2025-02-27T14:06:20-05:00 2024-12-31 813685324 LOMNESS CPA SERVICES INC 8505 TECHNOLOGY FOREST PL STE 202 THE WOODLANDS TX 77381 990 2024-01-01 833277816 THE SALISH SEA SCHOOL SALI 3602308018 4309 GLASGOW WAY ANACORTES WA 98221 BETSEY THOENNES PRESIDENT 3602308018 2025-02-25 true true KATIE LOMNESS P01877421 4074402825 2025-02-27 2024 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z BETSEY THOENNES 472417 false X WWW.THESALISHSEASCHOOL.ORG X 2019 WA THE SALISH SEA SCHOOLS MISSION IS TO AWAKEN CURIOSITY AND DEEPEN CONNECTIONS WITH THE SEA THROUGH SHORE AND SEA EXPLORATION PROGRAMS FOR ALL AGES. 3 3 5 5 0 202643 164712 179317 238020 1370 3921 16329 42040 399659 448693 7952 141202 111961 155134 181361 0 7890 121054 109716 417390 410990 -17731 37703 213330 246089 27328 22384 186002 223705 X THE SALISH SEA SCHOOLS MISSION IS TO AWAKEN CURIOSITY AND DEEPEN CONNECTIONS WITH THE SEA THROUGH SHORE AND SEA EXPLORATION PROGRAMS FOR ALL AGES. false false 392939 7952 238020 STUDENT SUMMER CAMPS: THE SALISH SEA SCHOOL OFFERED IMMERSIVE SUMMER CAMPS FOR ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, COMBINING ADVENTURE WITH EDUCATION TO INSPIRE THE NEXT GENERATION OF MARINE CONSERVATION LEADERS. PARTICIPANTS ENGAGED IN EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING OBSERVING MARINE WILDLIFE ON GUIDED BOAT TRIPS, KAYAKING THROUGH KELP FORESTS AND INTERTIDAL ZONES, AND CONDUCTING HANDS-ON MARINE RESEARCH. THESE ACTIVITIES DEEPENED STUDENTS UNDERSTANDING OF THE SALISH SEAS ECOSYSTEMS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF CONSERVATION. THE PROGRAM EMPHASIZED ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP, SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY, AND PERSONAL GROWTH, HELPING PARTICIPANTS DEVELOP LEADERSHIP SKILLS AND A MEANINGFUL CONNECTION TO THE NATURAL WORLD. AS JUNIOR CITIZEN SCIENTISTS, STUDENTS COLLECTED DATA ON SPECIES LIKE TUFTED PUFFINS AND SOUTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES, ACTIVELY CONTRIBUTING TO REAL-WORLD CONSERVATION EFFORTS. IN 2024, STUDENTS TOOK PART IN SMALL-GROUP ACTIVITIES, WHICH PROVIDED IMPACTFUL EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES. SCHOLARSHIPS ENSURED ACCESS FOR STUDENTS FROM DIVERSE SOCIOECONOMIC BACKGROUNDS. STUDENT FIELD TRIPS: THE SALISH SEA SCHOOL PROVIDED OUTDOOR, EXPERIENTIAL FIELD TRIPS FOR K-12 STUDENTS, FOCUSING ON MARINE ECOSYSTEMS, SALMON HABITATS, AND WATERSHED HEALTH. THESE PROGRAMS COMBINED SHORE-BASED AND BOAT-BASED ACTIVITIES, IMMERSING STUDENTS IN HANDS-ON LEARNING EXPERIENCES THAT FOSTERED ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS AND SCIENTIFIC CURIOSITY. PARTICIPANTS ENGAGED IN GUIDED WILDLIFE OBSERVATION, EXPLORED THE SALMON LIFE CYCLE, ANALYZED PLANKTON SAMPLES, AND INVESTIGATED INTERTIDAL ZONES. THESE ACTIVITIES CONNECTED STUDENTS DIRECTLY WITH THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT, ENHANCING THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF THE SALISH SEAS UNIQUE ECOSYSTEMS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF CONSERVATION. IN 2024, STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN FIELD TRIPS, INCLUDING MANY FROM UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES IN SKAGIT COUNTY AND BEYOND. SCHOLARSHIPS PROVIDED OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS, INCLUDING THOSE EXPERIENCING THE SALISH SEA FOR THE FIRST TIME. ADULT PROGRAMS: THE SALISH SEA SCHOOL OFFERED DIVERSE CONSERVATION-FOCUSED PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS, INCLUDING WILDLIFE AND BIRD ECOTOURS, MINDFULNESS RETREATS, AND ART CLASSES. THESE IMMERSIVE, HANDS-ON EXPERIENCES DEEPENED PARTICIPANTS UNDERSTANDING OF MARINE ECOSYSTEMS WHILE FOSTERING A STRONGER CONNECTION TO THE SALISH SEA AND ITS CONSERVATION. IN 2024, ADULT PROGRAMS ENGAGED PARTICIPANTS IN ACTIVITIES LIKE PUFFIN RESEARCH, PORPOISE EDNA COLLECTION, AND MINDFULNESS RETREATS. THESE PROGRAMS PROMOTED MARINE CONSERVATION AWARENESS WHILE SUPPORTING STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS. PUFFIN ECOTOURS: PUFFIN ECOTOURS OFFERED GUIDED BOAT TRIPS TO OBSERVE TUFTED PUFFINS AND OTHER SEABIRDS WHILE PROMOTING CONSERVATION AWARENESS. PARTICIPANTS CONTRIBUTED TO BIRD SURVEYS SUPPORTING THE TUFTED PUFFIN RECOVERY PLAN IN COLLABORATION WITH THE WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE. IN 2024, THESE TOURS ADVANCED RESEARCH ON PUFFIN POPULATIONS AND THEIR PREY WHILE FOSTERING AN APPRECIATION FOR THE SALISH SEAS ECOSYSTEMS. PROCEEDS FUNDED SCHOLARSHIPS FOR UNDERSERVED STUDENTS, PROVIDING FIRST-TIME ACCESS TO MARINE EDUCATION PROGRAMS. PUFFIN ECOTOURS DIRECTLY SUPPORTED THE SALISH SEA SCHOOLS MISSION TO INSPIRE STEWARDSHIP AND CONSERVATION. 392939 true true false true false false false false false false true false false true true false false false false false false false false false true false false false true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true 14 0 5 true false false false false false true true false false false false false false false false X 3 3 false false false false false false false true true false false true true true true false false true false false X X AMY EBERLING 7034777432 4309 GLASGOW WAY ANACORTES WA 98221 X BETSEY THOENNES PRESIDENT 5.00 X X 0 0 0 STACY DE LA O SECRETARY 5.00 X X 0 0 0 CINDY ELLISER TREASURER 5.00 X X 0 0 0 false false false 64898 99814 164712 PROGRAM SERVICE REVENUE 238020 238020 238020 3921 3921 63559 23724 39835 INSURANCE REIMBURSEMENT 2205 2205 2205 448693 244146 X 7952 7952 111961 111961 167182 158822 4180 4180 14179 13471 354 354 13868 13174 347 347 41810 39916 947 947 5948 5650 149 149 15176 10653 3397 1126 613 583 15 15 19627 18645 491 491 317 301 8 8 2421 2299 61 61 1450 1450 8486 8062 212 212 410990 392939 10161 7890 206082 225824 40267 34469 7248 5798 14467 213330 246089 27328 22384 27328 22384 X 186002 223705 186002 223705 213330 246089 37703 X false false X 50815 93520 174662 202643 164712 686352 12881 82520 188274 197916 307705 789296 63696 176040 362936 400559 472417 1475648 1475648 63696 176040 362936 400559 472417 1475648 1.00000 1.00000 0.00000 0.00000 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 100 100 100 20 5 95 80 false 20 20 30 100 100 5 5 8 100 100 SCHEDULE C, PART II-A AS PART OF ITS MISSION TO EDUCATE AND INSPIRE ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP, THE SALISH SEA SCHOOL FACILITATED A STUDENT-LED POSTCARD-WRITING ACTIVITY TO ENCOURAGE LEGISLATORS TO SUPPORT SALMON CONSERVATION EFFORTS. THIS GRASSROOTS LOBBYING ACTIVITY WAS CONDUCTED AS PART OF AN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM DESIGNED TO TEACH CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCACY. TOTAL GRASSROOTS LOBBYING EXPENDITURES FOR THIS ACTIVITY WERE 100, WELL WITHIN THE ORGANIZATIONS ALLOWABLE LOBBYING LIMITS. 40267 34469 5798 5798 UNDEPOSITED FUNDS 14467 14467 VESSEL LOAN 22342 SALES TAX PAYABLE 42 22384 All States true EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS 15 7952 SCHEDULE I, PAGE 1, PART I, LINE 2 THE ORGANIZATION COMPLIES WITH ALL GRANT REPORTING REQUIREMENTS BY PROVIDING FUNDERS WITH DETAILED FINANCIAL REPORTS, INCLUDING A BREAKDOWN OF HOW GRANT FUNDS ARE ALLOCATED AND THEIR IMPACT ON PROGRAM OUTCOMES. FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4A STUDENT SUMMER CAMPS: THE SALISH SEA SCHOOL OFFERED IMMERSIVE SUMMER CAMPS FOR ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE, AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS, COMBINING ADVENTURE WITH EDUCATION TO INSPIRE THE NEXT GENERATION OF MARINE CONSERVATION LEADERS. PARTICIPANTS ENGAGED IN EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING OBSERVING MARINE WILDLIFE ON GUIDED BOAT TRIPS, KAYAKING THROUGH KELP FORESTS AND INTERTIDAL ZONES, AND CONDUCTING HANDS-ON MARINE RESEARCH. THESE ACTIVITIES DEEPENED STUDENTS UNDERSTANDING OF THE SALISH SEAS ECOSYSTEMS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF CONSERVATION. THE PROGRAM EMPHASIZED ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP, SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY, AND PERSONAL GROWTH, HELPING PARTICIPANTS DEVELOP LEADERSHIP SKILLS AND A MEANINGFUL CONNECTION TO THE NATURAL WORLD. AS JUNIOR CITIZEN SCIENTISTS, STUDENTS COLLECTED DATA ON SPECIES LIKE TUFTED PUFFINS AND SOUTHERN RESIDENT KILLER WHALES, ACTIVELY CONTRIBUTING TO REAL-WORLD CONSERVATION EFFORTS. IN 2024, STUDENTS TOOK PART IN SMALL-GROUP ACTIVITIES, WHICH PROVIDED IMPACTFUL EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES. SCHOLARSHIPS ENSURED ACCESS FOR STUDENTS FROM DIVERSE SOCIOECONOMIC BACKGROUNDS. FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4B STUDENT FIELD TRIPS: THE SALISH SEA SCHOOL PROVIDED OUTDOOR, EXPERIENTIAL FIELD TRIPS FOR K-12 STUDENTS, FOCUSING ON MARINE ECOSYSTEMS, SALMON HABITATS, AND WATERSHED HEALTH. THESE PROGRAMS COMBINED SHORE-BASED AND BOAT-BASED ACTIVITIES, IMMERSING STUDENTS IN HANDS-ON LEARNING EXPERIENCES THAT FOSTERED ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS AND SCIENTIFIC CURIOSITY. PARTICIPANTS ENGAGED IN GUIDED WILDLIFE OBSERVATION, EXPLORED THE SALMON LIFE CYCLE, ANALYZED PLANKTON SAMPLES, AND INVESTIGATED INTERTIDAL ZONES. THESE ACTIVITIES CONNECTED STUDENTS DIRECTLY WITH THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT, ENHANCING THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF THE SALISH SEAS UNIQUE ECOSYSTEMS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF CONSERVATION. IN 2024, STUDENTS PARTICIPATED IN FIELD TRIPS, INCLUDING MANY FROM UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES IN SKAGIT COUNTY AND BEYOND. SCHOLARSHIPS PROVIDED OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS, INCLUDING THOSE EXPERIENCING THE SALISH SEA FOR THE FIRST TIME. FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4D PUFFIN ECOTOURS: PUFFIN ECOTOURS OFFERED GUIDED BOAT TRIPS TO OBSERVE TUFTED PUFFINS AND OTHER SEABIRDS WHILE PROMOTING CONSERVATION AWARENESS. PARTICIPANTS CONTRIBUTED TO BIRD SURVEYS SUPPORTING THE TUFTED PUFFIN RECOVERY PLAN IN COLLABORATION WITH THE WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE. IN 2024, THESE TOURS ADVANCED RESEARCH ON PUFFIN POPULATIONS AND THEIR PREY WHILE FOSTERING AN APPRECIATION FOR THE SALISH SEAS ECOSYSTEMS. PROCEEDS FUNDED SCHOLARSHIPS FOR UNDERSERVED STUDENTS, PROVIDING FIRST-TIME ACCESS TO MARINE EDUCATION PROGRAMS. PUFFIN ECOTOURS DIRECTLY SUPPORTED THE SALISH SEA SCHOOLS MISSION TO INSPIRE STEWARDSHIP AND CONSERVATION. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 11B THE BOARD REVIEWS FORM 990 BEFORE IT IS FILED. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 12C THE BOARD AND STAFF ANNUALLY DISCLOSE POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST, WHICH ARE DOCUMENTED AND REVIEWED TO MAINTAIN TRANSPARENCY IN FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL DECISIONS. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15A THE SALISH SEA SCHOOLS PROCESS FOR DETERMINING COMPENSATION FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND OTHER KEY EMPLOYEES IS AS FOLLOWS: INDEPENDENT REVIEW AND APPROVAL: THE COMPENSATION OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND OTHER KEY EMPLOYEES IS REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS DURING THE ANNUAL BUDGET PROCESS. THE BOARD IS COMPOSED ENTIRELY OF INDEPENDENT MEMBERS WHO DO NOT HAVE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND ARE NOT COMPENSATED BY THE ORGANIZATION. COMPARABILITY DATA: WHILE THE ORGANIZATION DOES NOT CONDUCT A FORMAL COMPENSATION STUDY, THE BOARD CONSIDERS COMPENSATION DATA FROM COMPARABLE NONPROFITS IN THE LOCAL AREA. THIS INFORMAL REVIEW ENSURES THAT THE ORGANIZATIONS COMPENSATION LEVELS ARE REASONABLE AND ALIGNED WITH THE BARE MINIMUM NECESSARY TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN QUALIFIED STAFF, GIVEN THE ORGANIZATIONS LIMITED RESOURCES. CONTEMPORANEOUS DOCUMENTATION: THE BOARDS DISCUSSIONS AND DECISIONS REGARDING COMPENSATION ARE DOCUMENTED IN THE MEETING MINUTES DURING THE ANNUAL BUDGET APPROVAL PROCESS. PROCESS OVERVIEW: THE PROCESS BEGINS WITH A REVIEW OF THE ORGANIZATIONS FINANCIAL POSITION AND BUDGET BY THE BOARD. THE BOARD DISCUSSES THE COMPENSATION OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND OTHER KEY EMPLOYEES, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE ORGANIZATIONS MISSION, FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS, AND INFORMAL COMPARISONS TO SIMILAR NONPROFITS IN THE AREA. THE BOARD THEN APPROVES THE COMPENSATION AS PART OF THE ANNUAL BUDGET. WHILE THE ORGANIZATION DOES NOT YET HAVE A FORMAL JOB PERFORMANCE EVALUATION PROCESS OR KPIS FOR THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, THE BOARD PROVIDES INFORMAL FEEDBACK AND GUIDANCE TO ENSURE ALIGNMENT WITH THE ORGANIZATIONS GOALS AND MISSION. THE ORGANIZATION IS COMMITTED TO IMPROVING ITS GOVERNANCE PRACTICES AND PLANS TO FORMALIZE ITS COMPENSATION AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION PROCESSES AS IT GROWS. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 19 THE SALISH SEA SCHOOL'S FORM 990 AND FINANCIAL SUMMARIES ARE MADE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE ON THE ORGANIZATION'S WEBSITE TO ENSURE TRANSPARENCY AND ACCESSIBILITY FOR DONORS, STAKEHOLDERS, AND THE COMMUNITY. FORM 990, PART IX, LINE 11G CONTRACT TEACHER 29,254 770 770 CONTRACT WORK 5,871 155 155 CONTRIBUTIONS TO OTHERS 392 10 10 TRAINING 457 12 12 PAYROLL PROCESSING 3,942 0 0 TOTAL 39,916 947 947 AS PART OF ITS MISSION TO EDUCATE AND INSPIRE ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP, THE SALISH SEA SCHOOL FACILITATED A STUDENT-LED POSTCARD-WRITING ACTIVITY TO ENCOURAGE LEGISLATORS TO SUPPORT SALMON CONSERVATION EFFORTS. THIS GRASSROOTS LOBBYING ACTIVITY WAS CONDUCTED AS PART OF AN EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM DESIGNED TO TEACH CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCACY. TOTAL GRASSROOTS LOBBYING EXPENDITURES FOR THIS ACTIVITY WERE 100, WELL WITHIN THE ORGANIZATIONS ALLOWABLE LOBBYING LIMITS.