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twitterIf you are interested in donating toward the necessary amendments to convert the new facility into the state of the art research and education spaces we envision, you can donate online or contact us to make a bank transfer.
ABOUT
The Coral Fund
- overview
- buy a brick campaign
- updates
- supporters
CCMI’S CAPITAL EXPANSION PLANS
WHAT IS PLANNED AND WHY?
Building a new facility
CCMI is on a mission to create an 11,000 sq. ft. facility dedicated to research and education, allowing us to run education courses and research programmes simultaneously, reaching more students and marine scientists than ever before. Combined with our current field marine station (5,000 sq. ft), the extended capacity will enable CCMI to continue growing.
Repurposing the current facility
With accommodations shifted to the new location, the current space at CCMI will be redeveloped as a ‘working’ space, significantly increasing our lab, office, and study space capacity.
Why?
This expansion project will enable CCMI to increase our accommodations and our capacity to facilitate research and education groups simultaneously. In doing so, we will double our education programme, hosting students year-round, increasing from 400 students per annum to 800 students per annum. We will then also double our capacity to support research.
Our new campus will accommodate more students, educators, researchers, and citizen scientists for programming, along with accommodation for chaperones, interns, and staff, providing a nurturing environment where ocean stewards can thrive.
CCMI is committed to:
– Growing our local education and scholarship programmes,
– Providing more international programming, including visiting researchers and education programmes
– Facilitating increased collaborations, and
– Supporting our growing in-house research programmes
‘Rock Bottom’
On 31st October 2025, CCMI completed the purchase of the property adjacent to the original CCMI research station. This acquisition included a 6,000 sq ft building on approx one-acre of land, allowing us to immediately increase our capacity for hosting visiting students, scientists, and more!
By investing in this new property, CCMI can expand our programming immediately, accommodating a growing number of students, educators, and researchers. We also now have the capacity to offer corporate marine sustainability retreats and citizen scientist programmes, which will help educate and empower local companies and stakeholders across the region to act on behalf of the environment, growing our impact beyond our current capabilities. Funds from the Festival of Seas will underpin our running costs, giving us time to develop new programmes and convert the current home into a fully functioning research and education residence.
Many thanks to our donors who supported the Coral Fund capital campaign, helping us raise almost US $2 million in about two years. Your support gave us the resources to jump on this opportunity and make this purchase in a very short time, rather than pursue our original plan to construct a new facility.
We are continuing to raise important funds for the key amendments needed for the building so it can operate as a fully-functional facility for visiting students, researchers, citizen scientists, and corporate retreats.
JOIN OUR BUY-a-BRICK CAMPAIGN
Help CCMI shape a sustainable future for coral reefs and empower young minds through marine education and cutting edge research.
By purchasing a personalised tile through our Buy-a-Brick campaign, you will not only be leaving a lasting legacy; you will also directly contribute to the construction of our new marine education and research facility.
Each tile will be a part of our commitment to inspiring the next generation and ensuring the protection of our vital coral reefs. Our commitment to safeguarding coral reef biodiversity ensures that future generations can explore and appreciate the wonders of the sea. Help us lay the foundations for the future of coral reefs!
Customised, engraved tiles start at CI $250 (US $305). Links to see options and order are below.
CORAL FUND UPDATES
NOVEMBER 2025
CCMI ACQUIRES ‘ROCK BOTTOM’
On 31st October, CCMI completed the purchase of Rock Bottom, a 6,000 sq. ft. building on one acre of land that is located adjacent to the current facility on Little Cayman. Thanks to our donors who supported the Coral Fund capital campaign, helping us raise almost US $2 million, we were able to complete this purchase in a very short time, rather than pursue our original plan to construct a new facility.
By investing in this new property, CCMI can expand our programming immediately, accommodating a growing number of students, educators, and researchers.
We also now have the capacity to offer corporate marine sustainability retreats and citizen scientist programmes, which will help educate and empower local companies and stakeholders across the region to act on behalf of the environment, growing our impact beyond our current capabilities.
Funds from the Festival of Seas will underpin our running costs, giving us time to develop new programmes and convert the current home into a fully functioning research and education residence.
Thank you to all who have supported the Coral Fund and gave us the resources to jump on this opportunity!
June 2025
With the year progressing quickly, CCMI is pleased to report that we continue to move ahead with design of the new marine science and education facility in Little Cayman, with much work happening behind the scenes.
At this point, we are working with specialists to plan critical facility components – such as the cistern and septic – so they are efficient and sustainably designed. While this may feel like an uneventful moment of the process to begin construction, we need these to be thought through and decided upon before we can confirm the rest of the structural elements. At the same time, the design team is working on the electrical and plumbing needs.
We’re still aiming to break ground early 2026, and we still need to raise US $1.2 million to ensure we can not only start – but complete Phase 1 of the build. If you or your company wishes to support the capital campaign with a donation, please contact our team at donations@reefresearch.org. Don’t forget, you can donate through your Donor Advised Fund, too, designating that the donation supports the Coral Fund!
February 2025
CCMI shared architectural drawings for the new marine science and education facility and site during a supporter update meeting in Grand Cayman.
FEBRUARY 2024
Last year, His Royal Highness The (now) Duke of Edinburgh, launched the Coral Fund capital campaign to support CCMI’s facilities expansion. He also broke ground on the new proposed site in Little Cayman during his visit to the Cayman Islands. Since that time, our team is pleased to share the following updates on the progress of the Coral Fund and plans to progress the build.
Fundraising Update
To date, we have raised USD $1.83 million for the capital campaign (including pledged support that will be received in 2024), with an additional USD $150K in new pledges. This brings our fundraising to the required USD $2 million we needed to undertake the new building construction.
We would like to thank Vistra, Stuarts Humphries, The Humphries Family, The Hillenbrand Family, the Ryders, the Harfords, and an Anonymous donor for their early investment in the Coral Fund.
We still need to raise an additional, USD $1 million to support the project, and we will launch our community ‘Buy-a-Brick’ campaign in Q3 2024. Additionally, we invite our stakeholders to host their own fundraisers in support of CCMI, including Cocktails for Corals events or office dress down days. Please contact our Advancement Team for support if you would like to host an event on behalf of CCMI. We are also available to present to your company’s ESG or charitable donations committee by request.
Construction Update
CCMI is working with John Doak Architects and Renee Edwards from Maison to progress the planning aspect of the build. Sustainability is a key consideration in the planning process, and we will address all energy, water, and waste considerations to make the facility as green as possible. Our goal is to have initial concepts approved in Q2 2024.
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