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Marine Conservation Biology Institute

EIN 91-1725640 · Glen Ellen, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair64 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MARINE CONSERVATION INSTITUTE IS DEDICATED TO SECURING PERMANENT, STRONG PROTECTION FOR THE OCEANS' MOST IMPORTANT PLACES FOR US AND FUTURE GENERATIONS.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$1.5 million
Spent on programs
73%
Reserves
3.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 87%
Employees
13
Volunteers
12
Highest pay
$154,959, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 64 out of 100. Higher than 46% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 11% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    73% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 17 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 13 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • 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, 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. $373,051 spent. MPATLAS: OUR MARINE PROTECTION ATLAS (MPATLAS.ORG) INITIATIVE MEASURES PROGRESS TOWARD MARINE CONSERVATION TARGETS AND COMMITMENTS. WE USE SCIENCE-BASED MARINE PROTECTED AREA (MPA) ASSESSMENTS TO CLASSIFY MPAS AND CLARIFY DIFFERENCES AMONG THEM THAT RESULT IN DIFFERENT CONSERVATION OUTCOMES. SCIENTISTS AND CONSERVATIONISTS RELY ON THE MARINE PROTECTION ATLAS TO PROVIDE AN INDEPENDENT MEASURE OF MARINE PROTECTED AREAS AND ADVOCATE FOR IMPROVED MARINE CONSERVATION EFFORTS.
  2. $372,843 spent. THE BLUE PARKS: THE BLUE PARKS INITIATIVE IS A STRATEGIC PROGRAM DESIGNED TO IMPROVE MARINE PROTECTED AREA QUALITY AND COVERAGE, ENSURING THAT WE ACHIEVE EFFECTIVE PROTECTION FOR AT LEAST 30% OF THE OCEAN BY 2030. THIS TARGET IS GUIDED BY CURRENT SCIENCE - ENOUGH TO SAFEGUARD MARINE BIODIVERSITY. WE SET SCIENCE-BASED STANDARDS FOR MARINE PROTECTED AREAS AND INCENTIVIZE GOVERNMENTS, COMMUNITIES, AND MANAGERS TO ACHIEVE THEM WITH PRESTIGIOUS BLUE PARK AWARDS. WE COLLABORATE WITH MARINE CONSERVATION LEADERS DEDICATED TO ACHIEVING BLUE PARK RECOGNITION THROUGH OUR BLUE SPARK COLLABORATIONS.
  3. $352,699 spent. CONSERVING MARINE LIFE & ECOSYSTEMS: WE USE THE BEST AVAILABLE SCIENCE TO IDENTIFY IMPORTANT MARINE ECOSYSTEMS AND ADVOCATE FOR THEIR PROTECTION. WE ADVOCATE FOR THE CREATION OF NEW MPAS AND IMPROVEMENTS O MAKE EXISTING MPAS MORE EFFECTIVE AT CONSERVING MARINE BIODIVERSITY. OUR AIM IS TO HELP ACHIEVE EFFECTIVE PROTECTION FOR AT LEAST 30% OF EACH ECOSYSTEM IN EVERY REGION OF THE GLOBAL OCEAN.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 October 13, 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 December 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 October 1996.

    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 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.