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Sound Waters Inc

EIN 06-1263947 · Stamford, CT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood80 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE WORK TO CREATE A BETTER WORLD THROUGH JOYFUL LEARNING ON LONG ISLAND SOUND. SOUNDWATERS ENRICHES OUR COMMUNITY AND PROTECTS OUR ENVIRONMENT THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION, JOBS AND SKILLS TRAINING, AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT.

Income
$3.3 million
Spending
$4.0 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
12 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 49%
Employees
101
Volunteers
1,239
Highest pay
$244,453, president

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

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 12.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 22% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 25 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

    30 of 30 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. $1.9 million spent. ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION: SOUNDWATERS EDUCATION PROGRAMS COMBINE SCIENCE WITH EXPERIENCE TO CREATE JOYFUL LEARNING THAT SUPPORTS AND AMPLIFIES STUDENTS' CLASSROOM WORK. WE TEACH WITH BOOTS IN THE MUD, HANDS ON THE TILLER AND EYES ON THE MICROSCOPE TO CULTIVATE CURIOSITY ALONGSIDE THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD. OUR COASTAL RESILIENCY ACTIVITIES SUPPORT THIS CLIMATE SCIENCE LEARNING. FROM RESTORING A LOCAL SALT MARSH IN THE HARBOR TO GROWING KELP IN THE SOUND, THESE PROJECTS (AND MORE) IMPROVE THE HEALTH OF ENVIRONMENT AND PROVIDE PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE FOR STUDENTS. OUR GOAL IS TO NURTURE THE NEXT GENERATION TO STUDY, ENJOY AND PROTECT OUR ENVIRONMENT.
  2. $541,653 spent. JOBS AND SKILLS TRAINING: LONG ISLAND SOUND IS OUR MILLION-ACRE CLASSROOM. WE TEACH JOB SKILLS ("HARBOR CORPS") WHERE RECENT HIGH SCHOOLS GRADS DRAW ON THE SOUND AS AN ECONOMIC RESOURCE; WE LEAD ADVANCED SCIENCE SKILLS CLASSES ("RESEARCH INTENSIVE") WHERE TALENTED HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS CAN LEARN FROM THE SOUND AS AN ECOLOGICAL RESOURCE; AND WE TEACH YOUTH DEVELOPMENT SKILLS ("YOUNG MARINERS") WHERE MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS STUDY, SAIL AND ENGAGE WITH THE SOUND, WHILE BECOMING PART OF A CARING, CONNECTED COMMUNITY. BY CONNECTING YOUNG PEOPLE TO LONG ISLAND SOUND, THEY GAIN JOBS AND SKILLS TO LAUNCH THEIR COLLEGE AND CAREER PATHS.
  3. $745,580 spent. PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT: SOUNDWATERS OFFERS PROGRAMS FOR THE BROADER COMMUNITY, WITH THE GOAL OF PROVIDING A PATHWAY FOR PEOPLE TO DEVELOP A MEANINGFUL CONNECTION WITH THEIR LOCAL ENVIRONMENT. THESE PROGRAMS RANGE FROM PUBLIC SAILS TO SUMMER CAMP TO PADDLE SPORTS TO COASTAL CLEAN-UPS AND MORE. THROUGH ALL OF THESE PROGRAMS, RESOURCES, AND A GREAT TEAM OF PEOPLE, SOUNDWATERS MAKES LONG ISLAND SOUND ACCESSIBLE, WITH THE GOAL OF CREATING A LEGACY OF JOYFUL LEARNING AND LIFELONG STEWARDSHIP. SOUNDWATERS BELIEVES THAT A HEALTHY COMMUNITY IS A HUMAN RIGHT AND WORKS EVERY DAY TO MAKE THIS A REALITY FOR ALL.

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 November 1989.

    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.

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