Marine Mammal Care Center

The Challenge

Marine Mammal Care Center (MMCC), a nonprofit hospital providing critical medical care for seals and sea lions along 70 miles of Los Angeles coastline, was facing the threat of closure. This risk extended far beyond the organization itself – a shutdown would have created serious public health implications for the surrounding communities, significant challenges in marine mammal rescue and care in the larger statewide stranding network, and jeopardized essential marine education programs.

Amid the uncertainty of the global pandemic, a key funder recommended that the board engage Carter to assess the organization’s long-term viability and determine whether MMCC could be stabilized and sustained.

How Carter Helped

Carter initiated an in-depth organizational assessment and began a three-year engagement focused on three urgent priorities:

1. Stabilizing the financial foundation of the organization during a period of crisis and volatility.
2. Fortifying a newly seated board, equipping volunteer leaders with governance tools, training, and strategic clarity to ensure continuity and accountability.
3. Securing capacity-building support to expand awareness and education, strengthen fundraising operations, and safeguard MMCC’s vital medical and educational programs.

To achieve this, Carter partnered closely with MMCC leadership and volunteers, providing a suite of strategic services, including a fund development audit, executive coaching, strategic planning, board governance consultation, fundraising coaching, and grant strategy support.

The Results

Carter’s comprehensive, hands-on approach helped transform MMCC from a vulnerable organization at risk of closure into a stable, future-focused nonprofit with the infrastructure and leadership necessary to thrive. MMCC now operates with:

1. A strengthened financial position.
2. A confident, well-prepared Board.
3. A robust, diversified fundraising program supported by engaged and informed ambassadors.

This work not only protected public health and preserved critical marine wildlife services but also equipped MMCC with the long-term capacity to continue delivering exceptional care and education to the community.

“Our Center needed the hands-on, detailed and thoughtful partnership with Carter to put us on the right footing for sustainability. The careful and studied approach Carter brought to helping our nonprofit organize to thrive has literally made the difference between life and death, put us on the right path to attract quality leadership, and amplified the impact of our critical work in ocean conservation. On a personal level, the Carter team could not have been more invested, approachable, and available. We truly are grateful for the lasting impact from our partnership.”
– Donna Dutcher, Board Member