National Marine Mammal Foundation

The National Marine Mammal Foundation (NMMF)

is a San Diego-based nonprofit organization with a mission to

improve and protect life for marine mammals, humans, and our

shared oceans through science, service & education. 

Your generous donation will help our Community Engagement team inspire 

San Diego area students through our marine mammal STEAM educational programs.

The NMMF's world-renowned marine mammal scientists, veterinarians, care experts, and conservation specialists lead novel research, advance marine mammal medicine, develop critical conservation approaches, and share this work to ignite a public commitment to ocean stewardship. We make exciting discoveries about marine mammal biology, medicine, and impacts of human activities on marine mammals and ocean health and publish this work in peer-reviewed journals.

As a female-led nonprofit, comprised of over 70% women, we are actively working in our community to inspire young women to pursue career paths in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics) fields and empower all students to break barriers of equality in the scientific community. Over 50% of our scientists, veterinarians, conservation and animal care experts volunteer their time to guide, educate, and mentor students through our Community Engagement programs. This provides students with the rare opportunity to engage with marine science professionals. 

Our Community Engagement team provides STEAM-based educational workshops free of charge. We share our curriculums and instructional materials with teachers, so they can bring these programs into their classrooms. We partner with Title I schools, community groups, and local organizations that support historically underrepresented communities.