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Baykeeper

EIN 68-0120240 · Oakland, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood83 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SAN FRANCISCO BAYKEEPERS ("BAYKEEPER") MISSION IS TO DEFEND SAN FRANCISCO BAYS COMMUNITIES AND WILDLIFE FROM THE BIGGEST ENVIRONMENTAL THREATS. BAYKEEPERS FIELD INVESTIGATORS AND SCIENTISTS PATROL THE BAY TO UNCOVER THOSE THREATS. OUR LAWYERS REDUCE ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS AT THE SOURCE AND ADVOCATE FOR AGENCIES TO STRENGTHEN LAWS.

Income
$4.1 million
Spending
$3.1 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
8.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 67%
Employees
18
Volunteers
317
Highest pay
$198,955, executive dir.

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

Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 8.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 31% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 25% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 84% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% 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 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 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 (1)
  1. $2.4 million spent. BAYKEEPER INVESTIGATES ENVIRONMENTAL THREATS AND ADVOCATES FOR AGENCIES TO ADOPT STRONGER POLICIES THAT WILL PROTECT COMMUNITIES AND WILDLIFE IN AND AROUND SAN FRANCISCO BAY. SINCE 1989, WE HAVE SECURED 300 WINS AND CONDUCTED OVER 17,000 HOURS OF BOAT PATROLS TO INVESTIGATE ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS.WE HAVE A STAFF OF SIXTEEN, A BOARD OF DIRECTORS WITH A BREADTH OF EXPERIENCE WITH THE BAY, AN EXPERT ADVISORY BOARD, A TEAM OF VOLUNTEER BOAT SKIPPERS, AND THE ONLY PATROL BOAT REGULARLY MONITORING AND INVESTIGATING ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN THE BAY.BAYKEEPER INCORPORATED AS A NONPROFIT, PUBLIC BENEFIT CORPORATION IN CALIFORNIA ON JANUARY 23, 1987, AS THE SAN FRANCISCO BAY-DELTA PRESERVATION ASSOCIATION, AND BECAME BAYKEEPER IN MAY 1989, THE FOURTH WATERKEEPER ORGANIZATION IN THE COUNTRY. FOR 37 YEARS, STANDING UP TO CONSTANT THREATS, BAYKEEPER HAS BEEN A FIERCE CHAMPION FOR SAN FRANCISCO BAY. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE VISIT US ONLINE AT BAYKEEPER.ORG.

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

  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 June 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 May 1987.

    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.