Humboldt Waterkeeper
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To safeguard coastal resources for health and economic strength through education and scientific research.
- Income
- $181,988
- Spending
- $163,043
- Reserves
- 10.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 98%
- Highest pay
- $51,555, board secretary and executive director
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 84 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 10.7 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 16% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 (3)
- $28,828 spent. Education and Outreach: 17 bay tours for 432 participants, 3 radio shows,6 newsletter articles, 21 e-newsletters, 6 public presentations,more than 20 blog posts to our website, and quotes in numerous newspaper articles.
- $37,300 spent. Scientific Research: Mapping and researching contaminated sites at risk from rising sea level;developing a database for mapping total restoration projects; meetings withscientists, agency staff, tribes, and community members to gather input; water quality monitoring for toxic tire chemicals.
- $77,882 spent. Advocacy: Action alerts, meeting with decisionmakers andproject proponents, public testimony and comment letters,input on policies, ordinances, and proposed projects.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 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 2025.
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 March 2023.
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.