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National Safe Boating Council Inc

EIN 23-7424720 · Clearwater, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood88 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE NSBC SERVES AS A NATIONAL CATALYST FOR DEVELOPING A SAFE BOATING CULTURE BY PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES, OUTREACH PROGRAMMING, AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDUSTRY PARTNERS AND THE BOATING COMMUNITY TO INFLUENCE SAFE, SECURE, AND RESPONSIBLE BOATING.

Income
$1.0 million
Spending
$972,813
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
11.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 67%
Employees
7
Volunteers
8
Highest pay
$142,965, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 88 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 90 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 September 30, 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. $770,252 spent. THE NATIONAL SAFE BOATING COUNCIL (NSBC) EXISTS TO MAKE RECREATIONAL BOATING SAFER FOR ALL WHO ENJOY THE WATERWAYS. THE COMMUNITY THEY SERVE INCLUDES ORGANIZATIONS, AGENCIES, AND COMPANIES, AS WELL AS VOLUNTEERS AND INDIVIDUALS, WHO INFLUENCE AND IMPACT RECREATIONAL BOATING SAFETY. THE NSBC ENGAGES ALL ASPECTS OF THE RECREATIONAL BOATING COMMUNITY IN RELEVANT, COMPELLING, AND CONTINUOUS OPPORTUNITIES WHICH IMPROVE SAFETY AND REINFORCE ENJOYMENT OF RECREATIONAL BOATING. THIS INCLUDES CONNECTING WITH, LISTENING TO AND INVOLVING EVERYONE WHO LIVES, WORKS, OR PLAYS WITHIN THE RECREATIONAL BOATING COMMUNITY. THE NSBC PROMOTES THE ADVANCEMENT OF A CULTURAL SHIFT RELATIVE TO SAFE BOATING BEHAVIORS AND LIFE JACKET WEAR TO MINIMIZE THE LOSS OF LIFE, PERSONAL INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE. THE NSBC FOSTERS A BOATING SAFETY CULTURE BY UNITING THE BOATING COMMUNITY, BUILDING ALLIANCES, PROVIDING RESOURCES, EMPOWERING OUR PARTNERS, AND INFLUENCING AND STRENGTHENING PROGRAMMING AND MESSAGING TO RECREATIONAL BOATERS. THE COUNCIL'S ACTIONS PROVE THE VALUE OF ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP, ENCOURAGE INCREASED LEVELS OF COMMITMENT TO SAFE BOATING PRACTICES, AND FUEL EVEN GREATER COLLECTIVE SUCCESS.PROGRAMMING INCLUDES: SAFE BOATING CAMPAIGN - AN OUTREACH MARKETING CAMPAIGN ADVANCING BOATING SAFETY MESSAGING; INTERNATIONAL BOATING AND WATER SAFETY SUMMIT (IBWSS) - AN ANNUAL CONFERENCE HOSTED BY THE NSBC; BOAT ON COURSE - A FREE, ONLINE LEARNING VIDEO SERIES; GET CONNECTED - AN OUTREACH CAMPAIGN EDUCATING POWERBOATERS ON THE USE OF THE ENGINE CUT-OFF SWITCH (ECOS); SKIPPER CLUB - AN ON-WATER POWERBOAT TRAINING PROGRAM GEARED TO A TEEN AUDIENCE, AND MORE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 September 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 January 1975.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: National Safety Council (Itasca, IL), EIN 36-2167809. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.