Mangrove Reforestation
Direct-planting programs with community nurseries in Bohol, Palawan, and Samar. Each seedling is GPS-tagged and monitored for 3 years. Survival rate: 87%.
Environmental Conservation · Philippines
Restoring Philippine Coastlines,
One Mangrove at a Time
We protect and restore Philippine coastal ecosystems through science-led mangrove reforestation, marine protected area advocacy, and sustainable livelihood programs for coastal communities.
2.3M+
seedlings planted
38
communities served
12
years of impact
Our Impact
12 Years of Measurable Change
2.3M+
Mangrove Seedlings Planted
$4.8M
Raised for Conservation
38
Coastal Communities Served
12
Years Protecting Coastlines
What We Do
Protecting the Trees That Protect Us
The Philippines has lost over 70% of its original mangrove forests since the 1960s to aquaculture, urban expansion, and unsustainable fishing. Mangroves are not just trees — they are biodiversity hotspots, storm buffers, carbon sinks, and the primary nursery for coastal fisheries that 1.5 million Filipino families depend on.
Mangrove Coast Foundation was established in 2012 to reverse that decline. We work directly with coastal communities, local government units, and international conservation partners to plant, protect, and monitor mangroves — and to ensure the people who live alongside them have the knowledge and livelihoods to be their long-term stewards.
Our Programs
Marine Protected Areas
We advocate for and co-manage 14 marine protected areas with local government units, protecting over 8,400 hectares of coastal habitat from destructive fishing.
Community Livelihoods
Aquasilviculture, eco-tourism, and sustainable crab-fattening programs that give coastal families economic alternatives to destructive practices.
Stories
Lives Changed on the Coast
Lita Reyes
Bohol, Philippines
Before the mangroves came back, we had to go further and further out to sea just to catch enough fish for the week. Now my husband's catch is double, and our children can swim safely near the shore again.
Eduardo Santos
Samar, Philippines
Typhoon Odette hit us hard, but the communities with restored mangrove belts lost far fewer homes. The trees are a living sea wall. I've seen it with my own eyes.
Maria Clara Lim
Palawan, Philippines
I started as a volunteer planter eight years ago. Now I run our MPA monitoring program and train the next generation. This foundation gave me a career and gave my village a future.
Make a Difference
Your Gift Plants Forests,
Protects Coastlines
$25 plants 100 mangrove seedlings. $100 funds one month of community nursery operations. Every dollar goes further with our network of local partners.
Transparency
Where Your Money Goes
Direct Programs 82%
Fundraising 10%
Administration 8%
Full Financial Transparency
We publish independently audited financial statements every June. Download the latest annual report.
Download Annual Report (PDF) →4-star
Charity Navigator
Gold
GuideStar Seal
Get Involved
Volunteer with Us
Join our network of 800+ volunteers worldwide — from on-the-ground planting trips in the Philippines to remote data and communications support.
Leadership
Our Board of Directors
Dr. Sofia Alcantara
Board Chair
Marine ecologist, UP Visayas. 20 years of mangrove research.
James Park
Treasurer
CFO at Pacific Conservation Partners. CPA with 15 years in nonprofit finance.
Atty. Grace Villanueva
Legal Counsel
Environmental law specialist, Ateneo Law School. Advocates for MPA legislation.
Rafael Mendez
Programs Director
Former DENR official. Led national mangrove inventory program 2015–2020.
Financial Transparency
Open Books, Earned Trust
We believe donors deserve full transparency. Our financials are independently audited by CPA Global (Manila) and published every June.
2023 Annual Report
Full programmatic impact, audited financial statements, and 2024 strategy. 28 pages.
Download PDF (2.4 MB)Registry
- Tax ID (EIN)
- 47-8823190
- Status
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- Charity Navigator
- 4-star rating →
- GuideStar
- Gold Seal →
Mangrove Coast Foundation, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN 47-8823190). Contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by US law.
A donation receipt will be emailed to you automatically for gifts of any amount.
In partnership with
DENR
IUCN
TNC
WWF
UNEP
BCI
FAQ
Common Questions
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Yes. Mangrove Coast Foundation is registered as a 501(c)(3) public charity in the United States (EIN 47-8823190). Donations from US taxpayers are fully tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. You will receive a donation receipt by email.
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82 cents of every dollar go directly to programs — reforestation, MPA management, and livelihoods. 10% covers fundraising costs, and 8% covers administration. We publish audited financials every June. You can download the latest annual report below.
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Absolutely. Remote volunteers help with grant writing, data analysis, translation, and social media. On-the-ground volunteer trips to our planting sites run twice a year (April and October). Fill out the volunteer form above to register your interest.
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Monthly giving is our highest-impact program. It lets us plan ahead, commit to multi-year community partnerships, and reduce administrative overhead. A monthly gift of $25 plants ~100 seedlings per year. You can cancel anytime.
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Every project is GPS-logged and photographed. Monthly donors receive a quarterly impact report with survival rates, hectares protected, and community livelihoods supported. We post annual audited financial statements and hold our Charity Navigator 4-star rating.