Oceana

CharityWatch's rating of Oceana is for the 501(c)(3) public charity entity (tax ID #51-0401308).

According to the Oceana consolidated audit of December 31, 2021 (Note 1 re: Principles of Consolidation):

"Oceana operates through branch offices that are formally part of the U.S. corporation in Chile, the Philippines, and Peru. In the European Union, Oceana operates through a locally incorporated independent entity established in Spain, which has a branch office in Belgium, as well as through a separate, locally incorporated independent entity established in the United Kingdom. Oceana also operates through locally incorporated independent entities in Belize, Brazil, Mexico, and Switzerland. These entities are dependent on Oceana for funding; participate in Oceana's activities and decision-making; and carry out the general mission and international activities of Oceana. Accordingly, the activities of the branch entities and the independent entities are combined with Oceana's activities in the accompanying [audited] consolidated financial statements."

CharityWatch's rating of Oceana does not include the financial activities of Oceana's related 501(c)(4) tax-exempt, social welfare organization, Oceana Action (formerly Ocean Advocacy Resources, Inc.) (tax ID #31-1814181). CharityWatch does not provide a separate rating of Oceana Action at this time due to its small size. (Oceana Action reported $50,00 in total revenue and $103,364 in total expenses, according to the Oceana audited Consolidating Schedule of Activities for the year ended December 31, 2021.)

CharityWatch separates the ratings for 501(c)(3) & 501(c)(4) organizations, even if their financial activities are included together in a consolidated audit, due to their differing treatments under the IRS tax code. For more information on this topic, please see our sections on Types of Non-Profits, Tax Status, and Treatment of Related Organizations, which can be found on the Our Process page. For more information about things to consider when donating to organizations that have related public charity and social welfare entities, read "Sorting Out Nonprofit Pairs." 

According to the Oceana audited Consolidating Schedule of Activities for the year ended December 31, 2021, Oceana reports "In-kind revenue" valued at $3,114,908. Included in the in-kind revenue is donated services that "consisted of pro-bono legal services relating to the law program," according to audit Note 1 re: Donated Services.

[Note: CharityWatch generally excludes the value of in-kind (non-cash) donations of goods and services from its calculations of Program % and Cost to Raise $100. More information on how grades are calculated and the treatment of in-kind donations can be found on the Our Process page.]

According to the Oceana consolidated audit of December 31, 2021 (Note 7, Commitments and Risks, Concentration of Risk):  "For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Organization received unconditional contributions of $13,150,000 from four donors, which represents 36% of the total revenue and support recognized..."

According to the Oceana consolidated audit of December 31, 2021 (Note 11, Loan Payable):

"On May 1, 2021, the Organization entered into a[n] SBA [Small Business Administration] loan with its financial institution under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for the amount of $2,731,729. The loan was to mature on [sic] May 2026, with a fixed interest rate of 1% per annum. The loan amount was eligible for forgiveness pursuant to the PPP, which established minimum amounts of the loan to be used to cover payroll costs and the remainder could be used for mortgage interest, rent and utility costs over a specified period of time after the loan is made; and the number of employees and compensation levels are maintained. The Organization applied for and received forgiveness on the loan on November 3, 2021, and this is shown as loan forgiveness revenue in the accompanying [audited] consolidated statement of activities during the year ended December 31, 2021."

According to the Oceana consolidated audit of December 31, 2021 (Note 3, Accounts Receivable):

"The Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) was first established by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) and was extended and expanded by the Consolidated Appropriations Act and the American Rescue Plan. ERTC provides a refundable federal tax credit against certain employment taxes equal to 50% of the first $10,000 in qualified wages paid to each employee between March 12, 2020 and December 31, 2020 (2020 ERTC), and 70% of the first $10,000, per quarter, in qualified wages paid to each employee between January 1, 2021 and September 30, 2021 (2021 ERTC). To be eligible, the Organization must meet certain conditions as described in applicable laws and regulations.

"The Organization has determined that it qualifies for the 2021 ERTC, and therefore, is accounting for it as conditional grants... These grants are conditional upon certain performance requirements and the incurrence of eligible expenses. In the opinion of management, these conditions were met as of December 31, 2021, and therefore, the entire amount of $2,582,876 that the Organization expects to receive is included in accounts receivable in the accompanying [audited] consolidated statement of financial position. Eligibility for the credit and the credit calculations are subject to review and approval by the Federal government. In the opinion of management, the results of such reviews and audit will not have a material effect on the financial position of the Organization as of December 31, 2021, and on the changes in its net assets for the year then ended."

According to the Oceana consolidated audit of December 31, 2021 (Note 10, Related Party Transactions):

"The Organization supports Oceana Canada, in furtherance of a shared purpose... Oceana Canada is an independent nonprofit organization incorporated under Canadian law. The Organization has a service agreement with Oceana Canada to provide administrative and other services. The Organization's Board Chair also sits on Oceana Canada's all-volunteer Board. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the Organization donated $869,564 in total cash contributions and performed services valued at $162,639 in support of Oceana Canada's mission to preserve and protect Canada's oceans."

According to the Oceana 2021 tax filing, Oceana reports for Business Transactions Involving Interested Persons a transaction in the amount of $67,070 involving Sarah Bedolfe, the daughter of an Oceana board director. The transaction is described as: "Sarah L. Bedolfe is an employee of Oceana and her total compensation paid for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $67,070" (IRS Form 990, Schedule L, Parts IV & V).