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Lifetides Institute

EIN 20-0000619 · Ridgeland, SC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceGood82 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE LIFETIDES INSTITUTE PROVIDES ADULT AND YOUTH EDUCATION PROGRAMS THAT PROMOTE THE ENVIRONMENTAL HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL HERITAGE OF THE LOWCOUNTRY REGION OF SOUTH CAROLINA. IT HOSTS ADULT EDUCATION PROGRAMS THROUGH ROAD SCHOLAR PROVIDING DIRECT EXPOSURE TO TIDAL MARSHLANDS AND ECOLOGICAL SYSTEMS AND THEIR ASSOCIATED PLANT AND ANIMAL HABITATS.

Income
$239,327
Spending
$309,034
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
4.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 97%
Employees
0
Volunteers
2
Highest pay
$26,500, vice chair

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

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 29% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a 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

    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.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or 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 (14)
  1. Instructing adult participants about the identification life histories and ecology of bird species occurring in the Lowcountry region of South Carolina
  2. Instructing adult participants about the history food and techniques of barbecue in South Carolina and especially the Lowcountry region
  3. Instructing adult participants about how to safely kayak in the diverse range of habitats within the Lowcountry region of South Carolina
  4. $70 spent. Other expenses to domestic individual
  5. $89,654 spent. Expenses for outside contracting of the Instructors to address each of LifeTides education programs
  6. $3,055 spent. Office expenses for LifeTides Institute program operations
  7. $3,060 spent. Information technology for web presence Internet service and telecommunications
  8. $14,956 spent. Occupancy costs for the accommodation of participants for each of the three programs: BBQ Birding and Kayaking
  9. $4,572 spent. Insurance expenses i.e. Liability vehicle
  10. $57,842 spent. Occupancy rent utilities and maintenance expenses for program operations
  11. $797 spent. Printing publications subscriptions and filing fees
  12. $36,207 spent. Food Supplies for all Road Scholar programs in FY 2024
  13. $365 spent. Travel and Meetings
  14. $98,456 spent. Payments toward land acquisition for conducting youth education programs in the South Carolina Lowcountry

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

  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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 2003.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.