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Carolina Ocean Alliance

EIN 88-4401940 · Charleston, SC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceGood82 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Carolina Ocean Alliance is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that advances community-driven solutions through strategic coalitions of our partners, develops the next generation of leaders, and fosters a culture of environmental stewardship.

Income
$69,079
Spending
$64,269
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
3.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 57%
Employees
0
Volunteers
300
Highest pay
$12,000, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 28% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 82 out of 100. Higher than 75% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 6 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a 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

    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.

  • 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, 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)
  1. $31,896 spent. The Hope Summit is a forum for amplifying intersectional ideas, accelerating solutions, and inspiring hope. Hope is a regenerative act that we will inspire through accessible, tangible, and creative action. Through an annual conference, film festival, community festival, and a growing line-up of programming, and year-round book club, film series, and impact events, The Hope Summit is a catalyst for creating vibrant communities.
  2. $7,214 spent. Ocean Advocacy, Policy, and Emerging Leader DevelopmentTo have a healthy planet, we need to protect and restore the health of our oceans, and in doing so, we must protect and restore the health of coastal ecosystems and the communities that live alongside them by reimagining and reshaping the systems that create environmental harm and injustice, while understanding that we are all downstream of someone and upstream of someone else. Carolina Ocean Alliance works towards systems-scale solutions to climate change and ocean health through nature-based design, community-driven solutions, policy informed by ecology, support for key educational and regulatory institutions, and a shared responsibility for our planet and for the well-being of our neighbors.
  3. $16,687 spent. The Creek Collective is a place-based, community-driven resilience initiative of the Carolina Ocean Alliance that merges nature-based design and tactical urbanism with direct action that community members can take through citizen science, native ecosystem restoration, community adaptation planning, environmental justice, and the creation of community networks built around the shared stewardship of a waterway or flood basin.The M.A.R.S.H. Project is a grassroots and community-based program of the Creek Collective working to create the first urban ecological corridor in the Southeast. We advocate for the marsh, and for reclaiming Charleston's natural heritage through volunteerism and unique programming cleaning up debris, planting native plant species, citizen-science monitoring, art programs, and community and educational outreach.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since January 2023.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.