Friends of the Salish Sea
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Friends of the Salish Sea organization provides volunteer environmental activities and programs for the communities that border marine shorelines Salish Sea Puget Sound and nearshore waters. The activities and programs further our mission to educate and to provide both citizen science and stewardship opportunities.
- Income
- $144,740
- Spending
- $98,248
- Reserves
- 13.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 98%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 (4)
- Stormwater Monitoring Project - Launched in 2020 in Anacortes WA with a modest grant $20K from the Rose Foundation. The program recruits and trains community volunteers to routinely monitor municipal stormwater outfalls emptying into Puget Sound for various types of pollution and pathogens E.coli. In 2022 the program expanded and included the cities of Shoreline Edmonds Mukilteo and Oak Harbor. In 2023 the program was expanded to include Bellingham and Everett WA. Key Metrics Accomplishments 7 Puget Sound cities currently have an established program. In 2024 90 Volunteers have been recruited and trained. Approximately 35% of tests result in a referral to the responsible municipal stormwater manager for follow-up actions. This allows the cities to focus time and expense on stormwater pollution source elimination and not monitoring. Each year volunteers find significant pollution discharges in several cities. All are resolved either by the city or the state Department of Ecology. Grants
- Lecture Series 2024 -A very popular series of 4 lectures during the late fall and winter featuring top regional speakers mostly in the scientific fields that help the local community appreciate the environment in which they live. It is free of charge to the public and has been going on since 2005 when it started as a volunteer project. Capacity crowds of 200+ are common and over 7400 people have attended since its inception. Grants 2024 Soroptimist International $500 Local Skagit Business $100 Public Donations $611 ; Expenses 2024 - Contract Services $2,137 Rental $450 Supplies $150.
- Fidalgo Bay Day - An annual event sponsored by the Skagit Marine Resources Committee that features environmental education stations and events for the entire family. Friends of the Salish Sea is a major contributor to this event. Our organization sponsors the Discovery Passport which is a key part of the learning opportunities offered to families and community members who attend. In 2024 over 150 passports were distributed and prizes awarded to the those who achieve the learning objectives. Expenses 2024: Supplies $576.
- $5,393 spent. Grants and donations for operations and administration of non profit
Source: Form 990EZ 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 November 6, 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 2009.
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 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.