Fundraisers

Each year we change up the theme of our fundraisers to keep things fresh, fun, and full of surprises.

This year’s event, Weird & Wonderful – A Celebration of All Things Funky, Freaky, and Fantastic, raised $4974 for our education, animal care, operations, and outreach!

Many thanks to the Chubby Hearts Club for an unreal show (with a conga line no less).

Thank you to our silent auction item donors! Bottom Dwellers Freediving, Pacific Sands Resort, The Den, Mint, Tofino Resort & Marina, The Break, Ocean Pet Supplies, Jamie's Whaling Station, Bickerton Spearguns, natch generation, Paddlewest Kayaking, Pluvio, Heartwood, Long Beach Golf Course, Wildwood Saunas, Resurf, The Factory & Kyler Vos Photography, Blackberry Cove Marketplace, merge, Slowtide, Herschel, Foggy Bean Coffee Roasting, Wick'd Surf, Ucluelet Brewing, Mermaid Tales Bookshop, Chocolate Tofino, Foraged, Gasdoll Projects, UkeePoke/WCS, Wolf in the Fog, and Kingston Knots.

Thank you to our sponsors! Black Rock Resort, Wildwood Inn, Tuff City Radio, Lonetree Cider, Cabron, 40 Knots Winery, Hester Creek through Jason & Harrison Hyde, Luc Belair France, Merridale Cider, Mizu Mizu Cafe, Natural Pastures Cheese, and The Deacon Scotch.

Fundraising plays a crucial role in sustaining our operations and implementing impactful projects. The proceeds from our year-end fundraiser directly support various initiatives, including: 

• Educational Programs: We provide educational programs for schools, community groups, and visitors, fostering a love for marine life and its ecosystems in visitors of all ages. One of our educational programs, the Healthy Harbour project, is looking at the health of the Ucluelet harbour and its eelgrass habitats. The Salmon Trail is another educational program dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of salmon ecosystems through a self-led educational adventure between Ucluelet and Tofino.  

• Exhibit Enhancement: Donations help us create and maintain innovative and informative exhibits, ensuring that visitors have a memorable and educational experience during their time at the aquarium. 

• Community Outreach: We organize community events, workshops, and volunteer programs to engage the local community in understanding more about the marine life in their backyard. 

• Our Lovely Staff: We’re committed to being a living wage employer because our team is at the heart of everything we do. Ucluelet is a stunning place to live, but it also comes with high living costs. To retain passionate, knowledgeable staff, we need to ensure they’re financially secure. Our team of 10 year-round, full-time staff bring expertise, enthusiasm, and a touch of nerdy joy to every visitor interaction, while maintaining the high standards of animal care we’re known for. By supporting staff wages, you’re helping us keep this incredible team thriving.

If you are an individual or business who would like to support a future fundraiser through raffle item donation, food or drink donation, or are a musician, please contact alana@uclueletaquarium.org. If you are interested in volunteering at an event, please email anna@uclueletaquarium.org.