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City Surf Project Inc

EIN 47-2091985 · San Francisco, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair68 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To ensure equitable access to the coastline and improve the health and well-being of Bay Area youth, through surf instruction. We use surfing as a vehicle to foster respect for nature, healthy living, personal growth, diversity, equity and inclusion.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$1.1 million
Spent on programs
65%
Reserves
3.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 51%
Employees
21
Volunteers
135
Highest pay
$64,203, executive dir.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 35% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    65% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 27 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 94 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a 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

    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

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 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 (2)
  1. $483,156 spent. Youth Surfing: Programs consist of two separate program models, Intro to Surfing and Surfing 101, and serves 300 students per year. Youth Surfing serves middle and high school students, through partnerships with San Francisco Unified School District and community-based organizations. On average Youth Surfing conducts five surf outings a week and serves 12 different schools. Surfing allows students to accomplish something new and challenging, and see themselves and their peers from a different perspective. Summer Camps: Every summer, City Surf Project works to provide access to the ocean and surfing through week-long surf camps. During the summer we focus on Bay Area community-based partner organizations.
  2. $258,237 spent. Leadership Development Programs: City Surf Project offers leadership development programs for both high school and transitional-aged youth. These programs offer job skills, career exploration, personal growth, and mentorship. By investing in the leadership skills of youth participants, CSP is building a pipeline of young surfers who will continue to lead and grow the surf community and our organization.a. SILT Program: SILT (Surf Instructors in Leadership Training) is an internship program serving 12 high school students who have previously participated in a CSP Youth Surfing program. Students are trained to be successful surf instructors and mentors, including First Aid/CPR and lifeguard training. Students assist CSP core staff and Alumni Surf Coaches as junior surf instructors during our summer camps. At the end of the six-week program, SILTs receive a stipend for their summer work.b. Alumni Program: CSPs Alumni program uses two approaches to provide transitional aged youth (ages 18-24) access to surfing after high school. Alumni Surf Days are offered on a regular basis and are open to any former CSP Youth Surfing participants. CSP provides equipment, transportation, and snacks to facilitate surfing and connecting with peers. i.The Alumni Coach program offers up to two years of paid employment, professional development, and mentorship to 4-6 former CSP Youth Surfing participants. Alumni Coaches provide surf instruction during Youth Surfing Programs, and gain skills for working in an office and on a team.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 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 May 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 December 2015.

    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.