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San Francisco Estuary Institute

EIN 94-2951373 · Richmond, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood70 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Provide scientific support and tools for decision making and communication through collaborative efforts.

Income
$19.6 million
Spending
$19.1 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 99%
Employees
99
Volunteers
15
Highest pay
$182,526, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 40% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 4.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 65% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 26% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 36% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).

  • 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 June 30, 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. $5.8 million spent. Clean Water Program: Our Clean Water Program is one of the nation's premier water quality science supporting aquatic resource protection. Clean Water anticipates and meets the water quality information needs of managers and the public. The Regional Monitoring Program for Water Quality in San Francisco Bay is the flagship of the Clean Water Program.
  2. $3.7 million spent. Resilient Landscapes Program: Resilient Landscapes develops ecosystem restoration and landscape management strategies that sustain key ecological services. We rigorously evaluate management alternatives using innovative visualization and design.
  3. $3.1 million spent. Regional Monitoring Program (RMP): The RMP is a subset of the Clean Water Program. Chemical contamination in San Francisco Bay is governed by the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board (the Water Board). The Water Board has a wellarticulated framework for managing contamination in the Bay contained in the Water Quality Control Plan (Plan). The Plan classifies the valued attributes of the Bay as "beneficial usesX and establishes water quality objectives that are protective of these beneficial uses. The RMP is an innovative collaborative effort between the Institute, the Water Baord, and the regulated discharges community. This program for contaminants of concern in the San Francisco Estuary is the primary source of information and is used to evaluate beneficial useimpairment in the Bay due to chemical contamination.
  4. $3.1 million spent. Environmental Informatics(EI): Working with both internal and external collaborators, Environmental Informatics operationalizes credible scientific knowledge using innovative technologies. The program is a union of multiple disciplines, organized to promote data management, visualization, analysis, and software development in support of ongoing and emerging needs.Environmental Informatics staff guide statewide technology efforts aimed to promote data transparency and exchange. They enjoy a strong track record of success and salience in a highly competitive technology environment. By augmenting the capacity of key public partners, the team credibly translates authoritative aquatic ecosystem data into dynamic, visually stimulating information to guide and evaluate environmental planning, management, and regulatory decisions.Aquatic Science Center (ASC): Was formed to assist with the efficient delivery of financial, scientific, monitoring, and information management support functions.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 1987.

    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.