Friends of Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Founded in 1999 the Friends of Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge is a 501c3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to help conserve protect and restore the biological diversity historical legacy and cultural heritage of Kuaihelani Midway Atoll
- Income
- $87,954
- Spending
- $87,150
- Reserves
- 16.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 86%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 96 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (animals, under $250k).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 16.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ 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)
- Annual albatross nest census The annual nesting albatross census team 10 to 12 volunteers on Midway Atoll provides vital information found in few places on earth to researchers managers conservation groups and the global community interested in preserving and protecting oceanic seabirds and their nesting habitats Since 1991 the annual census of black-footed albatrosses or Kaupu Phoebastria nigripes and Laysan albatrosses or Ml Phoebastria immutabilis on Midway Atoll has provided accurate information regarding the numbers of nesting albatross pairs at Midway Atoll This long-term dataset has become increasingly valuable since nesting sites on other Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Kamole or Laysan Island and Lalo or French Frigate Shoals are not easily accessible Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge provides for the worlds largest breeding colony of Laysan and black-footed albatrosses in the world The Friends of Midway Atoll supported this intensive and expensive scientific collection of valuable data in 2025 as well as in years past
- Volunteers - A very successful program on Midway Atoll NWR has been a long-standing tradition of supporting 4 biological technician volunteers every 6 months to accomplish critical wildlife and habitat conservation on Midway Atoll Volunteers are often recent graduates in the field of conservation Volunteers receive excellent hands-on training and experiences in habitat restoration research of seabirds animal care such as treating endangered Laysan ducks with botulism and conducting monitoring of other threatened and endangered species such as green sea turtles and Hawaiian monk seals FOMA provides stipends to each of the volunteers
- Wildlife camera - In 2025 FOMA established a live wildlife camera on Midway Atoll to allow the general public to be able to view and enjoy the year-round wildlife of Midway Atoll FOMA secured a remote internet service to be able to livestream the annual cycle of birds on Midway At one point in time there were over 2000 viewers watching at the same time Viewers are from around the world This camera allows FOMA and the National Wildlife Refuge to share this remote and special place with the world
- Operating store with sales of Midway and Papahnaumokukea Marine National Monument logoed items to generate funds funds for its exempt purpose including the support for habitat restoration environmental education and interpretive activities and historical celebrations on Midway Atoll NWR
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending September 30, 2025, 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 September 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 July 2000.
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.