named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
Art and Environmental Conservation Program
Engages youth in creative expression and environmental stewardship activities to strengthen community ties and ecological awareness.
Educational Surf Program
Uses surfing as a tool for personal and social development, teaching values like discipline, respect, and resilience while building confidence and emotional regulation in youth.
English Language Courses
Provides language instruction to expand educational and professional opportunities for community members.
Skateboarding and Jiu-Jitsu Program
Offers alternative sports activities that promote physical health, focus, and personal discipline among children and teenagers.
Surf Therapy
Incorporates therapeutic elements into surf instruction to improve mental well-being, self-esteem, and emotional management among participants.
activities · 7 groups
What they do
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Youth Cultural and Educational Travel Programs 1 activity
- Hosts international impact travel and volunteer programsRuns Impact Surf Travel and Educational Surf Programs that host international travelers and volunteers in Lobitos, Peru, supporting community programs through volunteer-led projects such as beach cleanups, construction, music classes, and documentary filmmaking.
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Nonprofit Retail and Merchandise Sales 1 activity
- Manages administrative and fundraising operations to support programsOversees administrative systems and fundraising initiatives, including a limited-time apparel collaboration with Illumine Collect, through which 30% of sales are received to support program delivery.
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Global Sustainability Convenings & Forums 1 activity
- Organizes regenerative surf congresses and advocacy eventsHosts the Regenerative Surf Congress and sports retreats in Lobitos, Peru to explore and promote surfing’s role in environmental regeneration, community resilience, and social justice, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange among organizations and professionals.
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ESL and Multilingual Language Support Programs 1 activity
- Provides English language and environmental educationDelivers ongoing English language instruction and environmental education programs in Lobitos, Peru, including curriculum development and recycling art projects, to promote literacy, environmental awareness, and community engagement.
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Youth Photography Education 1 activity
- Runs creative and artistic education programs for youthOffers photography courses and art workshops to foster artistic expression, creativity, and documentation of local landscapes among children and community members in Lobitos, Peru.
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Community Capacity Building & Leadership Networks 1 activity
- Trains local instructors in youth and sports developmentBuilds local capacity by training community instructors in sports and youth development methodologies to sustainably support the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of youth in Lobitos.
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Uncategorized 3 activities
- Conducts program impact research and evaluationPublished a program impact report in 2021 and conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the first Regenerative Surf Congress to assess outcomes, challenges, and community impact of surfing-based development initiatives.
- Delivers youth development programs using sport and education in Lobitos, PeruProvides structured surf classes, surf therapy, skateboarding, jiu-jitsu, swimming, and environmental education to support physical, mental, and emotional well-being, personal development, and life skills for children and adolescents in Lobitos. Programs incorporate confidence-building, resilience, emotional management, and social entrepreneurship, with documented participation in national competitions and events.
- Supports local economic development through social entrepreneurship and micro-enterprisesSupports the creation of micro-enterprises with social missions and promotes local entrepreneurship by selling handcrafted goods such as the «Lobitos Poncho» made by former participants and local artisans, while operating a surf shop that offers surfboard and bike rentals to generate community income.
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financials · form 990EZ · fy2020
revenue
Total revenue$13K
Contributions & grants$12K95%
Program service revenue$5905%
Investment income——
Other revenue—
expenses
Total expenses$13K
Program expenses—
Admin / overhead—
Fundraising—
Salaries & benefits$60
Grants paid out$4K
balance sheet
Total assets$4K
Cash—
Investments—
Liabilities—
Net assets$4K
1 years on record · 2020–2020
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2020
Who runs it
board members · 2
- Meghan Aabo — Trustee
- Sean Brody — Trustee
relationships · 23
Who they work with
- Australian Embassy Funder — Provided a grant to repair and expand the initial wooden ramp for the skate program.
- Beyond the Surface International Partner — Collaborates with WAVES on initiatives such as #WomenandWater.
- Coast 2 Coast Partner — Partners with WAVES on the #WomenandWater initiative.
- Concrete Jungle Foundation Partner — Collaborated on the construction of the complete skatepark in Lobitos in 2021.
- Do Something Cool Partner — Provided logistical support for the establishment of the jiu-jitsu dojo in Lobitos.
- Femmes d'Europe Association Partner — Provided initial funding to construct the Waves Surf Shop in Lobitos.
- Global Surf Industries Partner — Provided support for the delivery of a shipping container of surfboards to Peru in 2007.
- Guardian Gym Partner — Provided logistical support, including professional tatami and kimonos, for the jiu-jitsu dojo in Lobitos.
- Guardian Perú Partner — Collaborates with Waves Lobitos to deliver an educational jiu-jitsu program in Lobitos, providing sports expertise and pedagogical methods.
- Hibiscus Partner — Provided logistical support, including equipment and kimonos, for the jiu-jitsu program in Lobitos.
- IPD (Peruvian Institute of Sport) Partner — Certifies surf instructors affiliated with Waves Lobitos.
- Illumine Collect Partner — Collaborates with WAVES on special product lines to support the organization.
- Illumine Collect Partner — Collaborates with Waves for Development International on a limited-time apparel line, with a portion of sales supporting WAVES programs.
- Lobitos community Partner — Local community partner in which the surf program is embedded and serves as a pillar of stability.
- Mr. Papichulo Partner — Organized the Revolución Skate Norte event in Talara, in which Waves for Development youth participated and placed in 2024.
- Peruvian Sports Institute Partner — Partnered with WAVES to support the launch of surf programs in Lobitos, Peru.
- Peruvian Surfing Federation Partner — Partnered with WAVES to support the launch of surf programs in Lobitos, Peru.
- Sanabul Partner — Provided logistical support, including kimonos and training gear, for the jiu-jitsu program in Lobitos.
- WAVES Lobitos Partner — Local nonprofit partner in Lobitos, Peru implementing volunteer and community development programs.
- Wall Street Skate Shop Partner — Supported the construction of the complete skatepark in Lobitos in 2021.
- Waves Lobitos Partner — Co-organized the Second Regenerative Surf Congress in Lobitos, Peru.
- Waves Lobitos Partner — Local implementing partner organization in Lobitos, Peru, delivering youth development programs.
- Waves Lobitos Partner — Local implementing partner organization through which Waves for Development International operates youth programs in Lobitos, Peru.
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Community Leadership Pipelinemethodology: community_leadership_pipelineBy training and empowering local youth to become instructors and leaders, the organization creates a self-reinforcing cycle of mentorship and role modeling because youth are more likely to engage with and trust peers from their own communities, increasing program sustainability and local ownership.
- Community-Benefiting Surf Tourismmethodology: community_benefiting_tourismBy integrating surf-based travel with volunteering and community-based tourism, the organization supports grassroots development because intentional engagement and shared resources ensure economic and social benefits flow directly to host communities, fostering mutual cultural exchange and sustainable impact.
- Inclusive Youth Integrationmethodology: inclusive_integrationBy using a trust-based, gradual engagement approach, the organization integrates youth with behavioral challenges or difficult backgrounds into developmental programs because nonjudgmental support and activity-based connection reduce barriers to participation and foster belonging.
- Social Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Developmentmethodology: social_entrepreneurshipBy supporting micro-enterprises that combine income generation with social impact, the organization promotes sustainable economic development because locally rooted, socially driven businesses reinvest in community well-being and create long-term resilience.
- Sport-for-Development Modelmethodology: sport_for_developmentBy using structured sports activities like surfing, skateboarding, and jiu-jitsu, the organization fosters holistic youth development, improving physical and mental well-being, building resilience, and strengthening community engagement because these activities provide safe, experiential environments that naturally cultivate life skills and social bonds.