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Salish Sea School

EIN 83-3277816 · Anacortes, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceFair67 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE SALISH SEA SCHOOLS MISSION IS TO AWAKEN CURIOSITY AND DEEPEN CONNECTIONS WITH THE SEA THROUGH SHORE AND SEA EXPLORATION PROGRAMS FOR ALL AGES.

Income
$694,389
Spending
$550,972
Spent on programs
96%
Reserves
7.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 45%
Employees
5
Volunteers
15

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: 93 out of 100. Higher than 72% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 21% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 55% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    96% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 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: 67 out of 100. Higher than 33% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a 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.

  • 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. $526,731 spent. STUDENT SUMMER CAMPS: THE SALISH SEA SCHOOL OFFERED IMMERSIVE SUMMER CAMPS FOR ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, COMBINING ADVENTURE WITH EDUCATION TO INSPIRE THE NEXT GENERATION OF MARINE CONSERVATION LEADERS. PARTICIPANTS ENGAGED IN EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING OBSERVING MARINE WILDLIFE ON GUIDED BOAT TRIPS, KAYAKING THROUGH KELP FORESTS AND INTERTIDAL ZONES, AND CONDUCTING HANDS-ON MARINE RESEARCH. THESE ACTIVITIES DEEPENED STUDENTS UNDERSTANDING OF THE SALISH SEAS ECOSYSTEMS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF CONSERVATION. THE PROGRAM EMPHASIZED ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP, SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY, AND PERSONAL GROWTH, HELPING PARTICIPANTS DEVELOP LEADERSHIP SKILLS AND A MEANINGFUL CONNECTION TO THE NATURAL WORLD. AS JUNIOR CITIZEN SCIENTISTS, STUDENTS COLLECTED DATA ON SPECIES LIKE TUFTED PUFFINS AND SOUTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES, ACTIVELY CONTRIBUTING TO REAL-WORLD CONSERVATION EFFORTS. IN 2024, STUDENTS TOOK PART IN SMALL-GROUP ACTIVITIES, WHICH PROVIDED IMPACTFUL EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES. SCHOLARSHIPS ENSURED ACCESS FOR STUDENTS FROM DIVERSE SOCIOECONOMIC BACKGROUNDS. STUDENT SUMMER CAMPS: THE SALISH SEA SCHOOL OFFERED IMMERSIVE SUMMER CAMPS FOR ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, COMBINING ADVENTURE WITH EDUCATION TO INSPIRE THE NEXT GENERATION OF MARINE CONSERVATION LEADERS. PARTICIPANTS ENGAGED IN EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING OBSERVING MARINE WILDLIFE ON GUIDED BOAT TRIPS, KAYAKING THROUGH KELP FORESTS AND INTERTIDAL ZONES, AND CONDUCTING HANDS-ON MARINE RESEARCH. THESE ACTIVITIES DEEPENED STUDENTS UNDERSTANDING OF THE SALISH SEAS ECOSYSTEMS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF CONSERVATION. THE PROGRAM EMPHASIZED ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP, SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY, AND PERSONAL GROWTH, HELPING PARTICIPANTS DEVELOP LEADERSHIP SKILLS AND A MEANINGFUL CONNECTION TO THE NATURAL WORLD. AS JUNIOR CITIZEN SCIENTISTS, STUDENTS COLLECTED DATA ON SPECIES LIKE TUFTED PUFFINS AND SOUTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES, ACTIVELY CONTRIBUTING TO REAL-WORLD CONSERVATION EFFORTS. IN 2024, STUDENTS TOOK PART IN SMALL-GROUP ACTIVITIES, WHICH PROVIDED IMPACTFUL EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES. SCHOLARSHIPS ENSURED ACCESS FOR STUDENTS FROM DIVERSE SOCIOECONOMIC BACKGROUNDS.
  2. STUDENT FIELD TRIPS: THE SALISH SEA SCHOOL PROVIDED OUTDOOR, EXPERIENTIAL FIELD TRIPS FOR K-12 STUDENTS, FOCUSING ON MARINE ECOSYSTEMS, SALMON HABITATS, AND WATERSHED HEALTH. THESE PROGRAMS COMBINED SHORE-BASED AND BOAT-BASED ACTIVITIES, IMMERSING STUDENTS IN HANDS-ON LEARNING EXPERIENCES THAT FOSTERED ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS AND SCIENTIFIC CURIOSITY. PARTICIPANTS ENGAGED IN GUIDED WILDLIFE OBSERVATION, EXPLORED THE SALMON LIFE CYCLE, ANALYZED PLANKTON SAMPLES, AND INVESTIGATED INTERTIDAL ZONES. THESE ACTIVITIES CONNECTED STUDENTS DIRECTLY WITH THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT, ENHANCING THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF THE SALISH SEAS UNIQUE ECOSYSTEMS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF CONSERVATION. IN 2024, STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN FIELD TRIPS, INCLUDING MANY FROM UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES IN SKAGIT COUNTY AND BEYOND. SCHOLARSHIPS PROVIDED OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS, INCLUDING THOSE EXPERIENCING THE SALISH SEA FOR THE FIRST TIME. STUDENT FIELD TRIPS: THE SALISH SEA SCHOOL PROVIDED OUTDOOR, EXPERIENTIAL FIELD TRIPS FOR K-12 STUDENTS, FOCUSING ON MARINE ECOSYSTEMS, SALMON HABITATS, AND WATERSHED HEALTH. THESE PROGRAMS COMBINED SHORE-BASED AND BOAT-BASED ACTIVITIES, IMMERSING STUDENTS IN HANDS-ON LEARNING EXPERIENCES THAT FOSTERED ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS AND SCIENTIFIC CURIOSITY. PARTICIPANTS ENGAGED IN GUIDED WILDLIFE OBSERVATION, EXPLORED THE SALMON LIFE CYCLE, ANALYZED PLANKTON SAMPLES, AND INVESTIGATED INTERTIDAL ZONES. THESE ACTIVITIES CONNECTED STUDENTS DIRECTLY WITH THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT, ENHANCING THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF THE SALISH SEAS UNIQUE ECOSYSTEMS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF CONSERVATION. IN 2024, STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN FIELD TRIPS, INCLUDING MANY FROM UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES IN SKAGIT COUNTY AND BEYOND. SCHOLARSHIPS PROVIDED OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS, INCLUDING THOSE EXPERIENCING THE SALISH SEA FOR THE FIRST TIME.
  3. ADULT PROGRAMS: THE SALISH SEA SCHOOL OFFERED DIVERSE CONSERVATION-FOCUSED PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS, INCLUDING WILDLIFE AND BIRD ECOTOURS, MINDFULNESS RETREATS, AND ART CLASSES. THESE IMMERSIVE, HANDS-ON EXPERIENCES DEEPENED PARTICIPANTS UNDERSTANDING OF MARINE ECOSYSTEMS WHILE FOSTERING A STRONGER CONNECTION TO THE SALISH SEA AND ITS CONSERVATION. IN 2024, ADULT PROGRAMS ENGAGED PARTICIPANTS IN ACTIVITIES LIKE PUFFIN RESEARCH, PORPOISE EDNA COLLECTION, AND MINDFULNESS RETREATS. THESE PROGRAMS PROMOTED MARINE CONSERVATION AWARENESS WHILE SUPPORTING STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS.
  4. PUFFIN ECOTOURS: PUFFIN ECOTOURS OFFERED GUIDED BOAT TRIPS TO OBSERVE TUFTED PUFFINS AND OTHER SEABIRDS WHILE PROMOTING CONSERVATION AWARENESS. PARTICIPANTS CONTRIBUTED TO BIRD SURVEYS SUPPORTING THE TUFTED PUFFIN RECOVERY PLAN IN COLLABORATION WITH THE WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE. IN 2024, THESE TOURS ADVANCED RESEARCH ON PUFFIN POPULATIONS AND THEIR PREY WHILE FOSTERING AN APPRECIATION FOR THE SALISH SEAS ECOSYSTEMS. PROCEEDS FUNDED SCHOLARSHIPS FOR UNDERSERVED STUDENTS, PROVIDING FIRST-TIME ACCESS TO MARINE EDUCATION PROGRAMS. PUFFIN ECOTOURS DIRECTLY SUPPORTED THE SALISH SEA SCHOOLS MISSION TO INSPIRE STEWARDSHIP AND CONSERVATION.
  5. PUFFIN ECOTOURS: PUFFIN ECOTOURS OFFERED GUIDED BOAT TRIPS TO OBSERVE TUFTED PUFFINS AND OTHER SEABIRDS WHILE PROMOTING CONSERVATION AWARENESS. PARTICIPANTS CONTRIBUTED TO BIRD SURVEYS SUPPORTING THE TUFTED PUFFIN RECOVERY PLAN IN COLLABORATION WITH THE WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE. IN 2024, THESE TOURS ADVANCED RESEARCH ON PUFFIN POPULATIONS AND THEIR PREY WHILE FOSTERING AN APPRECIATION FOR THE SALISH SEAS ECOSYSTEMS. PROCEEDS FUNDED SCHOLARSHIPS FOR UNDERSERVED STUDENTS, PROVIDING FIRST-TIME ACCESS TO MARINE EDUCATION PROGRAMS. PUFFIN ECOTOURS DIRECTLY SUPPORTED THE SALISH SEA SCHOOLS MISSION TO INSPIRE STEWARDSHIP AND CONSERVATION.

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 January 2020.

    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.