Port Royal Sound Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO CONSERVE THE PORT ROYAL SOUND FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL, CULTURAL, AND ECONOMIC WELL-BEING OF OUR AREA IN 4 AREAS; EDUCATION, RESEARCH, CONSERVATION, AND ORGANIZATIONAL STABILITY.
- Income
- $1.3 million
- Spending
- $1.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 82%
- Reserves
- 12.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 61%
- Employees
- 15
- Volunteers
- 100
- Highest pay
- $122,630, exec. direct
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 12.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 3% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 30% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1582% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2515 of 15 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
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 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 million spent. THE PORT ROYAL SOUND FOUNDATION'S MARITIME CENTER IS A FREE MUSEUM AND PUBLIC RESOURCE DEDICATED TO CONSERVING THE PORT ROYAL SOUND AND ITS SURROUNDING WATERSHED. LOCATED ON THE WATER, THE CENTER FEATURES ENGAGING EXHIBITS AND AQUARIUMS THAT INTRODUCE VISITORS TO THE SOUND'S UNIQUE ECOLOGY WHILE HIGHLIGHTING THE REGION'S HISTORICAL, CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL, AND ARTISTIC CONNECTIONS TO THIS VITAL RESOURCE. THROUGH SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS, PROGRAMS, LECTURES, AND COMMUNITY EVENTS, THE MARITIME CENTER FOSTERS MEANINGFUL COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND DEEPENS PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE SOUND'S IMPORTANCE. BY PROVIDING ACCESSIBLE INTERPRETATION AND EDUCATION, THE CENTER HELPS FULFILL THE FOUNDATION'S MISSION TO CONSERVE THE PORT ROYAL SOUND FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL, CULTURAL, AND ECONOMIC WELL- BEING OF OUR AREA. ADMISSION IS FREE TO ENSURE BROAD AND EQUITABLE ACCESS TO THESE OPPORTUNITIES. THE PORT ROYAL SOUND FOUNDATION'S MARITIME CENTER IS A FREE MUSEUM AND PUBLIC RESOURCE DEDICATED TO CONSERVING THE PORT ROYAL SOUND AND ITS SURROUNDING WATERSHED. LOCATED ON THE WATER, THE CENTER FEATURES ENGAGING EXHIBITS AND AQUARIUMS THAT INTRODUCE VISITORS TO THE SOUND'S UNIQUE ECOLOGY WHILE HIGHLIGHTING THE REGION'S HISTORICAL, CULTURAL, RECREATIONAL, AND ARTISTIC CONNECTIONS TO THIS VITAL RESOURCE. THROUGH SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS, PROGRAMS, LECTURES, AND COMMUNITY EVENTS, THE MARITIME CENTER FOSTERS MEANINGFUL COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND DEEPENS PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE SOUND'S IMPORTANCE. BY PROVIDING ACCESSIBLE INTERPRETATION AND EDUCATION, THE CENTER HELPS FULFILL THE FOUNDATION'S MISSION TO CONSERVE THE PORT ROYAL SOUND FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL, CULTURAL, AND ECONOMIC WELL- BEING OF OUR AREA. ADMISSION IS FREE TO ENSURE BROAD AND EQUITABLE ACCESS TO THESE OPPORTUNITIES.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 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 July 2008.
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.