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Association to Preserve Cape Cod Inc

EIN 04-2462788 · Dennis, MA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair61 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROMOTE POLICIES AND PROGRAMS THAT FOSTER THE PRESERVATION OF THE NATURAL RESOURCES OF CAPE COD.

Income
$6.3 million
Spending
$5.9 million
Spent on programs
86%
Reserves
-0.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 63%
Employees
27
Volunteers
250
Highest pay
$180,865, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 61 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 19% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 114% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $380,863 spent. FOR OVER FIVE DECADES, APCC HAS BEEN CAPE COD'S ADVOCATE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, WORKING ON BEHALF OF THE CAPE'S RESIDENTS AND VISITORS TO PROTECT THE NATURAL RESOURCES THAT DEFINE OUR REGION. THE SUCCESS OF APCC'S ADVOCACY IS GROUNDED IN OUR RELIANCE ON SOUND SCIENCE, IN OUR ABILITY TO FORGE EFFECTIVE COLLABORATIONS WITH A DIVERSE GROUP OF PARTNERS, AND IN OUR LONG HISTORY OF WORKING WITH POLICY MAKERS ON THE LOCAL, REGIONAL, STATE AND FEDERAL LEVELS. THROUGH OUR WORK THAT RESULTS IN POSITIVE CHANGES TO LAWS AND PUBLIC POLICY, OUR EFFORTS TO PROMOTE RESPONSIBLE ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP, AND OUR VIGILANCE IN SAFEGUARDING THE CAPE'S ENVIRONMENT AGAINST ACTIONS THAT WOULD THREATEN IT, APCC'S ADVOCACY HAS EARNED US THE DISTINCTION OF BEING THE LEADING ENVIRONMENTAL VOICE IN THE REGION.
  2. $4.7 million spent. SINCE ITS INCEPTION, APCC HAS BEEN A SCIENCE-DRIVEN ORGANIZATION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY BY APPLYING OUR SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE TO SOLVING THE CAPE'S ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES. SCIENTIFICALLY TRAINED AND EXPERIENCED STAFF USE WELL-VETTED SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION TO EVALUATE ISSUES, PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS, AND PLAN AND IMPLEMENT PROJECTS. OUR DECISIONS ARE INFORMED BY INPUT FROM SCIENTISTS, TECHNICAL EXPERTS AND OTHER PROFESSIONALS OUTSIDE THE ORGANIZATION. PARTNERSHIPS ARE KEY FOR SHARING OF INFORMATION TO ACHIEVE GOALS. RESULTS OF PROJECTS ARE USED TO EVALUATE PROGRESS IN ADDRESSING PROBLEMS. MONITORING PROGRAMS UTILIZE RIGOROUS QUALITY ASSURANCE PROCEDURES AND ARE DESIGNED TO BE TRANSPARENT IN ORDER TO PROMOTE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE ISSUES. SCIENCE-BASED PROJECTS ARE DESIGNED TO ADDRESS MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS BY INFORMING ACTIONS SUCH AS POLICIES, OUTREACH, OR ADDITIONAL SCIENTIFIC ACTIVITIES TO ACHIEVE RESULTS. OUR SCIENCE PROGRAMS INCLUDE: STATE OF THE WATERS: CAPE COD, HERRING MONITORING, CYANOBACTERIA MONITORING, ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION PROGRAM, CRITICAL HABITAT PROTECTION, CLIMATE CHANGE, AND CAPE COD POND MONITORING PROGRAM.
  3. $9,053 spent. FROM THE VERY BEGINNINGS OF APCC, SCIENCE-BASED EDUCATION AND OUTREACH HAVE BEEN ONE OF THE PILLARS OF THE ORGANIZATION. OUR EDUCATION PROGRAMMING INITIATIVES SEEK TO ADDRESS THE REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES THAT FACE THE CAPE IN AN INFORMATIVE AND ENGAGING MANNER, OFFERING DIRECTION AND CONSTRUCTIVE ACTIONS NEEDED TO CARE FOR THE CAPE'S LIVING RESOURCES. IN OUR MISSION TO INSPIRE A REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL ETHIC, WE ENGAGE THE PUBLIC THROUGH WORKSHOPS AND LECTURES, OUR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM AND TWO CITIZEN SCIENTIST PROGRAMS: HERRING COUNT MONITORING AND CYANOBACTERIA MONITORING. APCC'S SPEAKERS BUREAU IS A RESOURCE FOR CIVIC GROUPS LOOKING FOR A SPEAKER.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since February 1990.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.