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Salem Sound 2000 Inc

EIN 04-3354518 · Salem, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceGood84 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION IS TO PROTECT AND IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT QUALITY OF SALEM SOUND AND ITS WATERSHED.

Income
$647,366
Spending
$566,229
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
21 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 40%
Employees
10
Volunteers
300

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 21.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • 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 June 30, 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 (4)
  1. $60,000 spent. AS REGIONAL SERVICE PROVIDER FOR THE MASSACHUSETTS BAYS NATIONAL ESTUARY PROGRAM (MBP) SALEM SOUND COASTWATCH ASSISTED MBP IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CCMP AND WORK PLANS WITH THE FOLLOWING PRIORITIES: 1. REDUCE BACTERIAL CONTAMINATION IN SALEM SOUND 2. PROTECT AND RESTORE EELGRASS HABITATS 3. ENHANCE UNDERSTANDING OF THE TRANSPORT, POPULATION DYNAMICS, AND IMPACTS OF INVASIVE SPECIES 4. PREPARE FOR AND UNDERSTAND THE POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND SEA LEVEL RISE ON COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS AND COMMUNTIES AND ENHANCE EDUCATION AND ADAPTATION EFFORTS 5. PROTECT AND RESTORE EMERGENT WETLAND HABITATS (IMPROVE CONDITION OF SALT MARSH WITH BUFFER HABITAT IMPROVEMENTS, TIDAL RESTRICTIONS, PROTECTION)
  2. $102,810 spent. SALEM SOUND COASTWATCH HAS A GRANT FROM COSTAL HABITAT AND WATER QUALITY GRANT FROM MASSACHUSETTS OFFICE OF COSTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT TO COMPLETE THE "NORTH RIVER RAIN GARDENS CASE STUDY". THE NORTH RIVER RAIN GARDENS WERE BUILT AT COMMERCIAL STREET, UNDER SALEM'S NORTH RIVER LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT RETROFIT PROJECT- CPR ENV13 CZM02(DESIGN) AND CPR ENV15 CXM01 (CONSTRUCTION). SALEM SOUND COASTWATCH HAS BEEN A PARTNER IN THIS PROJECT FROM THE BEGINNING AND CONTINUES TO PROMOTE AND MAINTAIN THESE RAIN GARDENS. THE CAPACITY BUILDING PROJECT DEVELOPED THREE ONLINE PRODUCTS THAT SHOWCASE THE NORTH RIVER RAIN GARDENS' SUCCESS: AN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY, AN ERSI STORY MAP, AND 2 VIDEOS IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH AS WELL AS THE CHALLENGES AND LESSONS LEARNED. THESE PRODUCTS PROMOTE THE USE OF STORMWATER GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE IN URBAN AND COSTAL AREAS TO INCREASE EQUITY AND ACCESS TO CLEAN COSTAL WATERS AND ASSOCIATED USES ACROSS THE COMMONWEALTH.
  3. $28,579 spent. SALEM SOUND COASTWATCH RECEIVED A MS4 MUNICIPAL GRANT FROM THE MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION TO RESEARCH STARTEGIES THAT WOULD RESULT IN BEHAVIORAL CHANGES TO REDUCE STORMWATER POLLUTION FROM PET WASTE IN PUBLIC AREAS AND NEAR DRINKING WATER RESOURCES. SALEM SOUND COASTWATCH CONDUCTED COMMUNITY-BASED SOCIAL MARKETING RESEARCH CONSISTING OF A SERIES OF INTERVIEWS AND MAPPING TO GUIDE PIOLET STRATEGIES TO COMBAT DOG WASTE AND IMPROVE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF MS4 STORMWATER OUTREACH AND EDUCATION.
  4. $342,355 spent. THE ORGANIZATION CONDUCTS RESEARCH, MONITORING AND EDUCATION RELATED TO THE PROTECTION AND PRESERVATION OF THE NATURAL RESOURCES. PROGRAMS INCLUDE WETLANDS MONITORING, ADOPT A BEACH, AND INVASIVE SPECICES MONITORING AND REMOVAL. IN ADDITION, THE ORGANIZATION WORKS WITH NORTH SHORE MUNICIPALITIES UNDER ITS FEE FOR SERVICE GREENSCAPES PROGRAM. SCHOOL TO SEA IS A WATERSHED AND LITERACY PROGRAM THAT WORKS WITH TEACHERS AND STUDENTS TO FOSTER WATERSHED LEARNING AND EXPAND OCEAN AND CLIMATE LITERACY. TO ENGAGE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY, SSCW SENDS OUT MONTHLY E-NEWSLETTERS, HOSTS PUBLIC PRESENTATIONS AND HOLDS AN ANNUAL FUNDRAISING AND OUTREACH EVENT RACE FOR SALEM SOUND. THROUGH THE YEAR, FREE PUBLIC LECTURES, TRAININGS, WALKS AND SCHOOL EVENTS ARE CONDUCTED.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 October 13, 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 June 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 April 1997.

    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 October 21, 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.