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Maritime Cybersecurity Institute

EIN 93-4892415 · Beaufort, SC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair63 out of 100GovernanceFair54 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The Maritime Cybersecurity Institute is dedicated to addressing the urgent need for robust cybersecurity measures in the commercial maritime sector. With an ever increasing dependence on digital technologies and interconnected systems the maritime sector has shown itself as being vulnerable to cyber threats and attacks. Our vision is a world class engine for the maritime transportation ecosystem focused on providing or stimulating cybersecurity education research experimentation investment and commercialization of products with regional and national impacts.

Income
$30,946
Spending
$280,895
Spent on programs
65%
Reserves
20.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
investment income, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
10

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

Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 20.4 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 808% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 96% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    64% of spending went to programs.

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 38% of charities in its peer group (education, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    2 of 3 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • 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, 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 (3)
  1. $141,621 spent. The organization sponsored the 2nd annual CyberBoat Challenge event. The Challenge brings college students and industry participants together in a multi-day cyber hacking event. The purpose is to train and educate the college students on maritime cybersecurity technology risks while also creating career path interests in the students. Industry participants of the event gain insight into the same risks while mentoring and fostering relationships with the college students
  2. $20,035 spent. The organization continued its program of conducting cybersecurity maturity assessments for entities operating in the commercial maritime industry. These assessments are intended to provide the assessed organization with insight into the strength weakness of their cybersecurity program. Additionally the assessments provide our organization with insight into the cybersecurity maturity of the overall industry
  3. $19,489 spent. The organization provided grants to other 501c3 non-profit organizations that are aligned with the organizations objectives. Grant recipients during this fiscal year included the Maritime Hacking Village and the South Coast Cyber Center.

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 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 January 2024.

    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.

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.