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Bering Sea Elders Group

EIN 82-3556262 · Anchorage, AK

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceWeak46 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

BSEG'S MISSION IS TO SPEAK AND WORK TOGETHER AS ONE VOICE TO PROTECT AND RESPECT OUR TRADITIONAL WAYS OF LIFE, THE OCEAN WEB OF LIFE THAT SUPPORTS THE RESOURCES WE RELY ON, AND OUR CHILDREN'S FUTURE. AS ELDERS, WE ARE MESSENGERS TO OUR CHILDREN, OUR TRIBAL COUNCILS, AND THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE DECISIONS THAT AFFECT OUR MARINE RESOURCES, ECOSYSTEM, AND WAYS OF LIFE.

Income
$484,759
Spending
$462,564
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
1
Volunteers
9
Highest pay
$164,251, director

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

Fair: 63 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 53% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 29% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    100% 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

Weak: 46 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 (5)
  1. $172,691 spent. GBMF 4: WITH SUPPORT FROM THE GORDON AND BETTY MOORE FOUNDATION (GBMF), THE BERING SEA ELDERS GROUP (BSEG) HAS REFINED ITS STRATEGIC PLAN, IDENTIFIED LEAR POLICY TARGETS, AND IS WELL-POSITIONED TO REPRESENT TRIBAL VOICES FOR THE LONG TERM IN SAFEGUARDING THE NORTHERN BERING SEA FROM FISHING,SHIPPING AND OFFSHORE DEVELOPMENT. ALSO, THE NORTHERN BERING SEA CLIMATE RESILIENCE AREA TRIBAL ADVISORY COUNCIL REMAINS A POWERFUL CONSTITUENCY FOR PROTECTING 291,000 KM2 OF THE NORTHERN BERING SEA BY DEVELOPING A NEW STRATEGIC PLAN TO ACHIEVE DURABLE PROTECTIONS FOR THE AREA AND ENGAGING FEDERAL AND STATE DECISION-MAKERS.
  2. $97,804 spent. GBMF 1 AND GBMF 2. WITH SUPPORT FROM THE GORDON AND BETTY MOORE FOUNDATION (GBMF), THE BERING SEA ELDERS GROUP (BSEG) INCORPORATED AS A 501(C)3 ORGANIZATION AND BECAME WELL-POSITIONED FOR REPRESENTING TRIBAL VOICES FOR THE LONG-TERM PROTECTION OF THE NORTHERN BERING SEA. ALSO, BSEG ADVOCATED FOR THE NORTH PACIFIC FISHERY MANAGEMENT COUNCIL (NPFMC) TO BETTER PROTECT BERING SEA FOOD WEBS AND HABITATS FROM ECOSYSTEM-SCALE OVERFISHING.
  3. $56,258 spent. PEW: WITH SUPPORT FROM THE PEW CHARITABLE TRUSTS, THE BERING SEA ELDERS GROUP (BSEG) ADDRESSED PRIORITIES INCLUDED IN THE ORGANIZATIONS APPROVED STRATEGIC PLAN. THESE GOALS INCLUDE: 1. INCREASING NATURAL RESOURCES PROTECTION ADVOCACY; 2. STRENGTHENING CO-MANAGEMENT INITIATIVES; 3. LEVERAGING OUR PARTNERSHIPS FOR GREATER IMPACT; AND 4. REINFORCING OUR SUSTAINABILITY.
  4. $135,070 spent. GBMF 3: WITH SUPPORT FROM THE GORDON AND BETTY MOORE FOUNDATION (GBMF), THE NORTHERN BERING SEA CLIMATE RESILIENCE AREA (NBSCRA) FEDERAL TASK FORCE AND BERING INTERGOVERNMENTAL TRIBAL ADVISORY COUNCIL (BITAC) CO-PRODUCED A SALMON RESILIENCE PLAN. THE INTENT WAS TO PROTECT 291,000-KM2 AREA FROM BOTTOM TRAWLING AND OTHER FISHING, SHIPPING AND OFFSHORE DEVELOPMENT IMPACTS, AS WELL AS ASSIST THE BITAC SECURE MULTI-YEAR FEDERAL FUNDING. FNDI: WITH SUPPORT FROM THE FIRST NATIONS DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE (FNDI), THE BERING SEA ELDERS GROUP (BSEG) PRIORITIZED GOALS INCLUDED IN ITS FUND DEVELOPMENT PLAN (EX. REINFORCE SUSTAINABILITY), IMPLEMENTED VARIOUS COMPONENTS OF ITS COMMUNICATIONS PLAN, AND CONTINUED TO SUPPORT IN-PERSON CONVENINGS OF ELDER REPRESENTATIVES THAT AIMED TO FURTHER NATURAL RESOURCE PROTECTION. NAP: WITH SUPPORT FROM THE NATIVE AMERICANS IN PHILANTHROPY (NAP), THE NORTHERN BERING SEA CLIMATE RESILIENCE AREA (NBSCRA) COALITION PROVIDED A VARIETY OF ASSISTANCE TO THE BERING INTERGOVERNMENTAL TRIBAL ADVISORY COUNCIL (BITAC). ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED IN FOLLOWING AREAS (EXAMPLES): CONSULTING ASSISTANCE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SALMON RESILIENCE PLAN; IDENTIFYING GOVERNANCE MODEL OPTIONS FOR THE NBSCRA WORK; PROVIDING NBSCRA UPDATES TO OVER 70 TRIBES THAT ARE REPRESENTED BY THE BITAC; AND PROVIDING CO-PRODUCTION OF KNOWLEDGE (CPK) TRAINING TO THE BITAC. OTHER COMMON COUNSEL FOUNDATION: THE PURPOSE OF THIS GRANT IS GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT. INDIGENOUS EARTH FUND: THE PURPOSE OF THIS GRANT IS GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT.
  5. GBMF 3: WITH SUPPORT FROM THE GORDON AND BETTY MOORE FOUNDATION (GBMF), THE NORTHERN BERING SEA CLIMATE RESILIENCE AREA (NBSCRA) FEDERAL TASK FORCE AND BERING INTERGOVERNMENTAL TRIBAL ADVISORY COUNCIL (BITAC) CO-PRODUCED A SALMON RESILIENCE PLAN. THE INTENT WAS TO PROTECT 291,000-KM2 AREA FROM BOTTOM TRAWLING AND OTHER FISHING, SHIPPING AND OFFSHORE DEVELOPMENT IMPACTS, AS WELL AS ASSIST THE BITAC SECURE MULTI-YEAR FEDERAL FUNDING. FNDI: WITH SUPPORT FROM THE FIRST NATIONS DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE (FNDI), THE BERING SEA ELDERS GROUP (BSEG) PRIORITIZED GOALS INCLUDED IN ITS FUND DEVELOPMENT PLAN (EX. REINFORCE SUSTAINABILITY), IMPLEMENTED VARIOUS COMPONENTS OF ITS COMMUNICATIONS PLAN, AND CONTINUED TO SUPPORT IN-PERSON CONVENINGS OF ELDER REPRESENTATIVES THAT AIMED TO FURTHER NATURAL RESOURCE PROTECTION. NAP: WITH SUPPORT FROM THE NATIVE AMERICANS IN PHILANTHROPY (NAP), THE NORTHERN BERING SEA CLIMATE RESILIENCE AREA (NBSCRA) COALITION PROVIDED A VARIETY OF ASSISTANCE TO THE BERING INTERGOVERNMENTAL TRIBAL ADVISORY COUNCIL (BITAC). ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED IN FOLLOWING AREAS (EXAMPLES): CONSULTING ASSISTANCE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF A SALMON RESILIENCE PLAN; IDENTIFYING GOVERNANCE MODEL OPTIONS FOR THE NBSCRA WORK; PROVIDING NBSCRA UPDATES TO OVER 70 TRIBES THAT ARE REPRESENTED BY THE BITAC; AND PROVIDING CO-PRODUCTION OF KNOWLEDGE (CPK) TRAINING TO THE BITAC. OTHER COMMON COUNSEL FOUNDATION: THE PURPOSE OF THIS GRANT IS GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT. INDIGENOUS EARTH FUND: THE PURPOSE OF THIS GRANT IS GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT.

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 October 13, 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 March 2022.

    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 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.