Ocean Sole Africa Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
OCEAN SOLE AFRICA'S MISSION IS TO TURN THE EARTH'S PLASTIC POLLUTION INTO INSPIRING ART AND CREATE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN INDIGINOUS HIGH IMPACT COMMUNITIES.
- Income
- $324,443
- Spending
- $367,111
- Spent on programs
- 100%
- Reserves
- -10 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 97%
- Employees
- 0
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
Weak: 19 out of 100. Higher than 1% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 316% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 13% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 27% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15100% 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: 52 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
18 of 254 of 4 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no 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.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
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, 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 (1)
- $367,111 spent. OUR PROGRAM PURCHASES UP-CYCLED ART FROM A COMPANY IN KENYA THAT HELPS CLEAN BEACHES AND WATERWAYS. THIS WORK HELPS CREATE A CIRCULAR ECONOMY, WHERE WASTE IS TURNED INTO MEANINGFUL ART. THROUGH THIS EFFORT, 75 FAMILIES NOW EARN A LIVING BY COLLECTING RECYCLED MATERIALS AND TRANSFORMING THEM INTO HANDMADE ART. THE PROGRAM GIVES THESE FAMILIES A STEADY WAY TO SUPPORT THEIR HOUSEHOLDS. BECAUSE OF THIS RECYCLING WORK, THESE FAMILIES CAN FEED, CLOTHE, AND EDUCATE THEIR CHILDREN WHILE ALSO HELPING PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT. THIS UP-CYCLING PROGRAM CONTINUES TO UPLIFT THE ARTISTS AND THEIR FAMILIES BY CREATING ART THAT CAN BE SOLD, IMPROVING THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE, AND MAKING A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY. OUR PROGRAM PURCHASES UP-CYCLED ART FROM A COMPANY IN KENYA THAT HELPS CLEAN BEACHES AND WATERWAYS. THIS WORK HELPS CREATE A CIRCULAR ECONOMY, WHERE WASTE IS TURNED INTO MEANINGFUL ART. THROUGH THIS EFFORT, 75 FAMILIES NOW EARN A LIVING BY COLLECTING RECYCLED MATERIALS AND TRANSFORMING THEM INTO HANDMADE ART. THE PROGRAM GIVES THESE FAMILIES A STEADY WAY TO SUPPORT THEIR HOUSEHOLDS. BECAUSE OF THIS RECYCLING WORK, THESE FAMILIES CAN FEED, CLOTHE, AND EDUCATE THEIR CHILDREN WHILE ALSO HELPING PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT. THIS UP-CYCLING PROGRAM CONTINUES TO UPLIFT THE ARTISTS AND THEIR FAMILIES BY CREATING ART THAT CAN BE SOLD, IMPROVING THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE, AND MAKING A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.
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
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? Worth knowing.
Status was revoked on May 15, 2021 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2021.
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 2025.
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 June 2022.
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.