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Frequently Asked Questions

Have a question? We’ve got answers!

Please use this page to find answers to common questions about the Surfrider Foundation. If you are not able to find the answer, please contact us by email or phone, Monday–Friday 9am–5pm PST. We strive to respond within two business days. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to address your questions and concerns!

Contact Us

How do I contact the Surfrider Foundation?

  • If you have a membership question, please e-mail us at membership@surfrider.org.
  • If you have a question about Surfrider and our work, please send your question to info@surfrider.org.
  • You can always call us toll-free at (800)743-SURF.

How do I contact my local chapter of the Surfrider Foundation?

To find and contact a chapter near you, you can find your chapter here. Once you have the chapter, double-click to redirect to that chapter's website and contact information.


Membership

What are the benefits of joining Surfrider?
Beyond making lasting protections for our ocean and coasts, you will receive membership benefits beginning with donations up to $99 with a membership card, decal and discount to the Surfrider shop. Up to the $999 level, in addition to the lower level benefits, you will receive a members only Surfrider tee shirt. And up to $4,999, you will receive all of those benefits plus a tote bag, and above $5k add a license plate frame.

Can I receive a replacement acknowledgement for a donation I made? 
Of course. You can review your donation history and download copies of receipts from previous donations by logging into your Donor Dashboard. If you still need assistance, please call us toll-free at (800)743-SURF, Monday–Friday 9am–5pm PST or email us at membership@surfrider.org and we can send another one your way.

Are donations to the Surfrider Foundation tax-deductible? 
The Surfrider Foundation is a 501(c)3 organization, and donations are tax-deductible. The amount of the gift that is eligible for deduction can depend on several factors, including the size and nature of the donation. The Surfrider Foundation does not provide legal, tax or accounting advice. You are encouraged to consult your own professional advisors on tax matters.

Why does my return envelope have a DC return address? 
Surfrider works with contribution processing center to coordinate the processing of donations we receive from our members nationwide. It's a cost efficient and secure way to process contributions Surfrider receives. It would be impossible to process all of the mail through our physical headquarters in San Clemente, CA.

How can I receive a replacement Membership Card? Decals? 
Members who need another membership card can receive another card by simply submitting a request with their mailing address to membership@surfrider.org.

When will my membership card and decals arrive?
Your membership card and other benefits ship at the non-profit rate (third-class). It can take up to four to six weeks to arrive. If it has been more than eight weeks since your donation was processed, and you still have not received your item, please contact us at membership@surfrider.org.

I live outside of the US. Can I support the Surfrider Foundation? 
Unfortunately, no. Surfrider does not ship membership benefits including membership cards, decals, tee shirts and other items outside of the U.S. due to costs. It allows us to put allowing us to more effectively use your contribution.

How do I renew my membership? 
Thanks for your interest in renewing your support of the Surfrider Foundation! You can simply renew online

When can I expect my first renewal notice?
Surfrider notifies members three months prior to their expiration date that their membership is about to expire.

How do I change my mailing address?
Please email us at membership@surfrider.org with your new address. We'll update it!

I do not want to receive any mail from you. Can you remove my name?
Of course! Please email us at membership@surfrider.org with your request and we'll make sure your name and address  are removed from future mailings.

What is the Surfrider Foundation's Tax ID Number? 
The Surfrider Foundation Tax ID (also known as EIN) is 95-3941826.

Does the Surfrider Foundation exchange membership records with other organizations? 
Yes, occasionally we exchange names with other like-minded organizations to help build interest and bring new members to support our coasts. If you prefer not to have your name exchanged, we will honor your request. Please email us at membership@surfrider.org and we'll update your record. 


Monthly Giving (Coastal Protectors)

Can I make monthly, automatic donations to the Surfrider Foundation? 
Yes, you can! By joining our Coastal Protectors program, you can arrange to have your donation processed automatically each month to increase your impact on protecting our coasts.

Why should I donate monthly? 
Monthly giving to the Surfrider Foundation is simply the best coastal preservation investment that you can make – the most effective and manageable way you can support our work to protect what we love – our ocean, wave and beaches.

How do I change the information for my automatic donations?
If you would like to cancel your automatic donations with our Coastal Protectors program, please give us a call (800)743-SURF, Monday–Friday 9am–5pm PST or email us at membership@surfrider.org. We will cancel the donations immediately.

How do I manage my automatic donations? 
From your Donor Dashboard you can do a number of things such as change the donation amount, frequency, or payment method of your recurring donation, download receipts, or cancel your recurring donation. If you need additional assistance, please give us a call (800)743-SURF, Monday–Friday 9am–5pm PST or email us at membership@surfrider.org.


Tribute, Memorial, Gift Giving, Fundraising, & Other Ways to Give

How can I give a gift membership?
Thanks for sharing your love of protecting our coasts with your loved ones. You can gift a membership here.

Can I give a gift to someone who lives outside of the US?
Unfortunately, no. Surfrider does not ship membership benefits including membership cards, decals, tee shirts and other items outside of the U.S. due to costs. It allows us to put allowing us to more effectively use your contribution.

Are there other ways to give, such as crypto, stocks, or workplace giving?
YES! Learn more about other ways to give.

 

Can my friends donate in honor of my special occasion?
Yes! They can make a gift in your honor here.

Can people donate in memory of my loved one? How do I make a gift in memory of someone who has died? 
Yes, there are two ways you can donate in memory of a loved one. You can make an individual donation in their memory, or you can create a fundraiser in their memory to which others could also donate.

Can I create my own fundraiser for Surfrider?
Yes! We'd love to have your fundraising support. You can create your own fundraiser for Surfrider and raise money in support of our mission. Once created, you can manage your fundraiser from your Donor Dashboard.