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Recreational Fisheries Research Institute Inc

EIN 72-1475457 · Covington, LA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak30 out of 100GovernanceFair50 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.
  • It owes more than it owns.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

THE RECREATIONAL FISHERIES RESEARCH INSTITUTE, INC. (RFRI) IS A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION FORMED EXCLUSIVELY TO CONDUCT MARINE FISHERIES RESTORATION THROUGH EDUCATION AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT. FOSTERING DIVERSE PARTNERSHIPS AND ENGAGING ANGLERS IN DATA COLLECTION ARE KEY OBJECTS LEADING TO SUCCESSFUL PROJECTS. FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS RFRI HAS BUILT A POPULATION/TEAM OF CITIZEN SCIENTISTS TO GATHER DATA WHICH COULD BE USED AS A PROACTIVE MANAGEMENT TOOL RATHER THAN THE INDUSTRY STANDARD, REACTIVE.

Income
$244,687
Spending
$293,465
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
-3.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
150

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

Weak: 30 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    0 of 20

    It owes 381% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 20% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 23% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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 (3)
  1. $24,106 spent. TAG LOUISIANA: FOR THE PAST 20 YEARS RFRI HAS BUILT A POPULATION/TEAM OF CITIZEN SCIENTISTS TO GATHER DATA WHICH COULD BE USED AS A PROACTIVE MANAGEMENT TOOL RATHER THAN THE INDUSTRY STANDARD, REACTIVE. PROGRAMS LIKE TAG LOUISIANA & THE TAG IT LA RODEO SERIES PROVIDE A TRAINING AND EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT THAT INTRODUCES ANGLERS TO A MORE QUALITATIVE AND SCIENTIFIC METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION MAKING THE TRANSITION FROM SPORT ANGLER TO RESOURCE STEWARD.
  2. $14,301 spent. OUTDOORS, EDUCATION & HABITAT PROGRAM: RFRI UNDERSTANDS THE IMPORTANCE OF GETTING OUTSIDE, BEING PHYSICALLY ACTIVE, EMBRACING TEAMWORK AND CONNECTING WITH NATURE AND EACH OTHER. WE ACCOMPLISH THIS BY INTRODUCING PEOPLE TO RECREATIONAL BOATING, FISHING, & OUTDOORS ACTIVITIES. THIS PROGRAM AIMS TO ENGAGE EVERYONE TO BE PHYSICALLY ACTIVE WHILE EMBRACING TEAMWORK AND CONNECTING WITH NATURE. LIKE ALL ANIMALS, FISH NEED A HEALTHY HABITAT TO SURVIVE, GROW, AND REPRODUCE. THE QUALITY AND QUANTITY OF FISH HABITAT IN A WATER BODY DIRECTLY AFFECTS FISH POPULATIONS. RFRI HABITAT PROJECTS IMPROVE OUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN FISH POPULATIONS AND THEIR HABITATS.
  3. $200,713 spent. SPORTFISH STOCKING INITIATIVE: MARINE SPORT FISH STOCKING REFERS TO THE PRACTICE OF ARTIFICIALLY BOOSTING THE POPULATIONS OF MARINE ORGANISMS, SUCH AS FISH, THROUGH VARIOUS METHODS. THIS IS TYPICALLY DONE TO SUPPLEMENT OR RESTORE DEPLETED STOCKS TO SUPPORT SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES AND PROTECT THE MARINE ECOSYSTEM. TECHNIQUES USED IN STOCK STOCKING INCLUDE CAPTIVE BREEDING, RELEASING JUVENILE INDIVIDUALS INTO THE WILD, HABITAT RESTORATION, AND IMPLEMENTING FAVORABLE FISHING REGULATIONS. THESE EFFORTS AIM TO ENHANCE BIODIVERSITY, SUPPORT COMMERCIAL AND RECREATIONAL FISHING, AND MAINTAIN THE OVERALL HEALTH OF MARINE ECOSYSTEMS.

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 January 2001.

    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.