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American Littoral Society

EIN 22-1731073 · Highlands, NJ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair59 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PROMOTE THE STUDY AND CONSERVATION OF MARINE LIFE AND ITS HABITAT, DEFEND THE COAST FROM HARM, AND EMPOWER OTHERS TO DO THE SAME.

Income
$6.9 million
Spending
$6.6 million
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
0.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 79%
Employees
39
Volunteers
2,104
Highest pay
$140,367, former exec

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

Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 40% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 116% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    90% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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 25

    11 of 11 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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, 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 (3)
  1. $5.6 million spent. CONSERVATION-AMERICAN LITTORAL SOCIETY RESTORES ECOLOGICALLY HEALTHY AND RESILIENT COASTAL HABITATS ALONG THE ATLANTIC COAST AND THE DELAWARE BAY REGION. THE SOCIETY LEADS THOUSANDS OF VOLUNTEERS IN COASTAL CLEANUPS OF THE NEW YORK STATE BEACH SHORELINE. WE PLANT DUNES WITH CORPORATIONS, PRIVATE GROUPS, MUNICIPALITIES, AND SCHOOL GROUPS TO PROTECT LIFE, LIMB AND PROPERTY FROM DANGEROUS STORMS. WE ARE WORKING TO RESTORE CONNECTIVITY TO COASTAL WATERSHEDS TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY AS WELL AS PROVIDE PASSAGE FOR MIGRATORY FISH SPECIES. THE SOCIETY'S PROJECTS INCLUDE LIVING SHORLINES, A METHOD OF LAND STABILIZATION THAT PROTECTS THE SHORELINE FROM EROSION WHILE PRESERVING, ENHANCING, OR CREATING HABITAT. THE "SHUCK IT DON'T CHUCK IT" SHELL RECYCLING PROGRAM WAS CREATED BY THE SOCIETY TO RECYCLE OYSTER SHELLS FROM LOCAL RESTAURANTS. THE SHELL IS RETURNED TO THE WATER WHERE IT PROVIDES A SUBSTRATE FOR NEW OYSTERS. OYSTER SHELLS FROM RESTAURANTS ORDINARILY ENDS UP IN LANDFILLS. OYSTER REEFS ALSO PROVIDE HOMES FOR OTHER MARINE LIFE AND PROTECT SHORELINES. THE SOCIETY WORKS WITH COMMUNITIES, HOMEOWNERS, AND BUSINESSES TO REDUCE STORM RUN-OFF THROUGH GREEN STORM WATER MANAGEMENT AND WATER FRIENDLY LANDSCAPING. CONSERVATION-AMERICAN LITTORAL SOCIETY RESTORES ECOLOGICALLY HEALTHY AND RESILIENT COASTAL HABITATS ALONG THE ATLANTIC COAST AND THE DELAWARE BAY REGION. THE SOCIETY LEADS THOUSANDS OF VOLUNTEERS IN COASTAL CLEANUPS OF THE NEW YORK STATE BEACH SHORELINE. WE PLANT DUNES WITH CORPORATIONS, PRIVATE GROUPS, MUNICIPALITIES, AND SCHOOL GROUPS TO PROTECT LIFE, LIMB AND PROPERTY FROM DANGEROUS STORMS. WE ARE WORKING TO RESTORE CONNECTIVITY TO COASTAL WATERSHEDS TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY AS WELL AS PROVIDE PASSAGE FOR MIGRATORY FISH SPECIES. THE SOCIETY'S PROJECTS INCLUDE LIVING SHORLINES, A METHOD OF LAND STABILIZATION THAT PROTECTS THE SHORELINE FROM EROSION WHILE PRESERVING, ENHANCING, OR CREATING HABITAT. THE "SHUCK IT DON'T CHUCK IT" SHELL RECYCLING PROGRAM WAS CREATED BY THE SOCIETY TO RECYCLE OYSTER SHELLS FROM LOCAL RESTAURANTS. THE SHELL IS RETURNED TO THE WATER WHERE IT PROVIDES A SUBSTRATE FOR NEW OYSTERS. OYSTER SHELLS FROM RESTAURANTS ORDINARILY ENDS UP IN LANDFILLS. OYSTER REEFS ALSO PROVIDE HOMES FOR OTHER MARINE LIFE AND PROTECT SHORELINES. THE SOCIETY WORKS WITH COMMUNITIES, HOMEOWNERS, AND BUSINESSES TO REDUCE STORM RUN-OFF THROUGH GREEN STORM WATER MANAGEMENT AND WATER FRIENDLY LANDSCAPING.
  2. $122,847 spent. ADVOCACY-EVERYTHING WE DO AT THE SOCIETY IS ABOUT THE PUBLIC TRUST. THE COAST BELONGS TO ALL OF US AND OUR ADVOCACY AND POLICY PROGRAM HAS BEEN PROTECTING THE AVERAGE PERSON AND THEIR STAKE IN THE COAST FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS. WE SPEAK OUT FOR THE COAST, MARINE LIFE AND ITS HABITATS, AND FOR THE BENEFIT OF DIVERSE COASTAL COMMUNITIES. OUR ADVOCACY IS OFTEN COMMUNITY BASED, WORKING ON THE MOST PRESSING PROBLEMS WITH THE PEOPLE WHO ARE MOST AFFECTED. WE SEEK OPPORTUNITIES TO PROVIDE THE PUBLIC WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND TOOLS THEY NEED TO RAISE THEIR VOICES ALONG WITH US. THE MAIN AREAS OF INTEREST WHERE THE SOCIETY ADVOCATES FOR BETTER PUBLIC POLICY TO PROTECT THE LITTORAL ZONE ARE COASTAL PUBLIC ACCESS, COASTAL LAND USE REFORM, AND NATURAL RESOURCE PROTECTION. A GRANT FROM THE WILLIAM PENN FOUNDATION IS PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR A STUDY TO IDENTIFY WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO REDUCE BACTERIA IN THE 27 MILE STRETCH OF THE DELAWARE RIVER FLOWING PAST PHILADELPHIA, CAMDEN, CHESTER AND WILMINGTON. WORKING WITH PEOPLE REPRESENTING ALL ASPECTS OF THE RIVER'S USE, OUR GOAL IS TO DEVELOP A "ROAD MAP" TO INCREASE EQUITABLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SWIMMING AND PADDLING IN TARGETED AREAS AS WELL AS ADVANCE COMMUNITY HEALTH, PUBLIC ACCESS, AND JOB CREATION. ADVOCACY-EVERYTHING WE DO AT THE SOCIETY IS ABOUT THE PUBLIC TRUST. THE COAST BELONGS TO ALL OF US AND OUR ADVOCACY AND POLICY PROGRAM HAS BEEN PROTECTING THE AVERAGE PERSON AND THEIR STAKE IN THE COAST FOR MORE THAN 50 YEARS. WE SPEAK OUT FOR THE COAST, MARINE LIFE AND ITS HABITATS, AND FOR THE BENEFIT OF DIVERSE COASTAL COMMUNITIES. OUR ADVOCACY IS OFTEN COMMUNITY BASED, WORKING ON THE MOST PRESSING PROBLEMS WITH THE PEOPLE WHO ARE MOST AFFECTED. WE SEEK OPPORTUNITIES TO PROVIDE THE PUBLIC WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND TOOLS THEY NEED TO RAISE THEIR VOICES ALONG WITH US. THE MAIN AREAS OF INTEREST WHERE THE SOCIETY ADVOCATES FOR BETTER PUBLIC POLICY TO PROTECT THE LITTORAL ZONE ARE COASTAL PUBLIC ACCESS, COASTAL LAND USE REFORM, AND NATURAL RESOURCE PROTECTION. A GRANT FROM THE WILLIAM PENN FOUNDATION IS PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR A STUDY TO IDENTIFY WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO REDUCE BACTERIA IN THE 27 MILE STRETCH OF THE DELAWARE RIVER FLOWING PAST PHILADELPHIA, CAMDEN, CHESTER AND WILMINGTON. WORKING WITH PEOPLE REPRESENTING ALL ASPECTS OF THE RIVER'S USE, OUR GOAL IS TO DEVELOP A "ROAD MAP" TO INCREASE EQUITABLE OPPORTUNITIES FOR SWIMMING AND PADDLING IN TARGETED AREAS AS WELL AS ADVANCE COMMUNITY HEALTH, PUBLIC ACCESS, AND JOB CREATION.
  3. $213,402 spent. EDUCATION-THE SOCIETY CONNECTS PEOPLE OF ALL AGES TO THE COAST THROUGH EDUCATIONAL NATURE WALKS, FISHING CLINICS, FIELD TRIPS, AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES. OUR STAFF NATURALISTS HOST PUBLIC PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR INCLUDING SUNSET SEINING, HORSESHOE CRAB WALKS, SURF FISHING CLINICS, BIRD WALKS, SEAL AND WINTER WATERFOWL WALKS, AND WILD EDIBLE PLANT WALKS. FISH TAGGING-SINCE THE INCEPTION OF THE SOCIETY'S FISH TAGGING PROGRAM IN 1965, MORE THAN 970,000 FISH HAVE BEEN TAGGED BY OUR VOLUNTEER TAGGERS. CURRENTLY, THE PROGRAM'S TARGET SPECIES IS STRIPED BASS AND OTHER FISH OF THE LITTORAL ZONE, INCLUDING SUMMER FLOUNDER, BLUEFISH, TAUTOG, AND BLACK SEABASS. THE PROGRAM CURRENTLY HAS MORE THAN 450 ACTIVE TAGGERS WHO TAG OVER 15,000 FISH PER YEAR. TAGGING IS AN IMPORTANT BIOLOGICAL METHOD FOR MONITORING FISH, BECAUSE, UNLIKE OTHER ANIMALS, THEY SPEND ALMOST ALL OF THEIR ENTIRE LIVES OUT OF THE SIGHT OF RESEARCHERS. THE PROGRAM AIDS SCIENTISTS TOO AS OUR TAGGING DATA IS TRANSFERRED TO THE DATABASE OF THE NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE LABORATORY. EDUCATION-THE SOCIETY CONNECTS PEOPLE OF ALL AGES TO THE COAST THROUGH EDUCATIONAL NATURE WALKS, FISHING CLINICS, FIELD TRIPS, AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES. OUR STAFF NATURALISTS HOST PUBLIC PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR INCLUDING SUNSET SEINING, HORSESHOE CRAB WALKS, SURF FISHING CLINICS, BIRD WALKS, SEAL AND WINTER WATERFOWL WALKS, AND WILD EDIBLE PLANT WALKS. FISH TAGGING-SINCE THE INCEPTION OF THE SOCIETY'S FISH TAGGING PROGRAM IN 1965, MORE THAN 970,000 FISH HAVE BEEN TAGGED BY OUR VOLUNTEER TAGGERS. CURRENTLY, THE PROGRAM'S TARGET SPECIES IS STRIPED BASS AND OTHER FISH OF THE LITTORAL ZONE, INCLUDING SUMMER FLOUNDER, BLUEFISH, TAUTOG, AND BLACK SEABASS. THE PROGRAM CURRENTLY HAS MORE THAN 450 ACTIVE TAGGERS WHO TAG OVER 15,000 FISH PER YEAR. TAGGING IS AN IMPORTANT BIOLOGICAL METHOD FOR MONITORING FISH, BECAUSE, UNLIKE OTHER ANIMALS, THEY SPEND ALMOST ALL OF THEIR ENTIRE LIVES OUT OF THE SIGHT OF RESEARCHERS. THE PROGRAM AIDS SCIENTISTS TOO AS OUR TAGGING DATA IS TRANSFERRED TO THE DATABASE OF THE NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE LABORATORY.

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

  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 October 13, 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 2025.

    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 December 1963.

    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 October 21, 2026.

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