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Central Coast Lighthouse Keepers

EIN 77-0342442 · Carmel, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceFair62 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CCLK'S PRIMARY PURPOSE IS TO PROMOTE PUBLIC AWARENESS, KNOWLEDGE, AND UNDERSTANDING OF ALL MARITIME HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA'S CENTRAL COAST AND TO RESTORE AND PRESERVE POINT SUR STATE HISTORIC PARK. THE STATE PARK CONSISTS OF THE 19TH CENTURY POINT SUR LIGHT STATION AND THE COLD WAR ERA FORMER POINT SUR NAVAL FACILITY.

Income
$192,801
Spending
$97,570
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
85.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 52%
Employees
0
Volunteers
85

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 85.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 49% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 45% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% 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: 62 out of 100. Higher than 48% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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

    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 (4)
  1. $55,664 spent. CCLK'S LARGEST PROGRAM EXPENSE WAS FOR THE PRESERVATION, RESTORATION, AND MAINTENANCE WORK ON THE 19TH CENTURY BUILDINGS OF POINT SUR STATE HISTORICAL PARK. RESTORATION WORK CONTINUED ON THE TRIPLEX THAT HOUSED THREE KEEPERS AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE WORK CONTINUED FOR THE REBUILD THE PORCHES ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE BUILDING. WORK BEGAN ON THE INTERIOR OF THE BUILDING THAT INCLUDED THE FRAMING AND INSTALLATION OF STORM WINDOWS IN THE KITCHEN. INSTALLED INTERIOR DOORS ON THE GROUND FLOOR. THE WINDOWS IN THE HEAD KEEPER QUARTERS WERE REPLACED AND A NEW ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS INSTALLED AT THE FORMER NAVAL FACILITY. CCLK CONTINUED ITS EFFORTS TO BRING BACK THE FRESNEL LENS INTO THE LANTERN ROOM.
  2. $17,115 spent. BEVERAGE SERVICES, MEMBERSHIP COSTS, CREDIT CARD FEES, CURATORIAL EXPENSES, MEMBERSHIPS TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, POSTAGE, SALES TAX, STATE PARK SHARES OF ADMISSION FEES, TAX & FEES - STATE, VOLUNTEER AWARDS DINNER EXPENSES, VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION EXPENSE
  3. $11,663 spent. CCLK PROVIDES ITS MEMBERS WITH A QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER WHICH PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE HISTORY OF POINT SUR STATE HISTORICAL PARK. IT COMMUNICATES OTHER INFORMATION ON HAPPENINGS AT THE PARK SUCH AS THE STATUS OF THE RESTORATION PROJECTS AND UPCOMING EVENTS. THE NEWSLETTER IS ALSO USED TO PROMOTE DONATIONS AND RECRUIT VOLUNTEERS.
  4. $7,283 spent. PARK OPERATIONS: COVERS THE COSTS OF GENERAL ADMINISTRATION, SECURITY, WI-FI, RODENT CONTROL, GITF SHOP, AND OFFICE SUPPLIERS

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 November 6, 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 February 1994.

    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 November 4, 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.