What we choose to protect shapes what can endure.
The Sapphire Project, founded in 2021 with Tiffany & Co. as Founding Presenting Partner and in proud partnership with the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, was established to bring focused attention and long-term philanthropic support to ocean conservation.
Building on Tiffany & Co.’s more than two decades of commitment to protecting the world’s most treasured seascapes, and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation’s unparalleled footprint in marine protection - spanning over 600 partners and 427 projects across the Reef - Sapphire brings a distinctly Australian voice into a global conservation conversation.
Rather than operating as a frontline conservation organisation, Sapphire serves as a philanthropic catalyst: convening people, directing resources, and amplifying credible science-led work already underway.
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The Sapphire Project was inspired by the leadership and perspective of Susan Rockefeller, whose approach to philanthropy emphasises stewardship, responsibility and generational thinking.
This influence shaped Sapphire’s belief that protecting the ocean is not simply an environmental imperative, but a cultural and moral responsibility - one that asks us to consider what we choose to safeguard for those who come after us.
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Sapphire exists to support meaningful, long-term ocean conservation by bringing together communities, donors, scientists, and partners around a shared purpose.
Our mission extends beyond awareness. It is about mobilising thoughtful philanthropy, celebrating leadership in sustainable innovation, and directing funding to where it can make the most lasting difference. Through carefully curated initiatives - including the Sapphire Dinner - we create space for education, connection, and collective commitment.
Events are not the end goal; they are a means to enable impact.
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At the heart of The Sapphire Project are values grounded in care, integrity and responsibility.
We work with partners who share a commitment to environmental stewardship, transparency, and impact. Our committee, ambassadors, and volunteers play a vital role in advocating for ocean protection - not through urgency alone, but through consistency, credibility and trust.
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Sapphire’s approach is deliberately multi-layered. We focus on:
Raising awareness through considered storytelling
Mobilising philanthropic support aligned with credible, science-led initiatives
Enabling informed philanthropic support for frontline conservation efforts
Through major gatherings aligned with United Nations World Ocean Day, and by working through the infrastructure and governance of the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, Sapphire is able to support a wide range of organisations and projects delivering real, on-the-ground impact across marine conservation.
This structure allows philanthropic contributions to flow efficiently, transparently, and at scale - while ensuring funds reach those best placed to drive meaningful outcomes.
Transparency and integrity remain central to our operations and partnerships.
Join the Sapphire Project: Dive into Action
We are at a pivotal moment in our relationship with the ocean, one that calls for collective responsibility, informed action, and long-term commitment.
Sapphire invites those who feel aligned with this approach to engage through philanthropy, partnership, advocacy, or shared learning. Every contribution supports the protection and restoration of marine ecosystems, and helps build a legacy defined by care rather than consumption.
What we choose to protect today shapes what can endure tomorrow.
The Sapphire Project does not receive any funds from ticket sales or donations. The Great Barrier Reef Foundation (ABN 82 090 616 443) is partnered with The Sapphire Project as our partner to administer and distribute raised funds including ticket sales, donations and charity proceeds to the recipient ocean organisations as nominated by the Sapphire committee with no administration fee, and independently checked. All supported organisations are registered charities (DGR1) in Australia and are eligible to receive tax-deductible donations. The Foundation issues tax-deductible receipts for all donations for donors from Australia (DGR1 Status), and the USA (501(c)3 Status), according to the donor's region. Thanks to our generous sponsors who are making our work possible, ensuring that 100% of every ticket sold and every dollar raised go directly into impactful ocean conservation.
Header Image by Artist Matt Draper