Sea of Clouds
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
SEA OF CLOUDS IS A MULTIDISCIPLINARY, NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION INTERESTED IN COASTAL SPACES AND THE COMMUNITIES CONNECTED TO THEM. SEA OF CLOUDS' PRACTICE SPANS THE FIELDS OF HERITAGE CONSERVATION/HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION. SEA OF CLOUDS' WORK ILLUMINATES THE HUMAN DIMENSIONS OF NATURAL ECOSYSTEMS--ESSENTIAL CONNECTIONS BETWEEN NATURE AND CULTURE.
- Income
- $88,857
- Spending
- $80,511
- Reserves
- 4.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 85%
- Highest pay
- $70,000, executive dir.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ 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)
- $68,433 spent. (1) TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEMORATE LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA'S (LOS ANGELES COUNTY) EARLY SURFING HISTORY, THE SITE OF THE 1938 NATIONAL SURFING AND PADDLEBOARD CHAMPIONSHIPS EVENT. THIS CONTEST, VIEWED BY 40,000 SPECTATORS, WAS ONE OF THE SPORT'S FIRST ORGANIZED CONTESTS IN THE CONTINENTAL UNITED STATES. TO RECOGNIZE THIS COMMUNITY HISTORY, SEA OF CLOUDS RESEARCHED, PREPARED, AND DOCUMENTED A CALIFORNIA POINT OF HISTORICAL INTEREST NOMINATION WITH THE CALIFORNIA OFFICE OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION. NOMINATION WAS RECOMMENDED BY THE CALIFORNIA STATE HISTORICAL RESOURCES COMMISSION AT THEIR QUATERLY MEETING IN APRIL, 2023.(2) TO EXPAND CALIFORNIA'S STATE MARINE CONSERVATION PROGRAM TO INCLUDE AREAS OF SIGNIFICANT CULTURAL, HISTORICAL, AND RECREATIONAL VALUE. THROUGH SEA OF CLOUDS ADVOCACY: (1) THE CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME COMMISSION HAS RECOMMENDED WITHIN THEIR 10-YEAR WORKPLAN (2022-2032) TO INCORPORATE SUCH MARITIME HERITAGE CONSERVATION INTO THE STATES MARINE PROTECTED AREA NETWORK DESIGN, AND (2) THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HAS AGREED TO CONSIDER MARITIME HERITAGE CONSERVATION WITHIN THEIR STRATEGIC PLANNING.(2) IN COLLABORATION WITH DR. ANDY KIRK, UNLV DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY, INITIATED A NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES MULTIPLE PROPERTY SUBMISSION (MPS) ON THE GROWTH OF SURFING IN CALIFORNIA. THE MPS WILL DELIVER A MULTIPLE PROPERTY DOCUMENT COVER SHEET ON THE GROWTH OF SURFING AND THREE, NEW NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES NOMINATIONS BASED ON THE MPD. THE MPS IS SUPPORTED BY THE US NATIONAL PARK SERVICE.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 July 2017.
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.