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Meso-American Reef Fund

EIN 30-0303438 · Guatemala

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MAR FUND SEEKS, SECURES AND FACILITATES REGIONAL FUNDING, FOSTERS PARTNERSHIPS AND DRIVES CAPACITY BUILDING FOR THE CONSERVATION, RESTORATION, AND SUSTAINABLE USE OF MARINE AND COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS IN THE MESOAMERICAN REEF REGION.

Income
$8.7 million
Spending
$4.5 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
16.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 59%
Employees
0
Volunteers
13
Highest pay
$151,698, executive 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 16.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 48% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 203% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% 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

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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 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 (6)
  1. $2.0 million spent. SAVING OUR PROTECTED AREAS ESTABLISHMENT AND PROTECTION OF AN INTERCONNECTED NETWORK OF PRIORITY COASTAL AND MARINE PROTECTED AREAS IN THE REGION.
  2. $933,643 spent. MAR+INVESTSUPPORT CONSERVATION, PROTECTION AND RESTORATION OF CORAL REEFS AND ASSOCIATED ECOSYSTEMS THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT AND FINANCING OF COMMERCIALLY VIABLE PROJECTS THAT DELIVER ON CORAL REEF POSITIVE OUTCOMES.
  3. $562,314 spent. CLIMATE CHANGETO SUPPORT ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE AND ITS IMPACTS ON THE REEF.
  4. $127,930 spent. FISHING FOR THE FUTURESUSTAINABLE FISHERIES FOR A THRIVING REEF. COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN CO-MANAGEMENT OF THEIR FISHERIES, ESTABLISHMENT OF FISH REPLENISHMENT ZONES AND MONITORING AND PROTECTION OF FISH SPAWNING AGGREGATIONS.
  5. $33,111 spent. BELIZE MARINE FUNDENHANCING MARINE CONSERVATION IN BELIZE WITH THE PARTICIPATION OF LOCAL STAKEHOLDERS, FOR WIDER REGIONAL BENEFIT.
  6. $21,678 spent. OTHERS & ADMINISTRATION OF THIRD PARTY PROJECTS (SPECIAL GRANTS)SUPPORT RESEARCH, MONITORING AND OUTREACH FOR BETTER MANAGEMENT PRACTICES OF THE MESOAMERICAN REEF.

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 November 6, 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 March 2005.

    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 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.