Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Fishermans Wharf Association of San Francisco

EIN 38-3734478 · San Francisco, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood81 out of 100GovernanceGood74 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE CORE PURPOSE OF THE FISHERMAN'S WHARF ASSOCIATION OF SAN FRANCISCO (FISHERMAN'S WHARF COMMUNITY BENEFIT DISTRICT)IS TO PROMOTE, ADVANCE, AND MAINTAIN FISHERMAN'S WHARF AS A WORLD-CLASS DESTINATION.

Income
$3.2 million
Spending
$2.9 million
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
5.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 51%
Employees
6
Volunteers
35
Highest pay
$108,015, executive dir.

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: 81 out of 100. Higher than 62% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 23% 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 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a 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

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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 (2)
  1. $1.6 million spent. PORT OF SAN FRANCISCO - IMPROVE VISITOR EXPERIENCE ON PUBLIC SPACES NORTH OF JEFFERSON STREET BETWEEN HYDE STREET AND POWER STREET AND LITTLE EMBARCADERO ACTIVATION PROJECT.
  2. $1.0 million spent. STREET OPERATIONS, BEAUTIFICATION AND ORDER: AMBASSADOR SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE 7 DAYS A WEEK. THE AMBASSADORS HELP KEEP FISHERMAN'S WHARF CLEAN AND SAFE BY STREET SWEEPING & SECURITY ASSISTING WITH HOMELESS & QUALIFY OF LIFE ISSUES PROVIDED THROUGH SECURITY PATROL SERVICES. ACTIVELY WORKED WITH SFPD TO CURTAIL AGGRESSIVE PANHANDLING AND CHRONIC BEHAVIORAL ISSUES IN THE DISTRICT. DISTRICT IDENTITY AND STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS: THE ASSOCIATION CONTINUES ITS COMMITMENT TO PERFORM OUTREACH AND WORK WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS, THE MTA, THE SAN FRANCISCO PLANNING DEPARTMENT, AND THE PORT OF SAN FRANCISCO. HELD DISTRICT WALKTHROUGHS WITH DPW AND PORT OF SAN FRANCISCO STAFF TO IDENTIFY AND FIX ISSUES WITHIN THE DISTRICT. THE FWCBD'S AMBASSADOR PROGRAM CONTINUES TO BE A STAPLE FOR THE DISTRICT, OFFERING NEEDED SUPPORT FOR AN INCREASINGLY AGGRESSIVE STREET POPULATION, GRAFFITI REMOVAL, LITTER ABATEMENT, AND HOSPITALITY ASSISTANCE.

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 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 November 6, 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 June 2025.

    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 June 2006.

    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 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.