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Sea Turtle Inc

EIN 74-2042030 · S Padre Isle, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood89 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SEA TURTLE INC. RESCUES, REHABILITATES, AND RELEASES INJURED SEA TURTLES, EDUCATES THE PUBLIC, AND ASSISTS WITH CONSERVATION EFFORTS FOR ALL MARINE TURTLE SPECIES.

Income
$4.7 million
Spending
$3.4 million
Spent on programs
72%
Reserves
6.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 45%
Employees
39
Volunteers
217
Highest pay
$115,216, ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 89 out of 100. Higher than 76% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 18% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 27% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 17% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    72% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 94 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 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

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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, 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. $685,730 spent. THE EDUCATION PROGRAM'S OBJECTIVES FOCUS ON EDUCATING AND PROVIDING INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC ON CONSERVATION, MARINE SEA TURTLES, REHABILITATION, AND BEING GOOD OCEAN STEWARDS. THE OBJECTIVES ARE ACCOMPLISHED VIA ONSITE EDUCATION, FIELD TRIPS, AND VIRTUAL PROGRAMS AND FIELD TRIPS. THROUGH OUR EDUCATION CENTER ONSITE VISITORS LEARN ABOUT OUR MISSION AND PROGRAMS. VISITORS HAVE ACCESS TO OUR TURTLE RESIDENT CENTER AND REHABILITATION HOSPITAL. STUDENTS AND GENERAL PUBLIC VISITORS TO OUR FACILITY LEARN ABOUT OUR MISSION VIA FIELD TRIPS, ONLINE, AND ONSITE EDUCATION PROGRAMS.
  2. $757,540 spent. OUR REHABILITATION EFFORTS INCLUDED TURTLE RESCUES, REHABILITATION, RELEASING TURTLES BACK TO THE GULF OF MEXICO, AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOL CHILDREN AND GENERAL PUBLIC VISITING OUR FACILITIES. OUR REHABILITATION CENTER PROVIDED CARE TO SICK AND INJURED TURTLES, AND SEA TURTLES THAT LIVE IN OUR FACILITY PERMANENTLY. WE RETRIEVED DOA TURTLES AND SUCCESSFULLY RELEASED TURTLES INTO THE OCEAN. THE REHABILITATION PROGRAM INCLUDES PROVIDING SEA TURTLES WITH MEDICAL TREATMENT, MEDICATION, SCANS, SURGERIES, AND ANY OTHER TREATMENT OR REHABILITATION NEEDED TO TREAT THE INJURED OR SICK TURTLES.
  3. $1.0 million spent. CONSERVATION EFFORTS INCLUDE BEACH PATROLS, NEST PROTECTION, EXCAVATION, CORRAL CREATING AND OVERSIGHT. EACH YEAR FROM MARCH TO SEPTEMBER, WE PATROL BY FOOT AND ATV MORE THAN 50 MILES OF BEACH TO WATCH AND RESPOND TO NESTING FEMALE SEA TURTLES. OUR PATROLLING EFFORTS RESULTED IN LOCATING TURTLE NESTS, EXCAVATION, AND PROTECTION OF THOUSANDS OF EGGS AND THE RELEASE OF HATCHING SEA TURTLES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 December 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 2000.

    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.