The Mote Scientific Foundation focuses on supporting marine science, wildlife conservation, and public-facing animal institutions. Its grants are concentrated and sizable, funding both its local partner Mote Marine Laboratory and larger zoological organizations that run conservation, research and public education programs. The foundation shows an interest in species protection (notably manta conservation) and in strengthening institutions that combine research with visitor engagement.
A $154,627 grant to Brookfield Zoo in 2025 stands out in the foundation’s recent giving and points to a pattern of sizable support for zoos and aquaria that pair conservation with public education. Mote Scientific Foundation Inc Pratt also backs marine research institutions, with multiple grants to Mote Marine Laboratory across 2023 to 2025, and it extends that interest to species-focused work such as Action for Mantas. The foundation’s portfolio includes general support rather than tightly restricted project grants, which gives recipient institutions flexibility to use funds for research, operations, or public-facing programming. The recurring presence of Mote Marine Laboratory suggests an ongoing relationship with a core local partner, while Chicago Zoological Society and Brookfield Zoo show that the foundation also funds larger institutional actors beyond its immediate area. Its giving is not limited to marine settings: the recent grants list includes wildlife and science organizations, education-oriented institutions, and conservation groups. Taken together, the pattern suggests a funder focused on strengthening organizations that connect scientific work, animal care, and public engagement.
Marine science is a central theme. In 2025, the foundation gave $59,780 to Mote Marine Laboratory for general support, following $39,895 in 2024 and $95,264 in 2023, indicating sustained backing for a marine research institution. Species conservation is another clear thread. Action for Mantas received $60,000 in 2023, showing support for a targeted conservation effort. The foundation also funds broader coastal and environmental work. Florida Ocean Alliance received $30,000 in 2023, $20,000 in 2024, and $20,000 in 2025, while Suncoast Waterkeeper received $30,000 in 2023 and $17,034 in 2025. Those grants point to support for organizations working on ocean, water, and habitat issues. Public-facing science institutions appear as well, especially through Brookfield Zoo and Chicago Zoological Society, both funded at six-figure or near-six-figure levels.
Typical awards are in the five-figure range: p25 is $8,800, median is $10,000, and p75 is $19,258. The recent list also shows several larger grants above that band, including six-figure and mid-six-figure support. The pattern looks repeat-oriented rather than one-off, with Mote Marine Laboratory, Florida Ocean Alliance, Suncoast Waterkeeper, Sarasota Bay Watch, and Jack & Jill Late Stage Cancer Found appearing in more than one year. The foundation is a private foundation and does not fund individuals. Grants are listed as general support, which suggests flexible operating-style funding rather than highly restricted project awards.
$499K
$10.7M
$1M
$1M
Most grants fall between $9K and $19K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$9K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$19K
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Concentrated giving: a small number of relatively large grants (including repeat support) to a mix of a local flagship marine lab and prominent zoological organizations nationwide, primarily as general/operating support.
Notable grantees: Mote Marine Laboratory, Chicago Zoological Society, Brookfield Zoo, Action for Mantas
Giving is concentrated in Florida, which accounts for 78% of grants to recipients in the headquarters state’s recipient location, while the top state by grant count is Mississippi. The recent grants list is heavily centered on Sarasota-area and nearby Florida recipients, including Sarasota, Bradenton, Palmetto, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, Osprey, and Boca Raton. Outside Florida, the foundation has funded organizations in Brookfield, Illinois; Chicago, Illinois; Evanston, Illinois; Solana Beach, California; and Harrisonburg, Virginia. All recent grants in the data go to U.S. recipients.
The foundation supports marine science research and infrastructure, zoo and aquarium-led conservation and public education, targeted species conservation, and wildlife conservation programs. Recent grants show funding for research institutions, zoos, water-focused organizations, and education-oriented nonprofits, usually as general support.
The grant-size distribution is centered on relatively modest awards: p25 is $8,800, median grant size is $10,000, and p75 is $19,258. The recent list also includes larger grants, including awards above $100,000.
Yes. Several recipients appear across multiple years, including Mote Marine Laboratory, Florida Ocean Alliance, Suncoast Waterkeeper, Sarasota Bay Watch, and Jack & Jill Late Stage Cancer Found. That pattern suggests ongoing relationships rather than isolated one-time gifts.
Most grants go to recipients in Florida, which accounts for 78% of grants to recipients in the headquarters state’s recipient location. Recent Florida recipients include organizations in Sarasota, Bradenton, Palmetto, Fort Lauderdale, Tampa, Osprey, and Boca Raton.
The recent grants are labeled GENERAL, and the foundation’s giving includes support for institutions that can use funds across research, operations, and public education. That points to flexible support rather than narrowly restricted project funding.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MOTE MARINE LABORATORY | SARASOTA, FL | $124,287 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY FUND | BOCA RATON, FL | $60,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| BROOKLYN ZOO | BROOKLYN, NY | $59,911 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| SUNCOAST WATERKEEPER | SARASOTA, FL | $37,045 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| SARASOTA BAY WATCH | OSPREY, FL | $25,314 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| DOGS INC | PALMETTO, FL | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| EASTER SEALS OF SW FLORIDA | SARASOTA, FL | $20,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| UNC CHAPEL HILL OFFICE OF DEVELOPME | CHAPEL HILL, NC | $18,600 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| JACK & JILL LATE STAGE CANCER FOUND | CHICAGO, IL | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| NIK WALLENDA FAMILY FOUNDATION | SARASOTA, FL | $15,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| MANATEE EDUCATION FOUNDATION | BRADENTON, FL | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| BAY PARK CONSERVANCY | SARASOTA, FL | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| TURNING POINTS | BRADENTON, FL | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| NEW COLLEGE OF SARASOTA | SARASOTA, FL | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| GULF COAST CONSERVATION FD | OSPREY, FL | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| SPARCC | SARASOTA, FL | $10,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| WATER WARRIORS ALLIANCE | TREASURE ISLAND, FL | $7,522 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| CROSTWAIT MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT | PALMETTO, FL | $7,500 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| JOHNS HOPKINS ALL CHILDREN'S HOSPIT | ST PETERSBURG, FL | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| FLORIDA CULTURAL GROUP | BRADENTON, FL | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| MEALS ON WHEELS SARASOTA | SARASOTA, FL | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| ALL FAITHS FOOD BANK | SARASOTA, FL | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| GULF OF MEXICO ALLIANCE | OCEAN SPRINGS, MS | $5,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| MANATEE COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY FOUN | BRADENTON, FL | $2,500 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| JUNIOR LEAGUE OF MANATEE COUNTY | BRADENTON, FL | $1,000 | 2026 | GENERAL |
| BROOKFIELD ZOO | BROOKFIELD, IL | $154,627 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| MOTE MARINE LABORATORY | SARASOTA, FL | $59,780 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| DOGS INC | PALMETTO, FL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| MANATEE EDUCATION FOUNDATION | BRADENTON, FL | $25,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| FLORIDA OCEAN ALLIANCE | FORT LAUDERDALE, FL | $20,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| SUNCOAST WATER KEEPERS | SARASOTA, FL | $17,034 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| SARASOTA BAY WATCH | OSPREY, FL | $16,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| JACK & JILL LATE STAGE CANCER FOUND | CHICAGO, IL | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY FUND | BOCA RATON, FL | $15,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| SPARCC | SARASOTA, FL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| ROTARY CLUB OF SRQ FD | SARASOTA, FL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| TURNING POINTS | BRADENTON, FL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARIES | SILVER SPRINGS, MD | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| CORAL REEF RESTORATION | KEY LARGO, FL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| ST PETERSBURG COLLEGE FD | ST PETERSBURG, FL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| FOUNDATION FOR DREAMS | BRADENTON, FL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF SARASOTA CO | SARASOTA, FL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| NEW COLLEGE OF SARASOTA | SARASOTA, FL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF MANATEE CO | BRADENTON, FL | $10,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| CROSTHWAIT MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT INC | PALMETTO, FL | $7,500 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| THEODORE ROOSEVELT ASSOCIATION | OYSTER BAY, NY | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| VETERANS OF SOUTH PINELLAS COUNTY INC | ST PETE BEACH, FL | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| SCIENCE ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL | SARASOTA, FL | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| MANATEE COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY FOUN | BRADENTON, FL | $5,000 | 2025 | GENERAL |
| FRIENDS OF MYAKKA RIVER | MYAKKA CITY, FL | $2,500 | 2025 | GENERAL |
BROOKLYN ZOO
$59,911GENERAL
SUNCOAST WATERKEEPER
$37,045GENERAL
SARASOTA BAY WATCH
$25,314GENERAL
DOGS INC
$20,000GENERAL
UNC CHAPEL HILL OFFICE OF DEVELOPME
$18,600GENERAL
JACK & JILL LATE STAGE CANCER FOUND
$15,000GENERAL
NIK WALLENDA FAMILY FOUNDATION
$15,000GENERAL
TURNING POINTS
$10,000GENERAL
NEW COLLEGE OF SARASOTA
$10,000GENERAL
GULF COAST CONSERVATION FD
$10,000GENERAL
SPARCC
$10,000GENERAL
WATER WARRIORS ALLIANCE
$7,522GENERAL
CROSTWAIT MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT
$7,500GENERAL
JOHNS HOPKINS ALL CHILDREN'S HOSPIT
$5,000GENERAL
GULF OF MEXICO ALLIANCE
$5,000GENERAL
MANATEE COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY FOUN
$2,500GENERAL
JUNIOR LEAGUE OF MANATEE COUNTY
$1,000GENERAL
BROOKFIELD ZOO
$154,627GENERAL
DOGS INC
$25,000GENERAL
FLORIDA OCEAN ALLIANCE
$20,000GENERAL
SUNCOAST WATER KEEPERS
$17,034GENERAL
SARASOTA BAY WATCH
$16,000GENERAL
JACK & JILL LATE STAGE CANCER FOUND
$15,000GENERAL
ROTARY CLUB OF SRQ FD
$10,000GENERAL
TURNING POINTS
$10,000GENERAL
NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARIES
$10,000GENERAL
CORAL REEF RESTORATION
$10,000GENERAL
ST PETERSBURG COLLEGE FD
$10,000GENERAL
FOUNDATION FOR DREAMS
$10,000GENERAL
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF SARASOTA CO
$10,000GENERAL
NEW COLLEGE OF SARASOTA
$10,000GENERAL
CROSTHWAIT MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT INC
$7,500GENERAL
THEODORE ROOSEVELT ASSOCIATION
$5,000GENERAL
VETERANS OF SOUTH PINELLAS COUNTY INC
$5,000GENERAL
SCIENCE ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL
$5,000GENERAL
MANATEE COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY FOUN
$5,000GENERAL
FRIENDS OF MYAKKA RIVER
$2,500GENERAL