Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI)

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) is one of the world’s leading ocean science organizations, advancing research, engineering, and education to deepen understanding of the ocean and its impact on the planet. For decades, WHOI has led scientific discovery across climate science, marine ecosystems, ocean technology, and public policy.

As the institution looked toward its next chapter, leadership recognized that philanthropy would play an increasingly important role in supporting scientific ambition, institutional growth, and long-term sustainability.

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) has long stood at the forefront of ocean science. Yet by the late 2010s, its philanthropic strategy no longer matched the scale of its scientific ambition or the realities of its funding model. WHOI faced persistent structural deficits in unrestricted funds, internal morale concerns, and siloed operations across development, marketing, and communications.

The institution needed not just a stronger fundraising function, but a more holistic, institution-wide approach to philanthropy. The organization required a modernized advancement structure, improved clarity, and major gift strategy capable of matching scientific ambitions.

In 2021, WHOI retained CCS Fundraising to conduct a campaign feasibility study, which tested a goal of $350 million. The study recommended assuming a campaign posture and working to grow into the campaign goal. Predictive modeling conducted by CCS segmented previously unassigned households for WHOI’s major gifts pipeline and identified prospects whose giving later increased dramatically through strategic engagement.

WHOI achieved its first-ever $100 million+ fundraising year in 2022, shifting internal and external perceptions of what was possible. The institution secured two eight-figure commitments from newly recruited trustees, lifted sights across the board, and ultimately announced a $500 million campaign goal publicly in October 2025. The campaign strengthened WHOI’s systems, pipelines, and internal alignment. It also drove stronger internal systems, improved major gift pipelines, and developed a shared culture of ambition that extended beyond advancement into science and board leadership.

Predictive modeling outcomes included prospects giving 38 times more than they had given since 2021 and reengaged prospects giving 15 times more than the preceding five years. WHOI emerged with a strengthened advancement enterprise, clearer strategy, and the infrastructure for long-term philanthropic growth.