Passes our checks

Black in Marine Science

EIN 86-1303144 · Spokane, WA

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

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO CELEBRATE, EDUCATE, AND AMPLIFY, CREATING AN INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY THAT ADDRESSES UNDERREPRESENTATION IN THE FIELD.

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

Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (science, $1m to $10m).

Reserves
20 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 5.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20
It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15
Income exceeded spending by 20% of income.
Spending floor
8 of 15
54% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 18 cents.

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

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (science, $1m to $10m).

Independent board
5 of 25
0 of 10 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15
Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8
Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7
Has a 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.
Pay set independently
5 of 5
Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15
Its accounts were audited 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

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (6)

$278,927 spent. THE BIMS INSTITUTE IS THE RESEARCH ARM OF BLACK IN MARINE SCIENCE
$652,158 spent. BIMS WEEK IS AN ANNUAL SCIENTIFIC WELLNESS RETREAT HOSTED BY BLACK IN
$92,817 spent. BIP WEEK IS A COMPREHENSIVE MARINE SCIENCE IMMERSION PROGRAM FOCUSING
BIMS TV (BIMS BITES, BIMS DIVES, BIM BITES KIDS) was created in 2020 when all BIMS content premiered. Videos are made ASL accessible to create an equitable scientific environment. BIMS TV has reached over 1,998 subscribers with 30,000
plus views and 504,800 impressions. BIMS BITES premieres twice a month based on topics in marine science disseminated by Black marine scientists. BIMS BITES KIDS targets childern to create more excitement and a greater understanding of
science, BIMS DIVES is a monthly live stream where they discuss hot topics in marine science with an infield expert.

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

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.
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.
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.
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.
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 October 13, 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 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.