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Valpo Surf Project Inc

EIN 27-1608970 · Cambridge, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak23 out of 100GovernanceGood76 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It owes more than it owns.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO USE SURFING INSTRUCTION AND ACADEMIC MENTORING TO ENCOURAGE ENGLISH LANGUAGE SKILLS, PERSONAL CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSCIOUSNESS AMONG UNDERPRIVILEGED AND AT RISK YOUTH IN CITIES ACROSS THE GLOBE.

Income
$415,175
Spending
$499,943
Spent on programs
63%
Reserves
-1.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
2
Volunteers
20
Highest pay
$83,255, founder / ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending November 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 23 out of 100. Higher than 1% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 251% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    63% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 24 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending November 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 8 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 November 30, 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. $315,186 spent. THE VALPO SURF PROJECT IS A YOUTH MENTORSHIP ORGANIZATION THAT WORKS WITH AT-RISK POPULATIONS IN VALPARAISO, CHILE. OUR KIDS OFTEN FACE TREMENDOUS HARDSHIPS FROM AN EARLY AGE. POVERTY, DRUG ABUSE, AND VIOLENT CRIME ARE EVERYDAY REALITIES IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS. VSP IS A SOURCE OF STABILITY, GUIDANCE, AND CONSISTENCY AMIDST AN OTHERWISE CHAOTIC ENVIRONMENT. OUR GOAL IS TO USE SURFING AND ACADEMIC TUTORING TO ENCOURAGE ENGLISH LANGUAGE SKILLS, PERSONAL CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT, AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSCIOUSNESS AMONG OUR STUDENTS.CONSTANT MENTORSHIP IS THE GLUE THAT UNIFIES ALL VSP PROGRAMMING. ON AVERAGE EACH STUDENT RECEIVES 265 HOURS OF PROGRAMMING PER YEAR INCLUDING: SURFING: SURF SESSIONS ARE THE HEART OF OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR STUDENTS. IN THE OCEAN OUR STUDENTS TAKE A BREAK FROM THE STRESSES OF THEIR EVERYDAY LIVES, ENGAGE IN HEALTHY PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, AND SPEND QUALITY TIME WITH THEIR MENTORS. ACADEMICS: WE PROVIDE ENGLISH CLASSES, INDIVIDUALIZED TUTORING, AND COLLEGE AND CAREER PREPARATION. OUR ACADEMICS ARE OPENING DOORS FOR OUR STUDENTS THEY PREVIOUSLY DID NOT KNOW EXISTED. ENVIRONMENT: OUR ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIVITIES ENCOURAGE ENVIRONMENTAL CONSCIOUSNESS, COMMUNITY SERVICE, AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS. SINCE 2010, WE HAVE WORKED WITH OVER 2,000 STUDENTS AND PROVIDED OVER 7,000 MENTORSHIP HOURS DURING MORE THAN 2,000 ACTIVITIES. WE HAVE GROWN TO INCLUDE STUDENTS FROM 8 DISTINCT NEIGHBORHOODS, SCHOOLS, AND SENAME, A STATE-OPERATED CHILD PROTECTION HOME FOR BOTH JUVENILE REHABILITATION AND CARE FOR AT-RISK YOUTH REMOVED FROM UNSAFE HOMES. VSP IS COMMITTED TO EACH STUDENT, EMPOWERING THEM WITH THE TOOLS TO BETTER THEIR OWN LIVES AND POSITIVELY IMPACT THEIR COMMUNITIES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending November 30, 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 November 2024.

    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 October 2010.

    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.