Is Ocean Research & Conservation Association Inc Legit?

Quick charity verification for Ocean Research & Conservation Association Inc (EIN: 200901011)

Verdict: Ocean Research & Conservation Association Inc appears trustworthy

90/100Mission Score
$2.7MRevenue
$4.2MAssets
1Red Flags
5Strengths

Red Flags

Strengths

Spending Breakdown

How Ocean Research & Conservation Association Inc allocates its funds across programs, administration, and fundraising.

80%
Program Spending
Healthy — majority goes to mission
10%
Admin Costs
Reasonable — admin costs in check
10%
Fundraising
Within typical range
How to read this: Well-run charities typically spend 75% or more on programs, keep admin under 25%, and fundraising under 15%. A high program ratio means more of every dollar goes directly to the mission.

How to Interpret This Report

What Red Flags Mean

Red flags are potential warning signs identified by AI analysis of IRS 990 filings. They may indicate issues like declining revenue, high executive pay relative to program spending, lack of transparency, or governance concerns. A single red flag does not necessarily mean an organization is untrustworthy, but multiple flags warrant further investigation before donating.

What Mission Score Measures

The Mission Score (0-100) evaluates how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated purpose. It combines multiple factors: program spending efficiency (how much goes to programs vs. overhead), financial health and sustainability, governance quality, transparency in reporting, and consistency of operations over time. A score of 70+ indicates strong alignment with the organization’s mission.

Using This Data for Donation Decisions

Use this report as one input in your decision. Look at the overall Mission Score for a quick assessment, review red flags and strengths for specific concerns, check the spending breakdown to see where money goes, and compare executive compensation to the organization’s size. Consider viewing the full transparency report for deeper analysis, and always verify tax-exempt status with the IRS before making large donations.

Frequently Asked Questions about Ocean Research & Conservation Association Inc

Is Ocean Research & Conservation Association Inc a legitimate charity?

Based on AI analysis of IRS 990 filings, Ocean Research & Conservation Association Inc (EIN: 200901011) appears trustworthy. Mission Score: 90/100. 1 red flag identified, 5 strengths noted.

Is Ocean Research & Conservation Association Inc a good charity to donate to?

Ocean Research & Conservation Association Inc has a Mission Score of 90/100. Revenue: $2.7M. Assets: $4.2M. Review the full transparency report for detailed spending breakdown and executive compensation analysis.

What is the EIN for Ocean Research & Conservation Association Inc?

The Employer Identification Number (EIN) for Ocean Research & Conservation Association Inc is 200901011. This is the unique tax ID assigned by the IRS.

What is a Mission Score?

The Mission Score is a 0-100 rating that measures how effectively a nonprofit fulfills its stated mission. It factors in program spending efficiency, financial transparency, governance practices, and outcome reporting. Scores above 70 indicate strong mission alignment, 40-69 suggest mixed performance, and below 40 signals potential concerns.

How does Ocean Research & Conservation Association Inc spend its money?

Ocean Research & Conservation Association Inc allocates 80% to programs, 10% to administration, and 10% to fundraising. Healthy nonprofits typically spend 75%+ on programs.

How can I verify Ocean Research & Conservation Association Inc's tax-exempt status?

You can verify Ocean Research & Conservation Association Inc's tax-exempt status using EIN 200901011 on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (TEOS) at apps.irs.gov/app/eos. You can also request copies of their Form 990 directly from the organization, as they are required by law to provide them upon request.

AI Transparency Report

Ocean Research & Conservation Association Inc (ORCA) demonstrates a generally healthy financial trajectory, with consistent revenue growth over the past five years, increasing from $1,881,676 in 2020 to $2,721,398 in 2024. The organization has also significantly grown its assets, from $1,294,047 in 2020 to $4,245,697 in 2024, indicating strong financial management and capacity building. While the latest filing shows expenses of $2,342,687 against revenues of $2,721,398, resulting in a surplus, the previous year (2023) saw a larger surplus with revenues of $3,654,078 and expenses of $2,301,569. This fluctuation suggests a need to monitor expense management relative to revenue streams, though overall, the organization appears to be operating sustainably. Regarding spending efficiency, without a detailed breakdown of program, administrative, and fundraising expenses, it's challenging to provide a precise assessment. However, the consistent surpluses in recent years (e.g., $378,711 in 2024 and $1,352,509 in 2023) suggest that the organization is effectively managing its costs relative to its income. The absence of reported officer compensation across all filings is a notable positive for transparency and donor confidence, indicating that leadership is not drawing salaries from the organization, which is highly unusual for an organization of this size and revenue. ORCA's transparency is commendable given the zero reported officer compensation, which is a significant indicator of a mission-first approach. The consistent filing of IRS Form 990s over 14 periods also demonstrates a commitment to public accountability. However, to fully assess spending efficiency, more detailed expense categorization (program vs. admin vs. fundraising) would be beneficial. The substantial growth in assets and consistent operational surpluses point to a well-managed and financially stable organization focused on its mission.

View Full Transparency Report →

Disclaimer

AI-generated analysis based on IRS public records. Not financial or legal advice. Verify information directly with the organization.

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