We are thrilled to announce that Love Blue Inc. has been selected as a recipient of the @drinkopenwater Sea Change Grant, a milestone moment for our organization as this marks the first grant we’ve ever received. This support is a huge accomplishment for our growing nonprofit and a powerful affirmation of the work we’re doing to protect the ocean and empower communities.
We want to express our deepest gratitude to the entire Open Water team. Their belief in our mission means the world to us, and their support will directly help us grow, strengthen, and sustain the Love Blue movement nationwide.
How This Grant Will Be Used:
1. Launching New College Chapters
Our college chapters are the backbone of Love Blue’s expansion. With this funding, we can help launch brand-new chapters at universities across the country. Each one will receive a Love Blue Starter Kit, fully stocked with:
• Garbo Grabbers (trash pickers)
• Protective gloves
• Heavy-duty trash bags
• Safety vests
• Branded gear and signage
• Educational and outreach materials
These kits ensure that every new chapter is ready from day one to take meaningful action in their community.
2. Supporting Existing Chapters
For our active chapters, this grant helps us provide updated supplies, enhanced cleanup tools, and additional resources to grow their impact. Whether it’s a coastal town or a college campus, we’re making sure each chapter has what it needs to be consistent, effective, and inspiring.
3. Expanding Our Public Cleanup Station Program
Love Blue’s Public Cleanup Stations offer everyday people the tools they need to take action. With Open Water’s help, we’ll be producing and installing more stations in high impact areas, giving communities 24/7 access to grabbers, gloves, and buckets so they can clean as they explore. This initiative has already helped remove thousands of pounds of trash from shorelines, and now we’re scaling it even further.
4. Attending Key Events & Building Connections
Funding will also allow our team to attend important sustainability and nonprofit networking events, building relationships, gaining insights, and bringing back valuable tools and ideas to share across the Love Blue network. Every handshake, panel, and workshop helps us grow smarter and stronger.
Open Water Has Been Supporting Our Volunteers, Too
Even before this grant, Open Water had been showing us love, by supplying water for our cleanup locations. Now, after long hours of hard work in the heat, our volunteers have refreshing, eco-friendly water to stay hydrated and healthy. That gesture may seem small, but it’s a huge operational boost that keeps our teams going strong. Their commitment to sustainability and community health aligns perfectly with our mission.
This grant is more than funding, it’s a vote of confidence, a resource for impact, and a reminder that people out there believe in a cleaner, healthier future for our oceans.
From the entire Love Blue family:
Thank you, Open Water. We couldn’t be more grateful for your support, your partnership, and your heart.
