San Diego Coastkeeper
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
SAN DIEGO COASTKEEPER (ORGANIZATION) IS A CALIFORNIA NONPROFIT PUBLIC BENEFIT ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO PROTECTING AND RESTORING FISHABLE, SWIMMABLE AND DRINAKABLE WATER IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.
- Income
- $2.3 million
- Spending
- $1.3 million
- Spent on programs
- 78%
- Reserves
- 17.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 91%
- Employees
- 12
- Highest pay
- $190,300, executive 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 86% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 17.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 9% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 43% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 148% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1578% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 8 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (3)
- $457,670 spent. ADVOCACY-URGING REGULATORY AGENCIES AND COMMISSIONS AS WELL AS STATE, COUNTY AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, THE ORGANIZATION ADVOCATES FOR STRICTER STORM WATER AND URBAN RUNOFF REGULATIONS, COMPLIANCE WITH THE CLEAN WATER ACT AND OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL AND LAND USE LAWS, AND ENHANCED COASTAL PROTECTION AND RESTORATION. THE ORGANIZATION ADVOCATES FOR SOLUTIONS TO THE DRINKING WATER SUPPLY FOR SAN DIEGO COUNTY. ADVOCACY INCLUDES POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND PROMOTION AS WELL AS LITIGATION.
- $299,308 spent. EDUCATION-THE ORGANIZATION'S EDUCATIONAL LESSONS AND WATER EDUCATION ARE AVAILABLE FOR ALL EDUCATORS(FORMAL AND INFORMAL) TO HELP K-12 GRADE STUDENTS IN SAN DIEGO GAIN A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE LOCAL ECOLOGYAND WATER ISSUES. STUDENTS DEVELOP A SENSE OF STEWARDSHIP AND KNOWLEDGE OF SPECIFIC ACTIONS THEY CAN TAKE TO PROTECT SAN DIEGO HABITATS AND WATER. ADDITIONALLY, PROJECT SWELL CLASSROOM PRESENTATIONS, TEACHER TRAINING AND SUPPLIES ARE PROVIDED TO ALL SAN DIEGO UNIFIED ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. THE ORGANIZATION REACHES THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS AND CITIZENS AT SCHOOLS AND PUBLIC OUTREACH EVENTS, AND TRAIN HUNDREDS OF TEACHERS TO HELP THEM IMPLEMENT THESE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION LESSONS EACH YEAR.
- $268,419 spent. MONITORING-THE ORGANIZATIONMONITORS WATER QUALITY THROUGHOUT THE REGION. THIS INCLUDES RIVERSAND STREAMS, AS WELL AS POLLUTED RUNOFF FROM CONSTRUCTION SITES, SCRAP YARDS AND ANY OTHER INDUSTRIAL SITE. WHEN POLLUTED DISCHARGES ARE OUT OF COMPLIANCE WITH STATE AND FEDERAL WATER LAWS, THE ORGANIZATION INITIATES LITIGTION AGAINST VIOLATORS.
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
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 2024.
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 August 1995.
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.