Marine Technology Society Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Facilitate a broader understanding of the relevance of marine technology to wider global issues by enhancing the dissemination of marine technology information. Promote and improve marine technology and related educational programs. Advance the development of the tools and procedures required to explore, study and further the responsible and sustainable use of the oceans.
- Income
- $6.1 million
- Spending
- $5.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 83%
- Reserves
- 20 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 35%
- Employees
- 12
- Volunteers
- 175
- Highest pay
- $338,015, chief executive officer
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (science, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 20.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 11% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 16% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 14% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1583% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 68% of charities in its peer group (science, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2512 of 12 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 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 (8)
- $1.3 million spent. Conferences and Workshops: Annual regional, local, and international conferences on matters relating to the ocean and marine technology. Additionally, MTS offered several free-of-charge webinars during the fiscal year.MTS supports local Sections, which focus on events and programs unique to their specific geographic area in the United States and internationally.In addition, MTS operates Professional Committees ("Committees") representing technical interest groups that facilitate the exchange and transfer of technical information among professionals from academia, government, and industry. Continued in Schedule O Committees are focusing on the concerns of the specific subject area within three major groups: Research, Industry, and Technology; Government and Public Affairs; and Education.
- $1.8 million spent. Education programming: Other educational programs supporting the organization's mission.
- $439,218 spent. MATE ROV Competition: The MATE ROV Competition is an underwater robotics (aka remotely operated vehicle or ROV) challenge that engages a global community of learners each year. The MATE ROV Competition challenges students to apply math, electronics, engineering, and physics toward solving problems based on real-world workplace scenarios. The competition tasks students from K-12, community colleges and universities within five levels (EXPLORER, PIONEER, RANGER, NAVIGATOR, and SCOUT) to design, build and test underwater robots to complete specified, simulated real-world missions. Continued in Schedule O Students also must organize themselves into mock companies, encouraging them to develop entrepreneurial thinking and business and project management skills while spurring innovation and collaboration to produce and compete with ROVs.
- $293,576 spent. Membership: Support and service to membersThe Society's members and member companies work in all aspects of marine technology including underwater imaging and engineering; underwater vehicle design and operation; ocean observation and exploration; oceanography and meteorology; diving; mooring technology; remote sensing; offshore structures; renewable energy; marine physical and cyber security; underwater archaeology; dynamic positioning; marine law and policy; and more.Membership in the Society creates opportunities through networking, events, mentorships, and career advancement.
- $176,646 spent. SeaMATE is an online store that offers beginning and intermediate underwater robotics kits, building guides and instructional materials aligned with standards, and other products that support the teaching, designing, and building of ROVs. Working at the SeaMATE store, student interns learn many aspects of running a business, from inventory to production, accounting, and product promotion, as they prepare for their future careers.
- $188,554 spent. Communications: provides news and information to members and the broader marine science and technology community on a variety of channels including newsletters, MTS's website, and social media.Currents is the Society's monthly digital newsletter, focusing on society-wide and industry news and events, business announcements and information, scientific briefs and articles, and member news.
- $86,058 spent. Publications: Distribution of ocean and marine technology literature and periodicalsThe Marine Technology Society Journal is the Society's flagship publication, which has been published under its current title since 1969. The Journal includes the highest caliber, peer-reviewed papers on subjects including marine technology, ocean science, marine policy, and more.
- $3,603 spent. Ocean Exchange: Ocean Exchange is a global ecosystem whose mission is to accelerate the adoption of innovative solutions for healthy oceans and the sustainable blue economy by providing monetary awards, connecting innovators with experts, and promoting breakthrough technologies through a global ecosystem.
Source: Form 990 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 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 June 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 August 1969.
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.