When Steve and Patti Foley first dipped their masks beneath the surface on a Caribbean snorkeling trip, they didn’t realize they were diving headfirst into a cause that would shape their family’s future. What started as a vacation pastime – snorkeling with their three sons – has blossomed into a family tradition shared with 12 grandchildren and a deep commitment to protecting coral reefs for generations to come.
Recalling taking their two oldest granddaughters snorkeling, Steve shared, “We were just under a dock, and it wasn’t even that cool of fish yet. But just seeing their excitement and watching that grow – that, honestly, was one of the best experiences of my life. Now we take a snorkeling trip every year as a family.”
From Observation to Action
After years of snorkeling and diving throughout the Caribbean, Steve and Patti noticed a troubling trend: the corals they loved were disappearing.
“I probably knew it sooner. I just didn’t, you know, think about being the one to help or know where to help,” Steve reflected.
A visit to the Keys changed that. After a recommendation from a local dive shop, Steve learned about Coral Restoration Foundation™ (CRF), and was immediately inspired to take action.
“Right after that trip, I did my research,” he said.
Both Steve and Patti were deeply impressed by the innovative approach CRF employs for restoration – from the coral tree nurseries to the organization’s long-term vision and notably high success rate. What stood out most, however, was their commitment to collaboration – freely sharing knowledge to help scale impact around the world.
“Even though it was a rough season, you never sounded defeated,” Patti noted, referencing the 2023 global bleaching event. “You learned from it and moved forward – and that’s really neat too.”
Investing in the Future
The Foleys believe that protecting coral reefs is about passing something special on to future generations. That impact feels even more meaningful now, as their grandkids begin to explore the ocean for themselves.
“This is something we love. We want it to be there for them. If the corals are gone, our world is in deep, deep trouble because it’s just a chain reaction from there. We need to do something as the caretakers of this planet to ensure that doesn’t happen.”
Amplifying Impact with a Donor-Advised Fund
To make their support go even further, the Foleys give through a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) – a philanthropic tool that allows donors to make a charitable contribution, receive an immediate tax deduction, and then recommend grants from the fund over time. DAFs are flexible, allowing gifts of cash, securities, or other assets, and simplify giving by consolidating donations in one place.
“Our financial advisor recommended that we have a donor-advised fund to simplify giving,” Steve explained. “This year, we learned we can donate appreciated stock or mutual funds directly to the donor-advised fund. When we do that, we get the full tax credit and don’t owe the capital gains on how much those stocks have increased. That’s probably the biggest benefit we see.”
Family, Faith and the Ocean
Their giving is driven not just by environmental concern, but also by faith and gratitude.
“As a Christian, I feel closer to God in nature than I do in a church,” Steve said. “I just feel this closeness to God and think – look at what you’ve created. To see man destroy that is just heartbreaking to me.”
Steve and Patti believe everyone has a role to play in protecting the environment.
“No matter what the cause is of environmental decline, if we have the means to protect it, shouldn’t we be doing that?”
They remain hopeful because they’ve seen restoration in action.
“In Fiji, we saw restored coral reefs with fish everywhere. Here in Florida, we’ve seen Coral Restoration Foundation’s work up close. It’s working. Restoration is real.”
Just Do Your Part
When asked what they hope others take away from their story, Steve didn’t hesitate, “Just do your part.”
“It can feel overwhelming. Everything you read about climate change and ocean loss. There’s always more need than what you can do.”Steve pointed to the familiar anecdote of the stranded starfish as a reminder that even small actions matter:
“There are thousands of starfish washed up on the shore. A person is picking them up one at a time and throwing them back in the ocean. A second person comes along and says, ‘What are you doing? You can’t save them all.’ But the first person responds, ‘No, but I can save this one.’”
Patti added, “If you love the oceans, just try to help somehow.”
Inspired by the Foleys?
Click here to learn how you can support Coral Restoration Foundation through a Donor-Advised Fund or a direct donation.
Together, we’re restoring hope – one coral at a time.
