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Living Coast Discovery Center

EIN 33-0750177 · Chula Vista, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak44 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SEE SCHEDULE O

Income
$2.1 million
Spending
$2.7 million
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
1.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 53%
Employees
77
Volunteers
242
Highest pay
$138,626, executive director

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

Weak: 44 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 18% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 29% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    70% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 46 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

    6 of 6 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 (1)
  1. $1.9 million spent. WHEN STUDENTS VISIT THE LIVING COAST FOR A FIELD TRIP, THEY INSTANTLY CONNECT WITH WILDLIFE NATIVE TO SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, CREATING MEMORABLE EXPERIENCES THAT LEAVE A LASTING IMPRESSION. ANNUALLY, ABOUT 70,000 VISITORS OF ALL AGES VISIT THE LIVING COAST, INCLUDING 25,000 STUDENTS PREK-12 FOR SCHOOL PROGRAMS. IN ADDITION TO SCHOOL PROGRAMS, THE LIVING COAST HOSTS SEASONAL WILDLIFE DAY CAMPS, EDUCATIONAL EVENTS IN THE COMMUNITY, AND COMPOST WORKSHOPS. THE LIVING COAST HAS COLLABORATED WITH SCIENTIFIC PARTNERS DEDICATED TO THE STUDY, RESTORATION AND REINTRODUCTION OF LIGHT FOOTED RIDGWAYS RAILS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. LOSS AND DEGRADATION OF HABITAT THREATEN THE EXISTENCE OF THIS STATE AND FEDERALLY LISTED ENDANGERED SHOREBIRD, THE LIGHT FOOTED RIDGWAYS RAILS RALLUS OBSOLETUS LEVIPES, THAT CAN BE ONLY FOUND IN COASTAL SALT MARCHES OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AND BAJA CALIFORNIA, MEXICO. SINCE 2001, 385 RAILS HAVE BEEN PRODUCED AND RAISED AT THE LIVING COAST, AND RECENTLY THE 1,000TH RAIL WAS RELEASED INTO THE WILD BY TEAM CLAPPER RAIL. WE ARE PROUD OF THE DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS AND DOCENTS WHO SPEND THEIR VALUABLE TIME WORKING TIRELESSLY TO SUPPORT ALL AREAS OF THE ORGANIZATION. VOLUNTEERS PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE IN OUR ABILITY TO CARRY OUT OUR MISSION THROUGH VARIOUS PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS. MORE THAN 200 VOLUNTEERS AGES 16-90S DONATE 13,000 HOURS OF THEIR VALUABLE TIME TO SERVE THE MISSION OF LIVING COAST.

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 1997.

    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.