Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Save the Sound Inc

EIN 06-0990195 · New Haven, CT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF SAVE THE SOUND IS TO PROTECT AND IMPROVE THE LAND, AIR, AND WATER OF THE WHOLE LONG ISLAND SOUND REGION. WE USE LEGAL AND SCIENTIFIC EXPERTISE AND BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE RESULTS THAT BENEFIT OUR ENVIRONMENT FOR CURRENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS.

Income
$9.9 million
Spending
$9.0 million
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
2.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 79%
Employees
71
Volunteers
3,150
Highest pay
$184,907, president

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

Financial health

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 26% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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

    17 of 17 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 September 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. $2.1 million spent. THE LONG ISLAND SOUND PROGRAM USES COMMUNITY SCIENCE, EDUCATION, ADVOCACY AND ON-THE-WATER WATCHDOG ACTIVITIES TO PROTECT AND RESTORE THE HEALTH OF LONG ISLAND SOUND AND ITS WATERSHED. LAST YEAR THE PROGRAM COORDINATED THE UNIFIED WATER STUDY, PUBLISHED A REPORT ON LONG ISLAND SOUND'S ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH, LED ADVOCACY AND EDUCATION EFFORTS THAT RESULTED IN INVESTMENT IN LONG ISLAND SOUND INITIATIVES BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, AND INCREASED THE VISIBILITY OF OUR SOUNDKEEPER SUBPROGRAM, WHICH PATROLS THE WATERS OF THE LONG ISLAND SOUND TO ENSURE POLLUTION IS STOPPED.
  2. $1.8 million spent. THE ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION PROGRAM WORKS WITH NATURAL SYSTEMS TO RESTORE HABITAT HEALTH AND COASTAL RESILIENCE. THIS WORK INCLUDES REMOVING DAMS AND RESTORING FISH PASSAGE, INSTALLING GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE THAT EMPLOYS NATIVE PLANTS TO FILTER STORMWATER BEFORE IT CAN POLLUTE LOCAL WATERWAYS, RESTORING MARSHLAND AND CONSTRUCTING LIVING SHORELINES TO IMPROVE COASTAL RESILIENCE AND REVERSE MARSH LOSS, AND ENGAGING THE PUBLIC IN PROTECTING WATER QUALITY AND WILDLIFE THROUGH A ROBUST COASTAL CLEANUP PROGRAM AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES.
  3. $583,507 spent. THE CLIMATE AND ENERGY PROGRAM USES EDUCATION, POLICY, AND GRASSROOTS ADVOCACY TO ENSURE LOWERED EMISSIONS, TO REDUCE POLLUTION, AND TO EXPEDITE THE ADOPTION OF PRACTICES THAT STRENGTHEN THE REGION'S RESILIENCE AND COASTAL DEFENSES. WE WORK WITH PARTNERS THROUGHOUT THE REGION TO SHARE INFORMATION AND LEVERAGE RESOURCES TO IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF THE LONG ISLAND SOUND, WILDLIFE, AND THE RESIDENTS WHO LIVE, WORK, AND RECREATE WITHIN THE WATERSHED.
  4. $1.8 million spent. COMMUNICATIONS - $413,401ENDANGERED LANDS PROJECT - $338,405ADJUDICATION - $506,458EDUCATION - $299,888ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE - $129,290BEACH CLEAN UP - $78,021

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 September 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 February 1994.

    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.