🌊 Surfer Joe and Kai Foundation

We are an IRS-registered 501(c)(3) public charity dedicated to accelerating ocean cleanup efforts and supporting marine conservation projects worldwide. We fund existing ocean-focused nonprofits and launch our own innovative initiatives to protect and restore ocean health.

Our foundation bridges traditional philanthropy with Web3 technology, allowing supporters worldwide to participate in ocean conservation through donations, crypto contributions, and community engagement.

The Surfer Joe and Kai Foundation was founded by the creators behind SurfTheWeb and the Surfer Joe and Kai community. We are committed to ocean health and wanted to create a transparent, Web3-native mechanism to fund ocean initiatives globally.

Yes. We are registered with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) public charity. Our status can be verified on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (via Pub 78).

We publish annual financial reports (Form 990) publicly. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

You can donate in several ways:

• Direct donations: Via our website (USD/Credit Card)
• Cryptocurrency: We accept Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, and other major cryptocurrencies via The Giving Block
• Corporate giving: Sponsorships and matching gift programs
• Surfer Joe & Kai Meme Coin: As detailed below, the token includes automatic donation mechanics
• NFT & digital collectibles: Royalties from certain digital assets support our mission

The Surfer Joe and Kai Meme Coin is a blockchain token created by an independent team to support ocean conservation. The coin is NOT issued or managed by the foundation—it is a separate project that directs a portion of its tokenomics to our cause.

Key point: By holding or trading the token, a fixed percentage automatically flows to the Foundation's public charity wallet. This is a passive donation mechanism embedded in the smart contract.

No. The foundation does not mint, govern, or manage the token. We are simply a recipient of donations via a smart contract wallet. This separation prevents conflicts of interest and ensures the foundation remains focused on grantmaking and ocean conservation, not trading or speculative activity.

Yes. Donations of cryptocurrency to our 501(c)(3) foundation are generally tax-deductible at fair market value (FMV) at the time of donation. You will receive a tax receipt for your records.

Important: We recommend consulting a tax professional about the specific tax implications of your donation, as crypto donation tax rules can be complex.

Your donations fund:

• Grants to ocean nonprofits: We fund verified 501(c)(3) ocean and conservation organizations globally
• Direct ocean cleanup projects: Beach cleanups, research initiatives, and pilot programs
• Operations & administration: Minimal overhead to keep the foundation running efficiently
• Web3 conservation initiatives: Funding DAOs, NFT projects, and other blockchain-native conservation efforts

We are fully transparent:

• Quarterly updates: We post wallet balances, token receipts, and grant announcements quarterly to @SurferJoeAndKai on Twitter/X
• Annual Form 990: Our complete IRS tax return is filed publicly each year and available via the IRS database
• Grant announcements: All major grants and grantees are publicly announced
• On-chain transparency: Our charity wallet is publicly visible on blockchain explorers for anyone to audit

We aim to keep overhead below 15% of total revenue, ensuring at least 85% of donations go directly to ocean conservation. This is well below the typical nonprofit benchmark (25-30%) and reflects our commitment to maximizing impact.

Our Form 990 (filed annually) will document exact overhead spending.

We maintain strong governance to prevent conflicts:

• Board independence: At least one independent director ensures oversight
• No private benefit: No founder, board member, or employee profits from donations or token trading
• Token separation: The foundation does not control the meme coin, preventing any governance or financial conflicts
• Grantee vetting: Independent review process for all grants to avoid nepotism or favoritism

We follow strict anti-money laundering and know-your-customer guidelines:

• Donor vetting: Large crypto donations (>$250) are traced to source if possible
• No anonymous transfers: We do not accept airdrops or transfers from unknown wallets
• Sanctions screening: All donors are screened against OFAC and international sanctions lists
• Custody security: Donation wallets use multi-signature cold storage

We fund verified 501(c)(3) organizations and international charities focused on ocean conservation, including (but not limited to):

• Plastic cleanup initiatives
• Marine habitat restoration
• Coral reef protection
• Ocean research and advocacy
• Indigenous ocean rights & stewardship

All grantees are announced publicly. You can view a list of funded organizations on our website and social channels.

Organizations can apply via our website (link provided) or email grants@SurferJoeAndKai.foundation with:

• 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status documentation (or equivalent international charity certification)
• Mission statement and recent impact report
• Budget and specific use of funds requested
• Project timeline and expected outcomes

Our grants committee reviews applications quarterly. We prioritize programs with demonstrated impact and transparency.

Yes. We fund verified conservation organizations globally, including non-U.S. charities. For non-501(c)(3) international partners, we follow IRS Expenditure Responsibility procedures to ensure compliance.

We publish impact data quarterly and annually:

• Grantee outcomes: Reports from organizations we fund on their ocean impact
• Annual impact report: Comprehensive summary of all grants and conservation work
• Social media updates: Regular posts on @SurferJoeAndKai showing ocean initiatives in action
• Personal donation receipt: Your donation receipt includes links to specific projects your gift supports

Yes! We welcome volunteers for:

• Beach cleanup events and ocean initiatives
• Social media & community engagement
• Grantee vetting and research
• Web3 and blockchain conservation projects

Email volunteer@SurferJoeAndKai.foundation to get started.

Absolutely. We welcome corporate sponsorships and matching gift programs. Corporate donors can customize their support based on their values and impact goals.

For corporate giving inquiries, email corporate@SurferJoeAndKai.foundation.

Follow us and stay engaged:

• Twitter/X: @SurferJoeAndKai (quarterly updates, grant announcements, ocean news)
• Website: SurferJoeAndKai.foundation (latest news, grant opportunities, grantee spotlights)
• Email newsletter: Sign up on our website for monthly impact updates
• Discord/Community: Join our Web3 community for real-time engagement

Yes. All donations to the Surfer Joe and Kai Foundation are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law, as we are a 501(c)(3) organization.

You will receive a tax receipt. Please consult a tax professional about your specific tax situation.

You will receive a donation receipt via email. Include this receipt with your tax records when filing. Your accountant or tax software can help you claim the charitable deduction on your tax return.

For crypto donations: The value of your donation at the time of transfer is the fair market value (FMV) you can deduct. Keep records of the crypto's FMV on your donation date for tax purposes.

Yes. You can set up monthly or quarterly recurring donations via our website. This helps us plan long-term grants and ocean initiatives.