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Northwest Maritime Center

EIN 91-1931643 · Port Townsend, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE NORTHWEST MARITIME CENTER IS TO ENGAGE AND EDUCATE PEOPLE OF ALL GENERATIONS IN TRADITIONAL AND CONTEMPORARY MARITIME LIFE, IN A SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE AND DISCOVERY.WHO WE ARE: AT OUR CORE WE USE POWERFUL MARITIME EXPERIENCES TO EDUCATE, INSPIRE PEOPLE TO ADVENTURE, AND CELEBRATE OUR MARITIME CULTURE. WE DO IT FOR OUR OWN LOVE OF BOATS, IN SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY AND MARITIME INDUSTRY, BUT MOSTLY BECAUSE REGARDLESS OF THE SUBJECT, THE SEA IS THE MOST POWERFUL TEACHER WE KNOW.

Income
$10.1 million
Spending
$7.9 million
Spent on programs
71%
Reserves
5.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 59%
Employees
134
Volunteers
584
Highest pay
$184,052, chief executive officer

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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 61% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 22% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 54% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    71% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 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 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    25 of 25 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. $3.4 million spent. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS: NWMC PROVIDES EXPERIENTIAL MARITIME PROGRAMS TO YOUTH AND ADULTS WITH THE GOALS OF CONNECTING STUDENTS TO THEIR COMMUNITIES, BUILDING MARITIME WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, AND ENGAGING PEOPLE IN THE MARITIME ENVIRONMENT. OUR YOUTH PROGRAMS, RANGING FROM LEARN-TO-SAIL THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL CREDIT PROGRAMS SPECIFIC TO THE MARITIME FIELD INCLUDE CHARACTER BUILDING THROUGH LEADERSHIP AND TEAMWORK TRAINING AND ON DEVELOPING MARITIME-RELATED SKILLS THROUGH MENTORSHIP. CURRICULA INCLUDE VESSEL OPERATIONS, MARINE CONSTRUCTION, AND MARINE RESOURCES.
  2. $293,875 spent. LARGE PUBLIC EVENTS INCLUDING THE PORT TOWNSEND WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL AND THE RACE TO ALASKA ENGAGE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PARTICIPANTS, ATTENDEES, AND FANS FROM AROUND THE WORLD WITH THE MARITIME TRADITIONS AND CULTURE OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST.
  3. $1.9 million spent. EDUCATIONAL AND COMMUNITY FACILITY USAGE INCLUDING BOATHOUSE AND PROGRAM FLEET THAT ENABLE PARTICIPANTS TO LEARN AND ENJOY TRADITIONAL BOATING SKILLS, MARITIME CIRCULATING LIBRARY, SYMPOSIUMS, EDUCATIONAL CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS AND PUBLIC EVENTS.

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 2024.

    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 April 1999.

    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.