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Artula Institute for Art and Environmental Education

EIN 27-1344277 · Bandon, OR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak40 out of 100GovernanceGood84 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Artula Institute for Arts and Environmental Educations mission is to provide opportunities to express and teach environmental issues through the arts.

Income
$768,146
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
88%
Reserves
0.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 89%
Employees
12
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$110,887, conservationeducation 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

Weak: 40 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 24% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 51% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 19% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    88% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 84 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 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

    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 (1)
  1. $1.0 million spent. Washed Ashore is the primary cultural initiative of the Artula Institute for Arts and Environmental Education, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to create and exhibit large-scale, visually striking sculptures made entirely from marine debris in order to educate the public about plastic pollution in oceans and waterways. Through art, community engagement, and environmental education, the organization aims to inspire positive changes in consumer behavior and promote stewardship of marine ecosystems. In 2024, Washed Ashore advanced its mission by collecting and processing marine debris from the Oregon Coast and transforming it into powerful educational art. Hundreds of volunteers and community members participated in free public workshops and hands-on programs, reinforcing the connection between environmental action and community creativity. The organization began its first-ever Artist-in-Residence program in 2024, funded by the Galveston Park Board of Trustees. This initiative culminated in 2025 with the completion and installation of The Reddish Egret, a signature sculpture now on display on Galveston Island, Texas. The artwork highlights Gulf Coast habitat conservation and raises awareness about the impact of plastic pollution on marine life. Washed Ashore launched its Ocean Activity Book, a dynamic educational resource filled with conservation science, games, and interactive content for children and families. More than 2,500 copies were distributed to schools, libraries, museums, and community centers across the U.S., helping expand the organizations reach far beyond exhibition venues. A significant highlight of 2024 was Washed Ashores new partnership with Mutual of Omahas Wild Kingdom. This collaboration resulted in the commissioning of Bill the Coho Salmon, a large-scale sculpture created from Pacific Northwest marine debris. The sculpture complements an upcoming episode of Wild Kingdom that focuses on the conservation of Pacific Northwest coho salmon. As part of this partnership, Mutual of Omaha also sponsored the distribution of free Ocean Activity Books to local schools in communities near Wild Kingdoms featured venues throughout the U.S., expanding Washed Ashores educational impact across a diverse range of geographic regions. Through a combination of physical exhibits and virtual learning tools, Washed Ashores total audience reach grew to over 40 million since the programs founding. While 2024 was a year of programmatic growth and continued national visibility, the organization also experienced a substantial financial loss. In response, Washed Ashore is taking decisive action in 2025 to ensure long-term sustainability. This includes right-sizing the professional staff, aligning operational expenses with available funding, and intensifying fundraising and partnership efforts to stabilize and strengthen the organizations financial position. Washed Ashore remains deeply committed to its mission and is taking strategic steps to preserve its impact and inspire the next generation of ocean stewards through art and education.

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 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 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 May 2010.

    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.

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.