Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Chesapeake Bay Foundation is a company.
Financial History
Leadership Team
Key people at Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
Chesapeake Bay Foundation is a company.
Key people at Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) is not a company but a nonprofit organization[1]. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization devoted to environmental protection and restoration rather than a for-profit enterprise.
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is the largest independent conservation organization dedicated solely to saving the Chesapeake Bay[2]. Founded in 1967[1], CBF operates with a mission to "Save the Bay and its waterways by educating, uniting, and inspiring people to take action"[3]. The organization serves a 64,000-square-mile watershed spanning six states and home to over 18 million people[3]. CBF's work focuses on three core areas: environmental education, restoration efforts, and policy advocacy to protect the Bay's ecosystem and water quality.
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation was established in 1967 by Arthur Sherwood, a businessman and lawyer, along with friends[1]. By 1996, the organization had grown to approximately 80,000 dues-paying members[1]. The foundation evolved from a grassroots conservation effort into a major regional environmental organization. In 2021, Hilary Harp Falk became president and CEO, succeeding Will Baker who had led the organization since 1981[1].
CBF functions as a watchdog organization fighting for science-based solutions to pollution[2]. The foundation operates field offices across five locations—Salisbury, Harrisburg, Richmond, Norfolk, and Washington, D.C.—positioning it as a regional leader in Chesapeake Bay advocacy[1]. With 185 staff members[1], CBF bridges the gap between community engagement, scientific research, and policy influence, making it a central player in regional environmental protection efforts.
Key people at Chesapeake Bay Foundation.