Charleston Center for Paleontology
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Charleston Center for Paleontology is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit who works to advance the unique paleontology of the Charleston Tri-County Area through research and conservation.
- Income
- $221,021
- Spending
- $140,335
- Spent on programs
- 90%
- Reserves
- 2.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
- Employees
- 3
- Volunteers
- 6
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: 71 out of 100. Higher than 49% of charities in its peer group (science, under $250k).
Reserves
10 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 2.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 6% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 37% of income.
Spending floor
15 of 1590% 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: 72 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (science, under $250k).
Independent board
18 of 254 of 4 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
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 (1)
- $126,260 spent. (1) Conserve the Charleston Tri-County Area's important fossil resourcesThe Charleston embayment is one of the most important fossil exposures in the US. Its fossil record spans 40 million years and can show us how animals adapted to the environmental pressures of changing ecosystems throughout that time, from cold, deep prehistoric oceans to our warm, modern marshes.The Tri-County Area is the center of rapid residential and commercial development, and there is a significant risk that the paleontological resources underneath will be lost forever. In 2024, CCP was able to open the largest paleontology-dedicated laboratory and collections space in the Charleston tri-county area (1800 sq ft). CCP also began accessioning items into its collection and ended the year with over 150 new items in collections, including a partial denary from the impressive oligocene-aged bird Pelagornis sandersii, a Xenorophus slonaii specimen recovered from a Summerville creek that made the front page of the Post and Courier, and the skull of an eomysticetid yet to be identified, measuring at over 6 feet long. These items, among many others, are currently in preparation to be fully restored and importantly, will be preserved for future scientific research.(2) Drive research on the paleontology of the Charleston Tri-County Area forwardFossil-rich strata in Charleston preserve two unique periods in the evolution of vertebrates: the origin of whales and dolphins as a response to global cooling during the first Antarctic glaciation (30-23 million years ago), and the origin of modern species in the context of climatic fluctuations during the beginning of the ice ages (2.5-1 million years ago). The study of fossil assemblages and the response of marine ecosystems to dramatic oceanographic and climatic changes may provide insight into the vulnerabilities and resiliency of modern species and fisheries affected by climate change, ocean acidification, and overfishing.CCP works both as an independent research center and as a bridge between Charleston and the larger academic community. In 2024, CCP hired its first Operations and Collections manager, Michael "Mike" Stoller. With an extensive background in both museum operations and paleontology tourism, Mike has been essential in getting the paleontology lab up and running, as well as making connections with local paleontology research centers and tourist groups, including the Charleston Museum, The Mace Brown Museum at the College of Charleston, and Charleston Fossil Adventures. We are working closely with these institutions on areas of potential collaboration for the future. (3) Provide educational opportunities for the community to engage with the Charleston Tri-County Area paleontologyThere is widespread enthusiasm for amateur paleontology in the local community, and Charleston has become a tourist destination for fossil hunters. CCP provides workshops and outreach services to local schools to provide hands-on workshops in paleontology principles to inspire the next generation of STEM enthusiasts. In 2024, we hosted two educational workshops for the public, both in collaboration with Charleston Fossil Adventures. Firstly, w hosted a shark tooth sorting workshop for the public to learn more about the different species of shark teeth you can find on South Carolina beaches. Second, we hosted a public booth at the Easter Meg Hunt event on Folly Beach for the public to learn more about paleontology research happening in the Lowcountry. We plan to gear up these programs in 2025.
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? 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.
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 February 2024.
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.
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