Skip to main content

Nonprofit · EIN 71-0863908

OCEAN FOUNDATION

Tax-exempt · WASHINGTON, DC 20036

Financials

$18.9M$15.9M2022$18.8M$18.8M2023$13.2M$15.8M2024
Revenue Expenses · by fiscal year end
Financials of OCEAN FOUNDATION by year, from its e-filed returns
Year endedFormRevenueExpensesNet incomeTotal assetsLiabilitiesNet assets
June 30, 2025990$13,196,134$15,812,467-$2,616,333$17,747,319$1,415,503$16,331,816
June 30, 2024990$18,847,028$18,826,931$20,097$23,212,933$4,362,097$18,850,836
June 30, 2023990 (amended)$18,854,739$15,869,946$2,984,793$21,935,882$3,128,393$18,807,489
Financial details: 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025

Revenue

Contributions, gifts and grants
$12,160,757
of which government grants
$2,283,675
Program service revenue
$970,251
Investment income
$14,460
Net rental income
$18,351
Net gain from sales of assets
-$16,202
Net income from sales of inventory
$24,338
Other revenue
$50,666

Expenses

Grants and similar amounts paid
$3,869,109
Compensation of officers, directors and key employees
$293,266
Other salaries and wages
$2,463,455
Salaries, compensation and benefits (total)
$3,378,773
Professional fundraising fees
$0
Legal fees
$81,238
Accounting fees
$345,176
Occupancy
$173,287
Travel
$754,175
Depreciation
$37,794
Program services (functional)
$14,157,258
Management and general (functional)
$1,559,182
Fundraising (functional)
$96,027

Balance sheet and other

Total assets, start of year
$23,212,933
Total assets, end of year
$17,747,319
Total liabilities, end of year
$1,415,503
Net assets, end of year
$16,331,816
Land, buildings and equipment
$13,017,040
Publicly traded securities
$217,082
Net assets without donor restrictions
$7,868,270
Net assets with donor restrictions
$8,463,546
Gross receipts
$14,478,580
Employees
47
Volunteers
13
Year formed
2001
State of legal domicile
DC

From the e-filed returns the IRS publishes as XML (latest three processing years; amended returns replace the original). PDF copies at the IRS.

Officers, directors and key employees

As listed on the 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025, highest compensation first.

NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
Mark J SpaldingPresident
Trustee or director, Officer
60$271,551$21,714
Shana MillerProgram Director
Highest-paid employee
40$168,629$1,208
Erica NunezProgram Director
Highest-paid employee
40$136,630$16,456
Benjamin ScheelkProgram Director
Highest-paid employee
40$130,100$9,498
Mia ShadeHuman Resources Officer
Highest-paid employee
40$123,026$10,999
Tamika WashingtonFin. & Ops. Director
Highest-paid employee
40$118,546$12,297
Elliot S CafritzChairman (on leave)
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
Joshua GinsbergChairman
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
Angel E BraestrupSecretary
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
Thomas BrigandiTreasurer
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
Patrick FlynnDirector
Trustee or director
1$0$0
Olha KrushelnytskaDirector
Trustee or director
1$0$0
Imani Fairweather MorrisonDirector
Trustee or director
1$0$0
Lumay Wang MurphyDirector
Trustee or director
1$0$0
Denise NaguibDirector
Trustee or director
1$0$0
5 more people on this return
NameTitleHours / weekCompensation
Russell F SmithDirector
Trustee or director
1$0
Karen ThorneDirector
Trustee or director
1$0
Ed Tillinghast IIIDirector
Trustee or director
1$0
Lisa VolgenauDirector
Trustee or director
1$0
Rolando MorilloDirector (JUL - SEPT)
Trustee or director
1$0
990 for the year ended June 30, 2024: 21 people
NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
Mark J SpaldingPresident
Trustee or director, Officer
40$361,013$19,420
Tamika WashingtonFinance & Operations Director
Highest-paid employee
40$154,515$23,256
Shana MillerProgram Director
Key employee
40$158,237$12,742
Andrea CapuroChief of Program
Highest-paid employee
40$137,200$17,586
Kate MorrisonStrategic Partnerships Director
Highest-paid employee
40$150,277$1,275
Fernando BretosProgram Officer
Highest-paid employee
40$126,203$22,707
Bobbi-Jo DobushLegal & Ocean Governance Officer
Highest-paid employee
40$129,073$11,938
Elliot S CafritzChairman
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
Olha KrushelnytskaTreasurer
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
Russell F SmithSecretary
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
Angel E BraestrupBoard Member
Trustee or director
1$0$0
Thomas BrigandiBoard Member
Trustee or director
1$0$0
Patrick FlynnBoard Member
Trustee or director
1$0$0
Joshua GinsbergBoard Member
Trustee or director
1$0$0
Rolando MorilloBoard Member
Trustee or director
1$0$0
Imani Fairweather MorrisonBoard Member
Trustee or director
1$0$0
Lumay Wang MurphyBoard Member
Trustee or director
1$0$0
Denise NaguibBoard Member
Trustee or director
1$0$0
Ed Tillinghast IIIBoard Member
Trustee or director
1$0$0
Karen ThorneBoard Member
Trustee or director
1$0$0
Lisa VolgenauBoard Member
Trustee or director
1$0$0
990 for the year ended June 30, 2023: 21 people
NameTitleHours / weekCompensationOther / benefits
Mark J SpaldingPresident
Officer
60$331,854$39,191
Shana MillerProgram Director
Key employee
40$157,210$11,170
Tamika WashingtonFinance & Operations Director
Highest-paid employee
40$146,451$19,732
Kate MorrisonStrategic Partnerships Director
Highest-paid employee
40$140,884$10,240
Maria Alej Navarrete HernandezGovt & Multinationals Liason Officer
Highest-paid employee
40$123,385$14,537
Fernando BretosProgram Officer
Highest-paid employee
40$117,164$18,635
Jason DonofrioChief Development Officer
Highest-paid employee
40$122,222$10,009
Elliot S CafritzChairman & Director
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
Angel BraestrupSecretary & Director
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
Olha KrushelnytskaTreasurer & Director
Trustee or director, Officer
1$0$0
Thomas BrigandiDirector
Trustee or director
1$0$0
Patrick FlynnDirector
Trustee or director
1$0$0
Joshua R GinsbergDirector
Trustee or director
1$0$0
Rolando MorilloDirector
Trustee or director
1$0$0
Imani Fairweather MorrisonDirector
Trustee or director
1$0$0
Lumay Wang MurphyDirector
Trustee or director
1$0$0
Denise NaguibDirector
Trustee or director
1$0$0
Russell F SmithDirector
Trustee or director
1$0$0
Karen ThorneDirector
Trustee or director
1$0$0
Ed Tilinghast IIIDirector
Trustee or director
1$0$0
Lisa VolgenauDirector
Trustee or director
1$0$0

Address and contacts

Address (IRS master file)
1320 19TH ST NW STE 401, WASHINGTON, DC 20036-1635
Principal officer (990 for 2024)
Mark J Spalding, 1320 19th Street NW Suite 401, Washington, DC 20036
Signed the 990
Mark J Spalding, President
Phone
(202) 887-8996
Return prepared by
Aprio Advisory Group LLC

Mission

As the only community foundation for the ocean, The Ocean Foundation's 501(c)(3) mission is to improve global ocean health, climate resilience, and the blue economy. We create partnerships to connect people in the communities in which we work to the informational, technical, and financial resources they need to achieve their ocean stewardship goals.

990 for the year ended June 30, 2025

Program accomplishments

  • Protecting Marine Habitats and Special Places - Our oceans are a mosaic of special places, from the bustling vibrancy of coral reefs to the tidal pools of rocky coasts, to the stark, glistening beauty of the frozen Arctic. These habitats and ecosystems are more than just picturesque; they all provide vital benefits to the health of the ocean, the plants and animals that live in them, and the human communities that depend on them.
    Expenses $5,707,382 · grants $819,798 · revenue $221,598
  • Expanding Ocean Literacy and Public Awareness - One of the most significant barriers to progress in the marine conservation sector is the lack of genuine understanding about the vulnerability and connectivity of ocean systems. It is easy to view the oceans as vast, nearly unlimited sources of food and recreation, filled with abundant animals, plants, and protected spaces. As a result, it can be difficult to recognize the destructive consequences of human activities along the coast and beneath the surface. This lack of awareness creates a substantial need for programs that effectively communicate how the health of our oceans is connected to climate change, the global economy, biodiversity, human health, and our quality of life.
    Expenses $3,515,615 · grants $1,512,616 · revenue $239,349
  • Building the Capacity of the Marine Conservation Community- There are many outstanding conservation organizations dedicated to protecting and preserving our oceans. The Ocean Foundation provides assistance to these entities, which have a need to develop a certain skill or competence, or for general upgrading of performance ability. The Ocean Foundation was created in part to bring new financial and technical resources to the table so that we can increase the capacity of these organizations to pursue their missions.
    Expenses $2,568,683 · grants $1,066,356 · revenue $87,273
  • Protecting Species of Concern - For many of us, our first interest in the oceans began with an interest in the large animals that call it home. Whether it be the awe inspired by a gentle humpback whale, the undeniable charisma of a curious dolphin, or the ferocious, gaping maw of a great white shark, these animals are more than just ambassadors of the sea. These apex predators and keystone species keep the ocean ecosystem in balance, and the health of their populations often serves as an indicator of the health of the oceans as a whole.
    Expenses $2,365,578 · grants $470,339 · revenue $472,697

What it must file and when

IRS records say it files Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N. Its accounting year ends in June, so each return is due on the 15th day of the 5th month after that.

Tax yearYear endedDueIRS public records
2025June 30, 2026November 16, 2026Not due yet
2024June 30, 2025November 17, 2025990 on file
2023June 30, 2024November 15, 2024990 on file

IRS record

EIN
71-0863908
Tax-exempt status
501(c)(3): Charitable, religious, educational or scientific organization
Foundation status
Publicly supported organization (170(b)(1)(A)(vi))
Donations deductible (Pub 78)
Public charity, 50% deduction limit
Exempt since
2002
Accounting year ends
June
Files
Form 990 or 990-EZ
Category (NTEE)
Environment (C12)
Assets (IRS master file)
$17,747,319
Income (IRS master file)
$14,478,580

Filing history

FormYear endedRevenueExpensesAssetsReturn
990June 2025$13,196,134$15,812,467$17,747,319IRS
990June 2024$18,847,028$18,826,931$23,212,933IRS
990June 2023$18,854,739$15,869,946$21,935,882XML
990June 2022–––IRS
990June 2021–––IRS
990June 2018–––IRS

990-N: the IRS bulk file holds only the latest e-Postcard per organization; earlier years come from archived copies of that file since 2020 and can have gaps (the IRS e-Postcard search lists every one). 990, 990-EZ, 990-PF, 990-T: every e-filed return in the IRS e-file index since 2019; XML for the latest three processing years, amounts from the IRS Statistics of Income extracts before that. PDF copies and determination letters at the IRS (search EIN 71-0863908).

Questions about OCEAN FOUNDATION

What is the EIN of OCEAN FOUNDATION?
The employer identification number (EIN) of OCEAN FOUNDATION is 71-0863908.
Is OCEAN FOUNDATION tax-exempt?
Yes. The IRS lists it as tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) since 2002.
Are donations to OCEAN FOUNDATION tax-deductible?
Yes. It is listed in IRS Publication 78 (Public charity, 50% deduction limit).
Which annual return does OCEAN FOUNDATION file?
Form 990 or 990-EZ. Based on its last return; a smaller organization may file the 990-N.
When is the next return of OCEAN FOUNDATION due?
The return for tax year 2025 (the year ending June 30, 2026) is due November 16, 2026. Form 8868 extends it by six months; the 990-N cannot be extended.
When did OCEAN FOUNDATION last file with the IRS?
The latest return in the IRS public files is the 990 for the year ended June 2025.
Who is the principal officer of OCEAN FOUNDATION?
The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 names Mark J Spalding.
Who are the officers and directors of OCEAN FOUNDATION?
The 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 lists 20 people; 6 received compensation from the organization, the highest $271,551 (Mark J Spalding, President).
How much revenue does OCEAN FOUNDATION have?
On its 990 for the year ended June 30, 2025 it reported revenue of $13,196,134, expenses of $15,812,467 and total assets of $17,747,319 at year end.

Other nonprofits in WASHINGTON

All nonprofits in WASHINGTON · District of Columbia · Environment