Through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Nonprofit Capital Project Fund administered by Pinellas Community Foundation, eligible nonprofit organizations across Pinellas County received funding to strengthen their capacity and expand services. While the program has now concluded, its impact continues to be felt through projects like this one from Tampa Bay Watch.
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Since its founding in 1993, Tampa Bay Watch (TBW) has been committed to making marine science accessible to all. Through community-driven restoration projects and educational programs, the organization has helped protect the unique marine environments that define the Tampa Bay region while inspiring future generations to become environmental stewards. When growing demand and pandemic-related challenges threatened to limit that impact, support made possible through Pinellas Community Foundation (PCF) helped position the organization for long-term success.
For years, transportation barriers limited participation in many of TBW’s educational offerings. To help bridge that gap, the organization launched Marine Science on the Move, a mobile education initiative designed to bring marine science programming directly from the Tampa Bay Watch campus to students in their classrooms.
When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted traditional learning environments, TBW quickly adapted by expanding its educational offerings to include remote learning, traveling field trips, and virtual programming. Throughout the pandemic, these services were provided free of charge to Title I schools, with the organization absorbing associated costs to ensure equitable access to science education.
At the same time, TBW faced mounting financial pressures. In 2021, operating expenses increased by $372,668—a 21.9% increase over the previous year. Despite these challenges, demand for marine science education continued to grow throughout Pinellas County.
In 2023, Pinellas Community Foundation helped connect TBW with critical American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, supporting the organization’s long-term sustainability and ability to serve more students throughout Pinellas County with the purchase of a new van.
The impact was incredible. In 2024 alone, Tampa Bay Watch engaged 4,638 students—more than triple the approximately 1,500 students served annually in previous years.
More importantly, the van transformed how students experience marine science. Rather than only bringing lessons into classrooms, Tampa Bay Watch can now bring students into nature. Through the organization’s camps and educational programs, students have traveled to local coastal habitats to snorkel, seine, and participate in hands-on water-based activities. For many, it was their first opportunity to explore these environments firsthand.
These experiences do more than teach marine science concepts. They spark curiosity, build confidence, and create lasting connections to the natural world. By removing transportation barriers, Tampa Bay Watch has opened the door to meaningful outdoor experiences that would otherwise be out of reach for many students in Pinellas County.
“The purchase of this van has directly addressed several of the negative economic impacts Tampa Bay Watch experienced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Rachel Arndt, Communications Manager at Tampa Bay Watch.
The vehicle has also strengthened the organization’s operational efficiency. By reducing reliance on outside transportation providers, Tampa Bay Watch has lowered costs, increased scheduling flexibility, and improved program delivery. These efficiencies have strengthened the organization’s financial sustainability while supporting staff retention and long-term growth.
This funding helped restore and expand the community engagement and educational opportunities that were diminished during the pandemic. Tampa Bay Watch expanded its reach, removed barriers to participation, and created new opportunities for students to connect with the coastal environments in their own backyard—benefits that will be felt for years to come.
Tampa Bay Watch’s success demonstrates how strategic support can help local organizations expand their impact. By connecting resources with community needs, Pinellas Community Foundation helps local nonprofits build capacity, remove barriers, and create lasting benefits for residents throughout Pinellas County.
Inspired by what else is possible in Pinellas County? Learn how to establish a fund at Pinellas Community Foundation and put your giving to work: pinellascf.org.
