Howard T Odum Florida Springs Institute Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Florida Springs Institute provides a focal point for improving the understanding of springs ecology and fosters development of science-based education and management actions needed to restore and protect springs throughout Florida.
- Income
- $556,578
- Spending
- $430,163
- Spent on programs
- 85%
- Reserves
- 7.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 82%
- Employees
- 8
- Volunteers
- 180
- Highest pay
- $59,465, director
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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 7.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 23% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 0% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1585% 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
Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 10 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
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
0 of 10Did not give 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
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (2)
- $228,639 spent. SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH: FSI continues data collection and analysis on the lower and middle Suwannee River and Springs, the Ichetucknee River and Springs, Rainbow River and Springs, Silver Springs, Volusia Blue Spring, Lower Santa Fe River and Springs, and Homosassa Springs. Findings were distributed through the website. A restoration action plan and executive summary for the middle Suwannee River and Springs has been completed and published for distrubution to the public, local and state leaders, and key staff of the environmental agencies. A restoration action plan and executive summary for Volusia Blue Spring has been completed and published. Restoration action plans address the current health of the water bodies and provide recommendations moving forward to improve the health of the ecosystem.
- $138,136 spent. EDUCATION : FSI Conducts presentations to school children and adults on ecology, hydroecology, geology, springs problems and solutions, and state and federal water law. FSI also works with local organizations to educate local government and state leaders on issues affecting the springs so they may make informed decisions to protect the States water ressources. FSIs executive director publishes columns and op-eds in local newspapers on spring issues and conducts TV, radio, and newspaper interviews as one of the states leading experts on Springs and current trends in Springs health. FSI conducts short courses on Springs for environment professionals, students and the public. FSI published a childrens activity and coloring book entitled Aquatic Adventures: Florida Springs and Aquafer. Over 400 copies have been distributed.
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 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 2024.
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 April 2013.
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.