials, or logistical support, every contribution helps us expand our programs and make a lasting difference in young lives and ocean health.

For more information or to contribute in-kind, please email Shannon at shannon@oceanguards.org to learn how you can get involved.

WE TAKE

YACHT DONATIONS

Donating a yacht offers owners, crew, and brokers a fast and hassle-free alternative to selling or trading, while also advancing their philanthropic goals and providing a tax deduction under IRS code 501(c)(3).

What is the process of Yacht Donation?

Step 1

Connect

Reach out to an OG yacht donation specialist:
yachts@oceanguards.org

Step 2

Appraisal

You can choose a qualified appraiser you trust to determine the value of your yacht. While we can’t directly help with selecting the appraiser or setting the value, we’re here to guide you through the process. For added peace of mind, feel free to ask your yacht broker for assistance in finding the right appraiser for your donation.

Step 3

Survey

We will obtain a separate survey of the yacht and work with you to determine the most favorable yacht donation program for your goals.

Outright Sale

Maximized convenience

  • Generally the fastest and easiest alternative.
  • We will close on the vessel and then sell it.
  • The sales value will be the basis for your tax
    benefit.

Lease Program

Maximized value

  • We will invest to improve the vessel and then charter it with interest-free terms.
  • The appraised value will be the basis for your tax
    benefit.

Step 4

Closing

Once we both agree to process the contribution, we will work with you to document the process and complete the necessary paperwork. We will create deeds of gift, IRS Forms 8283 and 1098-C. Donors should consult with their financial and tax advisors to determine if yacht donation is the right choice and to understand the specific details of their contribution

Step 5

Improvements
and Marketing

We will invest in improving the yacht. Once improvements are complete, one of our yacht brokerage industry partners will help us with marketing it to qualified individuals. Most donated yachts are made available for lease or sale with interest-free terms to qualified individuals. Interested in chartering a Yacht from Ocean Guards? Reach out to us here: yachts@oceanguards.org