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Padilla Bay Foundation

EIN 91-1401169 · Mount Vernon, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood72 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Only 38% of its spending went to programs.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

The Organization's mission is to provide support to enhance, implement and sustain the programs and projects of the Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, including educational programs, scientific research, interpretive programs and capital development projects. The Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve preserves the Padilla Bay Estuary through education and research.

Income
$180,950
Spending
$179,954
Spent on programs
38%
Reserves
17.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 60%
Employees
3
Volunteers
35
Highest pay
$48,236, administrative officer

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 72 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 17.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 6% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 22% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    38% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 (4)
  1. $13,129 spent. OSPI Teacher Workshop and Professional Development Grant: PBF manages the funds for a grant from the ClimeTime Initiative provided by Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Schools (OSPI). With this grant Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (PBNERR) staff provide professional development workshops for middle and high school teachers that focuses on environmental science, climate and data literacy, and ocean acidification. The workshops are based national Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and train teachers to develop and implement science based lessons that incorporate monitoring data from state and national real-time observation networks. The grant funds the workshop staff, curriculum materials, logistic and a small stipend for teachers once they implement their learnings into their classroom teaching. The Padilla Bay Reserve ClimeTime workshops have engaged hundreds of teachers since 2018, and indirectly served thousands of students through this work.
  2. $13,614 spent. General Education: The Padilla Bay Foundation (PBF) supports the educational programs offered by staff of the Padilla Bay Reserve. Through the General Education Fund, PBF covers education interns, the costs of bussing for local schools and educational materials. The Reserve staff and interns offer educational programs on natural history and environmental topics for school groups, children, families, and adults. In addition, the Breazeale Interpretive Center features interactive exhibits, saltwater aquariums, and classrooms for learning about the Salish Sea and the unique salt grass estuary of Padilla Bay.
  3. $1,728 spent. Youth Earth Summit: PBF manages the finances for Youth Earth Summit, an annual regional youth gathering at the Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve where over 50 high school students explore creative solutions for climate change. This annual gathering brings together passionate young environmentalists to develop action plans for themselves, their schools, and their communities to ensure the health and safety of our planet. This year's program included an engaging workshop using virtual reality technology to take students on an underwater adventure and connect them with the marine food web in an unforgettable, hands- on way.
  4. $39,053 spent. Various Other programs

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 October 13, 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 November 6, 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since December 1988.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.