Greetings. In this time of economic challenges, one positive sign that encourages me is that support for Save The Waves Coalition and similar grassroots nonprofits like ours hasn’t decreased, but increased. While this might seem counterintuitive, I believe it reflects a trend of people allocating resources towards things that are important to them, rather than spending frivolously.

Save The Waves is a lean operation. We function with a core staff of four people, two of them part-time, and augment that with a network of interns, volunteers and supporters that help us fulfill our mission of protecting global coastlines, with an emphasis on the surf zone. With that small staff and generous volunteer support, we’ve managed to build out effective, global programs that are making a difference, including International Surf Spot Protection, Surfonomics, Documentary Film, a regional Chile Program, and our new World Surfing Reserves program. In short, we do a lot with a little, and this is something our longtime supporters like, and therefore often increase their support over time.

I truly believe that nonprofit organizations hold the power to change the world, particularly in a time when governments are taking a less active role in environmental and humanitarian causes. My view of philanthropic support is that people will support causes that they feel connected to. If you feel connected to Save The Waves and the work we do, then fantastic – please consider supporting our efforts financially if you’re not already doing so. If not, I encourage you to either learn more about our organization, or find other organizations out there you connect with and support them and their efforts.

In the end, without your support, Save The Waves and organizations like ours could not operate nor could we accomplish the goals that benefit us all. It’s supporters like you who really make things happen with your contributions – as an organization, Save The Waves is simply a vehicle to get the work done.

Please consider making a contribution to Save The Waves, either via an annual membership or individual donation, and help further our goal of protecting precious coastline around the world. And as always, thanks for your continued support!