Festival of Whales Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO PROMOTE CHARITABLE ASSISTANCE TO OTHER CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS, AND PROMOTE THE EDUCATION, COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION , AND ECONOMIC GROWTH OF THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITY THROUGH THE ORGANIZATION AND PRESENTATION OF THE ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF THE WHALES HELD AT OC DANA POINT HARBOR, CALIFORNIA, AND TO CARRY ON OTHER CHARITABLE AND EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS GOAL AS ALLOWED BY LAW.
- Income
- $71,832
- Spending
- $46,554
- Reserves
- 25.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 67%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 (1)
- $42,615 spent. The Festival of Whales Foundation was created to inform, inspire and impact residents of Dana Point and visitors from around the world to the annual Festival of Whales event about the importance of ocean life protection and preservation. The annual migration of the California Gray Whale provides the perfect opportunity to share this critical message about protection and preservation and also educate the public on water quality issues that impact the receiving waters of the Pacific Ocean. The Foundation brings together the greater community of Dana Point as well as community members and non-profits from around Southern California to focus on these issues and bring greater awareness to the need to partner to bring about a difference in attitude and action. By promoting individual, civic and corporate responsibility for keeping our oceans clean within a fun, festival atmosphere, we are confident that we will make a difference and spread this important message far beyond our own community. The annual attendance varies between 3,000-5,000 people. As part of our fundraising activities, the Festival of Whales Foundation reaches out to variety of sponsors via a well-designed and user-friendly website, a robust social media campaign, a targeted print advertising campaign, as well as one-on-one meetings with important community decision makers and corporate leaders. These fundraising activities allow the Foundation to produce an event that accomplishes its goals as an organization and raises funds to assist other non-profits in accomplishing their unique goals which ultimately benefit the entire community. We do not provide Grants.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 August 2014.
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.