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Save the Bay Inc

EIN 05-0343046 · Providence, RI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair64 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SAVE THE BAY PROTECTS, RESTORES, AND IMPROVES THE ECOLOGICAL HEALTH OF THE NARRAGANSETT BAY REGION, INCLUDING ITS WATERSHED AND ADJACENT COASTAL WATERS, THROUGH AN ECOSYSTEM-BASED APPROACH TO ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION; DEFENDS THE RIGHT OF THE PUBLIC TO USE AND ENJOY THE BAY AND ITS SURROUNDING WATERS; AND FOSTERS AN ETHIC OF ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AMONG PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN OR VISIT THE NARRAGANSETT BAY REGION.

Income
$4.9 million
Spending
$5.4 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
3.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 55%
Employees
93
Volunteers
3,123
Highest pay
$209,367, executive director

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

Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 11% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 12% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 23 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

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

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    21 of 21 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 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 (3)
  1. $2.9 million spent. SAVE THE BAY'S EDUCATION PROGRAM, EXPLORE THE BAY, IS A HANDS-ON, INQUIRY BASED, MARINE EDUCATION PROGRAM THAT IS DESIGNED IN COLLABORATION WITH TEACHERS AND SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS TO PROVIDE HIGHLY EFFECTIVE SCIENCE BASED CURRICULUMS. THE PROGRAM STRIVES TO CREATE ACADEMIC SUCCESS AND FUTURE BAY STEWARDS. SAVE THE BAY'S EDUCATION PROGRAM USES MANY RESOURCES TO INTRODUCE STUDENTS TO THE WONDERS OF NARRAGANSETT BAY, INCLUDING: THREE COAST GUARD CERTIFIED EDUCATION VESSELS, SAVE THE BAY'S HAMILTON FAMILY AQUARIUM, TWO CLASSROOMS/LABS AT OUR BAY CENTER IN PROVIDENCE, IN ADDITION TO EQUIPMENT USED TO BRING NARRAGANSETT BAY INTO STUDENT CLASSROOMS OR ALONG THE SHORELINE.
  2. $1.2 million spent. SAVE THE BAY'S POLICY, ADVOCACY AND RESTORATION PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN A CORE FUNCTION OF THE ORGANIZATION SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1970. WE CHAMPION PUBLIC POLICIES THAT PROTECT AND IMPROVE NARRAGANSETT BAY, ITS TRIBUTARIES AND THE COAST. SAVE THE BAY WORKS AT THE LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL ON INITIATIVES THAT PROTECT WATER QUALITY, RESTORE BAY HABITATS, AND DEFEND THE PUBLIC'S RIGHT TO USE AND ENJOY OUR COASTAL WATERS. OUR ADVOCACY IS BASED ON THE BEST AVAILABLE SCIENCE, WHICH IS ESSENTIAL IN AN ERA WHEN CLIMATE CHANGE IS FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGING THE BAY'S ECOLOGY AND POSING NEW CHALLENGES TO OUR COASTAL COMMUNITIES. WE ARE A COLLABORATIVE PARTNER AND LEADER WHOSE ROLE IS MULTI-FACETED: EDUCATOR, WATCHDOG, ADVOCATE, AND SCIENTIST. ON A BROAD LEVEL, SAVE THE BAY FOSTERS AN ETHIC OF STEWARDSHIP FOR THE NARRAGANSETT BAY REGION BY ENHANCING UNDERSTANDING OF THE IMPACTS OF HUMAN ACTIVITY ON THE BAY AND SURROUNDING WATERS, AND ENGAGING THE PUBLIC IN DIRECT ACTIONS THAT PROTECT THE BAY.
  3. $354,832 spent. SAVE THE BAY'S OUTREACH INITIATIVES BRING TOGETHER AND INFORM INDIVIDUALS, ORGANIZATIONS, AND GOVERNMENTS TO FOSTER AN ETHIC OF ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AMONG PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN OR VISIT THE NARRAGANSETT BAY REGION. OUR OUTREACH INITIATIVES INCLUDE: COMMUNITY EVENTS, PUBLICATIONS AND CONSTITUENT COMMUNICATIONS DESIGNED TO INFORM AND EDUCATE STAKEHOLDERS ABOUT THE GOALS, POLICIES, PROGRAMS AND ADVOCACY EFFORTS OF SAVE THE BAY.

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 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 June 2025.

    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 March 1971.

    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.