United States Sailing Association Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
THE ORGANIZATIONS MISSION IS TO INCREASE SAILING PARTICIPATION AND EXCELLENCE THROUGH EDUCATION, COMPETITION, AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITY WHILE UPHOLDING THE PRINCIPLES OF FAIR PLAY, SPORTSMANSHIP, AND SAFETY.
- Income
- $10.0 million
- Spending
- $12.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 68%
- Reserves
- -2.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 58%
- Employees
- 65
- Volunteers
- 519
- Highest pay
- $346,406, chief executive officer
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
Weak: 20 out of 100. Higher than 1% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 137% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 23% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 23% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1568% 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
Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2512 of 12 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a 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.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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)
- $5.1 million spent. THE OLYMPIC PROGRAM PROVIDES TRAINING AND SUPPORT OF THE TEAMS AND INDIVIDUALS PREPARING FOR OLYMPIC COMPETITIONS. SUPPORT INCLUDES COACHING, HEALTH AND NUTRITION, PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL STRENGTHENING, LOGISTICS, AND WEATHER FORECASTING SUPPORT. DURING THE SUMMER OF 2024 THE OLYMPICS WERE HELD IN FRANCE, WITH THE SAILING COMPETITIONS OCCURRING IN MARSEILLES. THE US SAILING TEAM CONSISTED OF 13 ATHLETES.
- $1.6 million spent. THE YOUTH PROGRAMS PROVIDES YOUTH TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION OF INSTRUCTORS FOR BEGINNING INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED SAILING CLASSES PROVIDED THROUGHOUT THE US. FOR LEARN-TO-SAIL PROGRAMS AND SMALL BOAT PROGRAMS WITH A GOAL OF PROMOTING PARTICIPATION IN BOATING AND ON-WATER ACTIVITIES. THESE SERVICES ARE ALSO CONDUCTED IN ASSOCIATION WITH VARIOUS INTERNATIONAL SAIL TRAINING ORGANIZATIONS. ALSO CONDUCTS AND MANAGES UNITED STATES SAILING CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS TO DETERMINE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS IN SUCH AREAS AS YOUTH MULTIHULL CHAMPIONSHIP AND JUNIOR OLYMPIC EVENTS ARE CONDUCTED ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO ENCOURAGE THOSE WHO ARE CONSIDERING OLYMPIC CAMPAIGNS.
- $1.7 million spent. THE EDUCATION DEVELOPS PRODUCTS AND PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT THE VARIOUS CONSTITUENT SECTIONS OF US SAILING (YOUTH, ADULT, AND RACE ADMINISTRATION). ADDITIONALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR SCHEDULING OF EDUCATIONAL COURSES AND SEMINARS, RESPONSIBLE FOR MANAGING THE ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE US COAST GUARD, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF STATE BOATING ADMINISTRATORS (NASBLA) ,AND NATIONAL SAFE BOATING COUNCIL.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since January 1941.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.