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Coastal Conservation Association

EIN 74-1984482 · Houston, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong96 out of 100GovernanceStrong90 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CCA IS ORGANIZED FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROMOTING AND ADVANCING THE PRESERVATION, CONSERVATION AND PROTECTION OF THE MARINE, ANIMAL AND PLANT LIFE AND RESOURCES OF THE COASTAL AREAS OF THE UNITED STATES, BOTH ONSHORE AND OFFSHORE, FOR THE BENEFIT AND ENJOYMENT OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC. SUCH OBJECTIVES WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED BY: (A) SPONSORING AND ENCOURAGING RESEARCH RELATING TO MARINE LIFE AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS INFLUENCING ITS SURVIVAL; (B) EDUCATING THE GENERAL PUBLIC ON THE PRESERVATION AND CONSERVATION OF MARINE LIFE AND RESOURCES; (C) MOBILIZING THE GENERAL PUBLIC TOWARD THE ADOPTION OF SOUND CONSERVATION PRACTICES CONDUCIVE TO THE PRESERVATION OF MARINE LIFE AND RESOURCES; (D) FORMULATING AND ENCOURAGING THE ADOPTION OF CONSERVATION PROGRAMS (NON-LEGISLATIVE) BY FEDERAL AND STATE AGENCIES, CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS, AND SPORT AND COMMERCIAL FISHING ORGANIZATIONS, AND ASSISTING SUCH AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SUCH PROGRAMS.

Income
$27.7 million
Spending
$23.1 million
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
18.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 55%
Employees
103
Volunteers
5,000
Highest pay
$401,263, 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 86% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 18.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 17% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 17% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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 17% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    169 of 170 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 (3)
  1. $9.2 million spent. NUMEROUS PROGRAMS FOCUSING ON HABITAT MANAGEMENT AND RESTORATION,ENFORCEMENT, RESEARCH, EDUCATION AND PASSAGE OF PRO-RESOURCELEGISLATION INCLUDING RESTORATION OF OYSTER REEFS AND OYSTERPOPULATIONS, AUGMENTATION OF SPECIES VIA HATCHERY PROGRAMS, CREATION OFARTIFICIAL REEFS, SEA GRASS AND MANGROVE PLANTINGS, DONATION OFEQUIPMENT TO ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES INCLUDING BOATS, BULLET PROOF VESTS,NIGHT VISION EQUIPMENT, VIDEO EQUIPMENT, ETC., GRADUATE ANDUNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIPS IN THE MARINE SCIENCE AREAS OF STUDY, CATCHAND RELEASE MORTALITY PRACTICES, TAGGING STUDIES, ETC. PRO-RESOURCELEGISLATION INCLUDES THE PASSING OF SENSIBLE REGULATIONS SUCH AS SIZE,SLOT AND BAG LIMITS, GEAR RESTRICTION, SEASONAL CLOSURES IN SPAWNINGAREAS, GAME FISH STATUS, LICENSING REQUIREMENTS, ETC.
  2. $741,313 spent. PUBLICATION OF TIDE MAGAZINE & RISING TIDE NEWSLETTER AND DISTRIBUTIONTO NEARLY 110,000 MEMBERS. THE PUBLICATIONS EDUCATE THE MEMBERSHIPABOUT CONSERVATION ISSUES AND PROMOTE RESPONSIBLE UTILIZATION OF MARINERESOURCES.
  3. $44,769 spent. PUBLICATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF STATE CHAPTER NEWSLETTERS TO MEMBERS.THE NEWSLETTERS INFORM THE MEMBERSHIP OF LOCAL CONSERVATION ANDFISHERIES MANAGEMENT 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

  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 December 2024.

    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 August 1978.

    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.

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