Photo by John Reed, M.Sc.
There are three ways we fulfill our mission:
Through the careful investment and stewardship of our assets. In addition to an Endowment corpus, we own several parcels of land that may be used in the future to support FAU Harbor Branch, either by possible lease, sale, development, or donation.
Through strategic and impactful grant funding to FAU Harbor Branch.
Through ambassadorship by being fully educated about FAU Harbor Branch and helping to inspire the public about the scientific research and educational activities of FAU Harbor Branch.
Photo by John Reed, M.Sc.
The Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution was founded in 1971 to understand and conserve the oceans through exploration, research, and education for the benefit of humankind. Its global reputation for excellence in marine science and technology can be traced directly to the efforts of founder J. Seward Johnson, Sr. and his friend, famed inventor Edwin A. Link. Mr. Johnson’s deep concern for environmental preservation spurred his involvement in ocean research. Mr. Link’s passion for sea exploration produced innovations that opened the depths to some of the world’s most talented scientists. This intellectual curiosity extended to near-shore ecosystems and prompted the 1973 start of the Indian River Lagoon Coastal Zone Study, a complete environmental evaluation of the lagoon and nearby ocean habitats.
In 1974, Harbor Branch established its summer internship program, which has provided hands-on marine science and technology experiences to over 600 young minds since. Harbor Branch’s internship program historically and to date has received significant support from The Link Foundation.
In 2001, Harbor Branch and Florida Atlantic University executed a memorandum of understanding to undertake joint educational initiatives. Harbor Branch became involved in the educational programs of FAU, especially in the Department of Biological Sciences. Collaborative development of Ph.D. programs in Chemistry and Integrated Biology involved Harbor Branch teaching courses in these programs. In addition, Harbor Branch researchers were appointed to FAU Affiliated Faculty positions.
Harbor Branch and Florida Atlantic University began discussing how to best capitalize on a growing research and education relationship in 2006. At the end of 2007, Link’s Canal and the institution that grew up around it became the northernmost of FAU’s six locations, FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute. And the governing Board of the former Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution then became the governing board of the rechristened Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Foundation.
A separate 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Foundation (HBOIF), also known as the Harbor Branch Foundation, supports the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute (HBOI), a research institute at Florida Atlantic University (FAU). The governance and management of the Harbor Branch Foundation is about good stewardship and oversight of the Foundation’s assets to best provide support to FAU Harbor Branch through grants for research and education in marine sciences and ocean engineering. In addition, the Harbor Branch Foundation directs annual proceeds from four Florida specialty license plates to further support marine exploration, research, conservation, and education at FAU Harbor Branch.
In addition to donations from generous Board members, the Endowment corpus is comprised of two donor-restricted funds. The J. Seward Johnson, Sr., Charitable Trust Endowment Fund is a donor restricted term endowment fund established in 1994. The primary objective of the Fund is to provide a long-term flow of income to the Foundation. The Fund shall terminate on June 30, 2020, at which time, the Fund shall convert to a fund held by the Foundation for its exclusive long-term use, benefit, or purpose. The bulk of our current Endowment corpus resides in this Fund. The Seward Johnson Trust Fund for Oceanography is a donor-restricted fund. Its primary objective was to operate and maintain the Johnson-Sea-Link submersibles, with a secondary objective to support underwater oceanography and for other oceanographic purposes. Since the establishment of this second fund, the Johnson-Sea-Link submersibles have been retired and the secondary objective has been its focus.
As of December 30, 2023, our Endowment corpus totaled $103,404,372. Our investment objective is to earn the highest possible total return, through capital appreciation and income return, consistent with prudent levels of risk. To best steward our Endowment corpus, the Foundation uses the investment services of the Atlanta Consulting Group. Our spending policy reflects the fundamental objective of preserving and enhancing the resources of HBOI, both at present and in the future. The spending policy rate is to be no more than CPI plus five percent of the assets, calculated on a rolling three-year average of the market value; actual disbursements are 100% discretionary. Our Endowment is a philanthropic legacy of founder J. Seward Johnson, Sr. It is estimated that 90% of his lifetime charitable giving was for his love of oceanography.
The Foundation operates using a lean, efficient, and productive internal staff utilizing key external support.
Taken from Statement of Functional Expenses FY24 Financial Statements
July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024
Fiscal Years 2012 - 2024
Single Year Grants: | Award: |
---|---|
Reversing the Course of Seagrass Loss through Restoration in the IRL: Transplanting Sustainable, Nursery-Grown Seagrass | $1,000,000 |
Indian River Lagoon Observatory (IRLO): Addressing Emerging Environmental Issues in a Nationally Significant Estuary | $780,570 |
Fighting AGEs with Marine Natural Products | $209,960 |
Impact of changing environmental drivers on dolphin ecology and resilience | $183,576 |
Marilyn C. Link Memorial Scholarship | $7,000 |
2024 Indian River Lagoon Graduate Research Fellows | $100,000 |
2024 Indian River Lagoon Symposium | $10,000 |
Advancing Technologies for IMTA System Management and Products
Dr. Paul Wills
“Exploring Florida Aquaculture” Public Workshops
Dr. Gabby Barbarite-McHenry
Transcriptomic, toxicologic, and histologic differences between supplemented and non-supplemented Florida pompano
Dr. Annie Page
Distribution, behavioral ecology, and genomics of Florida Whales
Dr. Greg O’Corry-Crowe
HBOI's Florida Whales Stranding and Population Assessment Program
Steve Burton, M.Sc.
HBOI's Florida Whales Marine Mammal Pathology, Tissue Archives, and Database Program
Dr. Annie Page
HBOI's Florida Dolphins Stranding and Population Assessment Program
Steve Burton, M.Sc.
Dolphin behavioral response to anthropogenic activity in offshore and coastal waters
Dr. Laurent Cherubin
HBOI's Florida Dolphins Marine Mammal Pathology, Tissue Archives, and Database
Dr. Annie Page
Developing a dolphin food web health monitoring tool in the Indian River Lagoon
Dr. Krista McCoy
Environmental drivers of bottlenose dolphin occurrence in the Indian River Lagoon
Dr. Brian Lapointe
Impact of changing environmental drivers on dolphin ecology and resilience
Dr. Greg O’Corry-Crowe
Exploring Florida’s Extraordinary Marine Natural Products Diversity Part 2-Defining Structures
Dr. Amy Wright
Observations and modeling of water quality, harmful algal blooms, and seagrass in southwest Florida coastal waters
Dr. Mingshun Jiang
Understanding the mechanisms that drive community resilience
Dr. Krista McCoy
Tracking land-based pollution and long-term changes in nutrient stoichiometry on the Florida Reef Tract
Dr. Brian Lapointe
Caught on camera! Fine-scale behavior and anthropogenic interactions of Florida’s largest reef fish
Dr. Matt Ajemian
Seagrass mapping from high resolution satellite imagery in the Indian River Lagoon
Dr. Timothy Moore
Contribution of organic and inorganic suspended particles to light attenuation in the Indian River Lagoon
Dr. Malcolm McFarland
Identifying biomarkers of health status and contaminants exposure in Florida’s nesting leatherback sea turtles
Dr. Annie Page
“Investigating Environmental Changes”: A Curriculum for High School Students
Dr. Gabby Barbarite-McHenry
Florida Stranding Organizations that provide care and assistance to stranded wild dolphins and Florida whales awarded funding under the Protect Wild Dolphins and Protect Florida Whales license plates in FY24:
Blue World Research Institute
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge
Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute
Florida Stranding Organizations that provide care and assistance to stranded wild dolphins and Florida whales awarded funding under the Protect Wild Dolphins and Protect Florida Whales license plates.
Blue World Research Institute
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge
Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute
Florida Stranding Organizations that provide care and assistance to stranded wild dolphins and Florida whales awarded funding under the Protect Wild Dolphins and Protect Florida Whales license plates.
Blue World Research Institute
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge
Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute
Single Year Grants: | Award: |
---|---|
Reversing the Course of Seagrass Loss through Restoration in the IRL: Transplanting Sustainable, Nursery-Grown Seagrass | $1,000,000 |
Indian River Lagoon Observatory (IRLO): Addressing Emerging Environmental Issues in a Nationally Significant Estuary | $780,570 |
Fighting AGEs with Marine Natural Products | $209,960 |
Impact of changing environmental drivers on dolphin ecology and resilience | $183,576 |
Marilyn C. Link Memorial Scholarship | $7,000 |
2024 Indian River Lagoon Graduate Research Fellows | $100,000 |
2024 Indian River Lagoon Symposium | $10,000 |
Advancing Technologies for IMTA System Management and Products
Dr. Paul Wills
“Exploring Florida Aquaculture” Public Workshops
Dr. Gabby Barbarite-McHenry
Transcriptomic, toxicologic, and histologic differences between supplemented and non-supplemented Florida pompano
Dr. Annie Page
Distribution, behavioral ecology, and genomics of Florida Whales
Dr. Greg O’Corry-Crowe
HBOI's Florida Whales Stranding and Population Assessment Program
Steve Burton, M.Sc.
HBOI's Florida Whales Marine Mammal Pathology, Tissue Archives, and Database Program
Dr. Annie Page
HBOI's Florida Dolphins Stranding and Population Assessment Program
Steve Burton, M.Sc.
Dolphin behavioral response to anthropogenic activity in offshore and coastal waters
Dr. Laurent Cherubin
HBOI's Florida Dolphins Marine Mammal Pathology, Tissue Archives, and Database
Dr. Annie Page
Developing a dolphin food web health monitoring tool in the Indian River Lagoon
Dr. Krista McCoy
Environmental drivers of bottlenose dolphin occurrence in the Indian River Lagoon
Dr. Brian Lapointe
Impact of changing environmental drivers on dolphin ecology and resilience
Dr. Greg O’Corry-Crowe
Exploring Florida’s Extraordinary Marine Natural Products Diversity Part 2-Defining Structures
Dr. Amy Wright
Observations and modeling of water quality, harmful algal blooms, and seagrass in southwest Florida coastal waters
Dr. Mingshun Jiang
Understanding the mechanisms that drive community resilience
Dr. Krista McCoy
Tracking land-based pollution and long-term changes in nutrient stoichiometry on the Florida Reef Tract
Dr. Brian Lapointe
Caught on camera! Fine-scale behavior and anthropogenic interactions of Florida’s largest reef fish
Dr. Matt Ajemian
Seagrass mapping from high resolution satellite imagery in the Indian River Lagoon
Dr. Timothy Moore
Contribution of organic and inorganic suspended particles to light attenuation in the Indian River Lagoon
Dr. Malcolm McFarland
Florida Stranding Organizations that provide care and assistance to stranded wild dolphins and Florida whales awarded funding under the Protect Wild Dolphins and Protect Florida Whales license plates in FY24:
Blue World Research Institute
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge
Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute
Florida Stranding Organizations that provide care and assistance to stranded wild dolphins and Florida whales awarded funding under the Protect Wild Dolphins and Protect Florida Whales license plates.
Blue World Research Institute
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge
Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute
This seven-year grant commitment of $5,481,051 provided FAU Harbor Branch a unique and competitive opportunity to recruit 8 new faculty/principal investigators by offering each three-year salary support and a major start-up package. As noted: “Investment in the faculty will transform Harbor Branch and provide substantial opportunities for collaboration across all of FAU. New faculty will also substantially increase our ability to contribute to the goal of doubling the research portfolio of FAU.” The grant was made to expand the faculty of Harbor Branch in key areas related to these initiatives:
• The Indian River Lagoon Observatory
• Ocean exploration platforms for the 21st century
• Integrated multi-trophic level aquaculture
• Advanced underwater sensory and communication technologies
• Core laboratory facilities for integrative molecular bioscience
The Foundation has continued to provide salary support since the initial FY15 Ensuring Faculty Excellence grant. This funding has enabled FAU Harbor Branch to attract, hire and retain top level faculty and researchers, and to seek increased funding from other sources. The Foundation provided another Promoting Faculty Recruitment, Retention and Research Excellence Grant of up to 20% Salary Support for eligible faculty in the amount of up to $520,000 in 2020.
Warming temperatures, sea level rise, changing precipitation patterns and so called “tropicalization” coupled to population growth are creating documented ecological shifts in Florida Coastal Ecosystems. A $650,000 FY19 grant was provided to seed the creation of the Florida Center for Coastal and Human Health, and in FY20 another grant of $850,000 was made to support the Center’s leadership in addressing the health of Florida coastal ecosystems and communities. The five Center objectives of FAU Harbor Branch personnel and partners have included:
1. Measurement/Observation/Models
2. Multi‐"Omics”
3. Trophic Transfer of Harmful Algal Bloom Toxins
4. Toxins and Toxicity: Assays
5. Outreach and Engagement
To become involved in or support the Center’s work, please contact Dr. James Sullivan, Executive Director, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute at FAU.
Since 2012, the Harbor Branch Foundation has hosted a signature event, Love Your Lagoon. With $739,786 raised to date, each event has raised funds and generated greater awareness of the critical issues facing the Indian River Lagoon by supporting FAU Harbor Branch’s ongoing Indian River Lagoon Observatory research and outreach efforts.
• 2020 Indian River Lagoon Symposium
The Harbor Branch Foundation's Annual Love Your Lagoon Gala Dinner event was originally inspired to raise funds to raise awareness by mounting an Indian River Lagoon Symposium following the 2011-2012 algal blooms crisis. The Symposium is the result of a multi-institutional, multi-agency effort to provide a forum for discussing Indian River Lagoon science and its application to management of the Lagoon. The intent is to facilitate better communication among these groups so that the gaps between research and its application can be narrowed. Open to scientists, decision makers, students, education and outreach professionals, and the interested public, it draws over 600 participants over two days.
• 2020 Indian River Lagoon Graduate Research Fellows Program
$101,600 in proceeds from the 2020 event will fund the work of students involved in HBOI’s Indian River Lagoon Graduate Research Fellows program in 2020-2021. The competitive process will result in support for salary, tuition, travel to present research, and/or materials necessary for the research project. Fellows will ultimately present their research at the Indian River Lagoon Symposium as well as at the FAU Charles E. Schmidt College of Science Graduate Research Day.
Purchase of a 36 Passenger Pontoon Boat for HBOI Immersion Tours and Other Outreach Opportunities: $150,000
Preservation of Historical Johnson-Sea-Link Submersible Video Tapes and Data for Research, Conservation, and Education: $89,989
Establish a Harbor Branch History Display at the Ocean Discovery Visitors Center: $7,190
Marilyn C. Link Memorial Internship: $5,000
HBSA Volunteer Award: $1,250
In addition, to hosting a visit from The Jefferson Project and a reception for Dr. Margaret Leinen of the Scripps Institute of Oceanography, in FY19, the Harbor Branch Foundation also provided a total of $1,623.92 in operational support for various administrative functions and activities at FAU Harbor Branch.
A nonprofit Board of Directors, collectively and individually, commits to act in the best interests of the organization in which it serves. In this case: the Harbor Branch Foundation and its mission to serve FAU Harbor Branch. Individuals representing local, regional, and national geographic areas and affiliations comprise our board of directors. Each board member is strategically recruited to best support the fulfillment of mission. The Foundation is intent on building a board composition complimented with a palate of differing skills, experience, and strengths to bring key support and diversity of perspective to our decision-making processes. Per our bylaws, we shall have no less than five (5) and no more than twenty-five (25) members serving three-year terms, with the eligibility to be re-elected for a second term. We also have ex officio, designated, appointed, and non-voting Directors. We elect Directors on a staggered term basis for leadership continuity.
2024 Chair
2024 Vice Chair
2024 Treasurer
2024 Secretary/Legal Counsel
Ex Officio
2024 Secretary
Legal Counsel
Ex Officio
Emeritus, Ex Officio
Emeritus, Ex Officio
Executive Director
Director of Operations
John Papa, Chair
Michael J. Brown, Sr.
Michael Toner
Marjorie D. Raines, Chair
Michael O’Reilly
John Papa
Michael Toner
William J. Stewart, Esq., Chair
George Frazza
Michael O’Reilly
Marjorie Raines
Michael Toner
Michael Toner, Chair
Michael J. Brown, Sr.
Joseph Ferro, MD
Michael O’Reilly
James Seitz
Joseph Z. Duke, III
Joseph Ferro, MD, Chair
Joseph Z. Duke, III
Michael O’Reilly
Marjorie D. Raines
William J. Stewart, Esq.
John Papa, Chair
Michael J. Brown, Sr.
Michael Toner
Marjorie D. Raines, Chair
Michael O’Reilly
John Papa
Michael Toner
William J. Stewart, Esq., Chair
George Frazza
Michael O’Reilly
Marjorie Raines
Michael Toner
Michael Toner, Chair
Michael J. Brown, Sr.
Joseph Ferro, MD
Michael O’Reilly
James Seitz
Joseph Z. Duke, III
Joseph Ferro, MD, Chair
Joseph Z. Duke, III
Michael O’Reilly
Marjorie D. Raines
William J. Stewart, Esq.
Legal Counsel
Rossway, Swan, Tierney, Barry, and Oliver, P.L.
Managing Partner
Atlanta Consulting Group
Metz, Husband & Daughton, P.A.
External Accountant
Kmetz, Elwell, Graham & Associates, PLLC
FY24 External Auditor
FLARE Media Agency
Legal Counsel
Rossway, Swan, Tierney, Barry, and Oliver, P.L.
Managing Partner
Atlanta Consulting Group
Metz, Husband & Daughton, P.A.
External Accountant
Kmetz, Elwell, Graham & Associates, PLLC
FY24 External Auditor
FLARE Media Agency
Did you know that half of the seafood we eat comes from aquaculture, also known as fish farming? Fish, clams, shrimp and plants are items grown for food and for restocking overfished areas. The Aquaculture license plate, designed by marine wildlife artist and conservationist Guy Harvey, supports the research that Harbor Branch scientists do to advance the industry, like testing land-based culture methods that reuse water and limit waste while growing healthy and safe seafood.
($25 plus registration fees)
Several whale species can be found in Florida waters, including the most endangered of all great whales: the North Atlantic right whale. Designed by marine life artist Wyland, the Protect Florida Whales plate supports protection of these endangered species through public education and conservation. Plate proceeds also fund Harbor Branch’s 24/7 emergency response for whales that become stranded.
($25 plus registration fees)
The Protect Wild Dolphins plate, designed by marine artist Steve Diossy, enables 24/7 emergency response for dolphins that become stranded or entangled in fishing gear or other items foreign to the oceans or estuary ecosystems. Harbor Branch’s marine mammal teams also conduct a variety of studies to help understand dolphin health, life history, and the environment where they live.
($20 plus registration fees)
The Guy Harvey-designed Save Our Seas license plate funds Harbor Branch’s research on Florida’s waters and coral reefs. Harbor Branch scientists investigate the health of coastal waterways by utilizing a network of automated water quality measurement stations that allow researchers and the public to track conditions in popular boating and swimming spots.
($25 plus registration fees)
Did you know that half of the seafood we eat comes from aquaculture, also known as fish farming? Fish, clams, shrimp and plants are items grown for food and for restocking overfished areas. The Aquaculture license plate, designed by marine wildlife artist and conservationist Guy Harvey, supports the research that Harbor Branch scientists do to advance the industry, like testing land-based culture methods that reuse water and limit waste while growing healthy and safe seafood.
($25 plus registration fees)
Several whale species can be found in Florida waters, including the most endangered of all great whales: the North Atlantic right whale. Designed by marine life artist Wyland, the Protect Florida Whales plate supports protection of these endangered species through public education and conservation. Plate proceeds also fund Harbor Branch’s 24/7 emergency response for whales that become stranded.
($25 plus registration fees)
The Protect Wild Dolphins plate, designed by marine artist Steve Diossy, enables 24/7 emergency response for dolphins that become stranded or entangled in fishing gear or other items foreign to the oceans or estuary ecosystems. Harbor Branch’s marine mammal teams also conduct a variety of studies to help understand dolphin health, life history, and the environment where they live.
($20 plus registration fees)
The Guy Harvey-designed Save Our Seas license plate funds Harbor Branch’s research on Florida’s waters and coral reefs. Harbor Branch scientists investigate the health of coastal waterways by utilizing a network of automated water quality measurement stations that allow researchers and the public to track conditions in popular boating and swimming spots.
($25 plus registration fees)
Private gifts are essential for the continued growth and development of Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute.
Supporting the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Foundation through a planned gift ensures that there will always be an income stream for operations and special projects and initiatives for Harbor Branch. Gifts of cash, stocks and bonds, retirement assets, real estate, and/or insurance policies are all examples of planned giving through estate planning. For more information, contact Cyndi Permenter at cpermenter@hboifoundation.org or 772-466-9876, ext. 300.
www.hboifoundation.org
Ph: 772-466-9876 Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Foundation
3545 Ocean Drive, Suite 201 │ Vero Beach │ FL, 32963
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