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Triton Research Institute

EIN 99-4709671 · Saco, ME

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthNot ratedToo small or too little detailGovernanceGood83 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TRITON RESEARCH INSTITUTE IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION FORMED EXCLUSIVELY FOR CHARITABLE & EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES. TRITONS EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES ARE FOCUSED ON MODERNIZING & IMPROVING FISHERIES SCIENCE, BREAKING DOWN TRADITIONAL NOTIONS OF RESEARCHERS & RESEARCH SUBJECTS, & ADVANCING THE PRINCIPLE THAT THE BEST AVAILABLE SCIENCE IS THE KNOWLEDGE LEARNED AT SEA.

Income
$502,249
Spending
$1,740
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
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

We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.

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: 83 out of 100. Higher than 70% of charities in its peer group (science, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    3 of 3 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (2)
  1. $870 spent. RESEARCH ACTIVITIES: TRITON INTENDS TO FURTHER ITS EXEMPT PURPOSES BY ENGAGING IN RESEARCH FOCUSED ON THE PROMOTION OF DOMESTIC SEAFOOD RESOURCES & THE PRESERVATION OF FISHING HERITAGE. TRITON WILL SERVE AS A FOCAL POINT FOR COOPERATIVE RESEARCH THAT ADVANCES SCIENTIFIC PURSUITS THAT INCORPORATE THE EXPERIENTIAL KNOWLEDGE OF FISHERMEN DERIVED FROM THEIR WORK IN DOMESTIC FISHERIES. TRITON INTENDS TO ACTIVELY INCREASE OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEMBERS OF THE DOMESTIC FISHING INDUSTRY TO PARTICIPATE IN RESEARCH THAT PROMOTES SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES & COASTAL COMMUNITIES. RESEARCH ACTIVITIES WERE CONDUCTED NATIONWIDE BY TRITONS STAFF & AFFILIATES. THIS RESEARCH ACTIVITY IS AN EFFECTIVE METHOD FOR FURTHERING TRITONS EXEMPT PURPOSE BY DEVELOPING HIGH-QUALITY FINDINGS THAT WILL BROADEN PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE STATE OF DOMESTIC FISHERIES AND THE DOMESTIC FISHING INDUSTRY.
  2. $870 spent. TRITON INTENDS TO ENGAGE IN EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING COMPILING THE FINDINGS OF TRITONS IN-HOUSE RESEARCHERS & THEN PUBLISHING THOSE REPORTS FOR PUBLIC CONSUMPTION. TRITON WILL ALSO PREPARE & DISSEMINATE EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS THAT AIM TO DEEPEND PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF FISHERIES SCIENCE. EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES WERE CONDUCTED NATIONWIDE BY TRITONS STAFF & AFFILIATES.

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 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 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 July 2025.

    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.

  7. Could it be confused with another charity? Worth knowing.

    A much larger organization has a similar name: Research Triangle Institute (Rtp, NC), EIN 56-0686338. If that is the one you meant, check the EIN before giving.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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.