Micronesia Conservation Trust
Public records raise at least one point you should look into before giving.
What it says it does
We make grants and strengthen organizational and leadership capacity to help Micronesian communities and decision-makers conserve the health of the oceans and islands that are our home.
- Income
- $6.6 million
- Spending
- $4.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 75%
- Reserves
- 4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 59%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 0
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
Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 4.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 8% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 29% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 10% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1575% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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
Good: 74 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 10 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Independent check of accounts
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (3)
- $2.8 million spent. Conservation, Terrestrial, and Climate Change Program: The Conservation Program consists of several ongoing funding programs supporting conservation and climate change adaptation projects in marine and terrestrial ecosystems in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), the Republic of Palau (ROP), the US Territory of Guam, and the commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). Each of these programs is determined by terms agreed upon between MCT and its donors. In general, MCT issues funds through a call for proposals process inviting proponent organizations and groups to submit concept papers and/or proposals describing the work they plan to undertake in the targeted areas. MCT-funded projects address biodiversity and climate change adaptation issues in the FSM, RMI, ROP, Guam, and CNMI have a direct positive impact on the flora and/or fauna of the targeted ecosystems and related communities involved show technical, financial, and organizational coherence to ensure the sustainability of the project. MCT Conservation Program staff monitor and evaluate the implementation of projects providing, ongoing technical support and guidance, ensuring compliance to grant agreement terms, and working in close collaboration with the MCT Capacity Building Program staff assisting with assessing grantee needs.
- $232,589 spent. Capacity-Building and Livelihoods Program: The MCT Capacity-Building Program currently supports the executive leadership and management of the regions NGOs and government line agencies through the Micronesians in Island Conservation MIC peer-learning network as well as their technical staff through the Pacific Islands Managed and Protected Areas Community (PIMPAC). MCT coordinates these two peer-learning networks. The Capacity-Building Program also coordinates its activities with those of the Conservation Program, regularly monitoring projects and providing on-the-spot assistance with project management. MIC is an initiative for emerging conservation pioneers as well as established champions within both the NGO and government sectors. PIMPAC provides continuous opportunities for sharing of information expertise and best practices and experience to develop and strengthen area-based management capacity throughout the Pacific Region. The Capacity-Building Program also administers scholarship and area-based management capacity throughout the Pacific Region. Livelihoods support activities include support for sustainable livelihoods and food security training and project activities.
- $426,281 spent. Administration, Finance, and Human Resources Program: The Administration and Finance, staff provides administrative and financial management support to the Conservation and Capacity-Building Programs. MCTs financial management system is comprised of accounting records and a series of processes and procedures assigned to staff Board of Trustees and outside professionals. The goals of MCTs systems are to ensure that financial data and transactions are properly entered into the accounting records and that reports are prepared accurately and in a timely fashion. MCTs financial management policies are procedures that provide assurance that assets are used solely for the benefit of the organization and not for personal or other gain, and that donated funds are used for the purposes which donors intended as specified in grant agreements. Internal controls help ensure operational efficiency and prevent the intentional or misguided use of funds for unauthorized purposes. The Administration and Finance Program also includes the Human Resources functions of the organization. MCT is also accredited to serve as the National Implementing Entity of the Adaption Fund for the FSM and as a Direct Access Implementing Entity for the Green Climate Fund for the FSM, RMI, and ROP. The MCT administration and Finance Program is responsible for ensuring that MCT administrative functions and project management systems meet the highest international standard.
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
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.
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.
Are donations tax-deductible? Caution.
The IRS master file records contributions to this 501(c)(3) charitable organization as not deductible.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since July 2010.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.