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Save the Sea Turtles International

EIN 99-0344723 · Haleiwa, HI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood83 out of 100GovernanceFair69 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WE EMPOWER COMMUNITIES AROUND THE GLOBE TO PROTECT SEA TURTLES, CORALS, SHARKS, AND THE VITAL MARINE SPECIES AND ECOSYSTEMS THEY CALL HOME THROUGH HANDS-ON CONSERVATION, EDUCATION, AND SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS. OUR TEAM LEADS REEF AND BEACH CLEANUPS WORLDWIDE, RESCUES ENTANGLED MARINE LIFE, AND TEACHES OCEAN SAFETY AND MARINE CONSERVATION TO INSPIRE THE NEXT GENERATION OF OCEAN PROTECTORS. WE CREATE ENGAGING EDUCATIONAL MEDIA AND DOCUMENTARY FILMS. ROOTED IN THE SPIRIT OF ALOHA AND RESPECT FOR ALL OCEAN LIFE, WE UNITE GLOBAL PARTNERS, VOLUNTEERS, AND EDUCATORS TO CREATE MEASURABLE, LASTING CHANGE FOR OUR OCEANS.

Income
$165,350
Spending
$153,886
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
6.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 70%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0

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

Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 67% of charities in its peer group (animals, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 17% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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: 69 out of 100. Higher than 72% of charities in its peer group (animals, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    0 of 25

    0 of 2 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.

  • 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. $26,487 spent. ORGANIZING LARGE-SCALE BEACH AND REEF CLEANUPS. TRAINING DIVERS TO SAFELY EXTRACT FISHING LINES WITHOUT CAUSING HARM TO CORAL. 6,543 TONS OF LITTER CLEARED IN COASTAL CLEANUPS AND 543,210 FISHING LINE REMOVED FROM CORAL REEFS.
  2. $26,213 spent. SAVING ENTANGLED SEA TURTLES AND MARINE LIFE FROM FISHING GEAR AND PLASTIC POLLUTION. DOCUMENTING INJURIES TO PUSH FOR STRONGER OCEAN PROTECTION POLICIES. 4,321 MARINE ANIMALS RESCUED.
  3. $78,365 spent. EDUCATE THE GENERAL PUBLIC ABOUT HAZARDS FACING ALL MARINE LIFE INCLUDING GREEN SEA TURTLES AND RESCUE MISSIONS THROUGH OUR WEBSITE, BOOTHS, AND PRESENTATIONS. 12,000+ STUDENTS REACHED AND OVER 120 MILLION VIEWERS EDUCATED WITH OUR DOCUMENTARY AND SOCIAL MEDIA.

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 October 2000.

    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.