Oceana does not meet the following 1 Standards for Charity Accountability:
Standard 19 (Cause Related Marketing)
Clearly disclose how the charity benefits from the sale of products or services (i.e., cause-related marketing) that state or imply that a charity will benefit from a consumer sale or transaction. Such promotions should disclose, at the point of solicitation: (a) the actual or anticipated portion of the purchase price that will benefit the charity (e.g., 5 cents will be contributed to abc charity for every xyz company product sold), (b) the duration of the campaign (e.g., the month of October), (c) any maximum or guaranteed minimum contribution amount (e.g., up to a maximum of $200,000).
Oceana does not meet this Standard because, in the past year, the organization participated in promotions for the sale of consumer goods or services that indicated that the organization would benefit from these purchases. The promotions, however, did not specify:
- The actual or anticipated amount of the purchase price that would benefit the organization.
The BBB Wise Giving Alliance requested but did not receive complete information from the organization and is unable to verify the organization's compliance with the following Standard(s) for Charity Accountability:
3
7
Oceana meets the remaining 17 Standards for Charity Accountability.
Oceana reports that it carries out campaigns that combine scientific, legal, policy, and advocacy approaches to protect and restore the world's oceans. In North America, Oceana's marine scientists, economists, lawyers, and advocates work together to bring about policy changes that reduce pollution and prevent damage to fish populations, marine mammals, and other sea life. The organization's international advocacy is focused on protecting marine ecosystems within territorial and international waters.
For the year ended December 31, 2019, Oceana's program expenses were:
| International activities |
$13,250,351 |
| United States oceans |
$9,785,524 |
| Law |
$2,488,526 |
| Communications |
$1,774,510 |
| Marine science |
$1,571,045 |
| Oceana Advocacy Resources |
$75,912 |
| Total Program Expenses: |
$28,945,868 |
*2019 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Grant proposals, Internet, Invitations to fund raising events, Planned giving arrangements, Print advertisements (newspapers, magazines, etc.), Telephone appeals, Cause- related marketing (affinity credit cards, consumer product sales, etc.)
Fundraising costs were 8% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $40,381,315, are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)
This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
The following information is based on Oceana's audited financial statements - consolidated for the year ended December 31, 2019.
| Source of Funds |
| Grants and contributions |
$34,978,839 |
| Special events |
$3,804,142 |
| In-kind revenue |
$1,598,334 |
| Miscellaneous |
$293,778 |
| Investment income |
$27,051 |
| Total Income |
$40,702,144 |
- Programs: 77%
- Administrative: 15%
- Fundraising: 8%
| Total Income |
$40,702,144 |
| Program expenses |
$28,945,868 |
| Fundraising expenses |
$3,373,784 |
| Administrative expenses |
$5,712,301 |
| Other expenses |
$0 |
| Total expenses: |
$38,031,953 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses |
$2,670,191 |
| Beginning Net Assets |
$51,726,302 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets |
$-13,141 |
| Ending Net Assets |
$54,383,352 |
| Total Liabilities |
$6,196,068 |
| Total Assets |
$60,579,420 |
Note 1: As noted in the above financial section, "other changes in net assets" refers to a foreign currency transaction loss.
Note 2: According to the organization's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019, Oceana received in-kind contributions totaling $1,598,334 in the form of pro bono legal services.