Channel Islands Maritime Museum Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To preserve and share the wonders of our maritime heritage, highlight our complex interrelationships with the ecology of The Ocean, and showcase peoples creative expressions of everything related to the sea.
- Income
- $198,045
- Spending
- $362,701
- Spent on programs
- 70%
- Reserves
- 19.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 41%
- Employees
- 3
- Volunteers
- 70
- Highest pay
- $75,002, executive dir.
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
Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 19.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 83% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 38% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1570% 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: 94 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 2519 of 19 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (1)
- $254,848 spent. In 2024, the Channel Islands Maritime Museum (CIMM) continued to strengthen its role as a vital cultural and educational institution on Californias Central Coast. The Museum presented an engaging schedule of rotating art exhibitions, community events, and hands-on educational programs that celebrated maritime heritage, art, and science. Signature events such as the Celebration of the Whales festival and Art Comes Alive brought together families, artists, and educators for creative and interactive experiences highlighting the regions maritime traditions and ecology.CIMM expanded its volunteer corps, providing specialized training to develop thoughtful, educational docents who share maritime history and art with thousands of visitors each year. The Museum also hosted a robust speaker series, fostering adult education and providing a platform to explore maritime history, art, and environmental topics. These programs help preserve not only artifacts but the rich stories and historical context that bring them to life.The Museums commitment to accessible learning continued through free admission for children and partnerships with local schools that provide field trip experiences inspiring curiosity and discovery. In 2024, CIMM refined its institutional vision to reflect its growing leadership in the region: to be recognized as a center for the exchange of knowledge and research in the arts, maritime studies, and environmental fields.The Museum remains deeply grateful to its donors, members, and community partners whose generosity sustains its exhibitions, educational outreach, and maritime heritage preservation.
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 1994.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.