Healthy Gulf
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
Healthy Gulfs purpose is to collaborate with and serve communities who love the Gulf of Mexico by providing the research, communications, and coalition-building tools needed to reverse the long pattern of over exploitation of the Gulfs natural resources.
- Income
- $2.4 million
- Spending
- $1.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 83%
- Reserves
- 22.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 89%
- Employees
- 23
- Volunteers
- 50
- Highest pay
- $158,573, executive director
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
Strong: 96 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 22.1 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 25% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 22% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 46% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1583% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 10 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: 90 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2513 of 13 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.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
0 of 10Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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 (2)
- $1.1 million spent. Resilient Communities and Climate Justice HG (1) works to build an active and engaged constituency to support natural storm protection and restoration efforts for the Gulf Coast region, (2) advocates for the use of green infrastructure in the Greater New Orleans area to address localized flooding, (3) works to reduce the contributions of the fossil fuel industry to climate change and address the disproportionate impacts of climate change on low income and communities of color, and (4) documents and addresses the continuing environmental and community impact of the fossil fuel industry and its associated infrastructure (e.g., pipelines) as well as the petrochemical industry in the five Gulf states, and to hold these industries accountable for their continuing pollution.
- $482,859 spent. Resilient Habitat and Healthy Water HG works to improve water quality by identifying pollution issues and providing technical assistance, training, and mentoring to numerous communities faced with pollution. HG also works to improve the development and implementation of watershed and coastal wetlands restoration plans and to prevent damaging projects that destroy wetlands and/or impact water quality. HG supports activities focused on achieving fishery management regulations that are science-based, promoting sustainable fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico, advocating for the protection of marine habitat, and promoting protections for marine mammals. HG works closely with local communities by providing frequent updates and action alerts on water quality, wetlands, and fisheries issues.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 1999.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.