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Central Coast Salmon Enhancement

EIN 77-0079896 · Arroyo Grande, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak31 out of 100GovernanceFair51 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CCSE DOING BUSINESS AS CREEK LANDS CONSERVATION, WORKS IN CALIFORNIA'S CENTRAL COAST REGION TO RESTORE AND CONSERVE COASTAL WATERSHED ECOSYSTEMS, TO RESTORE AND CONSERVE COASTAL MARINE ECOSYSTEMS, AND TO DELIVER EQUITABLE CONSERVATION SCIENCE EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

Income
$755,047
Spending
$756,183
Spent on programs
54%
Reserves
2.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 56%
Employees
12
Volunteers
30

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

Weak: 31 out of 100. Higher than 2% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 59% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 59% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    54% 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

Fair: 51 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 6 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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, 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. $406,179 spent. Our watershed conservation activities often use Federally listed steelhead trout as a keystone species to inform restoration and monitoring projects in coastal creeks and estuaries. We work with water rights holders to ensure human activities do not compromise healthy watershed functionality. Our coastal marine conservation activities likewise use keystone species such as abalone, oysters, and clams to measure and improve ecosystem functionality. We reach dozens of elementary schools in five school districts with our conservation science educational programs. Our programs bring standards-aligned classroom conservation science lessons to 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th grades. Classroom lessons prepare students for outdoor learning experiences that connect them to the central coast.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since March 1986.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.