Environmental Protection in the Caribbean Incorporated
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Protecting the Caribbean environment through research and community-based actions.
- Income
- $1.0 million
- Spending
- $265,693
- Spent on programs
- 61%
- Reserves
- 42.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 1
- Volunteers
- 90
Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 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
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 42.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 74% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 212% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1561% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 29% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 258 of 8 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.
Independent check of accounts
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 May 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 (5)
- $27,060 spent. The Black-capped Petrel Program - The Black-capped Petrel is one of the rarest seabirds in the Caribbean. This iconic seabird nests in some of the last known ancient forests on Hispaniola as well as potentially on Dominica in the Lesser Antilles. Since 2012, EPIC has tracked populations of this species throughout the Caribbean, located new nesting areas, worked with communities to reduce human impacts on forests through sustainable farming and youth education, removed introduced predators out of nest areas, and reduced threats to flying petrels through the removal of dangerous strike hazards. In addition, these efforts have substantially increased the capacity of local organizations to protect this species. Another focus of EPICs conservation of the petrel has been to reduce poverty in human communities near petrels and their nesting areas which has improved local food security and reduced pressures. EPIC research shows that Black- capped Petrel nesting populations have stabilized in locations where we work, a clear indication of the successful impact of our conservation program.
- $93,678 spent. The Grenadines Seabird Program - is protecting the highly significant seabird breeding populations in the transboundary archipelago of Grenada and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, covering a total of 74 sites, including 3 seabird nesting sites of global significance and 18 significant to the Caribbean. Seabirds are experiencing worldwide populations declines estimated at 70% so addressing the impacts of poaching, plastic pollution, habitat degradation, and introduced predators is essential. This program focuses on research, monitoring, education, and conservation planning and action, such as habitat improvement. A total of 70 citizen scientists are currently trained as members of the Grenadines Seabird Guardians, a group that monitors populations at remote, uninhabited islands. In addition, EPIC is conducting island habitat restoration on Battowia and the Pillories along with community outreach and youth education.
- $41,173 spent. US Virgin Islands Education and Waste Reduction Programs EPIC and partners completed the Water Smart Schools VI grant-funded program this year, which provided hands-on science education to ~5,500 students and 150 teachers across eight public schools in St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John. Through hands-on learning, school audits, community outreach, and other measures, the initiative fostered a new generation of water stewards, significantly expanded the impact of the Eco-Schools program in the territory, reduced waste, and improved health conditions. Key components were the distribution of 3,000 reusable water bottles, the installation of four water bottle filling stations, and the upkeep of several others, which together diverted an estimated 35,477 single-use plastic bottles from the landfillnearly a ton of waste. A second project that was started this year focused on pollution prevention through working with the VI Clean Coasts program and is aimed at food service providers. By offering technical assistance and seed funding, the project is helping businesses to switch from single-use disposable items to reusable items, in order to reduce pollution and the health exposures associated with plastics.
- $501 spent. Through its locally led affiliate, the EPIC Sint Maarten Foundation, EPIC addressed pollution and waste reduction via the Precious Plastics program, which recycles plastic waste into usable products while educating the public on waste reduction and reuse practices. Sustainability efforts were further advanced through the promotion of the international Blue Flag and Green Key eco-labels, awarded to businesses that meet rigorous environmental standards. Regular community litter cleanups engaged volunteers in active environmental stewardship. Additionally, EPIC implemented a conservation program focused on protecting native bat species, as well as a seabird conservation initiative, further strengthening biodiversity protection efforts on the island during the reporting period.
- Through its locally led affiliate, the EPIC Sint Maarten Foundation, EPIC addressed pollution and waste reduction via the Precious Plastics program, which recycles plastic waste into usable 501. 0. 0.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending May 31, 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 May 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 January 2001.
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.