Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Santa Monica Bay Foundation

EIN 33-0420271 · Playa Del Rey, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Our mission is to restore and enhance the Santa Monica Bay and the surrounding area through actions and partnerships that improve water quality, conserve and rehabilitate natural resources.

Income
$5.3 million
Spending
$4.9 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
3.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 96%
Employees
31
Volunteers
969
Highest pay
$264,000, chief executive ofcr

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 45% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 33% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 87% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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

    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 June 30, 2025, 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. $1.8 million spent. The Santa Monica Bay National Estuary Program, SMBNEP, is one of 28 national programs established under Section 320 of the 1987 Clean Water Act. The focus of SMBNEP for the year included a diversity of efforts to protect, enhance, and improve ecosystems to improve water availability and quality,engage and educate the public and inform and increase adaptation and resiliency to climate variability. The restoration and enhancement of marine habitats increased ecosystem structure and function while supporting local recreational opportunities and related coastal economies. Data collected from these projects further our understanding of possible climate adaptation strategies and informs adaptive management.
  2. $2.4 million spent. The Ocean Resilience Program conducts research, monitoring and restoration activities in coastal marine habitats. Projects focused on kelp forest restoration, eelgrass habitat research and restoration, abalone species recovery, and oceanographic biophysical monitoring related to ocean acidification and other climatic variations.
  3. $86,918 spent. The Environmental Engagement Program builds partnerships that enrich communities and serve watershed health. This program teams up with various communities, including schools, businesses, municipalities, organizations, and individuals, to advance environmental stewardship. From reducing boat related ocean pollution to promoting community composting and preventing plastic waste. Programs serviced included clean boating initiatives, table to farm composting programs, source reduction of single use plastics in local restaurants and working with local middle schools to foster conservation awareness and youth engagement in attempts to inform and empower the next generation of enviromental stakeholders.
  4. $278,440 spent. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICE RELATED INITIATIVES
  5. Expenses: $278440.00 including grants of: $0.00 Revenue: $365252.00
  6. OTHER PROGRAM SERVICE RELATED INITIATIVES

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 June 2025.

    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 August 1991.

    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.