Honoring the Legacy of the Lenfest Ocean Program

Celebrating Two Decades of Impact

After 20 years of groundbreaking research, collaboration, and impact, the Lenfest Ocean Program will officially close its doors on June 30, 2025. Since 2004, we have worked to ensure that scientific research is directly relevant to those who make decisions about the ocean and coasts—whether they are fishery managers, conservation groups, policymakers, or local communities.

Over the years, we have funded more than 125 research projects, convened 12 task forces and expert working groups, and developed a unique grantmaking model centered on co-designing research with stakeholders and sustained outreach and engagement throughout the life of projects. We have been privileged to support scientists, Indigenous knowledge holders, policymakers, resource managers and more in generating new information that has helped shape ocean conservation and governance worldwide.

A Legacy of Science in Action

At the time of our founding, the knowledge gap between terrestrial and marine environments was vast. Decision-makers often cited a lack of scientific information as a reason to maintain the status quo. Recognizing this challenge, The Pew Charitable Trusts and the Lenfest Foundation, led by Gerry and Marguerite Lenfest, established the Lenfest Ocean Program to increase the availability of policy-relevant marine science.

Lenfest became a pioneer in bridging research and decision-making, ensuring that new scientific insights weren’t just published in journals but actively used in climate-resilient fisheries, ecosystem-based fisheries management, marine biodiversity, and marine protected areas. Our grantmaking approach set us apart. We didn’t just fund research—we partnered with researchers, managers, and communities from the very beginning. This meant that:

• Decision-makers and stakeholders helped shape our research questions,
• Scientists worked directly with communities and agencies to ensure findings were useful, and
• Research outcomes were accessible, actionable, and linked to policy solutions.

Key Achievements

From expert task forces to research projects that involved multiple partners, the efforts we’ve supported will have lasting impacts for years to come.

Shaping Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management

• The Lenfest Fishery Ecosystem Task Force laid the groundwork for fishery ecosystem plans (FEPs), which have been implemented in the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico.
• Our research on menhaden contributed to the adoption of ecological reference points by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, leading to more sustainable fisheries management.

Sustaining Marine Biodiversity

• Marine Biodiversity Dialogues, a series of expert task forces, drove the creation of the White House National Marine Biodiversity Strategy, which will shape conservation priorities for years to come.
• We helped establish sustainable shark catch limits and raised awareness about the importance of forage fish to marine ecosystems.

Including Indigenous Knowledge in Decision-Making

• We have supported multiple projects that elevate Indigenous knowledge in ocean governance, including work with Tlingit and Haida communities in Southeast Alaska and efforts to develop a Tribal Cultural Landscapes Assessment for the Southern Oregon Coast.

Changing the Role of Funders in Science

• Our Cross Currents blog, specifically our Taking Stock series, has promoted transparency and learning, sharing insights on what works (and what doesn’t) when funding science for policy.
• Lenfest’s approach informed the creation of The Evidence Project, which seeks to improve how scientific research is applied to real-world decision-making.

Looking Ahead

As we approach our final months, we also want to assure you that research outputs from Lenfest-funded projects will continue to be released throughout 2025, reinforcing our long-standing commitment to making ocean science accessible and actionable. Further, our archived research and resources will remain accessible at lenfestocean.org.

Moreover, the research, collaborations, and knowledge we’ve supported will continue to shape the future of ocean conservation. Many of the approaches and priorities that we championed will continue through the Blue Convergence Fund, a new organization that will support research and outreach that drives innovative policy solutions in ocean sustainability. Sign up at blueconvergence.org.

As this chapter closes, we remain deeply grateful to all the scientists, decision-makers, and partners who have worked with us over the years. Your dedication and collaboration have been the driving force behind the Lenfest Ocean Program’s impact.