The nonprofit organization We Work the Waterways closed out 2025 with significant organizational growth<\/a>, expanded outreach, and increased engagement with students and jobseekers interested in maritime careers, positioning the group for broader impact in 2026.<\/p>\n The year marked a major transition for the organization as it became a fully independent, standalone nonprofit. Leaders said the move allowed We Work the Waterways to sharpen its mission of connecting people to careers on the nation\u2019s waterways while building the structure needed for long-term sustainability.<\/p>\n \u201c2025 was a milestone year for We Work the Waterways, as we officially became a standalone 501(c)(3), launched a new website, and expanded our reach with nearly 100 career listings,\u201d said Errin Howard, executive director of We Work the Waterways.<\/p>\n Another milestone followed in June with the establishment of the organization\u2019s inaugural board of directors. The board is providing governance and strategic direction as the nonprofit continues to expand its programs and national reach.<\/p>\n With its foundation in place, We Work the Waterways also invested in staffing to meet growing demand. What began as a small operation with one full-time and one part-time employee has grown to three full-time staff members, one part-time employee, and one intern. The organization said the expanded team supports increased programming, outreach, and resource development.<\/p>\n One of the most visible accomplishments in 2025 was the launch of a redesigned website featuring more than 95 maritime career profiles. The platform is intended to give students, educators, and jobseekers an accessible way to explore career pathways across the maritime industry.<\/p>\n Partner support also grew during the year. The organization increased its sponsorship base from 140 supporters in 2024 to 163 annual supporters in 2025, helping fund programming and extend outreach nationwide.<\/p>\n We Work the Waterways reported continued growth across its social media and outreach platforms, expanding awareness of maritime career opportunities and connecting with students, educators, industry professionals, and supporters across the country.<\/p>\n Student engagement and feedback remained a core focus. Through surveys conducted at 12 Maritime Interaction Day events, the organization collected 444 student responses. According to survey results, 93% of respondents said they learned something new about maritime careers, while more than 60% reported they were more likely to explore a maritime-related career after attending an event. Students rated their overall experience an average of 4.3 out of 5.<\/p>\n Organization leaders said the data will help guide improvements to programming and outreach efforts moving forward.<\/p>\n Looking ahead to 2026, We Work the Waterways said it plans to build on its expanded organizational capacity, continue refining its Maritime Interaction Days, grow its digital resources, and deepen partnerships across the maritime industry. The nonprofit said it remains focused on increasing awareness of maritime careers and connecting more people to opportunities on the nation\u2019s waterways.<\/p>\n \u201cIn 2026, we\u2019re focused on connecting even more learners, educators, and career seekers to the full range of maritime opportunities,\u201d Howard said. \u201cOur goal is to make We Work the Waterways the first place anyone turns for information about maritime careers and educational resources, and to create partnerships that turn interest into real-world experience across the industry.\u201d<\/p>\n As the organization enters the new year, leaders said collaboration with industry partners, educators, and supporters will remain central to its mission as it works to expand its reach and impact nationwide.<\/p>\n The post We Work the Waterways builds momentum in 2025<\/a> appeared first on Marine Log<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.marinelog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/WWW-full-color-logo-1-1024x1024.png?resize=1024%2C1024&ssl=1\"){kind=logo}
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