Salt Ponds Coalition Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Salt Ponds Coalition's mission is to protect and enhance the health of Rhode Island's salt ponds for the benefit of wildlife and people. In operation since 1985, we are the oldest continually operating volunteer marine water-quality monitoring program in the nation. We partner with environmental non-profits and municipal, state, and federal agencies to complete restoration projects and advocate for healthy pond ecosystems. Our programs are designed to educate people of all ages about the importance of this vital resource and inspire them to become stewards of Rhode Island's salt ponds.
- Income
- $203,207
- Spending
- $223,585
- Spent on programs
- 100%
- Reserves
- 16.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 81%
- Employees
- 2
- Volunteers
- 80
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
Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 66% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 16.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 23% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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
Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 2516 of 16 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (4)
- $72,150 spent. Pond Watching Program: Water samples are collected in the RI coastal salt ponds on a bi-weekly basis from May through October at 28 sites across the six major salt ponds, including one on a nearby river. This work is done by approximately 35 volunteers. At the end of 2025, after another local non-profit disbanded we agreed to test two more sites on the aforementioned river which has a direct connection and greatly impacts one of the salt ponds. SPC test for a variety of indicators of waterbody health including bacteria, nutrients, temperature, and pH; and our samples are analyzed by a local quality-controlled lab. Results are made available to the public, including our membership which totals over 580 households, as well state agencies and local municipalities. Cost of analysis and staff time is included.
- $49,000 spent. Education and Outreach: SPC works to connect people of all ages to their local environment and specifically the salt ponds by hosting field trips for local schools and other outreach activities. In Spring 2025, SPC hosted various age groups from pre-school up through middle-school students from multiple schools on pond-side outdoor activities as well as at a local nature center. Additionally, throughout the summer SPC worked with children at various summer camps providing outdoor educational programing, as well as our own free and open to the public Salt Pond Safaris which is a catch and release education program for geared to engage children and their families. Finally, we provide programming for adults as well in the form of paddle trips, bird walks, an art-focused program, and presentations from local experts in regards to salt pond issues and improvements, water-quality, and birding. In addition to these education programs, we hosted a beach clean-up, and had outreach tables at multiple farmer's markets, town-sponsored events, neighborhood meetings, and events hosted by our local indigenous tribe. All of our events last year reached out to over 750 people. Much of this work is completed with the help of volunteer retired educators. Additionally, we print and distribute education materials on our website, social media platforms, email blasts, and through printed media. Our distribution list for our emails alone is over 600 households and our social media channels have a combined 3,000+ followers.
- $23,000 spent. Advocacy and Restoration: Interact with local municipalities, state agencies, and other groups to advocate for the health of the salt ponds, help execute restoration programs, and to educate the local communities on ways they can support these projects. Restoration projects in 2025 included a nutrient reduction pilot watershed project, two breachway repair and restoration initiatives one of which has been see through to completion (in 2026), and a water connectivity project focused on improving water quality in two negatively impacted coves. We have over 580 members in our organization and have interacted with hundreds of people in the local community.
- $79,435 spent. Growing our membership and maintaining our organization ensures our ability to continue to advocate for, educate about, and monitor the health of our salt ponds. With over 550 members, keeping in contact with our members as part of our outreach campaigns and gather input as to what they observe as to the health of the ponds is a serious task. We strive to keep our constituents informed by hosting lectures featuring experts and local government officials throughout the year.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 1994.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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.