Chesapeake Bay Foundation Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation's (CBF) mission, simply stated, is to Save the Bay. See Schedule O for Continuation (page 48)
- Income
- $35.4 million
- Spending
- $37.4 million
- Spent on programs
- 80%
- Reserves
- 3.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 69%
- Employees
- 283
- Volunteers
- 35,577
- Highest pay
- $403,312, president
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
Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 37% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 4% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 2% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1580% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 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 35% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2530 of 31 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 (3)
- $17.4 million spent. Advocacy & RestorationThe Advocacy & Restoration Department's primary objective is to drive significant improvements in the health of Chesapeake Bay as measured by CBF's Bay Health Index. Consistent with the CBF strategic plan, this involves developing and recommending priorities for the organization's policy work, engaging our members and implementing restoration elements of the plan. The Program utilizes a combination of strategies to help achieve a reduction in Bay pollution, restoration of critical habitat, and better-managed fisheries. See Schedule O for Continuation (page 49) Advocacy & Restoration, continued from page 2: To achieve its objectives, the department utilizes a team of lawyers, water quality and restoration scientists, outreach experts, citizen organizers, lobbyists, and policy specialists with expertise in fisheries, pollution reduction, land use, and agriculture. Their focus is local, state, and federal government policies; private sector practices; and citizen engagement. The Program develops and employs strategies and tactics designed to define the necessary governmental policies and programs, create the needed "political will" to ensure implementation of these policies and programs, and organizes CBF members to interact with decision-makers. When appropriate, the department uses the law as a tool to protect and preserve Chesapeake Bay.
- $8.7 million spent. Education CBF's Education Department is responsible for leading students, teachers, and adults in hands-on, on-the-water, environmental education experiences about the Bay. Through education programs, our professional educators use innovative teaching methods to engage students in real-world issues and scientific inquiry, exciting and encouraging them to take action to protect our natural resources. Student Leadership courses during the summer further train student leaders from high schools across the region. See Schedule O for Continuation (page 49) Education, continued from page 2: Designed to engage tomorrow's environmental leaders, these students now participate in CBF events, share what they learned with peers, and create projects in their communities to better the environment. In addition, the Education Department conducts professional learning courses for educators throughout Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia. Known as Chesapeake Classrooms, these courses provide teachers first-hand experience on local waterways and help them to develop lesson plans that incorporate Bay studies. The department also teaches principals and school administrators through our Principal Environmental Leadership Courses. These courses increase support for school-wide environmental education programs. Furthermore, the department helps to educate elected officials, policy makers, journalists, and other community leaders and advocates through on-the-water field experiences. These trips inform influential members of the community about the issues facing the Bay and the ways that they can help further the Bay's restoration.
- $3.7 million spent. Marketing & CommunicationsThe Marketing & Communications Department's charge is to market CBF and its policy agenda, educate and engage the public, and mobilize support for organizational priorities and Bay restoration efforts. Marketing & Communications also manages internal communications and public opinion research. See Schedule O for Continuation (page 50) Marketing & Communications, continued from page 2: Marketing & Communications' tactics are to develop well-researched messages and deliver them through integrated channels, including: publications such as CBF's member magazine, brochures, and regular and special reports; earned, paid, or donated media; digital media, including the CBF website, social media, and outbound e-mails; and any other forms of direct or indirect communications with our members and the public at large. The Marketing & Communications Department is organized around four primary functional areas: creative services; media; digital communications, and integrated communications/marketing.
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 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 April 1966.
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.