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Molluscan Science Foundation Inc

EIN 46-3208917 · Owings Mills, MD

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceGood70 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ORGANIZATION AIMS TO ADVANCE THE STUDY, PRESERVATION, SCIENTIFIC AND MEDICAL APPLICATIONS OF SEASHELLS, AND TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR DISCUSSION AND DIRECT OBSERVATION IN THE FIELD OF MALACOLOGY.

Income
$4.1 million
Spending
$287,580
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0
Highest pay
$5,019, vice preside

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

Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (science, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 93% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 20% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% 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: 70 out of 100. Higher than 22% of charities in its peer group (science, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 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 (4)
  1. $249,580 spent. THE ORGANIZATION AIMS TO ADVANCE THE STUDY, PRESERVATION, AND SCIENTIFIC AND MEDICAL APPLICATIONS OF SEASHELLS, AND TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR DISCUSSION AND DIRECT OBSERVATION IN THE FIELD OF MALACOLOGY. THE FOUNDATION ALSO SEEKS TO PROMOTE THE STUDY OF, AND FOSTER A LASTING FASCINATION WITH, MOLLUSKS. A KEY STARTING POINT FOR THIS MISSION IS EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS. THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS FROM KINDERGARTEN THROUGH JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL IN BOTH THE UNITED STATES AND EUROPE, DESIGNED TO CULTIVATE CURIOSITY, APPRECIATION FOR NATURE, AND HANDS-ON LEARNING THROUGH DIRECT INTERACTION WITH SHELLS ("SHELLS IN HAND"). (FULL STATEMENT ON SCHEDULE O)
  2. THE FOUNDATION SEEKS TO PROMOTE THE STUDY OF, AND FOSTER A LASTING FASCINATION WITH, MOLLUSKS. A KEY STARTING POINT FOR THIS MISSION IS EDUCATION AT THE SCHOOL LEVEL. TO THAT END, THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS RANGING FROM KINDERGARTEN THROUGH JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL IN BOTH THE UNITED STATES AND EUROPE. THESE PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO CULTIVATE CURIOSITY, APPRECIATION FOR NATURE, AND HANDS-ON LEARNING THROUGH DIRECT INTERACTION WITH SHELLS ("SHELLS IN HAND"). SHELLS SERVE AS IDEAL NATURAL HISTORY TEACHING TOOLS, AS THEY CAN BE SAFELY DISTRIBUTED IN CLASSROOM SETTINGS WITHOUT THE RISK OF ALLERGIC REACTIONS OR OTHER CONCERNS OFTEN ASSOCIATED WITH LIVING OR ORGANIC SPECIMENS. (FULL STATEMENT ON SCHEDULE O)
  3. A MAJOR FOCUS OF THE FOUNDATION HAS BEEN TO ENCOURAGE AMATEUR CONCHOLOGISTS AND OTHER CONTRIBUTORS TO PARTICIPATE IN RESEARCH. THESE EFFORTS, ALONG WITH HIGHLIGHTED SCIENTIFIC ARTICLES, ARE FEATURED ON THE FOUNDATION'S WEBSITE. THE WEBSITE SHOWCASES NOT ONLY RESEARCH PRODUCED BY BOARD MEMBERS AND SCIENTIFIC ADVISORS, BUT ALSO CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE BROADER COMMUNITY. IT INCLUDES FEATURED ARTWORK, A COMPREHENSIVE DATABASE OF MANUSCRIPTS, AND CURATED RESEARCH CONTENT FROM AROUND THE WORLD. IN ADDITION TO FORMAL PUBLICATIONS, THESE ACTIVITIES ARE DOCUMENTED THROUGH REGULARLY UPDATED WEBSITE POSTINGS. THE FOUNDATION ALSO HIGHLIGHTS MANY OF THE EXPEDITIONS IT SPONSORS, FURTHER SUPPORTING EDUCATION, DISCOVERY, AND COLLABORATION IN THE FIELD OF MALACOLOGY.
  4. PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENT - STATEMENT 1 THE ORGANIZATION AIMS TO ADVANCE THE STUDY, PRESERVATION, AND SCIENTIFIC AND MEDICAL APPLICATIONS OF SEASHELLS, AND TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR DISCUSSION AND DIRECT OBSERVATION IN THE FIELD OF MALACOLOGY. THE FOUNDATION ALSO SEEKS TO PROMOTE THE STUDY OF, AND FOSTER A LASTING FASCINATION WITH, MOLLUSKS. A KEY STARTING POINT FOR THIS MISSION IS EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS. THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS FROM KINDERGARTEN THROUGH JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL IN BOTH THE UNITED STATES AND EUROPE, DESIGNED TO CULTIVATE CURIOSITY, APPRECIATION FOR NATURE, AND HANDS-ON LEARNING THROUGH DIRECT INTERACTION WITH SHELLS ("SHELLS IN HAND"). SHELLS SERVE AS IDEAL NATURAL HISTORY TEACHING TOOLS, AS THEY CAN BE SAFELY DISTRIBUTED IN CLASSROOM SETTINGS WITHOUT THE RISK OF ALLERGIC REACTIONS OR OTHER CONCERNS OFTEN ASSOCIATED WITH ORGANIC OR LIVING SPECIMENS. IN ADDITION, INSTRUCTIONAL LESSON PLANS ARE AVAILABLE TO ASSIST TEACHERS IN INCORPORATING MALACOLOGY AND NATURAL SCIENCE INTO THEIR CURRICULA. PROGRAM SERVICE ACCOMPLISHMENT - STATEMENT 2: THE FOUNDATION SEEKS TO PROMOTE THE STUDY OF, AND FOSTER A LASTING FASCINATION WITH, MOLLUSKS. A KEY STARTING POINT FOR THIS MISSION IS EDUCATION AT THE SCHOOL LEVEL. TO THAT END, THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS RANGING FROM KINDERGARTEN THROUGH JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL IN BOTH THE UNITED STATES AND EUROPE. THESE PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO CULTIVATE CURIOSITY, APPRECIATION FOR NATURE, AND HANDS-ON LEARNING THROUGH DIRECT INTERACTION WITH SHELLS ("SHELLS IN HAND"). SHELLS SERVE AS IDEAL NATURAL HISTORY TEACHING TOOLS, AS THEY CAN BE SAFELY DISTRIBUTED IN CLASSROOM SETTINGS WITHOUT THE RISK OF ALLERGIC REACTIONS OR OTHER CONCERNS OFTEN ASSOCIATED WITH LIVING OR ORGANIC SPECIMENS. IN ADDITION, THE FOUNDATION PROVIDES INSTRUCTIONAL LESSON PLANS TO SUPPORT TEACHERS IN INTEGRATING MALACOLOGY AND NATURAL SCIENCE INTO THEIR CURRICULA. A CENTRAL FOCUS OF THE FOUNDATION IS THE SUPPORT AND DISSEMINATION OF NEW RESEARCH ACROSS THE VARIOUS AREAS OUTLINED IN ITS MISSION. IN FURTHERANCE OF THIS GOAL, MEMBERS OF THE FOUNDATION'S BOARD ACTIVELY CONTRIBUTE TO THE FIELD OF MALACOLOGY THROUGH ONGOING SCHOLARLY WORK, INCLUDING THE PUBLICATION OF PEER-REVIEWED ARTICLES, SPONSORED RESEARCH, AND ACADEMIC BOOKS.

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

  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 December 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 November 2013.

    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.