Artula Institute for Art and Environmental Ed

What it reported doing in 2024

Washed Ashore is the primary cultural initiative of the Artula Institute for Arts and Environmental Education, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to create and exhibit large-scale, visually striking sculptures made entirely from marine debris in order to educate the public about plastic pollution in oceans and waterways. Through art, community engagement, and environmental education, the organization aims to inspire positive changes in consumer behavior and promote stewardship of marine ecosystems. In 2024, Washed Ashore advanced its mission by collecting and processing marine debris from the Oregon Coast and transforming it into powerful educational art. Hundreds of volunteers and community members participated in free public workshops and hands-on programs, reinforcing the connection between environmental action and community creativity. The organization began its first-ever Artist-in-Residence program in 2024, funded by the Galveston Park Board of Trustees. This initiative culminated in 2025 with the completion and installation of The Reddish Egret, a signature sculpture now on display on Galveston Island, Texas. The artwork highlights Gulf Coast habitat conservation and raises awareness about the impact of plastic pollution on marine life. Washed Ashore launched its Ocean Activity Book, a dynamic educational resource filled with conservation science, games, and interactive content for children and families. More than 2,500 copies were distributed to schools, libraries, museums, and community centers across the U.S., helping expand the organizations reach far beyond exhibition venues. A significant highlight of 2024 was Washed Ashores new partnership with Mutual of Omahas Wild Kingdom. This collaboration resulted in the commissioning of Bill the Coho Salmon, a large-scale sculpture created from Pacific Northwest marine debris. The sculpture complements an upcoming episode of Wild Kingdom that focuses on the conservation of Pacific Northwest coho salmon. As part of this partnership, Mutual of Omaha also sponsored the distribution of free Ocean Activity Books to local schools in communities near Wild Kingdoms featured venues throughout the U.S., expanding Washed Ashores educational impact across a diverse range of geographic regions. Through a combination of physical exhibits and virtual learning tools, Washed Ashores total audience reach grew to over 40 million since the programs founding. While 2024 was a year of programmatic growth and continued national visibility, the organization also experienced a substantial financial loss. In response, Washed Ashore is taking decisive action in 2025 to ensure long-term sustainability. This includes right-sizing the professional staff, aligning operational expenses with available funding, and intensifying fundraising and partnership efforts to stabilize and strengthen the organizations financial position. Washed Ashore remains deeply committed to its mission and is taking strategic steps to preserve its impact and inspire the next generation of ocean stewards through art and education.

Financial Efficiency

• Mission deployment rate: 100%; rating input score 100
• Program expense ratio: 88.1%; rating input score 88
• Fundraising efficiency: Limited

Transparency & Controls

• Consistency checks: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Pay-setting controls: Limited
• Foreign activity oversight: Limited
• Grant itemization coverage: Limited
• Major donor itemization: Limited
• Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

• Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
• Governance controls: 7 of 9 controls in place; rating input score 78
  • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
  • Whistleblower policy: Pass
  • Document-retention policy: Pass
  • CEO compensation review process: Pass
  • Other executive compensation review process: Pass
  • Form 990 shared with the board: Pass
  • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
  • Audit committee oversight: Missing
  • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

• Operating margin: -51.3%; rating input score 3; 3rd percentile among comparable filings
• Total-asset coverage ratio: 0.2; rating input score 9; 9th percentile among comparable filings
• Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.24; rating input score 28; 28th percentile among comparable filings
• Officer compensation ratio: 25.2%; rating input score 10; 10th percentile among comparable filings

Growth

• Program expense growth: 8.9% per year; rating input score 100; 59th percentile among comparable filings
• Revenue growth: 5.8% per year; rating input score 100; 48th percentile among comparable filings
• Asset growth: 6.4% per year; rating input score 100; 45th percentile among comparable filings