I AM Water Ocean Conservation Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THIS CORPORATION IS A NONPROFIT BENEFIT CORPORATION AND IS NOT ORGANIZED FOR THE PRIVATE GAIN OF ANY PERSON. IT IS ORGANIZED UNDER THE NONPROFIT PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATION LAW FOR PUBLIC AND CHARITABLE PURPOSES. THE SPECIFIC PURPOSE OF THE CORPORATION IS TO IMPROVE OCEAN CONDITIONS WORLDWIDE THROUGH EDUCATION AND HUMAN INTERACTION WITH THE AQUATIC ENVIRONMENT.
- Income
- $19,669
- Spending
- $33,998
- Reserves
- 46 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 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 December 31, 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 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)
- $4,004 spent. VARIOUS PROGRAMS THAT OCCUR IN SOUTH AFRICA WHERE THE FOUNDATION GRANTS MONEY TO A SOUTH AFRICAN ENTITY (I AM WATER TRUST) TO HELP RUN THESE PROGRAMS AND THEIR OPERATING COSTS, YOUTH WORKSHOP PROGRAMS AND FUNDRAISERS.OUR MAIN GOAL IS TO GET PEOPLE IN THE OCEAN SO THEY CAN EXPERIENCE IT FIRST HAND. THROUGH OUR WORKSHOPS WITH UNDERPRIVILEGED COASTAL COMMUNITIES WE AIM TO INSPIRE AN APPRECIATION FOR THE OCEAN WILDERNESS AS WE HELP YOUTH OVERCOME DEEP CULTURAL FEARS OF THE OCEAN. BY INTRODUCING YOUTH TO THEIR OCEANS IN A HEALTHY AND SAFE MANNER WE ARE ABLE TO COMBINE A CONSERVATION MESSAGE AS WE WORK TO DEVELOP THE PEOPLE AS WELL. CONSERVATION AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT ARE INEXTRICABLY LINKED. OUR YOUTH WORKSHOPS' GOAL IS TO GIVE YOUTH A STARTING POINT WITH WHICH TO CONNECT WITH THEIR OCEAN WILDERNESS SO THEY CAN THEN TAKE CARE OF IT.WE ALSO TAKE HIGH LEVEL INFLUENCERS ON FUNDRAISING TRIPS AROUND THE WORLD FOR A WEEK OF OCEAN CONSERVATION DISCUSSIONS AND LARGE MARINE ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS. THE FUNDS FROM THESE EVENTS GO DIRECTLY TO SUPPORTING THE YOUTH WORKSHOPS.FINALLY AS A CONSERVATION ORGANIZATION WE WORK TO GIVE THE SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY A VOICE INTO UNDERPRIVILEGED COMMUNITIES. WE WORK WITH PROFESSORS AND ACADEMICS IN THE MARINE SCIENCES TO HELP COMMUNICATE THE MOST RELEVANT AND UP TO DATE INFORMATION ABOUT THE STATE OF OUR OCEANS AND CHALLENGES FACING LOCAL AND GLOBAL ECOSYSTEMS. WE HAVE PARTNERED WITH MISSION BLUE AND DR. SYLVIA EARLE ALONG WITH AQUARIUMS AROUND THE WORLD AND MULTIPLE MEDIA OUTLETS TO HELP AMPLIFY THE MESSAGE OF THE SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 2015.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 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.