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Tampa Baywatch Inc

EIN 59-3191962 · Tierra Verde, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TAMPA BAY WATCH IS DEDICATED TO FOSTERING A HEALTHY TAMPA BAY WATERSHED THROUGH COMMUNITY-DRIVEN RESTORATION PROJECTS, EDUCATION PROGRAMS, AND OUTREACH INITIATIVES.

Income
$5.0 million
Spending
$4.2 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
8.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 68%
Employees
74
Volunteers
3,229
Highest pay
$163,612, ceo

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% 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 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or 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. $3.3 million spent. IN 2025, 3,229 VOLUNTEERS PARTICIPATED IN HANDS-ON HABITAT RESTORATION PROJECTS SUCH AS OYSTER REEF BALL CONSTRUCTION, OYSTER SHELL BAR INSTALLATION, COASTAL CLEANUPS, NATIVE PLANTINGS, AND FISHING LINE RECYCLING. THE RESTORATION DEPARTMENT SUCCESSFULLY RECYCLED 102,282 POUNDS OF OYSTER SHELL FROM LOCAL PARTNER RESTAURANTS. THIS RECYCLED SHELL IS USED TO CREATE OYSTER REEFS AND VERTICAL OYSTER GARDENS WHICH RESTORE LOST HABITAT, PREVENT EROSION, AND IMPROVE WATER QUALITY. THE EDUCATION TEAM ENGAGED 10,172 LOCAL STUDENTS THROUGH 699 ONSITE AND TRAVELING MARINE SCIENCE SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS. THE DISCOVERY CENTERS ECO VESSEL EDUCATION 9,132 PEOPLE THROUGH EDUCATIONAL ECO TOURS. EARTH NIGHT, TARPON RODEO, AND EVENING FOR THE BAY WERE SUCCESSFUL IN RAISING FUNDS TO SUPPORT OUR MISSION TO RESTORE AND PROTECT THE TAMPA BAY WATERSHED. IN 2025, 3,229 VOLUNTEERS PARTICIPATED IN HANDS-ON HABITAT RESTORATION PROJECTS SUCH AS OYSTER REEF BALL CONSTRUCTION, OYSTER SHELL BAR INSTALLATION, COASTAL CLEANUPS, NATIVE PLANTINGS, AND FISHING LINE RECYCLING. THE RESTORATION DEPARTMENT SUCCESSFULLY RECYCLED 102,282 POUNDS OF OYSTER SHELL FROM LOCAL PARTNER RESTAURANTS. THIS RECYCLED SHELL IS USED TO CREATE OYSTER REEFS AND VERTICAL OYSTER GARDENS WHICH RESTORE LOST HABITAT, PREVENT EROSION, AND IMPROVE WATER QUALITY. THE EDUCATION TEAM ENGAGED 10,172 LOCAL STUDENTS THROUGH 699 ONSITE AND TRAVELING MARINE SCIENCE SCHOOL FIELD TRIPS. THE DISCOVERY CENTERS ECO VESSEL EDUCATION 9,132 PEOPLE THROUGH EDUCATIONAL ECO TOURS. EARTH NIGHT, TARPON RODEO, AND EVENING FOR THE BAY WERE SUCCESSFUL IN RAISING FUNDS TO SUPPORT OUR MISSION TO RESTORE AND PROTECT THE TAMPA BAY WATERSHED.

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 September 1993.

    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.