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California Marine Sanctuary Foundation

EIN 94-3225675 · Monterey, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak42 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 81 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

THE CALIFORNIA MARINE SANCTUARY FOUNDATION IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION WORKING TO ADVANCE THE UNDERSTANDING AND STEWARDSHIP OF OCEAN RESOURCES IN CALIFORNIA. FOR OVER 25 YEARS CMSF HAS PARTNERED WITH LOCAL COMMUNITIES, BUSINESSES, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, NGO'S, AND FOUNDATIONS TO ENHANCE OUR COASTAL ENVIRONMENT BY LEVERAGING SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, AND COLLABORATION.

Income
$4.5 million
Spending
$4.3 million
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
2.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 96%
Employees
28
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$165,517, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 42 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 81% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 74% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    86% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 81 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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 December 31, 2024, 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. $1.2 million spent. MARINE CONSERVATION: WE LEAD EFFORTS TO PROTECT COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS, REDUCE SHIP STRIKES ON ENDANGERED WHALES, AND ADVANCE THE 30×30 CONSERVATION GOALS. THROUGH SCIENCE, OUTREACH, AND COLLABORATION, WE HELP ENSURE HEALTHY MARINE ECOSYSTEMS FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.
  2. $1.1 million spent. COASTAL RESTORATION: WE HELP RESTORE NATURAL INFRASTRUCTURE TO REDUCE FLOODING, RECHARGE AQUIFERS, AND SUPPORT WILDLIFE. OUR NATURE-BASED PROJECTS PROTECT VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES WHILE STRENGTHENING CALIFORNIA'S COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS AGAINST CLIMATE-DRIVEN THREATS.
  3. $943,274 spent. WATER QUALITY PROTECTION: OUR COMMUNITY-POWERED MONITORING PROGRAMS, LIKE SNAPSHOT DAY AND FIRST FLUSH, TRACK POLLUTION IN OVER 120 WATERWAYS ANNUALLY. PARTNERING WITH FARMERS, RANCHERS, AND REGIONAL AGENCIES, WE ALSO IMPLEMENT ON-THE-GROUND SOLUTIONS THAT KEEP CREEKS, BAYS, AND MARINE SANCTUARIES CLEAN AND THRIVING.
  4. $481,887 spent. ALL OTHER PROGRAMS

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 2024.

    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 April 1996.

    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.