Mangrove Action Project
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
MAP's mission is to partner with communities and organizations worldwide to conserve, manage, and restore mangrove forests. Through science, training, and environmental education, we provide nature-based solutions for people and our planet.
- Income
- $1.2 million
- Spending
- $743,652
- Spent on programs
- 77%
- Reserves
- 3.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 88%
- Employees
- 4
- Volunteers
- 7
- Highest pay
- $114,620, chief operating 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
Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 8% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 39% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 61% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1576% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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: 80 out of 100. Higher than 25% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 7 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (1)
- $568,647 spent. MAP continued to expand its global reach, delivering hands-on and virtual Community-Based Ecological Mangrove Restoration (CBEMR) training workshops across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, expanding its outreach efforts to raise awareness of mangrove conservation, and continuing its youth education program. MAP held our first CBEMR field training in Mozambique this year, along with our largest-ever workshop in our 32-year history, held in Kenya. MAP expanded its virtual training series, connecting practitioners from El Salvador, Madagascar, and beyond. These sessions extend our reach to restorationists who cannot attend in-person workshops. Our follow-up visits in Kenya and Madagascar allowed us to measure progress, strengthen partnerships, and ensure training outcomes are translating into long-term, community-led restoration success. Our Global Mangrove News publication, now the world's longest-running mangrove-focused news digest, reaches more than 2,200 readers monthly, continuing to provide science-based updates to the international mangrove community. MAP's Coastal Education Program for youth was piloted in Belize, integrating mangrove ecology into local school curricula through teacher training and hands-on field learning. Our long-running Marvellous Mangroves program in the Cayman Islands continued to engage students through interactive lessons and field trips, reaching over 445 students and 11 schools in 2024. The Children's Mangrove Art Contest received 350 submissions from 34 countries, showcasing the creativity and passion of young artists inspired by mangrove conservation. Our outreach efforts reached new heights this year. The 10th Mangrove Photography Awards drew 2,554 entries from 74 countries and were featured by the BBC, CNN, The Guardian, and UNESCO, with more than 41,000 visitors viewing our Abu Dhabi exhibition as part of the Abu Dhabi Mangrove Initiative. MAP also released new films showcasing community-driven restoration. Return of the Mangroves continued its successful international festival run, winning multiple awards, while new productions in Kenya and Indonesia highlighted the power of collaboration through the Global Mangrove Alliance. Over 32 years since our founding, MAP remains rooted in its mission to conserve, manage, and restore the world's mangrove forests through science, training, and education. This year's growth in field impact, education, and storytelling reflects the continued strength of our partnerships and the shared commitment of our global network.
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since September 2006.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.