California White Shark Project
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The California White Shark Project continues to collect scientifically robust data on the population of white sharks off central California. We aim to inform the general public, scientific community, and policy-makers about the status of white sharks off California. Additionally, we have added a public school outreach component to our organization where we reach out to K-12 schools to engage school children and educate them on white sharks, marine ecology, and what it's like to be a marine biologist.
- Income
- $105,986
- Spending
- $101,625
- Reserves
- 7.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 99%
- Highest pay
- $33,000, president/research scientist
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
Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (animals, under $250k).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 7.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.
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)
- $1,000 spent. CWSP gave white shark presentation to 7 classrooms of school kids (K-12). Our goal is to educate and inspire the next generation of marine biologist and change the perspective of the white shark as a mindless killer while maintaining the importance and lethal capability of a top predator.
- $11,000 spent. We conducted 13 days of white shark sampling off of the Farallon islands and 23 days off Tomales poInt. We identified 104 individual white sharks and added them to our database. These data will be used to assess the status of the population of white sharks off central California.
- $500 spent. We published another scientific manuscript providing the first categorization of scars on white sharks and the story the scars can tell us about the movement patterns and healing rates of these predators. This paper will lead to further exploration of these scars by masters and PhD students in California.
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 November 6, 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 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 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.