Passes our checks

Sea Biscuit Wildlife Shelter

EIN 35-2308123 · Southport, NC

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

What it says it does

To provide necessary treatment for wild birds that are injured, sick, or orphaned.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Fair: 51 out of 100. Higher than 21% of charities in its peer group (animals, under $250k).

Reserves
0 of 35
Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
16 of 20
It owes 27% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15
Income exceeded spending by 43% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15
Income fell 15% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
83% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Fair: 53 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (animals, under $250k).

Independent board
25 of 25
6 of 6 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15
Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8
Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7
Reports no 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.
No reported misuse
10 of 10
Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (1)

$88,527 spent. In 2024, Sea Biscuit cared for 1,158 injured, ill, or orphaned birds. Since its founding, the organization has provided care for more than 8,300 birds. While some are released shortly after intake, others require weeks or even months of rehabilitation before they can be released or transferred to another facility. The rehabilitation center supports over 90 species of wild birds and includes a variety of specialized spaces: multiple enclosures, flight cages, a pool for water birds, a feeding kitchen, and dedicated examination and critical care rooms. Birds that cannot be released are integrated into educational programs that serve the local community.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

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 November 6, 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 March 2026.
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 June 2008.
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 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.