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Cape Cod Commericial Fishermens Alliance Inc

EIN 04-3138784 · Chatham, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO MAINTAIN A SUSTAINABLE, SMALL-BOAT, LOCAL FISHING FLEET BY PROVIDING ECONOMIC SUPPORT, OPPORTUNITIES TO CREATE BETTER PUBLIC POLICIES, AND ADVOCACY TO PROTECT AND RESTORE THE OCEAN ENVIRONMENT AND FISHING STOCKS.

Income
$2.5 million
Spending
$1.7 million
Spent on programs
61%
Reserves
52.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 59%
Employees
11
Volunteers
14
Highest pay
$211,046, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 52.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 31% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    61% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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

    12 of 12 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, 2024, 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 (5)
  1. $992,266 spent. POLICY/CAMPAIGN: BUILD COALITIONS AMONG COMMERCIAL FISHERMEN, ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS, AND CONCERNED CITIZENS TO INFLUENCE STATE AND FEDERAL OFFICIALS TO CREATE FRAMEWORKS THAT PROTECT NATURAL AND PUBLIC RESOURCES WHILE RESPECTING THE INDUSTRY.
  2. CAPE COD FISHERIES TRUST: A PROGRAM THAT OWNS AND MANAGES FISHING QUOTA, HOLDING THOSE ASSETS IN COMMUNITY TRUST TO ASSURE THAT LOCAL FISHERMEN HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE WORKING. THE TRUST LEASES PURCHASED QUOTA, AT REDUCED RATES, TO QUALIFIED FISHERMEN WHO PARTICIPATE IN A PROCESS THAT WORKS TO ENSURE ACCOUNTABILITY, LOCAL CONTROL AND SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES.
  3. $79,062 spent. SMALL BOATS, BIG TASTE: A PROGRAM TO PROVIDE FROZEN CHOWDER AND STEWS MADE WITH LOCAL SEAFOOD TO MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WHO FACE FOOD INSUFFICIENCY, FOOD INSECURITY OR HUNGER. COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PROGRAM REPRESENT OVER 350,000 SERVINGS ANNUALLY TO THOSE IN NEED."
  4. FISHERIES RESEARCH AND EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ON SUSTAINABILITY OF THE FISHERIES AND OTHER FISHERIES ISSUES.
  5. FISHERIES RESEARCH AND EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ON SUSTAINABILITY OF THE FISHERIES AND OTHER FISHERIES ISSUES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

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

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since February 1997.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 October 7, 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.