Ocean Conservation Society Inc

We study dolphins, whales and other species in the wild and use our scientific data to bring about policy changes, raise public awareness and protect these animals for future generations to appreciate

Marina Del Rey, CA | http://www.oceanconservation.org

GuideStar Charity Check

EIN: 95-4691853

Contributions tax deductible
as of November 2025

IRS BMF 509(a)(1)
as of November 14, 2025

View summary

Charity Check report

Mission

Ocean Conservation Society is a California-based nonprofit organization responsible for conducting long-term marine mammal research and supporting educational projects for the protection of the oceans and their inhabitants.

Ruling year info

1998

President

Maddalena Bearzi

Main address

PO Box 12860

Marina Del Rey, CA 90295-3860 USA

Show more contact info

EIN

95-4691853

Subject area info

Biology

Aquatic wildlife protection

Endangered species protection

Environmental education

Oceans and coastal waters

Show more subject areas

Population served info

Multiracial people

Adults

Children

Adolescents

Preteens

NTEE code info

Water Resource, Wetlands Conservation and Management (C32)

IRS subsection

501(c)(3) Public Charity

IRS filing requirement

This organization is required to file an IRS Form 990-N.

Tax forms

Show Forms 990

Communication

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

This profile needs more info.

If it is your nonprofit, add a problem overview.

Our programs

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?

Be Whale Aware Campaign

The goal of the OCS Be Whale Aware campaign is to teach everyone how to safely observe marine mammals, and who to contact in case of an encounter with an injured, distressed or harassed animal. By being more aware, we can minimize our impact and be respectful of these protected species while enjoying their presence, now and for generations to come.

Population(s) Served

Adults

Adolescents

Children

Multiracial people

Women

Be Balloon Aware Program

The Ocean Conservation Society Be Balloon Aware Campaign aims to raise awareness about plastic pollution – specifically balloons – and their direct effects on the environment and marine mammals we study. In recent years, more public awareness of single-use plastics such as shopping bags and straws has led to a reduction in their use, on both personal and regional levels. Similarly, educating everyone about the dangers of balloons is a key step toward changing consumer choices and regulations about this often overlooked, deadly threat to marine wildlife.

Ending Captivity

Ocean Conservation Society is working to stop captivity and strongly support The Whale Sanctuary Project’s mission to relocate whales, dolphins and porpoises to a sea sanctuary. We are collaborating with WSP and other organizations offering our expertise as scientific advisors with the hope that captive dolphins and whales can soon experience a place that will finally resemble their natural habitat.

Population(s) Served

Adults

Adolescents

Children

Multiracial people

Families

Where we work

California (United States)
United States

Awards

Certificate of Commendation 2015

City of Los Angeles

Photos

How we listen

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.

We shared information about our current feedback practices.

How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?

To inform the development of new programs/projects, To strengthen relationships with the people we serve
Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?

We act on the feedback we receive
What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?

Staff find it hard to prioritize feedback collection and review due to lack of time

Financials

Ocean Conservation Society Inc

Fiscal year: Jan 01 - Dec 31

Revenue vs. expenses: breakdown

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

NET GAIN/LOSS: in

Note: When component data are not available, the graph displays the total Revenue and/or Expense values.

Liquidity in 2023

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

Average of 0.00 over 10 years

Months of cash in 2023

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

Average of 0 over 10 years

Fringe rate in 2023

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

%

Average of 0% over 10 years

Funding sources

Source: IRS Form 990

Assets & liabilities

Source: IRS Form 990

Financial data

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

Digitizing IRS form 990 data

Ocean Conservation Society Inc

Revenue & expenses

Fiscal Year: Jan 01 - Dec 31

SOURCE: IRS Form 990 info

Fiscal year ending: Download Data

Revenue
Contributions	$320,782
Government Grants	$0
Program Services	$0
Investments	$822
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$0
Total Revenue	$321,604

Expenses
Program Services	$56,622
Administration	$37,413
Fundraising	$0
Total Expenses	$94,035
Net Gain/Loss	$227,569

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$119
Advertising & Promotion	$277
Information Technology Expenses	$0
Insurance Expenses	$200
Interest Expenses	$29,009
Investment Management Fees	$0
Legal Fees	$0
Pension Plan Contributions	$0
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$0

Revenue
Contributions	$56,725
Government Grants	$0
Program Services	$0
Investments	$1,200
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$0
Total Revenue	$57,925

Expenses
Program Services	$105,024
Administration	$79,219
Fundraising	$920
Total Expenses	$185,163
Net Gain/Loss	($127,238)

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$705
Advertising & Promotion	$0
Information Technology Expenses	$315
Insurance Expenses	$14,525
Interest Expenses	$0
Investment Management Fees	$0
Legal Fees	$0
Pension Plan Contributions	$0
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$0

Revenue
Contributions	$951,774
Government Grants	$0
Program Services	$0
Investments	$0
Special Events	$0
Sales	$2,090
Other	$0
Total Revenue	$953,864

Expenses
Program Services	$177,387
Administration	$142,799
Fundraising	$0
Total Expenses	$320,186
Net Gain/Loss	$633,678

Functional expenses
Accounting Fees	$802
Advertising & Promotion	$0
Information Technology Expenses	$206
Insurance Expenses	$10,125
Interest Expenses	$17,040
Investment Management Fees	$0
Legal Fees	$0
Pension Plan Contributions	$0
Professional Fundraising Expenses	$0

Revenue
Contributions	$131,690
Program Services	$0
Investments	$0
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$0
Total Revenue	$131,690

Expenses
Grants	$0
Salaries & Employee Benefits	$29,745
Professional Fees	$0
Occupancy	$21,113
Printing, Publications, Postage, etc.	$1,173
Other Expenses	$37,473
Total Expenses	$89,504
Net Gain/Loss	$42,186

Revenue
Contributions	$66,544
Program Services	$0
Investments	$0
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$0
Total Revenue	$66,544

Expenses
Grants	$0
Salaries & Employee Benefits	$7,660
Professional Fees	$740
Occupancy	$19,642
Printing, Publications, Postage, etc.	$437
Other Expenses	$7,088
Total Expenses	$35,567
Net Gain/Loss	$30,977

Revenue
Contributions	$82,913
Program Services	$0
Investments	$0
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$0
Total Revenue	$82,913

Expenses
Grants	$0
Salaries & Employee Benefits	$40,957
Professional Fees	$511
Occupancy	$25,882
Printing, Publications, Postage, etc.	$112
Other Expenses	$9,817
Total Expenses	$77,279
Net Gain/Loss	$5,634

Revenue
Contributions	$38,923
Program Services	$0
Investments	$0
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$0
Total Revenue	$38,923

Expenses
Grants	$0
Salaries & Employee Benefits	$0
Professional Fees	$425
Occupancy	$17,400
Printing, Publications, Postage, etc.	$506
Other Expenses	$26,212
Total Expenses	$44,543
Net Gain/Loss	($5,620)

Revenue
Contributions	$33,412
Program Services	$0
Investments	$0
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$0
Total Revenue	$33,412

Expenses
Grants	$0
Salaries & Employee Benefits	$36,453
Professional Fees	$550
Occupancy	$17,400
Printing, Publications, Postage, etc.	$188
Other Expenses	$9,255
Total Expenses	$63,846
Net Gain/Loss	($30,434)

Revenue
Contributions	$60,725
Program Services	$0
Investments	$0
Special Events	$0
Sales	$0
Other	$0
Total Revenue	$60,725

Expenses
Grants	$0
Salaries & Employee Benefits	$11,041
Professional Fees	$700
Occupancy	$17,850
Printing, Publications, Postage, etc.	$670
Other Expenses	$10,360
Total Expenses	$40,621
Net Gain/Loss	$20,104

Ocean Conservation Society Inc

Balance sheet

Fiscal Year: Jan 01 - Dec 31

SOURCE: IRS Form 990 info

The balance sheet gives a snapshot of the financial health of an organization at a particular point in time. An organization's total assets should generally exceed its total liabilities, or it cannot survive long, but the types of assets and liabilities must also be considered. For instance, an organization's current assets (cash, receivables, securities, etc.) should be sufficient to cover its current liabilities (payables, deferred revenue, current year loan, and note payments). Otherwise, the organization may face solvency problems. On the other hand, an organization whose cash and equivalents greatly exceed its current liabilities might not be putting its money to best use.

Fiscal year ending: Download Data

Assets	Jan 01, 2010	Dec 31, 2010	Change
Contributions	$320,782
Cash & Equivalents	$34,367	$161,936	$127,569
Accounts Receivable	$0	$0	$0
Pledges & Grants Receivable	$0	$0	$0
Receivable, Other	$0	$0	$0
Inventories for Sale or Use	$0	$0	$0
Investment, Securities	$0	$0	$0
Investment, Other	$0	$0	$0
Fixed Assets (LBE - Depreciation)	$17,106	$17,106	$0
Other	$0	$0	$0
Total Assets	$51,473	$179,042	$127,569

Liabilities	Jan 01, 2010	Dec 31, 2010	Change
Accounts Payable	$0	$0	$0
Grants Payable	$0	$0	$0
Deferred Revenue	$0	$0	$0
Loans and Notes	$0	$0	$0
Tax-Exempt Bond Liabilities	$0	$0	$0
Other	$100,000	$0	($100,000)
Total Liabilities	$100,000	$0	($100,000)

Fund balance	Jan 01, 2010	Dec 31, 2010	Change
Temporarily Restricted Net Assets	$0	$0	$0
Permanently Restricted Net Assets	$0	$0	$0
Total Restricted Net Assets	$0	$0	$0
Unrestricted Net Assets	$0	$0	$0
Net Assets	($48,527)	$179,042	$227,569

Assets	Jan 01, 2011	Dec 31, 2011	Change
Contributions	$56,725
Cash & Equivalents	$161,936	$28,224	($133,712)
Accounts Receivable	$0	$0	$0
Pledges & Grants Receivable	$0	$0	$0
Receivable, Other	$0	$0	$0
Inventories for Sale or Use	$0	$0	$0
Investment, Securities	$0	$0	$0
Investment, Other	$0	$0	$0
Fixed Assets (LBE - Depreciation)	$17,106	$23,221	$6,115
Other	$0	$0	$0
Total Assets	$179,042	$51,445	($127,597)

Liabilities	Jan 01, 2011	Dec 31, 2011	Change
Accounts Payable	$0	$0	$0
Grants Payable	$0	$0	$0
Deferred Revenue	$0	$0	$0
Loans and Notes	$0	$0	$0
Tax-Exempt Bond Liabilities	$0	$0	$0
Other	$0	$0	$0
Total Liabilities	$0	$359	$359

Fund balance	Jan 01, 2011	Dec 31, 2011	Change
Temporarily Restricted Net Assets	$0	$0	$0
Permanently Restricted Net Assets	$0	$0	$0
Total Restricted Net Assets	$0	$0	$0
Unrestricted Net Assets	$0	$0	$0
Net Assets	$179,042	$51,445	($127,597)

Assets	Jan 01, 2012	Dec 31, 2012	Change
Contributions	$951,774
Cash & Equivalents	$28,224	$386,762	$358,538
Accounts Receivable	$0	$0	$0
Pledges & Grants Receivable	$0	$0	$0
Receivable, Other	$0	$0	$0
Inventories for Sale or Use	$0	$0	$0
Investment, Securities	$0	$0	$0
Investment, Other	$0	$0	$0
Fixed Assets (LBE - Depreciation)	$23,221	$298,721	$275,500
Other	$0	$0	$0
Total Assets	$51,445	$685,483	$634,038

Liabilities	Jan 01, 2012	Dec 31, 2012	Change
Accounts Payable	$0	$0	$0
Grants Payable	$0	$0	$0
Deferred Revenue	$0	$0	$0
Loans and Notes	$0	$0	$0
Tax-Exempt Bond Liabilities	$0	$0	$0
Other	$0	$0	$0
Total Liabilities	$0	$0	$0

Fund balance	Jan 01, 2012	Dec 31, 2012	Change
Temporarily Restricted Net Assets	$0	$0	$0
Permanently Restricted Net Assets	$0	$0	$0
Total Restricted Net Assets	$0	$0	$0
Unrestricted Net Assets	$0	$0	$0
Net Assets	$51,445	$685,483	$634,038

Assets	Jan 01, 2018	Dec 31, 2018	Change
Contributions	$131,690
Cash & Equivalents	$13,626	$57,277	$43,651
Fixed Assets (LBE - Depreciation)	$0	$0	$0
Other	$23,221	$23,221	$0
Total Assets	$36,846	$80,498	$43,652

Liabilities	Jan 01, 2018	Dec 31, 2018	Change
Total Liabilities	$0	$0	$0

Fund balance	Jan 01, 2018	Dec 31, 2018	Change
Net Assets	$39,846	$80,498	$40,652

Assets	Jan 01, 2019	Dec 31, 2019	Change
Contributions	$66,544
Cash & Equivalents	$57,277	$88,252	$30,975
Fixed Assets (LBE - Depreciation)	$0	$0	$0
Other	$23,221	$23,221	$0
Total Assets	$80,498	$111,472	$30,974

Liabilities	Jan 01, 2019	Dec 31, 2019	Change
Total Liabilities	$0	$0	$0

Fund balance	Jan 01, 2019	Dec 31, 2019	Change
Net Assets	$80,498	$111,472	$30,974

Assets	Jan 01, 2020	Dec 31, 2020	Change
Contributions	$82,913
Cash & Equivalents	$88,254	$70,447	($17,807)
Fixed Assets (LBE - Depreciation)	$0	$0	$0
Other	$23,221	$46,662	$23,441
Total Assets	$111,475	$117,109	$5,634

Liabilities	Jan 01, 2020	Dec 31, 2020	Change
Total Liabilities	$0	$117,109	$117,109

Fund balance	Jan 01, 2020	Dec 31, 2020	Change
Net Assets	$111,475	$117,109	$5,634

Assets	Jan 01, 2021	Dec 31, 2021	Change
Contributions	$38,923
Cash & Equivalents	$70,447	$64,827	($5,620)
Fixed Assets (LBE - Depreciation)	$0	$0	$0
Other	$46,662	$46,662	$0
Total Assets	$117,109	$111,489	($5,620)

Liabilities	Jan 01, 2021	Dec 31, 2021	Change
Total Liabilities	$0	$0	$0

Fund balance	Jan 01, 2021	Dec 31, 2021	Change
Net Assets	$117,109	$111,489	($5,620)

Assets	Jan 01, 2022	Dec 31, 2022	Change
Contributions	$33,412
Cash & Equivalents	$64,827	$34,391	($30,436)
Fixed Assets (LBE - Depreciation)	$0	$0	$0
Other	$46,662	$46,721	$59
Total Assets	$111,489	$81,112	($30,377)

Liabilities	Jan 01, 2022	Dec 31, 2022	Change
Total Liabilities	$0	$0	$0

Fund balance	Jan 01, 2022	Dec 31, 2022	Change
Net Assets	$111,489	$81,112	($30,377)

Assets	Jan 01, 2023	Dec 31, 2023	Change
Contributions	$60,725
Cash & Equivalents	$34,334	$56,403	$22,069
Fixed Assets (LBE - Depreciation)	$0	$0	$0
Other	$46,721	$46,721	$0
Total Assets	$81,055	$103,124	$22,069

Liabilities	Jan 01, 2023	Dec 31, 2023	Change
Total Liabilities	$0	$0	$0

Fund balance	Jan 01, 2023	Dec 31, 2023	Change
Net Assets	$81,055	$103,124	$22,069

Ocean Conservation Society Inc

Financial trends analysis Glossary & formula definitions

Fiscal Year: Jan 01 - Dec 31

SOURCE: IRS Form 990 info

This snapshot of Ocean Conservation Society Inc’s financial trends applies Nonprofit Finance Fund® analysis to data hosted by GuideStar. While it highlights the data that matter most, remember that context is key – numbers only tell part of any story.

Created in partnership with

Fiscal year: Jan 01 - Dec 31 View full report Download data

Business model indicators

Profitability	2010	2011	2012
Unrestricted surplus (deficit) before depreciation	$227,569	-$127,597	$634,038
As % of expenses	242.0%	-68.9%	198.0%
Unrestricted surplus (deficit) after depreciation	$227,569	-$127,597	$634,038
As % of expenses	242.0%	-68.9%	198.0%

Revenue composition
Total revenue (unrestricted & restricted)	$321,604	$57,925	$953,864
Total revenue, % change over prior year	0.0%	-82.0%	1546.7%
Program services revenue	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Membership dues	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Investment income	0.3%	2.1%	0.0%
Government grants	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
All other grants and contributions	99.7%	97.9%	99.8%
Other revenue	0.0%	0.0%	0.2%

Expense composition
Total expenses before depreciation	$94,035	$185,163	$320,186
Total expenses, % change over prior year	0.0%	96.9%	72.9%
Personnel	20.6%	57.5%	45.8%
Professional fees	0.1%	0.4%	0.9%
Occupancy	0.0%	0.0%	6.0%
Interest	30.8%	0.0%	5.3%
Pass-through	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
All other expenses	48.4%	42.1%	42.0%

Full cost components (estimated)	2010	2011	2012
Total expenses (after depreciation)	$94,035	$185,163	$320,186
One month of savings	$7,836	$15,430	$26,682
Debt principal payment	$0	$0	$0
Fixed asset additions	$0	$6,115	$275,500
Total full costs (estimated)	$101,871	$206,708	$622,368

Capital structure indicators

Liquidity	2010	2011	2012
Months of cash	20.7	1.8	14.5
Months of cash and investments	20.7	1.8	14.5
Months of estimated liquid unrestricted net assets	20.7	1.8	14.5

Balance sheet composition	2010	2011	2012
Cash	$161,936	$28,224	$386,762
Investments	$0	$0	$0
Receivables	$0	$0	$0
Gross land, buildings, equipment (LBE)	$17,106	$23,221	$298,721
Accumulated depreciation (as a % of LBE)	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%
Liabilities (as a % of assets)	0.0%	0.7%	0.0%
Unrestricted net assets	$0	$0	$0
Temporarily restricted net assets	$0	$0	$0
Permanently restricted net assets	$0	$0	$0
Total restricted net assets	$0	$0	$0
Total net assets	$179,042	$51,445	$685,483

Key data checks

Key data checks	2010	2011	2012
Material data errors	No	No	No

Operations

The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.

Documents

Letter of Determination

Form 1023/1024 is not available for this organization

President

Maddalena Bearzi

Number of employees

Source: IRS Form 990

Ocean Conservation Society Inc

Officers, directors, trustees, and key employees

SOURCE: IRS Form 990

Compensation

Other

Show data for fiscal year

Compensation data

Download up to 5 most recent years of officer and director compensation data for this organization

There are no highest paid employees recorded for this organization.

Ocean Conservation Society Inc

Board of directors
as of 6/11/2025

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

Board of directors data

Download the most recent year of board of directors data for this organization

Daniel Blumstein

UCLA

Paul Berger

Saavsus Information

Board leadership practices

SOURCE: Self-reported by organization

GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.

Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? no
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? yes
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? no
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? yes
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? no

Organizational demographics

Candid has made improvements to the race and ethnicity options.

Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? Candid partnered with CHANGE Philanthropy on this demographic section.

Leadership

The organization's leader identifies as:

Race & ethnicity

White/Caucasian/European

Gender identity

Female, Not transgender

Disability status

Person without a disability

Race & ethnicity

Gender identity

Transgender Identity

Sexual orientation

Disability

We do not display disability information for organizations with fewer than 15 staff.

Ocean Conservation Society Inc

We study dolphins, whales and other species in the wild and use our scientific data to bring about policy changes, raise public awareness and protect these animals for future generations to appreciate

Mission

Is this your nonprofit?

Programs and results

What we aim to solve

This profile needs more info.

Our programs

Be Whale Aware Campaign

Be Balloon Aware Program

Ending Captivity

Where we work

Awards

How we listen

Financials

Revenue vs. expenses: breakdown

Liquidity in 2023 info

Months of cash in 2023 info

Fringe rate in 2023 info

%

Funding sources info

Assets & liabilities info

Financial data

Digitizing IRS form 990 data

Ocean Conservation Society Inc

Ocean Conservation Society Inc

Ocean Conservation Society Inc

Business model indicators

Capital structure indicators

Key data checks

Operations

Documents

President

Maddalena Bearzi

Number of employees

Ocean Conservation Society Inc

Compensation data

Ocean Conservation Society Inc

Board of directors data

Board leadership practices

Board orientation and education

CEO oversight

Ethics and transparency

Board composition

Board performance

Organizational demographics

Leadership

Race & ethnicity

Gender identity

Transgender Identity

Sexual orientation

Disability

Liquidity in 2023

Months of cash in 2023

Fringe rate in 2023

Funding sources

Assets & liabilities