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World Ocean Observatory

EIN 46-5693943 · Sedgwick, ME

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair54 out of 100GovernanceWeak49 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

WORLD OCEAN OBSERVATORY IS A LEADING ORGANIZATION ADVOCATING FOR THE HEALTH AND SUSTAINABILITY OF THE OCEAN THROUGH AN ACCESSIBLE WORLDWIDE NETWORK OF COMMUNICATION. THROUGH EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES, PARTNERSHIP, INFORMATION EXCHANGE, PUBLIC CONNECTION, AND RELENTLESS COMMUNICATIONS, W2O IS COMMITTED TO BUILDING AN EXPANSIVE GLOBAL COMMUNITY OF CITIZENS OF THE OCEAN TO PROMOTE AND CONSERVE MARINE RESOURCES FOR THE FUTURE OF ALL MANKIND.

Income
$237,532
Spending
$202,680
Spent on programs
98%
Reserves
0.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
2
Highest pay
$77,565, secretary

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

Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 17% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 52% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 65% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    98% 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

Weak: 49 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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.

  • No reported misuse

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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 (1)
  1. $198,097 spent. PROMOTING THE IMPORTANCE OF OCEAN LITERACY THROUGH GLOBAL COMMUNICATIONS, NETWORK CONNECTION, PARTNERSHIP AND COLLABORATION AS A MEANS TO BUILD UNDERSTANDING OF THE IMPORTANCE OF MARINE RESOURCES, FRESH WATER, CLIMATE AND NATURAL RESOURCES. MAJOR MILESTONES LAST YEAR: RECEIVED ENDORSEMENT FROM THE UNITED NATIONS OCEAN DECADE FOR THE WORLD OCEAN EXPLORER OCEAN LITERACY INITIATIVE; BROADCAST OUR 750TH EPISODE OF WORLD OCEAN RADIO; WON A UNITY FOR HUMANITY SOCIAL IMPACT PRIZE; WELCOMED TWO NEW PUBLIC DISPLAY PARTNERS FOR SHARING FREE OCEAN-SCIENCE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES; MADE WORLD OCEAN CONTENT AVAILABLE IN SPANISH, FRENCH, AND PORTUGUESE.

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 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 December 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 July 2014.

    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.