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Mexico Beach Artificial Reef Association Inc

EIN 59-3447258 · Port St Joe, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong96 out of 100GovernanceFair56 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Build artificial reefs in the Gulf of Mexico off the cost of Mexico Beach, FL. Provide research on artificial reefs and marine biomass. Educate the public on the benefits of artificial reefs to marine life environment and the local economy. Help the local area with disaster recovery.

Income
$213,315
Spending
$130,572
Spent on programs
96%
Reserves
56.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 54%
Employees
0
Volunteers
20

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: 96 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 56.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 17% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 39% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 7% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    96% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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

Fair: 56 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 7 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • 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 (4)
  1. $1,510 spent. Disaster Recovery - City of Mexico Beach hurricane recovery. To be used as matching funds to get grants to repair facilities damaged by Hurricane Michael on 10 Oct 2018. Grant will be used towards, a pier, canal clean-up, parks, roadways, landscaping, a new fire station, etc... Also provided micro grants to local businesses affected by the hurricane and planning to reopen in the City of Mexico Beach.
  2. $114,018 spent. Artificial Reef Building: Build artificial reefs off the coast of Mexico Beach, FL.
  3. $2,155 spent. Research: Performed artificial reef surveys to determine stability of reefs and marine biomass. Provided surveys to the Army Corp of Engineers, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Bay County, Reef Environmental Education Foundation, and the City of Mexico Beach. Completed numerous lionfish and goliath grouper reports to USGS and universities. Catalogued local marine life in photographs and video in addition to the surveys. Provided specimens identification. Provided photos to marine biologists, including the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute.
  4. $8,250 spent. Education: Provided public education on the value of artificial reefs and the need to provide habitat on the otherwise featureless bottom in this part of the Gulf of Mexico through newspaper and magazine articles, personal appearances and program grants. Provided information through newsletter, Facebook and website. Assisted with online fish identification classes hosted by REEF.org. Spoke at artificial reef seminar, fundraising events, dive clubs, and library. Provided underwater fish identification photos for free Apps to help divers and fishermen identify species.

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 October 13, 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 January 1998.

    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 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.