Mega Lab
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The MEGA Lab advances environmental education, citizen science, and scientific research focused on coral reef and coastal ecosystems. The organization supports scientific research, provides outreach education, and mentors students to promote public engagement in science and community based conservation. These activities address complex challenges related to climate change, ocean ecology, and human environmental interactions in marine and coastal systems, and require collaboration across scientific disciplines and with local communities to support the protection and sustainable management of these environments.
- Income
- $83,524
- Spending
- $67,751
- Reserves
- 10.4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 75%
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
Strong: 90 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (science, under $250k).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 10.4 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 19% 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 (5)
- $21,500 spent. Organized and conducted reef education workshops to advance environmental education and community engagement in coral reef conservation. Engaged over 5,000 students and more than 10,000 members of the public, supported by a team of volunteers. Workshops focused on reef monitoring, citizen science methods, and increasing awareness of the importance of sustaining healthy ocean ecosystems.
- $8,500 spent. Developed and distributed digital media and training resources to support education and public participation in marine science and conservation. Participants were trained to use accessible tools such as Luma.ai and KIRI Engine to capture and share 3D models, expanding engagement in coastal habitat mapping and scientific data collection through online platforms.
- $2,500 spent. Provided programmatic support to Ohana Waa, a Hawaii based nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth through education in voyaging and place based learning. This support contributed to educational programming that increases awareness of ocean conservation and strengthens connections between communities and marine environments.
- $12,500 spent. Engaged with the surf community to advance public understanding of coral reef health and conservation. Conducted outreach and training to support citizen science and reef monitoring efforts, and provided educational resources at surf events reaching over 5,000 participants to promote ocean stewardship and informed use of coastal ecosystems.
- $22,751 spent. Collaborated with local ocean communities to support coral reef conservation through training and implementation of 3D reef mapping and monitoring techniques. Community members were trained to collect high resolution spatial data and develop habitat maps to inform local decision making and management. This work supported community based efforts to assess reef condition, quantify ecological value, and strengthen local capacity to protect and sustainably manage coastal ecosystems.
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
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 September 7, 2026.
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 September 30, 2026.
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 September 10, 2026.
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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 2023.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
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 7, 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.