National Marine Sanctuary Foundation
National Marine Sanctuary Foundation
8455 COLESVILLE RD 1275
Silver Spring MD 20910-7600
Silver Spring MD | IRS ruling year: 2001 | EIN: 94-3370994
SEE PART III, LINE 1.
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8455 COLESVILLE RD 1275
Silver Spring MD 20910-7600
Silver Spring MD | IRS ruling year: 2001 | EIN: 94-3370994
SEE PART III, LINE 1.
Great
This charity's score is 99%, earning it a Four-Star rating. If this organization aligns with your passions and values, you can give with confidence.
This overall score is calculated from multiple beacon scores: 80% Accountability & Finance, 10% Leadership & Adaptability, 10% Culture & Community. Learn more about our criteria and methodology.
We recognize that not all metrics and beacons equally predict a charity’s success. The percentage each beacon contributes to the organization’s overall rating depends on the number of beacons an organization has earned.
Use the tool below to select different beacons to see how the weighting shifts when only one, two, or three beacons are earned.
Rating histories are available for a growing number of rated organizations. Check back later to see if this organization has a rating history!
The IRS is significantly delayed in processing nonprofits' annual tax filings (Forms 990). As a result, the Accountability & Finance score for National Marine Sanctuary Foundation is outdated and the overall rating may not be representative of its current operations. Please check with the charity directly for any questions you may have.
National Marine Sanctuary Foundation has earned a 100% for the Accountability & Finance beacon. See the metrics below for more information.
This beacon provides an assessment of a charity's financial health (financial efficiency, sustainability, and trustworthiness) and its commitment to governance practices and policies.
This Accountability & Finance score represents IRS Form 990 data up until FY 2019, which is the most recent Form 990 currently available to us.
Learn more
Charity Navigator looks for at least 3 board members, with more than 50% of those members identified as independent (not salaried).
The presence of an independent governing body is strongly recommended by many industry professionals to allow for full deliberation and diversity of thinking on governance and other organizational matters.
Source: IRS Form 990
An Audit, Review, or Compilation provides important information about financial accountability and accuracy. Organizations are scored based on their Total Revenue Amount:
Total Revenue Amount | Expectation to Receive Credit |
---|---|
$1 million or higher | Expected to complete an audit |
$500,000 - $1 million | Expected to complete an audit, review, or compilation |
Less than $500,000 | No expectation (removed from scoring methodology) |
Source: IRS Form 990
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a conflict of interest policy on the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy protects the organization and by extension those it serves, when it is considering entering into a transaction that may benefit the private interest of an officer, director and/or key employee of the organization.
Source: IRS Form 990
Charity Navigator looks to confirm on the Form 990 that the organization has this process in place as an accountability and transparency measure.
An official record of the events that take place during a board meeting ensures that a contemporaneous document exists for future reference.
Source: IRS Form 990
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a document retention and destruction policy per the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy establishes guidelines for the handling, backing up, archiving and destruction of documents. These guidelines foster good record keeping procedures that promote data integrity.
Source: IRS Form 990
Charity Navigator looks for the existence of a whistleblower policy per the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency measure.
This policy outlines procedures for handling employee complaints, as well as a confidential way for employees to report financial or other types of mismanagement.
Source: IRS Form 990
Charity Navigator looks for a website on the Form 990 as an accountability and transparency metric.
Nonprofits act in the public trust and reporting publicly on activities is an important component.
Source: IRS Form 990
The Liabilities to Assets Ratio is determined by Total Liabilities divided by Total Assets (most recent 990). This ratio is an indicator of an organization’s solvency and/or long-term sustainability.
Liabilities to Assets Ratio | Amount of Credit Received |
---|---|
Less than 50% | Full Credit |
50% - 59.9% | Partial Credit |
60% or more | No Credit |
Source: IRS Form 990
The Program Expense Ratio is determined by Program Expenses divided by Total Expense (average of most recent three 990s). This measure reflects the percent of its total expenses a charity spends on the programs and services it exists to deliver.
Program Expense Percentage | Amount of Credit Received |
---|---|
70% or higher | Full Credit |
60% - 69.9% | Partial Credit |
50% - 59.9% | Zero Points for Program Expense Score |
Below 50% | Zero Points for Both Program Expense AND Liabilities to Assets Scores |
Source: IRS Form 990
This chart displays the trend of revenue and expenses over the past several years for this organization, as reported on their IRS Form 990.
Presented here are up to five of this organization's highest compensated employees. This compensation data includes salary, cash bonuses, and expense accounts and is displayed exactly how it is reported to the IRS. The amounts do not include nontaxable benefits, deferred compensation, or other amounts not reported on Form W-2. In some cases, these amounts may include compensation from related organizations. Read the IRS policies for compensation reporting
Source: IRS Form 990 (page 7), filing year 2019
Below are some key data points from the Exempt Organization IRS Business Master File (BMF) for this organization. Learn more about the BMF on the IRS website
Activities:
Activity data not reported from the IRS
Foundation Status:
Organization which receives a substantial part of its support from a governmental unit or the general public 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) (BMF foundation code: 15)
Affiliation:
Independent - the organization is an independent organization or an independent auxiliary (i.e., not affiliated with a National, Regional, or Geographic grouping of organizations). (BMF affiliation code: 3)
The Form 990 is a document that nonprofit organizations file with the IRS annually. We leverage finance and accountability data from it to form Encompass ratings. Click here to search for this organization's Forms 990 on the IRS website (if any are available). Simply enter the organization's name (National Marine Sanctuary Foundation) or EIN (943370994) in the 'Search Term' field.
This organization was impacted by COVID-19 in a way that effected their financial health in 2020. This normally would have reduced their star rating. Due to the unprecedented nature of the pandemic, we give charities such as this one the opportunity to share the story of COVID's impact on them, and doing this pauses our revision of their rating. Charities may submit their own pandemic responses through their nonprofit portal.
National Marine Sanctuary Foundation reported being impacted by COVID-19 in the following ways:
Program Delivery
Fundraising Capacity
Revenue
Grants Sent
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's operations financially:
The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted our operations as we experienced a decline in private contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations of 18 percent compared to 2019. The Foundation applied and received PPP loans in 2020 and 2021, which allowed us to maintain operations and continue to employ our staff.
How COVID-19 impacted the organization's delivery of programs:
The majority of the Foundation work activities involve public outreach and education, on-the-water conservation working with local organizations and businesses, and research with university and federal partners. The COVID-19 pandemic impacted all aspects of our programming as activities. Where possible, we shifted in-person events to virtual meetings, conferences, and workshops, or delayed activities until in-person engagements were possible in 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic most impacted our work with federal partners. For example, we work closely with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on managing visitor centers for national marine sanctuaries. All four of our visitor centers closed in March 2020 and remain closed. We also needed to delay critical whale disentanglement training planned for Spring 2020 due to the federal travel ban. We hope that we are able to resume in 2022 if the funder is willing to extend the award timeline.
How this organization adapted to changing conditions caused by COVID-19:
In March 2020, the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation transitioned to a telework environment for all of our staff due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The majority of our staff continue to telework and we are working on a return to work plan for Fall 2021. Where possible, we shifted our outreach programming to virtual platforms. For example, in June 2020, the Foundation made a strategic pivot and shifted our national conference, Capitol Hill Ocean Week (CHOW), to a virtual event. As an early adopter of virtual conference platforms, we were able to expand our audience and reach for ocean and Great Lakes conservation. CHOW was virtual in 2021, and we intend to have a hybrid conference in 2022. For conservation projects that required teamwork, we followed CDC and local public health requirements to continue work while keeping employees safe.
Innovations the organization intends to continue permanently after the pandemic:
The Foundation was able to reach new audiences and create new champions for national marine sanctuaries by offering virtual programming. We plan to create hybrid events and use virtual programs in the future.
Not Currently Scored
National Marine Sanctuary Foundation cannot currently be evaluated by our Impact & Results methodology because either (A) it is eligible, but we have not yet received data; (B) we have not yet developed an algorithm to estimate its programmatic impact; (C) its programs are not direct services; or (D) it is not heavily reliant on contributions from individual donors.
Note: The absence of a score does not indicate a positive or negative assessment, it only indicates that we have not yet evaluated the organization.
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National Marine Sanctuary Foundation reported its three largest programs on its FY 2019 Form 990 as:
Spent in most recent FY
Percent of program expenses
WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE OFFICE OF NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARIES, THE NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY FOUNDATION (FOUNDATION) IMPLEMENTS PUBLIC EDUCATION, OUTREACH, CONSERVATION, AND MARITIME HERITAGE ... (More)
WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE OFFICE OF NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARIES, THE NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY FOUNDATION (FOUNDATION) IMPLEMENTS PUBLIC EDUCATION, OUTREACH, CONSERVATION, AND MARITIME HERITAGE PROJECTS THAT ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO BECOME ENGAGED STEWARDS OF U.S. OCEAN, COASTS, AND GREAT LAKES WATERS. PROGRAMMATIC WORK INCLUDES: (1) PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE RECREATION AND TOURISM IN NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARIES; (2) ESTABLISHING LIFELONG CONNECTIONS TO NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARIES AND MONUMENTS THROUGH EDUCATION AND PUBLIC AWARENESS; (3) DEMONSTRATING HOW THE NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY SYSTEM SERVES AS A GLOBAL MODEL FOR MARINE PROTECTED AREA MANAGEMENT; (4) ENGAGING PARTNERS AND THE PUBLIC IN CONSERVATION AND STEWARDSHIP OF MARINE PROTECTED AREAS; AND, (5) PROMOTING NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARIES AND MONUMENTS AS LIVING LABORATORIES AND HUBS FOR SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH TO IMPROVE UNDERSTANDING OF OUR OCEAN AND GREAT LAKES. THROUGH THIS PARTNERSHIP, THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS PUBLIC OUTREACH ACTIVITIES AT SIX SANCTUARY-FOCUSED VISITOR CENTERS AND NUMEROUS EXHIBITS LOCATED AT PARTNER VENUES THAT WELCOME MILLIONS OF VISITORS EACH YEAR; PROVIDES MINI-GRANTS TO APPROXIMATELY 50 SCHOOLS IN NINE STATES ANNUALLY TO COMPLETE ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP PROJECTS; AND FACILITATES INTERACTIVE EXPLORATION AND MAPPING EXPEDITIONS INTO WEST COAST AND PACIFIC NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARIES. (Less)
Spent in most recent FY
Percent of program expenses
THE NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY FOUNDATION IMPLEMENTS MARINE EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PROJECTS THROUGHOUT THE U.S. TO PROMOTE AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING OF MARINE SPECIES AND HABITATS MANAGED BY NOAA FIS ... (More)
THE NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY FOUNDATION IMPLEMENTS MARINE EDUCATION AND OUTREACH PROJECTS THROUGHOUT THE U.S. TO PROMOTE AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING OF MARINE SPECIES AND HABITATS MANAGED BY NOAA FISHERIES, INCLUDING THOSE IN NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARIES. (Less)
Spent in most recent FY
Percent of program expenses
WORKING WITH INDIVIDUAL SANCTUARIES WITHIN THE NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY SYSTEM, THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS LOCALLY-IMPLEMENTED PROJECTS TO IMPROVE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT OF OUR PROTECTED WATER, ENG ... (More)
WORKING WITH INDIVIDUAL SANCTUARIES WITHIN THE NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY SYSTEM, THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS LOCALLY-IMPLEMENTED PROJECTS TO IMPROVE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT OF OUR PROTECTED WATER, ENGAGE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES AND STAKEHOLDERS IN STEWARDS (Less)
National Marine Sanctuary Foundation has earned a 92% for the Culture & Community beacon. See the metrics below for more information.
This beacon provides an assessment of the organization's culture and connectedness to the community it serves.
Learn more
30% of beacon score
This organization reported that it is collecting feedback from the constituents and/or communities it serves. Charity Navigator believes nonprofit organizations that engage in inclusive practices, such as collecting feedback from the people and communities they serve, may be more effective.
Who are the people you serve with your mission? Describe briefly.
Ultimately, ocean health affects every individual and we seek to engage anyone who has an interest in the health of the planet. Specifically, we directly serve students and educators(K-12, college), communities based around sanctuary sites, scientists, other nonprofits and grassroots organizations, local businesses who rely on protected areas for their livelihood, and more.
How is your organization collecting feedback from the people you serve?
Electronic surveys (by email, tablet, etc.), Focus groups or interviews (by phone or in person), Community meetings or town halls, Constituent (client or resident, etc.) advisory committees, Suggestion box/email
How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To identify bright spots and enhance positive service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects, To identify where we are less inclusive or equitable across demographic groups, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve
With whom does your organization share the feedback you got from the people you serve?
Our staff, Our board, Our funders
How has asking for feedback from the people you serve changed your relationship with them or shifted power - over decisions, resources, rules or in other ways - to them?
In 2021, Capitol Hill Ocean Week programming was directed for the first time by a steering committee made up of representatives from groups who had long served in the environmental space, often without recognition for their on-the-ground and community-changing efforts. Historically, programming would be directed by Foundation staff, with input from close partners and sponsors. This change was not easy to make, but it led to a powerful conference with robust discussions and a wider audience.
What challenges does your organization face in collecting feedback from the people you serve?
It is difficult to get the people we serve to respond to requests for feedback
Briefly describe a recent change that your organization made in response to feedback from the people you serve.
Capitol Hill Ocean Week is traditionally hosted by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation every June. Based on feedback and community concerns, the Foundation chose to step back as host and embrace convening a variety of other groups deeply involved in equity and justice in the environmental space. In 2021, CHOW programming was directed for the first time by a steering committee made up of representatives from these groups.
70% of beacon score
This organization's score of 88 is a passing score. The organization reported that it is implementing 6 Equity Practices. Charity Navigator believes nonprofit organizations implementing effective equity policies and practices can enhance a nonprofit's decision-making, staff motivation, innovation, and effectiveness.
Equity Practices (1/7) | |
---|---|
We review compensation data across the organization (and by staff levels) to identify disparities by race. | |
We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and/or portfolios. | |
We analyze disaggregated data and root causes of race disparities that impact the organization/'s programs, portfolios, and the populations served. | |
We disaggregate data to adjust programming goals to keep pace with changing needs of the communities we support. | |
We employ non-traditional ways of gathering feedback on programs and trainings, which may include interviews, roundtables, and external reviews with/by community stakeholders. | |
We disaggregate data by demographics, including race, in every policy and program measured | |
We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization. |
Equity Policies and Procedures (5/7) | |
---|---|
We use a vetting process to identify vendors and partners that share our commitment to race equity. | |
We have a promotion process that anticipates and mitigates implicit and explicit biases about people of color serving in leadership positions. | |
We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization. | |
We have community representation at the board level, either on the board itself or through a community advisory board. | |
We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability. | |
We measure and then disaggregate job satisfaction and retention data by race, function, level, and/or team. | |
We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization. |
National Marine Sanctuary Foundation has earned a 100% for the Leadership & Adaptability beacon. See the metrics below for more information.
This beacon provides an assessment of the organization's leadership capacity, strategic thinking and planning, and ability to innovate or respond to changes in constituent demand/need or other relevant social and economic conditions to achieve the organization's mission.
Learn more
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization's mission
The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation is a leading voice for U.S. protected waters, working with communities to conserve and expand these special places for a healthy ocean, coasts, and Great Lakes. Working together, we safeguard species and the places they call home, and preserve America’s maritime history.
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking through articulating the organization’s vision.
National marine sanctuaries and monuments — our wondrous protected waters — teeming with life and inspiring a proud community of stewards for our ocean, coasts, and Great Lakes.
Source: Nonprofit submitted responses
The nonprofit organization presents evidence of strategic thinking and goal setting through sharing their most important strategic goals.
Goal One: Increase the size of the National Marine Sanctuary System to enhance biodiversity conservation and maritime heritage and cultural preservation.
Goal Type: This goal reflects our commitment to further our advocacy work for our organization and or cause area.
Goal Two: Restore habitats to provide ecosystem services, enhance climate resilience of marine ecosystems, and support coastal communities.
Goal Type: Grow, expand, scale or increase access to the existing programs and services.
Goal Three: Inspire the next generation to pursue education in ocean science and conservation, and create a culture of stewardship for marine protected areas.
Goal Type: Grow, expand, scale or increase access to the existing programs and services.
The nonprofit provides evidence of investment in leadership development
The Foundation is committed to leadership and professional development at all levels of the organization. Recently, team members have engaged and served as leaders in JEDI focused cohorts including Race + the Ocean and the Resilience Initiative; professional associations including NationSwell and the Women's Aquatic Network; and have a variety of opportunities to participate in professional conferences and events. All team members participate in annual reviews and quarterly check-ins that include a plan with specific actions toward professional and leadership development that the Foundation can help support. Staff started a book club for women at the beginning of their careers focused on leadership and confidence building.
The nonprofit provides evidence of leadership through focusing externally and mobilizing resources for the mission.
Strategic Partnerships
Networks of Collective Impact Efforts
Thought Leadership
Raising Awareness
Community Building
Policy Advocacy
Foundation leadership engages externally to mobilize support for our mission both at an organizational and individual level. The Foundation is chairing the Fundraising Working Group for Mission: Iconic Reefs, a program that includes a multi-year commitment, dozens of nonprofit, public, and corporate partners with a goal of raising $100 million to support coral reef restoration. The Foundation participates in the Blue Funders Group to share resources and ideas for increasing funding for ocean issues. The Foundation hosts Capitol Hill Ocean Week every June, the largest policy conference of its kind in the United States - attendees include students, scientists, Members of Congress and the Administration, leaders from the corporate and nonprofit sectors, and more. With the help of sponsors, we are able to maintain a conference that is fee-free and open to the public. The Foundation hosts "fly-ins" on Capitol Hill to help community leaders and constituents advocate for our shared mission.
The nonprofit has an opportunity to tell the story of how the organization adapted to tremendous external changes in the last year.
Like most organizations, the global pandemic and resulting shutdowns caused our team to rethink current and future planning - from fieldwork to events to fundraising to educational opportunities for students. Wherever possible, the Foundation team found ways to pivot with our programming. Some of the major changes, especially engaging a global audience for Capitol Hill Ocean Week with a robust virtual platform and agenda, expanded our reach and has given us new ways to communicate with new audiences. We are also open to more job positions being fully remote, opening access to an entire new pool of applicants from a variety of backgrounds. The 2020 killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and others led to an overdue reckoning with personal and systemic racism, police violence and inequality in America. At the Foundation, we recognized that we had a lot of work to do both internally and with the greater environmental movement. While the internal work is ongoing, we used Capitol Hill Ocean Week 2021 as a convening point for the grassroots groups and environmental justice leaders who have long done work that has gone overlooked to have an amplified platform for discussion. For the first time in 20 years, the Foundation brought together an Advisory Council to plan and vet the program, sessions, and speakers; we realize that we are not a leader in this space and need to clear a path forward for those groups instead. It was a powerful conference that continues to influence ocean policy initiatives and JEDI efforts.
Impact & Results
Accountability & Finance
Culture & Community
Leadership & Adaptability
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