Krushan Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
KruShan Foundation is the only US-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated solely to protecting critically endangered African penguins from extinction. #NotBy2035 THEORY OF CHANGE: Because human activity has reduced the African penguin population from millions of birds 100 years ago to a critically endangered species with under 11,000 breeding pairs left, we stay in near-constant contact with our partners in the field and make frequent trips to South Africa so that we know what they need in real-time to protect this iconic species from extinction. Our fundraising, education, and outreach efforts aim to bolster the African penguin population to prevent their projected extinction in the wild in 2035 so that future generations can enjoy these adorable, entertaining birds in a healthy marine ecosystem.
- Income
- $57,194
- Spending
- $46,027
- Reserves
- 4.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 99%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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, 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 (3)
- $43 spent. African Penguin Protection Program: 2024 program highlights--we protected 15 African penguin chicks after winter storms by ensuring they were rescued, rehabilitated, and released back into the wild, paid the salary of a dedicated Seabird Ranger for the Dyer Island African penguin colony, and made a groundbreaking donation to support the African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary's (APSS) medical capabilities. Recognizing the urgent need for better diagnostic tools, we funded the purchase of a portable X-ray machine and related equipment. The new facility, the African Penguin Protectors KruShan Foundation X-Ray Room, at the APSS will be the first of its kind in the Overstrand region, offering critical care for all animals in need of emergency diagnostics, especially seabirds and penguins. There's something magical about working together to save a species from extinction. We work with our partners in South Africa to protect the critically endangered African penguins by: * bolstering the chick population, rearing abandoned or lost chicks, and incubating eggs-a vital part of the African Penguin Biodiversity Management Plan; * paying the salary of African penguin rangers; * rehabilitating injured, ill, or oiled birds; * funding needed equipment purchases; * responding to emergencies or time-sensitive needs, and * equipping African penguin populations with artificial nests
- STEM Education for underprivilged students. Our educational efforts include the following: * providing underprivileged students with STEM skills by supporting the three-year DEEP Blue Ambassador training program; * collaborating with partners to create educational materials for children, adolescents, and adults, and * working toward establishing a marine and seabird education center in Gansbaai, South Africa. We sponsored our first student in 2024 and plan to sponsor more in 2025.
- We raise awareness in the Global North for our partners and feathered friends in the Global South through outreach efforts via: * fun and engaging presentations and interviews, both in-person and online; * event participation; * social media; * our newsletter and blog, and * advocacy for increased Marine Protection Areas to protect the ecosystem that African penguins need to thrive. In 2024 we appeared on one podcast, one local newspaper article, one online magazine article, and gave our first African penguins presentation to a group (Wimberley Birding Society).
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 July 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.