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Global Orca Charity

EIN 92-0492790 · Oakland, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak34 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Global Orca Charity's primary purpose is to promote research & conservation of wild & captive orca. We achieve these goals by providing charitable assistance for scientific research, public education and professional expertise to better understand and protect wild and captive orca (killer whales, Orcinus orca) and to advance global awareness of the species, as well as environmental threats and human impact on orca health and welfare.

Income
$952
Spending
$97,380
Reserves
0.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%

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

Financial health

Weak: 34 out of 100. Higher than 9% of charities in its peer group (animals, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 10129% of income.

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

Governance

This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.

Source: Form 990EZ 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 (4)
  1. $95,750 spent. Punta Norte Research Project: Working in collaboration with the Punta Norte Orca Research (Argentina) and Orca Research Trust (New Zealand), the Global Orca Charity provided funding to facilitate the following: $62,000 for construction of a permanent research facility at Punta Norte; $4,800 for computer equipment, office furniture and supplies; $18,300 for a used jeep 4x4 vehicle for the use by researchers to access the remote field sites at Punta Norte, Peninsula Valdes, Argentina; $3,500 for tires, fuel, outfitting and maintenance of the Jeep 4x4 vehicle; $4,000 for purchase of two (2) wireless, self-contained hydrophones; and $3,150 to reimburse Matt Pine, Ph.D. Director of Ocean Acoustics Limited to travel to Punta Norte for purposes of overseeing the hydrophone deployment project. Directors Cazenave and Visser were present for the field season March-May 2025, at Punta Norte, Argentina, documenting the unique ecotype of orca which hunts by intentionally stranding. An additional two weeks was spent at Punta Norte during December 2025 where both Directors worked with the Punta Norte Orca Research team and international experts to install high-frequency hydrophones onto the reefs.
  2. Conferences / Workshops / Presentations: During the 5th International Orca Symposium (16-22 February 2025), at Tarifa Spain, a total of thirteen presentations (abstracts, oral, posters, video, workshops ) were supported by the GOC including (live and video presentations by Directors Cazenave, Fraleigh, Hardie, Makowski, Spiegl and Visser as follows: Bolaños-Jiménez, J., Visser, I. N. & Henriquez, A. (2025). The candidate IMMA "Southern Caribbean Upwelling System" is important for Orcinus orca. Abstract #42. Available from www.orcaresearch.org. 5th International Orca Symposium. 16-22 February. Tarifa Spain. Cooper, T. E. & Visser, I. N. (2025). Pelagic Predation A preliminary list of prey for an ecotype in New Zealand waters. Abstract #16. Available from www.orcaresearch.org. 5th International Orca Symposium. 16-22 February. Tarifa Spain. Copello, J. M., Cazenave, J., Coscarella, M. A., Bellazzi, G. M. & Visser, I. N. (2025). Rinse and repeat. The development of intentional stranding by orca (Orcinus orca) at Punta Norte, Argentina, through training, practice & cultural learning. Abstract #15. Available from www.pn_orca.org. 5th International Orca Symposium. 16-22 February. Tarifa Spain. Copello, J. M., Pine, M. K., Cazenave, J., Coscarella, M. A., Tortolini, V., Bellazzi, G. M. & Visser, I. N. (2025). Waves of noise. The use of AI models to detect calls of Punta Norte Patagonia orca (Orcinus orca) recorded by intertidal hydrophones. Abstract #15. Available from www.pn_orca.org. 5th International Orca Symposium. 16-22 February. Tarifa Spain. Fraleigh, D., Makowski, K., Sommer, H. & Visser, I. N. (2025). Head Banging: A graphic and gravely concerning behaviour in captive orca (Orcinus orca). Abstract #8. Oral Presentation with video, given at the plenary session. Available upon request from www.orcaresearch.org. 5th International Orca Symposium. Tarifa, Spain. Hardie, T. M. & Visser, I. N. (2025). WTF[emale]!? Male orca (Orcinus orca) with mammary slits. Abstract #46. Available from www.orcaresearch.org. 5th International Orca Symposium. 16-22 February. Tarifa Spain. Song, Y. & Visser, I. N. (2025). Ultimate Generalist Predator: Global review of Orca (Orcinus orca) prey includes >200 species Abstract #9. Available from www.pn_orca.org. 5th International Orca Symposium. 16-22 February. Tarifa Spain. Spiegl, M. V. & Visser, I. N. (2025). Don't Ask, Don't Tell. A Case Study of Ethical and Legal Considerations for a Wild-Born Orca in Captivity. Abstract #86. Available from http://www.freemorgan.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Spiegl-Visser-2025-Dont-Ask-Dont-Tell.-Morgan-Case-Study-FINAL.pdf. 5th International Orca Symposium. 16-22 February. Tarifa Spain. Towers, J. R., Visser, I. N. & Prigollini, V. (2025). Underlying mechanisms, proximate causes, ultimate benefits and implications of why some wild killer whales offer prey to people. Abstract #63. Available from www.baycetology.org. 5th International Orca Symposium. 16-22 February. Tarifa, Spain. Visser, I. N. (2025). Mangrove estuaries, a unique hunting ground for orca. Going Green. Abstract #71. Available from www.orcaresearch.org. 5th International Orca Symposium. 16-22 February. Tarifa, Spain. Visser, I. N., Van Ginneken, A., Ellifrit, D. K., Copello, J. M. & Cazenave, J. (2025). Orca (Orcinus orca) carry, consume, use as camouflage and 'catch' kelp. Abstract #39. Available from www.orcaresearch.org. 5th International Orca Symposium. 16-22 February. Tarifa Spain. Visser, I. N., Talty, C. M., Black, N., Brodsky, E., Bubel, M., Cooper, T. E., Grimm, H., Hardie, T. M., Morandini, A. C., Robinson, C. & Shimotomai, T. (2025). Spicy food or stinging toys? Interactions between orca and jellyfish. Abstract #7. Available from www.orcaresearch.org. 5th International Orca Symposium. 16-22 February. Tarifa, Spain. Over the course of the video session of the 5th International Orca Symposium, Director Cazenave, as a representative of the Punta Norte Orca Research team, presented a compilation of videos about the stranding behaviour at Punta Norte (Argentina). Also, at the 5th International Orca Symposium, Director Visser, in conjunction with her co-founder of Whale-Rescue.org (Joanne Halliday) held the inaugural species-specific workshop on Orca Strandings and Rescues. This included presentations on orca stranding events and species-specific aspects that should be considered (such as pectoral fin placement during transport), case studies of successful rescues and different scenarios of orca rescued - the latter of which incorporated the participants offering suggestions in how the rescue might have been conducted. Halliday and Visser also gave a demonstration of a mock-up of the use of pontoons and rescue mats. This workshop was incorporated into the Orca Health Workshop, which presented aspects of necropsies and findings from orca events. During the 5th International Orca Symposium, Director Visser, in conjunction with Directors Hardie & Spiegl, hosted the inaugural workshop on Orca in Captivity. The remit was to explore the keeping of orca in captivity by hearing from those inside the industry and those who challenge the current model. More than 60 attendees registered from 18 countries. Eight experts presented at the workshop, in person and via pre-recorded videos. Four of the experts were available for the Expert Panel discussion with the participants. Three Directors (Visser, Hardie & Spiegl) also presented at this workshop on the following topics: Hardie, T. M. & Visser, I. N. (2025). How many captive orca are there and where are they found? 5th International Orca Symposium. Orca in Captivity Workshop 17 February. Available from www.orcaresearch.org. Tarifa, Spain. Spiegl, M. V. (2025). Orca Law. Overview of European Union Regulations applicable to orca in captive facilities. Morgan a case study. Orca in Captivity workshop conference proceedings. 17 February. 5th International Orca Symposium. Tarifa, Spain. Visser, I. N. (2025). Captive orca welfa
  3. Publications: The following scientific publications were supported by the Global Orca Charity and were published in 2025 (Director Visser was a co-author for each of these): The Punta Norte 2025-26 photo-identification guide, available free of charge to the public (downloadable via the website www.pn-orca.org). The guide was translated into Spanish to facilitate local use in Argentina. Bolanos-Jimenez, J., Visser, I. N., Narvaez, Y., Narvaez, M., Morales, J. & Bolanos-Villarroel, M. A. (2025). Successful rescue of orca (Orcinus orca) in Venezuela: first mass stranding event in the Wider Caribbean Region. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 105, e34 (31-38). Loch, C., Visser, I. N., Stratford, K., White, S., Bull, S., Matenga, L., Johnstone, M. & Stewart-Oliphant, R. (2025). Tooth wear and dental calculus in a group of orca (Orcinus orca) stranded on the New Zealand southern coast. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand; Makelainen, P. H., Visser, I. N., Cooper, T. E. & Cusson, M. (2025). Worldwide variation in shape and size of orca (Orcinus orca) saddle patches. Marine Mammal Science, 41(1), e13171 (13171-13118). Nunny, L., Bossely, M., Boys, R. M., Brakes, P., Genov, T., Parsons, E. C. M., Peters, K. J., Rose, N. A., Simone, C. A., Stockin, K. A., Vail, C. S., Van Der Linde, K., Visser, I. N. & Simmonds, M. P. (2025). Out of Habitat Marine Mammals - identification, causes, and management recommendations. Marine Policy 117, e106652 (106651-106620). Towers, J. R., Visser, I. N. & Prigollini, V. (2025). Testing the waters: Wild killer whales use prey to explore reciprocity with people. Journal of Comparative Psychology.
  4. Collaboration with other researchers and organizaitons: The Global Orca Charity continued its collaboration with 'World Orca Day' to prepare social media to celebrate the event on July 14, 2025. Director Visser continued to provide expert consultation with the French Government on the issue of captive orca and sanctuaries. Director Visser also worked as a consultant in conjunction with with the organizations WeWhale (with Director Andre), and Sea Shepherd France to continue to evaluate Iberian orca behavior near the Strait of Gibraltar to de-escalate the interaction between orca and sailboats. The Global Orca Charity also continues to work closely with Orca Research Trust (New Zealand) and Punta Norte Orca Research (Argentina) to support dissemination of informaiton and the conducting of research on wild populations of orca. In September 2025, the GOC partnered with Association WeWhale, Born Free, Dolphin Project, Deutscher Tierschutzbund, FAADA, Free Morgan Foundation, GAIA, Iberian Orca Guardians, Jane Goodall Institute, Marine Connection, One Voice, Orca Research Trust, PETA Deutschland, ProWildlife, RSPCA, Whale and Dolphin Conservation, Whale Rescue, World Animal Protection World Cetacean Alliance, and World Orca Day to call on TUI Group to stop backing the captive cetacean industry and to help make this the last generation of whales and dolphins in captivity. This 'day of action' protest was in furtherance the GOC's promotion of policies and regulations to ban the breeding of orca in captivity and end the commercial, public display of orca in orchestrated theatrical shows in European Union (EU) facilities.

Source: Form 990EZ 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 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 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 2022.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Charity Global Inc (Franklin, TN), EIN 22-3936753. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

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