Panacetacea
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Panacetacea conducts marine research on whales and dolphins in Panamanian waters. Results from our data is made available to the public and government agencies to inform conservation measures.
- Income
- $48,034
- Spending
- $52,944
- Reserves
- 40.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 94%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (animals, under $250k).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 40.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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, 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 (2)
- $31,459 spent. Southern Humpback Whale Monitoring Project, Gulf of Chiriqui, Panama: In 2024 we conducted 25 surveys between 29 July and 29 August and covered 1,914km. We sighted 120 groups of humpback whales, for a total of 234 individuals, including 61 calves. We obtained 86 identification photographs of humpback whales, representing 83 individuals. We collected 116 humpback whale tissue samples to be used for genetic and hormone analysis. We also dedicated 7 days to Bryde's whales and made 6 Bryde's whale sightings and collected 1 Bryde's whale tissue sample. We conducted two community outreach talks to educate local naturalists and captains about best practices for whale watching, and one talk to a local community to educate them on marine conservation issues. The team included two biologists from the US, one from Mexico, one from Panama, and two student interns from the US.
- $19,335 spent. Marine Mammal Tagging Project, Gulf of Chiriqui, Panama: In 2024 we initiated our tagging program using CATS (Customised Animal Tracking Solutions) tags. All necessary equipment was purchased, and protocols were established. In August 2024 we successfully attached a tag to a mother humpback whale for 2.5 hours. We also attempted to attach a tag to a Bryde's whale but were unsuccessful. In 2024 we also purchased equipment for Low Impact Minimally Percutaneous Electronic Transmitter (LIMPET) tags, although no field work with these tags was conducted.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 October 13, 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 June 2011.
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 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.