Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Sound Experience

EIN 91-6170893 · Port Townsend, WA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair64 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Sound Experience sails the historic schooner Adventuress to educate, inspire and empower an inclusive community that works to improve our marine environment and celebrates our maritime heritage.

Income
$1.0 million
Spending
$1.2 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
1.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 61%
Employees
28
Volunteers
161
Highest pay
$93,600, executive director

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 35% of charities in its peer group (science, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 12% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 14% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 17% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 25 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 42% of charities in its peer group (science, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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. $559,074 spent. Sound Experience delivered day and overnight programs to some 842 children and teens - totaling more than 4,000 on-the-water learning hours - who came aboard the schooner Adventuress for "education under sail" on Salish Sea ecology, STEM concepts, maritime skills and career exploration. Students participate in hands-on learning guided by 12 professional crewmembers/educators where they learn navigation, sail theory, safety practices and shipboard drills, how to stand anchor watch, and current issues affecting Puget Sound waterways, the Salish Sea and the world's oceans.
  2. $217,417 spent. Sound Experience partnered with community-based organizations to deliver programs that provide children and teens-who otherwise have little access to the water-with transformative learning opportunities. These included the Everett at Sea program, which serves youth from the Casino Road community through week-long summer voyages in the San Juan Islands. In addition, Sound Experience participated in the Youth Maritime Career Launch Program (YMCLP) in partnership with the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, Maritime Blue, and with support from the Port of Seattle. This program offered paid internships, training, and experiences designed to connect youth and young adults ages 18-24 with long-term career opportunities in the maritime industry. Participants completed more than 80 hours of on-the-water training and job shadowing as part of their experience.
  3. $151,610 spent. Sound Experience expertly stewards its National Historic Landmark and U.S. Coast Guard-licensed sailing ship Adventuress through ongoing maintenance and equipment upgrades. In 2024, the winter crew, working alongside Haven Boatworks, completed essential deck repairs, while volunteers reskinned the deckhouse top with a long-lasting fiberglass surface. The potable water system was upgraded to enhance both safety and efficiency,and routine projects included sail repair, block maintenance, and deck oiling. By year's end, preparations were in place for the inspection and renewal of the bowsprit and mastsensuring Adventuress remains strong and seaworthy for generations to come.

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 May 1990.

    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.