Gulf Coast Citizen Diplomacy Council Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Gulf Coast Diplomacy is a non-partisan, nonprofit organization facilitating and strengthening connection, collaboration, and fellowship between the people of the Gulf Coast and the global community through international exchange and education.
- Income
- $235,200
- Spending
- $212,835
- Spent on programs
- 84%
- Reserves
- 13.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 80%
- Employees
- 5
- Volunteers
- 400
- Highest pay
- $73,105, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 77% of charities in its peer group (international, under $250k).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 13.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 19% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1584% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 94 out of 100. Higher than 89% of charities in its peer group (international, under $250k).
Independent board
25 of 2516 of 16 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 September 30, 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)
- $85,349 spent. Professional Exchange Facilitation: From October 2024 through September 2025, the organization facilitated professional exchange programs for 139 international visitors in 21 groups, supported by 30 interpreters and liaisons. Participants attended 119 structured professional meetings and engaged with 678 U.S. professional counterparts. In six visits, 36 visitors delivered classroom presentations to local students. The organization arranged 68 cultural activities for professional visitors. All in-person visitors (118) participated in at least one cultural activity outside of regular business hours. The organization also coordinated eight volunteer activities for seven groups (57 participants), totaling 95 volunteer hours donated in Northwest Florida. Program topics included local strategies to promote economic growth, technological innovation, and cooperative efforts to combat transnational crime. The program's immediate objective is to facilitate professional dialogue and promote understanding of American civic values and public policy. Long-term objectives include encouraging continued professional communication, supporting workforce and economic development in Northwest Florida, strengthening community engagement, and contributing to democratic institutions and national security. Donated program support included honorary citizenship certificates valued at $74 and baked goods valued at $86, used in connection with participant recognition and hospitality, and two hotel rooms, valued at $1,568, provided for staff training supporting IVLP program delivery.
- $69,346 spent. Youth Education: We engaged 41 local teens in our 11-month Youth Diplomats leadership program and worked with more than 230 additional youth through in-person exchanges and virtual leadership initiatives. Two university students were employed to support youth programming and professional exchange coordination, providing structured office and facilitation experience. We hosted two U.S. Department of State in-person youth exchanges for 31 teens from Brazil and France. Participants stayed with local host families for 373 total nights. During their programs, they met with 26 local professionals in 81 meetings, participated in classroom visits, and completed 117 volunteer hours across five community service activities alongside local youth. Short-term outcomes include increased knowledge of international affairs, civic institutions, and career pathways. Long-term objectives are to strengthen leadership capacity, workforce readiness, cross-cultural communication skills, civic engagement, and professional networks among participating youth.
- $23,115 spent. Hospitality & Outreach: We coordinated structured home hospitality dinners to facilitate professional and cultural exchange between local residents and international visitors. Forty-four local hosts welcomed 81 international professionals into their homes for 305 meals. In addition, families hosting three Congressional Open World groups provided lodging for 17 participants for eight nights each, totaling 136 nights of homestay accommodation. We organized 14 community coffees connecting nearly 100 international professionals with 94 local residents. Sixteen community members participated in the Great Decisions discussion series to strengthen their understanding of international issues frequently encountered during exchange programs. A total of 341 residents attended public presentations and visitor speaking engagements. We staffed informational tables at seven community events and promoted exchange opportunities through print, broadcast, digital media, and direct outreach. Short-term outcomes include increased community awareness of international exchange opportunities and expanded participation in hospitality programs. Long-term objectives are to strengthen civic engagement, improve cross-cultural communication skills, and foster sustained professional and educational relationships between local residents and international visitors.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 2009.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.