Our Foundation

Donate to the Foundation
Created as a charitable, non-profit foundation, contributions are tax deductible under both state and federal law. The Foundation may receive grants from all sources, including governments, corporations, individuals, and other foundations.
Your deductible contribution to the Foundation will enhance the Bay Commission's efforts to restore and protect the Santa Monica Bay for generations to come. Please complete and return this form to make a difference today!

The Santa Monica Bay Restoration Foundation is the non-profit partner of the Bay Commission. Formed in 1991, the Foundation raises and expends funds for research, education, planning, cleanup efforts, and other priorities identified in the Commission's Bay Restoration Plan. The Foundation's Board of Directors is comprised of representatives from the stakeholder organizations that make up the Santa Monica Bay Watershed Council (the governing board of the Bay Commission). This overlapping governance structure ensures that the Foundation's efforts complement the work of the overall Bay Commission in protecting and restoring Santa Monica Bay. The Foundation supports the work of the Commission, with a focus on obtaining and expending funds not otherwise available to the Commission. The list below highlights some of the activities supported by the Foundation.

Public Involvement and Education (PIE) mini-grants to community organizations, educators, trade and business associations, local governments, scientists, and others.
Boater Education Program to promote clean recreational boating practices, recycling of used motor oil, and proper waste disposal of boat-generated sewage, trash, motor fluids, and cleaning agents.
Improving Industrial Storm Water Compliance by funding the creation and maintenance of a state-of-the-art database enabling regulators to identify and track all industrial facilities required to obtain and comply with storm water permits.
Regional Monitoring, which provides information to policy makers and the public about the health and condition of Santa Monica Bay. The Foundation funds individual monitoring programs as well as broader efforts to ensure that monitoring is effective, non-duplicative, and timely.
Effective Management of Septic Systems in the northern subwatersheds where septic systems are most widely used. Foundation funds supported the creation of the Septics Management Task Force, and funded both its staffing and the publication of its findings.
Southern California Beach Valuation Project, a joint effort with NOAA and the State to estimate the economic value of Santa Monica Bay's resources, to increase public awareness of the Bay's importance, and to improve analyses of pollutant management measures.
Studying Storm Drain Dispersion Plumes to identify the scope of beach areas that are impacted by bacteria from contaminated storm drains. For this study, the Foundation is funding the research and reporting of the environmental group, Heal the Bay, as well as supporting the efforts of the Los Angeles Regional Water Quality Control Board in creating a limit for total maximum daily loading of coliform bacteria into Santa Monica Bay.
Topanga Creek Watershed Erosion and Sediment Study to support the Resource Conservation District of the Santa Monica Mountains in identifying the sources of excessive sediments and potential erosion solutions.
Storm Water Pollution Prevention and Water Supply Options to be researched and presented by the Los Angeles and San Gabriel Rivers Watershed Council. Options under review include the potential recycling and use of storm water runoff for drinking water.
Zuma Wetlands and Lagoon Restoration and On-going Maintenance, a partnership effort between the SMBRC, National Park Service, and Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors.