Algae Foundation launched to promote education, create community

In Florida, the Algae Biomass Organization announced the launch of The Algae Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit organization which will engage in and fund educational outreach, research, development, and other activities; find and support the development of future leaders of the algae industry through scholarships, grants and other financial and organizational support; and facilitates communication among private, academic and public sector leaders, and the public generally, to increase broader literacy and awareness of the benefits of algae biomass cultivation and commercialization.

The Foundation has taken over management of the AllAboutAlgae website launched last year by ABO, and also raised funds via a Silent Auction at the 2013 Summit for assisted travel for young students to the 2014 Algae Biomass Summit.

University of Southern Maine professor Ira “Ike” Levine, a long-time ABO board member, is serving as the Foundation’s first chairman, and issued an appeal for funds to assist with the development of intership programs, extension programs, the preservation of classic libraries and more. “This industry, as it scales, is going to need to train and educate an entire new generayion of workers — help us get started in that work,” said Levine.

Among the directors this year, Pat Ahlm, Tom Byrne, Amha Belay Michael Lakeman, Greg Mitchell, Philip Pienkos and Mary Rosenthal.

More about the Foundation, including information for potential donors and supporters, is available at thealgaefoundation.org.