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Ocean Defenders Alliance

EIN 32-0065856 · Huntingtn Bch, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood74 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.

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

What it says it does

OCEAN DEFENDERS ALLIANCE (ODA) WORKS TO CLEAN AND PROTECT MARINE ECOSYSTEMS THROUGH DOCUMENTATION, EDUCATION, AND MEANINGFUL ACTION. WORKING WITH AFFECTED COMMUNITIES, WE FOCUS PRIMARILY ON THE REDUCTION AND REMOVAL OF MAN-MADE DEBRIS THAT POSE SERIOUS THREATS TO THE OCEAN.

Income
$549,572
Spending
$379,437
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
19.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
1
Volunteers
449
Highest pay
$80,000, board president/manag. dir

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 85% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 19.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 31% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 72% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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: 74 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 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

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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 (2)
  1. $260,259 spent. MARINE DEBRIS REMOVAL: SAFELY LOCATE, REMOVE, AND DISPOSE OF MAN-MADE POLLUTION FROM THE OCEANS, LEAVING MARINE HABITAT AND WILDLIFE SAFE TO THRIVE. THE DEBRIS IS PRIMARILY NETS, TRAPS, HOOKS, AND LINES ABANDONED BY COMMERCIAL AND RECREATIONAL FISHING OPERATIONS, BUT A LARGE AMOUNT OF TRASH (MOSTLY PLASTIC) IS COLLECTED AS WELL. THE MAJORITY OF ODA'S WORK IS DONE AT SEA FROM ABOARD OUR VESSELS. OUR BOAT CREWS CONSIST OF VOLUNTEER DECKHANDS, MECHANICS, AND DIVERS. THE CAPTAIN OF OUR FLAGSHIP "MR. BARKER'S LEGASEA" IS USUALLY ODA FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT KURT LIEBER. IN HAWAII, WE CHARTER VESSELS FROM OUR PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS. WE ALSO CONDUCT ONSHORE CLEANUPS IN HARBORS, ALONG SHORELINES AND INLAND WATERWAYS, AND WE CONDUCT "PLASTIC PATROLS" (SURFACE PLASTIC COLLECTIONS FROM A SMALL BOAT) IN HARBORS WHEN WEATHER INHIBITS OPEN OCEAN WORK. CURRENT COVERAGE AREAS INCLUDE THE COASTAL WATERS OF CALIFORNIA AND HAWAII. WE HAVE CHAPTERS ON THE ISLANDS OF HAWAI'I, MAUI, AND OAHU. ALONG ANY COASTLINE WHERE FISHING OCCURS, ODA'S CLEANUP AND RENEWAL WORK IS NEEDED, SO WE ARE CONSIDERING EXPANSION AS TIME AND RESOURCES PERMIT.
  2. $49,526 spent. EDUCATION AND OUTREACH (E&O): ODA BELIEVES THAT FOR CHANGE TO OCCUR, PEOPLE MUST BE MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUES, PROBLEMS, AND CHALLENGES THAT CURRENTLY THREATEN THE OCEANS' HEALTH AND SURVIVAL. WE WORK WITH STUDENTS, VOLUNTEERS, AND THE PUBLIC TO INSPIRE ALL GENERATIONS TO ACT AS LIFE-LONG STEWARDS OF THE ENVIRONMENT. ODA'S E&O EFFORTS INCLUDE:-GIVING EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS AT SCHOOLS, UNIVERSITIES, AND DIVE / BOAT / YACHT / COMMUNITY CLUBS;-SHARING INFORMATION AT PUBLIC GATHERINGS SUCH AS EXPOS, FESTIVALS, AND CONFERENCES;-WORKING WITH THE SEAFOOD INDUSTRY TO HELP THEM OPERATE RESPONSIBLY.

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 September 2008.

    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.