OUTREACH & FUNDING
Science Community / Organization Partnerships
BayQuest will collaborate with scientists and marine biology experts through target-specific outings with other San Francisco Bay area wildlife and conservation organizations. Activities such as data sharing, onboard research excursions and outreach would be the focus of collaboration.
In addition, BayQuest will engage in extensive outreach to education institutions and non-profits to engender meaningful involvement and community-based solutions to the challenges of impending climate change and its effects on local marine wildlife.
All data collected will be shared through open source channels with researchers and scientists studying the effects of climate change on local marine habitats.
Public Outreach / Awareness Campaigns
BayQuest missions, actions and goals would be highly promoted through social media, traditional press outreach, organization website and informational newsletter bulletins and public appearances – all with the goal of generating increased awareness and interest. Webinars, in-person workshops and water tours highlighting wildlife habitats and work being done to help protect them will round out the educational component of the program. All communications will encourage prospective volunteers and donors to become members/supporters of BayQuest.
Organization Funding for Start Up and Sustainability
Funding for the sustainability of this important work would come from active fundraising efforts both in-person and through online and media presence. Prospective funding sources include, but are not limited to public/private grants, private donations, memberships, vessel usage fees and merchandising. In addition, BayQuest aims to secure additional funding through active support and resource/vessel-sharing plans with other organizations in the marine science community.
Corporate Partnerships
BayQuest would seek funding and collaboration with corporate stakeholders and prospective sponsors of organizational activities. Vessel acquisition, maintenance and operations would make up one area of focus. Sponsorship packages would also include whale monitoring programs, marine mammal observations, migratory bird studies and water testing. Corporate sponsor relationships would alse be cultivated to help fund our BayQuest Warriors for Environmental Justice program and overall operations expenses.
Public / Private Grants
BayQuest would position itself to qualify and apply for a host of available grants through private foundations and at the local, state and federal levels. A qualified grant writing specialist would be part of the BayQuest team to facilitate the grant search and application process.
Membership Drive, Donations and Endowments
A consistent membership and private donation drive effort would be generated through active email campaigns, public events, social media and through the organization’s website. Prospective members/donors would be offered targeted range levels of membership. For example, $35+ Mate, $100+ Crew, $1,000+ Captain, $10,000+ Admiral, $100,000+ President’s Diamond Council.
Member/donors would receive incentives/gifts for each level of membership such as BayQuest gear/clothing; newsletter subscriptions, plaques and vessel ride alongs. Active peer-to-peer (P2P) fundraising programs and events would be instituted among our membership to help expand our member/donor base.
Organizational Expense / Vessel Sharing
BayQuest would also seek funding through active expense/vessel-sharing agreements with other local, state and federal agencies/organizations in need of an on-the-water asset to help conduct research and gather valuable data for the protection and conservation of the San Francisco Bay and surrounding tributaries.