Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Chatham Rock Island Inc

EIN 92-1044248 · Stamford, CT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceFair54 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.

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 WAS FORMED TO RAISE MONEY FOR THE RESTORATION OF THE STAMFORD HARBOR LIGHTHOUSE. THE LIGHTHOUSE IS ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES. IT HAS BEEN PRIVATELY OWNED FOR MANY YEARS. IT IS IN POOR CONDITION AND IS IN URGENT NEED OF REPAIR.

Income
$330,483
Spending
$74,415
Spent on programs
48%
Reserves
21.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
0
Volunteers
3

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

Financial health

Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 41% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 21.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 30% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 77% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 82% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    48% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Governance

Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 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 (1)
  1. $35,945 spent. IN 2023, CHATHAM ROCK WAS ESTABLISHED TO PURCHASE THE STAMFORD LIGHTHOUSE FROM A PRIVATE OWNER WHO DID NOT MAINTAIN IT. IN 2025, CHATHAM ROCK CONTINUES TO RAISE DONATIONS TOWARDS A GOAL OF 3.9 MILLION TO STABILIZE THE STRUCTURE, SCRAPE AND PAINT IT, FIX THE WINDOWS, RE-ESTABLISH A DOCK, IMPROVE THE NAVIGATIONAL LIGHT(S) AND REBUILD THE BREAKWATER. THESE TASKS SHOULD TAKE SEVERAL YEARS. IN SUBSEQUENT YEARS, CHATHAM ROCK INTENDS TO COLLABORATE WITH SOUND WATERS, THE CITY OF STAMFORD, AND OTHER EDUCATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS ON EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES FOR ITS CLIENTS, ESTABLISH AN OYSTER BED AND KELP FARM AND PROVIDE WEATHER AND OTHER SCIENTIFIC DATA. EVENTUALLY, WE INTEND TO ESTABLISH AN ENDOWMENT TO PROVIDE FOR MAINTENANCE OF THE STRUCTURE.

Source: Form 990 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 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 September 2023.

    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.