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Northern Chumash Tribal Council

EIN 84-1709436 · Los Osos, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair52 out of 100GovernanceWeak26 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

NCTCs mission is to offer a foundation for Chumash people to bring our Culture and Heritage back to life, to create dignity with the people, and to educate the public that the Chumash have always been here, we have not gone anywhere, and we will always be here, one continuum. We are Chumash, by our cultural understanding we have lived on the Central Coast of California since time immemorial.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$1.4 million
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
0.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 94%
Employees
3

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 52 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 40% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 32% 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, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Weak: 26 out of 100. Higher than 1% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    0 of 3 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

    0 of 5

    Reports that it does not keep 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

    0 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, 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)
  1. $1.4 million spent. Marine Sanctuary Designation and Cultural Stewardship:The Northern Chumash Tribal Council (NCTC) achieved a historic milestone in 2024 with the official designation of the Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This effort culminated more than a decade of advocacy initiated by NCTC in 2013 and built upon generations of community-led stewardship of the Central Coast. The designation became effective in November 2024, establishing a 175-kilometer (approximately 110-mile) marine sanctuary along the Central California coast between San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties. The sanctuary safeguards culturally and biologically significant ocean areas, protecting sacred marine ecosystems and prohibiting new offshore oil and gas drilling, seabed mining, sewage discharges, and ocean dumping.Co-Management and Indigenous Leadership:Following designation, NCTC assumed a recognized co-management and consultative role with NOAA to ensure that Indigenous stewardship principles and traditional ecological knowledge guide all management and planning activities. NCTC continues to represent the interests and voices of Chumash people in decision-making processes, ensuring that tribal ecological, cultural, and historical values remain integral to sanctuary operations, educational outreach, and community engagement initiatives.Environmental Stewardship and Cultural Resource Protection:In collaboration with San Luis Obispo County and local land-use authorities, NCTC actively reviews proposed construction, infrastructure, and environmental projects to ensure compliance with tribal cultural resource protection standards. The organization provides formal evaluations and written determinations regarding potential impacts to sacred sites, burial grounds, and other areas of historical significance. Developers and agencies must demonstrate adequate mitigation or avoidance of harm before approval. This work helps preserve irreplaceable cultural landscapes while fostering collaboration with government agencies and private stakeholders to balance growth and heritage preservation.Land Back and Tribal Land Advocacy:NCTC continues to lead and participate in regional 'Land Back' efforts to return public and private lands within unceded Chumash territories to tribal stewardship. These initiatives involve direct negotiations, educational outreach, and partnerships with local governments, land trusts, and conservation organizations. The Councils efforts aim to restore tribal access, management, and ceremonial connection to ancestral lands for cultural revitalization, habitat protection, and sustainable community benefit.Community Engagement and Education:In addition to its policy and advocacy work, NCTC conducts community educational programs focused on Chumash cultural heritage, traditional ecological knowledge, and ocean conservation. The Council works to strengthen public understanding of Indigenous leadership in environmental stewardship, fostering mutual respect and collaboration across diverse community and governmental partners.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 2024.

    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 October 2009.

    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.