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Marine Mammal Stranding Center

EIN 22-2368650 · Brigantine, NJ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceGood76 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) was formed in 1978 for the purpose of rescue, rehabilitation and release of stranded, sick or injured marine mammals and sea turtles. MMSC is the only state and federally authorized facility in the State of New Jersey to do this work.

Income
$822,763
Spending
$698,711
Spent on programs
68%
Reserves
10.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 89%
Employees
24
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$61,724, director

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 10.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 8% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    68% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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: 76 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 12 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.

  • 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. $400,184 spent. Animal Stranding and Care:MMSC responds to the strandings of whales, dolphins, seals, and sea turtles in New Jersey and occasionally assists with strandings in other states. Since its 1978 inception, MMSC has responded to over 6,350 strandings. This program includes: MMSC response to the stranding location by staff or trained volunteers; assessment of the animal's condition; transportation of the animal to MMSC for additional assessment by veterinarian; care and treatment for injuries or illness, and eventual release back into the ocean.
  2. $41,738 spent. Sea Life Education Center and Museum:MMSC staff, trained volunteers and interns explain the mission of the Center and conduct tours of this 1940's era 12-sided building that houses many displays about the animals and the beach environment. Visitors learn about the types of problems the animals encounter due to illness, injury, and pollution. The building is open to the public year round, with extended hours during summer months. School children visit the Center throughout the year and summer programs are available to visitors. Programs include visiting the back bays and beaches to learn ecology, and dolphin and turtle stranding classes. Since 1983 there have been over 700,000 visitors to the museum.
  3. $36,140 spent. Educational Services:MMSC staff and trained volunteers conduct outreach programs to schools, adult groups, and outdoor festivals. Programs are presented using PowerPoint, photo displays, and artifacts to give the audience a hands-on experience. Staff and volunteers attend festivals and fairs, where information is distributed to thousands of attendees via pamphlets and photo displays. Presenters also answer questions from their audience. We estimate that more than one million individuals have received these programs over the past 45 years.

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 2025.

    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 May 1983.

    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.