Center for Whale Research

Nonprofit profile at a glance

EIN
911334319
IRS 990 coverage
2010–2024
Forms available
Form 990 2024
Location
Friday Harbor, WA, USA
Phone
3603785835
Rating
78
Verdict
SUPPORTED
Rating confidence
Moderate
Sector
Marine Science and Oceanography

Reported finances

Revenue
$2,131,035
Expenses
$797,940
Assets
$4,554,684
Liabilities
$145,377

Source: IRS Form 990. Selected filing: tax year 2024. Amounts in USD.

Leadership & pay

8 people listed

People named in this filing

  • NICOLA BLOEDEL (DIRECTOR)
  • HOWARD GARRETT (DIRECTOR)
  • LODIE GILBERT (DIRECTOR)

Selected names, not a complete roster or a statement of current roles. Open leadership details for the complete filed list.

Source: IRS Form 990. Selected filing: tax year 2024. Names and roles reflect this filing, not necessarily current officeholders.

Overview

Mission

The center for whale research (cwr) is dedicated to the study and conservation of the pacific northwests killer whale populations, with a primary focus on the critically endangered southern resident killer whales. Building on half a century of continuous research in the salish sea, cwr advances understanding of killer whale behavior, health, and ecology and translates science into conservation action - restoring chinook salmon, protecting vital ecosystems, and inspiring public stewardship through education and outreach.

What it reported doing in 2024

The organizations core activity is the systematic documentation of the southern resident killer whales (srkw) through its ongoing orca survey. Staff conducted 93 encounters during the year (46 with srkw) documenting 4 new births and 3 deaths, with the population currently numbering 74 individuals. Data generated through orca survey contributed directly to four peer-reviewed scientific publications and has been used in research that received international media attention, resulting in 639 news stories across 511 unique outlets in 33 countries. These data support broader conservation efforts by informing management decisions and advancing scientific understanding of srkw behavior and ecology. Education and outreach activities supported the core survey program by translating research findings for public audiences and engaging communities in orca conservation. The organization delivered 15 guest events and presentations and welcomed 9,656 visitors to the education center, generating 262 new memberships through peer-to-peer sign-ups. Eight staff members worked in the education center over the summer, educating visitors about the endangered southern resident killer whales and other marine life of the salish sea. Digital outreach extended the reach of survey and education efforts globally. The organizations website received over 120,000 page views and more than 70,000 unique visitors from 70 countries. Social media engagement increased substantially, with a 267% increase in instagram reach and a 200% increase in facebook reach over the prior year. In addition to survey and education activities, the organization engaged in conservation partnerships that support long-term orca recovery, including advancing discussions for a large-scale river restoration project with the lower elwha klallam tribe to improve salmon habitat. Staff and volunteers also participated in tree planting with the clallam conservation district and hosted a volunteer day with great old broads for wilderness as part of community-based stewardship and outreach.

Operating model

Revenue model
Donor-supported. 82% of the money available for current operations came from contributions and gifts.
Distribution model
Direct operator. The filing allocates 100% of reported program-service expenses outside its grant, affiliate-payment, and member-benefit lines. This expense classification does not rule out separately announced grant awards.
  • Includes noncash contributions: Reported contributions include donated property or goods.

The verdict

SUPPORTED - The filed numbers largely add up and a large share of total spending goes to programs. A relatively small share of available resources goes toward mission work and some filing-based governance responses are negative or unanswered.

Rating breakdown

  • Financial Efficiency: 62
  • Transparency & Controls: 92
  • Accountability: 82
  • Sustainability: 89
  • Growth: 100

Detailed rating inputs

Financial Efficiency

  • Mission deployment rate: 38%; rating input score 38
  • Program expense ratio: 95.3%; rating input score 95
  • Fundraising efficiency: $74.63 raised per $1 spent on fundraising; rating input score 83; 83rd percentile among comparable filings

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: Yes; rating input score 100
  • Related-party transparency: Limited

Accountability

  • Independent voting board: 100%; rating input score 100; 63rd percentile among comparable filings
  • Governance controls: 4 of 7 controls in place; rating input score 57
    • Conflict-of-interest policy: Pass
    • Whistleblower policy: Pass
    • Document-retention policy: Pass
    • CEO compensation review process: NotApplicable
    • Other executive compensation review process: NotApplicable
    • Form 990 shared with the board: Fail
    • Board meeting minutes documented: Pass
    • Audit committee oversight: Missing
    • Independent financial-statement audit: Fail

Sustainability

  • Operating margin: 62.6%; rating input score 95; 95th percentile among comparable filings
  • Total-asset coverage ratio: 5.71; rating input score 85; 85th percentile among comparable filings
  • Liabilities to assets ratio: 0.03; rating input score 76; 76th percentile among comparable filings
  • Officer compensation ratio: 0%; rating input score 91; 91st percentile among comparable filings

Growth

  • Program expense growth: 7.1% per year; rating input score 100; 51st percentile among comparable filings
  • Revenue growth: 12.1% per year; rating input score 100; 75th percentile among comparable filings
  • Asset growth: 15.5% per year; rating input score 100; 75th percentile among comparable filings

Details

  • Where the money goes: 38% of revenue deployed · 95.3% of spending went to programs
  • Governance: 7 of 7 board members independent · 4 of 7 filing controls reported
  • Programs: 1 filed program accomplishment · $761K in reported program spending
  • Leadership: top reported pay $0 · 8 people listed
  • Consistency: 31 of 31 current checks pass
  • Schedules: 5 filed schedules · includes major donors
  • Filing history: 14 filing years from 2010 to 2024
  • Contacts: How to reach this organization
  • Money network: Resolved incoming and outgoing counterparties from filed money flows.
  • Grant readiness: Federal tax and exclusion status, award history, and grant-maker relationships.
  • People: Everyone the filings name, and which of them the filings identify by more than a name.

Key Signals

Signals prioritize questions for review. They are not findings of misconduct.

  • Moderate — Financial Efficiency: Mission deployment rate scored 38/100.
  • Review — Accountability: Governance controls: 2 of 6 not reported.