Join the Leadership Council
Become one of our most distinguished donors. Our Leadership Council of the Packards' Circle members' involvement and support are critical to the Aquarium's future, and to our mission to inspire conservation of the ocean. Leadership Council members receive exclusive benefits, including invitations to special events featuring prominent speakers engaged in ocean conservation issues.
What will your gift do?
Inspire visitors through award-winning exhibits
More than 80 percent of our 2 million annual visitors say they are inspired to do something to protect the ocean. Our success with the visitor experience has led us to take action on a national, and increasingly international, scale to help secure protections for the ocean and ocean animals.
Engage future generations of ocean leaders
Each year, more than 110,000 schoolchildren and teachers take part in life-changing education programs at the Aquarium, free of charge. These experiences have led to a new generation of leaders ready to act on behalf of our natural world.
Save ocean animals
Our scientists conduct groundbreaking research on threatened animals like sea otters, bluefin tuna and white sharks. These animals play important roles in keeping the ocean healthy. Our research helps us better understand the threats these and other animals face—and to provide real solutions that offer new hope to protect them in the wild.
If you have any questions about joining the Leadership Council, please contact Amelia Latham at alatham@mbayaq.org or 831.644.7557.
It's the perfect time to join!
A group of Leadership Council donors have increased their support to create an exciting challenge aimed at growing our top donor circle while providing much-needed funding for our many ocean conservation programs. Please join our Leadership Council today with your generous gift of $10,000 or more—and your gift will be matched!
Other ways to donate
By phone or mail
You are welcome to make a donation by calling us at 831.648.4880 or by sending us a check in the mail to:
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Attn: Development Office
886 Cannery Row
Monterey, CA 93940
Make a gift of stock
Giving in the form of appreciated securities is easy—and you may receive an immediate tax deduction and savings on capital gains taxes. To transfer stock by DTC wire directly to the Aquarium, contact us at 831.648.4880 or donors@mbayaq.org.
Donate by wire transfer
Please contact our Development Office at 831.648.4880 or donors@mbayaq.org Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Make recurring payroll donations
We welcome donations from your payroll if it's offered by your company. Before establishing recurring payroll donations with your employer, please contact our Development Office at 831.648.4880 or donors@mbayaq.org Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please note that these donations can't be applied toward membership benefits.
Give through your Donor Advised Fund*
You can recommend a gift to the Aquarium from your donor advised fund. Please contact your donor advised fund representative.
Make a gift with a charitable IRA rollover*
If you are 70 ½ years old or older (72 if born July 1, 1949 or after), the IRA charitable rollover allows you to make tax-free charitable gifts of up to $108,000 per year, directly from your IRA to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Please contact our Development Office at 831.648.4880 or donors@mbayaq.org for wire transfer instructions.
* To help ensure your gift aligns with IRS tax requirements, you’ll receive personalized membership cards only with no guest cards when making donations through these giving vehicles.
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Tax ID# 94-2487469