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Windward Islands Research and Education Foundation Inc

EIN 13-3768443 · Brightwaters, NY

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood76 out of 100GovernanceWeak46 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To advance health and sustainable environmental development through multi-disciplinary research and education programs. To promote collaborative relationships between internationally recognized scholars and regional scientists, and by adhering to the highest ethical and academic standards in the design and conduct of research.

Income
$1.6 million
Spending
$1.6 million
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
10.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 84%
Employees
0

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 18% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    95% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Weak: 46 out of 100. Higher than 8% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    0 of 5

    Reports that it does not keep 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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 (1)
  1. $1.5 million spent. the foundation was engaged in 20 active grant-funded projects supported by a diverse range of international agencies, governments, and private donors. These initiatives collectively advance research, community development, environmental resilience, health equity, and education across Grenada and the wider Caribbean.Several grants focus on sustainability and ecological restoration. These include the Grenada Wastewater Recycling Project (Caribbean Development Bank), the Safeguarding Telescopes Coastline project (Caribbean Biodiversity Fund), and Coral Reef Restoration in the Grenville Bay Area (GEF Small Grants Programme). Additional environmental initiativessuch as the Innovative Nature-based Solutions to Enhance Community Resilience (ING) Program, the Global Water Partnership Project, and the Caribbean Measurement, Reporting, and Verification Hubsupport regional adaptation to climate change and sustainable resource management.Health-focused initiatives span diagnostics, cancer care, and child development. These include the Sample-to-Answer Arboviral Diagnostics Project (NIH sub-award from UCSC), the Caribbean Cancer Portal (PAHO), the Caribbean Center for Child Neurodevelopment (Private Donors), and the Improving Metastatic Breast Cancer Care and Equity in the Caribbean Project (UTT). The Baroness Howells Sports for Health Program also promotes wellness through physical activity. Educational and social empowerment projects include the Caribbean Research Ethics Education Initiative (NIH-Fogarty International Center), Conscious Discipline Grenada Renewal (Becky Bailey Foundation), and the Integrated Early Childhood Development Strategy (UNICEF). Community-based programs, such as Afterschool Programmes (McGuinness Foundation) and the Return of Childrens Happiness Programme, strengthen youth engagement and well-being in mainland Grenada and Carriacou. Several projects address violence prevention and gender equity, including Preventing Intergenerational Violence through Empowerment Coaching for Fathers (CFLI) and the Community-based Intervention Program to Support Childrens Rights and Prevent Gender-based Violence (European Commission). The Consultancy for Construction and Deployment of FADs (UBEC, Government of Grenada, World Bank) supports sustainable fisheries within the blue economy framework. Meanwhile, the UNFCCC Regional Collaboration Center for the Caribbean (RCC St. Georges) enhances regional capacity for climate action and coordination. These initiatives underscore WINDREFs continued leadership in environmental conservation, public health innovation, and community resilience.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 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 August 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 May 1995.

    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.