Finding Funding Beyond Federal Grants
A Guide for Ocean Farmers & Innovators
Federal funding has always been unpredictable, but this latest attack on climate initiatives and foreign aid is unprecedented. Having written grants since Trump's first term in 2018, I can say with certainty that I’ve never seen anything quite as disruptive as this.
On January 27th, the Office of Management and Budget issued a memo pausing all federal financial assistance—a move that sparked widespread confusion and uncertainty across the country. While the official memo has been rescinded, Federal employees say this is far from over. It’s clear that this drastic, short-sighted decision weakens America's small business economy.
That’s why when ocean farming expert, Azure Cygler, invited me to speak to her Professional Aquaculture Training class last week, I knew this was more than just another presentation about grants. This was a chance to share hope with a room full of ocean innovators navigating these stormy waters.
Despite the funding freeze, hope isn't lost—it's time to adapt and just keep swimming.
Rethinking Your Funding Strategy
One of the biggest mistakes any grant seeker makes is prioritizing quantity over quality. They submit application after application without doing any research or strategic planning, hoping something will stick. This approach suggests a misunderstanding of a fundamental truth: grants aren't simply 'free money' handed out to businesses.
Grants are all about partnerships built between the funders and recipients. While the grant search process can feel overwhelming, success comes from aligning your needs with the funder's goals to build mutually beneficial relationships.
Start by asking yourself the question:
What does my business really need right now?
Need more employees? Look into workforce development grants.
Need new equipment? Research capital and infrastructure grants.
Testing new ideas or need marketing support? There are grants and opportunities for that too.
Instead of chasing every available grant, start with your specific need, then it will be much easier to find the right funding to match it. Here’s a chart to get you started:
Yes, yes, dear reader, I know many grants on this list are federally funded. Call me overly optimistic, but I am hopeful these programs will remain active, and I encourage you to join official email lists at NOAA, other agencies, and Grants.gov to stay updated on the latest developments.
With that said, I understand the concern about potential cuts, especially in the climate sector, which is what inspired me to write this article.
Where to Look Beyond Federal Sources
In the US, a comprehensive funding ecosystem exists with countless opportunities for growing businesses and entrepreneurs. Beyond federal grants, you'll find state grants, philanthropic funding, corporate grants, business competitions, and even angel investors, all operating independently of federal government ties.
State and Local Resources
Don't overlook local opportunities! State-level funding can often be more accessible and responsive than federal funding, with less competition and higher success rates.
Sea Grant programs are particularly valuable for ocean farmers as they offer targeted aquaculture extension services, technical assistance, and funding opportunities. While 50% of these programs are Federally funded, half of the funds come from local sources. So even if the worst scenario plays out, hopefully these programs can continue to thrive, albeit on a smaller budget.
Each state's Sea Grant program typically provides aquaculture-specific grants ranging from $5,000 to $150,000 for research and development, gear innovation, and business development. Many Sea Grant programs also offer free or low-cost training workshops, disease diagnostic services, and one-on-one technical consulting for shellfish and seaweed farmers.
For example, Connecticut Sea Grant's aquaculture program provides funding for gear development and crop diversification, while Maine Sea Grant offers specific support for seaweed farming startups and shellfish disease monitoring.
Aside from Sea Grant, be sure to check out your local:
State commerce departments
Economic development agencies
Local innovation and business development organizations
Philanthropic Organizations
These foundations aren't just writing checks—they're investing in transformative solutions. They often offer more flexible criteria and deeper commitment to sustainable innovation. Although most of these organizations (aside from GreenWave) tend to focus on funding traditional nonprofits, they are actively growing their understanding of businesses that approach aquaculture sustainably and how industry can support marine conservation efforts.
Key Players:
GreenWave: One of the only nonprofit organizations directly funding and training ocean farmers in regenerative aquaculture.
The Nature Conservancy: TNC is a major funder of seaweed and shellfish aquaculture research and sustainable practices.
The Ocean Foundation: Provides financial and technical assistance for ocean farming projects, including seaweed farming initiatives.
Oceankind: Focuses on funding ocean-based climate solutions, including kelp farming, ocean carbon sequestration, and sustainable seafood production.
Impact Investors
While traditional venture capital might make small businesses wary, "impact investing" represents a new breed of investors seeing beyond traditional returns. These investors understand that solving environmental challenges is the next frontier of economic opportunity. They value your mission beyond just the bottom line.
Key Players:
Building a Resilient Funding Strategy
This isn't just about surviving a funding pause. It's about building a more robust, resilient ecosystem for ocean innovation.
Remember, you're not alone in this work. Our niche but growing sector benefits from cooperative agreements and partnerships that can help multiple ventures access the same funding sources. Consider partnering with universities to test new growing methods, or collaborating with local ocean nonprofits that have established relationships with philanthropic funders. Industry associations, like the NAA, offer both shared resources and opportunities to network with fellow ocean entrepreneurs.
Political winds may shift. Funding landscapes may change. But the huge waves that ocean entrepreneurs are making in this industry? Unstoppable.
Key Takeaways
Diversify Funding Sources: Don't rely on a single funding stream, but consider a mix of government grants and contracts, private foundation funding, and angel and venture capital investment.
Build Strategic Partnerships: Connect with nonprofits, universities, and industry associations to share resources, access research funding, and build credibility. These relationships can often reduce operational costs and accelerate innovation.
Stay Informed: Continuously research emerging opportunities through industry newsletters, funding databases, and network connections. Join relevant listservs and participate in industry webinars.
Be Adaptable: Ready yourself to pivot when necessary by maintaining flexible development timelines, building modular project plans, and keeping multiple funding applications in process.
What are some opportunities in the sustainable ocean space that I haven’t listed? Please share your favorite nonFederal grants, programs, or funding opportunities with me in the comments or by email so we can spread the word!
Do you need more nuanced guidance on exploring your funding options? Or perhaps support writing and managing your grant projects? This is exactly what I do!
Let's turn your ocean innovation into reality!
As a Federal employee, it's been so heartening seeing people share resources and advice on how to pivot in this new landscape. I'm proud to be a part of this sector and I'm encouraged by the resilience and commitment of the people who do this work.
Wonderful informative and encouraging article! Thanks Beck!