Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Vermilion Sea Institute

EIN 20-8381814 · Seattle, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair56 out of 100GovernanceWeak46 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO SUPPORT AND IMPLEMENT PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT ECOLOGY, CULTURE AND EDUCATION.

Income
$388,248
Spending
$383,063
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
0.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 74%
Employees
3
Volunteers
40
Highest pay
$31,340, exeutive director & treasurer

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

Fair: 56 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 31% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 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

Weak: 46 out of 100. Higher than 14% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 9 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

    5 of 5

    Keeps 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.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

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

  • 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 (3)
  1. $13,057 spent. Our marine debris prevention programs are driven by the leadership and participation of young people and community members. We are committed to improving our community and reducing waste in Baha de Los ngeles through the following projects. 1. We empower young people to take charge and lead efforts to reduce plastic waste and marine debris through public education, beach cleanups, data collection, and community-powered campaigns. These youth collect valuable data following NOAA protocols and contribute to global understanding of marine debris. Further, through hands-on collaboration with visitors, they empower others to do the same. 2.We improve our community and reduce waste through the creation, operation, and continuous development of a specialized community recycling center. Our newly acquired, specialized, machines efficiently process post-consumer plastics, providing a more sustainable solution to plastic waste management. We prioritize community engagement and a circular economy, striving to maximize the impact of our recycling efforts and reduce the amount of waste that ends up in our local desert and oceans.
  2. $301,076 spent. The organization facilitated inquiry-based field studies in desert and marine ecosystems for educational groups at two field stations in Baja California. In 2024, 214 students and science researchers participated in the programs. The organization developed, conducted, coordinated, and facilitated programs to provide hands-on learning experiences for universities, schools, and other educational groups. The programs aimed to enhance understanding and appreciation of the ecosystems, promote scientific inquiry, and inspire creation of other change initiatives in visitors own communities.
  3. $42,212 spent. We offer participant-driven educational curricula and outdoor education activities to underserved local students of color, focusing on developing water exploration skills, self-care, team building, leadership, and conservation skills. In 2024, 94 students participated in these programs, which help to instill conservation-related values and protect the environment for future generations. Additionally, 707 different community members participated in 33 youth organized community events.

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 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 November 6, 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 December 2024.

    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 October 2007.

    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 November 4, 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.