Oceanelders Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The primary mission is to protect and value the ocean and its wildlife. We include the protection of all wildlife, land and sea. Activities include a focus on the high seas, marine protected areas, prevention of deep sea mining, and species protection, including coral reefs around the world.
- Income
- $34,252
- Spending
- $116,303
- Spent on programs
- 65%
- Reserves
- 90.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 28
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 47% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 90.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 240% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 6764% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1564% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 253 of 5 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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.
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, 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 (3)
- $20,000 spent. Regulations of high seas, with a particular focus on deep sea mining. Developed other avenues with other ocean organizations and several social media experts in an effort to educate the public of the long-term damages of deep sea mining. Ocean Elder Victor Vescovo has been active in presenting globally the economic reasons why deep sea mining will not work financially.
- $21,000 spent. Marine Protected Areas - efforts continue in the US and with other countries. Ocean Elders continues to support efforts in maintaining existing MPAs, such as the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument in Hawaii, and others around the world.
- $34,000 spent. Species protection - Ocean Elders has been working to protect species around the world since its inception. We continue to work with other NGOs in the protection of sharks, rays, turtles, corals, tuna, whales, and their habitats as ecosystems are increasingly threatened by human activity. Ocean Elders increased its focus on the protection of coral reefs within the Philippines and the Coral Triangle. We supported local efforts to study the effects of warming seas on corals and to protect those in the region. We worked with Dr. Wilfredo Licuanan, Director of the Br. Alfred Shields FSC Ocean Research Center, of De La Salle University in Manila, Philippines. Dr. Licuanan's work is critical to the health and protection of coral reefs, primarily in this region which is in the coral triangle. Ocean Elders was able to secure $34000 for his work this year through the US-based arm of De La Salle University.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 2012.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.