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Sea Turtle Conservancy

EIN 59-6151069 · Gainesville, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair67 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

To ensure the survival of sea turtles within the wider Caribbean basin and Atlantic through research, education, training, advocacy, and protection of the natural habitats upon which they depend.

Income
$4.1 million
Spending
$4.4 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
11.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 61%
Employees
24
Volunteers
148
Highest pay
$235,988, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 67 out of 100. Higher than 33% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 11.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 37% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 64% of charities in its peer group (international, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 19 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, 2024, 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 (6)
  1. $1.3 million spent. Florida Programs Networking, education, advocacy, research, and grants programs based in the United States to eliminate threats facing sea turtles and to preserve nesting and feeding habitats. This includes an in-water research project to study the sea turtles of the Big Bend region of Florida. Other activities include close monitoring and shaping of policies at the local and state level impacting sea turtles and their habitat. STC also hosts Tour de Turtles, an annual educational program using satellite-tracked migrations of sea turtles that combines research and education into a free, interactive program available online to anyone.
  2. $864,762 spent. Lighting and Predation - Initially these programs were created in response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Funds have been used for sea turtle mitigation in three areas: lighting, rehabilitation, and predation. Currently funding continues for mitigation in lighting and predation. Lighting grants replace problem fixtures on coastal properties with shielded amber LED lights that reduce disorientation for nesting turtles and hatchlings. Predation funds concentrate on reducing the incidence of predation of turtle eggs and hatchlings.
  3. $842,982 spent. Tortuguero Research and Conservation - Sea turtle research and conservation based in Tortuguero, Costa Rica. Emphasis is centered on the local populations of green and leatherback turtles. This includes tagging and educational activities, research grants, fellowships, and other related expenses. The project also includes a research assistantship program that provides training to aspiring biologists, particularly from Latin America and the Caribbean.
  4. $506,343 spent. Panama Research and Conservation - A collaborative sea turtle research and conservation initiative based at Bocas del Toro on Panamas north Caribbean coast. Modeled after STCs Tortuguero program, the purpose of the Panama project is to study, protect and recover local populations of leatherback and hawksbill turtles, both of which nest in globally significant numbers in the region. The project includes ongoing monitoring, protection and education activities at Chiriqui Beach, Playa Larga, Red Beach and Escudo de Veraguas, Soropta, Colon, Bluff Beach and the Zapatilla Cays.
  5. $147,115 spent. Barrier Island Center - The Barrier Island Center (BIC) is an educational center located in the heart of the Archie Carr Refuge (the Refuge) in Melbourne, Florida. The Refuge is a major nesting site for sea turtles. The BIC provides a focal point for the Refuge and the associated barrier island by providing exhibit space, a presentation hall and ongoing educational programs that promote stewardship of the areas fragile natural resources. Through a partnership with the Brevard County Environmentally Endangered Lands Program, STC oversees and conducts the educational programs offered at the BIC, and manages a small gift shop.
  6. $94,856 spent. International Programs - These programs protect sea turtles by expanding conservation, education and policy initiatives in a variety of activities throughout the world.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since June 1961.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.