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Conanicut Island Sailing Foundation

EIN 05-0513580 · Jamestown, RI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood83 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CISF'S MISSION IS TO INSPIRE AND ENGAGE PEOPLE OF ALL AGES ABILITIES, AND BACKGROUNDS WITH THE COASTAL ENVIRONMENT THROUGH BOATING AND EDUCATION.

Income
$3.1 million
Spending
$819,261
Spent on programs
69%
Reserves
44.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 90%
Employees
11
Volunteers
5
Highest pay
$114,345, executive di

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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 44.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 73% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 322% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    69% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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

Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 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

    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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 (3)
  1. $284,376 spent. SEA ADVENTURE CAMP: CISF HOSTS EIGHT WEEK-LONG CAMPS FOR YOUTH AGES 4-16. SEA ADVENTURE CAMP GETS CHILDREN ON THE WATER LEARNING HOW TO SAIL AS WELL AS LEARNING ABOUT THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT, THUS BUILDING FUTURE GENERATIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND OCEAN STEWARDS. EACH WEEK-LONG CAMP FOCUSES ON INTRODUCING CAMPERS TO FOUNDATIONAL CONCEPTS SURROUNDING COASTAL EDUCATION AND SAILING. DAYS ARE MIXED TO BLEND SAILING EXPERIENCE AND EXPLORATION OF THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT. THE SCHEDULE AND CURRICULUM FOR EACH WEEK VARIES SLIGHTLY DUE TO WEATHER CONDITIONS AND THE INTERESTS OF EACH GROUP, THOUGH CHILDREN ARE ALWAYS LEARNING THROUGH FUN, HANDS-ON ACTIVITIES.
  2. $142,188 spent. OUTREACH PROGRAMS: CISF PROVIDES COASTAL ACCESS AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR POPULATIONS WHO ARE TYPICALLY UNDERSERVED AND UNDER- REPRESENTED. WE DO THIS THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS. WE OFFER FIELD TRIP TYPE PROGRAMS ALONG WITH WEEKLY PROGRAMS, INCLUDING OUR MARINE TRADES CAREER EXPLORATION PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS.
  3. $142,187 spent. SCHOOL YEAR PROGRAMS THAT INCLUDE AFTER-SCHOOL AND HOME-SCHOOL PROGRAMS, SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS, AND VACATION DAY PROGRAMS. AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS ARE FOR GRADES K-8; HOMESCHOOL FOR AGES 5 THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL. FIELD TRIPS AND VACATION DAY PROGRAMS ARE AVAILABLE FOR MOST GRADES THOUGH CURRENTLY ARE MOSTLY K-8. PROGRAMS FOCUS ON CISF'S MISSION OF ENGAGING AND INSPIRING YOUTH WITH THE COASTAL ENVIRONMENT THROUGH BOATING AND EDUCATION.

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 June 2001.

    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.