2026-05-11T13:40:15-07:00 2025-12-31 990 2025-01-01 050449131 SALT PONDS COALITION INC SALT 4013223068 PO Box 875 Charlestown RI 02813 Marshall Mugge Treasurer 4016036167 2026-05-11 2025 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z Marshall Mugge 89 Noyes Neck Rd Westerly RI 02891 217743 0 X www.saltpondscoalition.org X 1988 RI Conservation, education, advocacy for RI salt ponds. 16 16 2 80 10268 0 139983 182093 0 0 13997 10846 11044 10268 165024 203207 0 0 0 0 138704 153655 0 0 0 16436 69930 155140 223585 9884 -20378 320476 300098 0 0 320476 300098 Salt Ponds Coalition's mission is to protect and enhance the health of Rhode Island's salt ponds for the benefit of wildlife and people. In operation since 1985, we are the oldest continually operating volunteer marine water-quality monitoring program in the nation. We partner with environmental non-profits and municipal, state, and federal agencies to complete restoration projects and advocate for healthy pond ecosystems. Our programs are designed to educate people of all ages about the importance of this vital resource and inspire them to become stewards of Rhode Island's salt ponds. 0 0 72150 17350 0 Pond Watching Program: Water samples are collected in the RI coastal salt ponds on a bi-weekly basis from May through October at 28 sites across the six major salt ponds, including one on a nearby river. This work is done by approximately 35 volunteers. At the end of 2025, after another local non-profit disbanded we agreed to test two more sites on the aforementioned river which has a direct connection and greatly impacts one of the salt ponds. SPC test for a variety of indicators of waterbody health including bacteria, nutrients, temperature, and pH; and our samples are analyzed by a local quality-controlled lab. Results are made available to the public, including our membership which totals over 580 households, as well state agencies and local municipalities. Cost of analysis and staff time is included. 49000 0 0 Education and Outreach: SPC works to connect people of all ages to their local environment and specifically the salt ponds by hosting field trips for local schools and other outreach activities. In Spring 2025, SPC hosted various age groups from pre-school up through middle-school students from multiple schools on pond-side outdoor activities as well as at a local nature center. Additionally, throughout the summer SPC worked with children at various summer camps providing outdoor educational programing, as well as our own free and open to the public Salt Pond Safaris which is a catch and release education program for geared to engage children and their families. Finally, we provide programming for adults as well in the form of paddle trips, bird walks, an art-focused program, and presentations from local experts in regards to salt pond issues and improvements, water-quality, and birding. In addition to these education programs, we hosted a beach clean-up, and had outreach tables at multiple farmer's markets, town-sponsored events, neighborhood meetings, and events hosted by our local indigenous tribe. All of our events last year reached out to over 750 people. Much of this work is completed with the help of volunteer retired educators. Additionally, we print and distribute education materials on our website, social media platforms, email blasts, and through printed media. Our distribution list for our emails alone is over 600 households and our social media channels have a combined 3,000+ followers. 23000 0 0 Advocacy and Restoration: Interact with local municipalities, state agencies, and other groups to advocate for the health of the salt ponds, help execute restoration programs, and to educate the local communities on ways they can support these projects. Restoration projects in 2025 included a nutrient reduction pilot watershed project, two breachway repair and restoration initiatives one of which has been see through to completion (in 2026), and a water connectivity project focused on improving water quality in two negatively impacted coves. We have over 580 members in our organization and have interacted with hundreds of people in the local community. 79435 0 0 Growing our membership and maintaining our organization ensures our ability to continue to advocate for, educate about, and monitor the health of our salt ponds. With over 550 members, keeping in contact with our members as part of our outreach campaigns and gather input as to what they observe as to the health of the ponds is a serious task. We strive to keep our constituents informed by hosting lectures featuring experts and local government officials throughout the year. 79435 0 0 223585 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 16 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 X X Marshall Mugge 4013220412 PO Box 875 Charlestown RI 02813 X Richard Sartor Vice President 4 0 X 0 0 0 Ann Whaley-Tobin Secretary 7 0 X 0 0 0 Marshall Mugge Treasurer 10 0 X 0 0 0 Sheila Andrew Board member 5 0 X 0 0 0 Tony Brunetti Board member 3 X 0 0 0 Susan Carr-Sparkman Board member 3 0 X 0 0 0 John Crandall Board member 3 0 X 0 0 0 Tim Kenefick Board member 3 0 X 0 0 0 Leo Mainelli Board member 2 0 X 0 0 0 Ann Manion Board member 5 0 X 0 0 0 Julia Murphy Board member 5 0 X 0 0 0 Chris Randall Board member 2 0 X 0 0 0 Ted See Board member 3 0 X 0 0 0 Elise Torello Board member 4.00 0 X 0 0 0 Tim Weiler Board member 4 X 0 0 0 Art Ganz President 25 0 X 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 157187 6339 0 17370 1197 9409 182093 0 0 0 0 0 10846 10846 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1197 1197 0 0 23607 6339 13339 10268 10268 0 0 0 0 203207 10846 10268 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 90000 90000 0 0 0 0 0 0 52000 52000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11655 11655 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 18688 18688 0 0 2422 2422 0 0 0 0 0 0 1800 1800 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 44150 44150 0 0 0 0 0 0 2870 2870 0 0 0 223585 223585 0 0 34133 38711 286343 261387 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 320476 300098 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 X 320476 300098 0 0 0 0 320476 300098 320476 300098 -20378 0 0 0 0 0 X 0 0 0 X 151383 156962 134079 151027 174557 768008 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 151383 156962 134079 151027 174557 768008 0 768008 51 4126 13817 13997 10846 42837 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 810845 0.94717 0.95736 X RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED Coastal Social 29946 6339 23607 0 237 0 10441 0 2156 0 0 29946 6339 23607 0 237 0 10441 0 2156 12834 10773 Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 11b The 990 is emailed to all board members and the executive director. Comments are gathered and changes are made as appropriate. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 12c In July 2023 we wrote a conduct of behavior policy for our board of directors which included a regular review of conflict of interest. Form 990, Part VI, Section B, Line 15 Reviews and comments are requested from all board members on the executive director's performance during the year. This information is put together by the President and Treasurer and given a full discussion at a board meeting. Based on this performance review and a survey of local environmental group's salaries of a similar size, a salary is proposed and discussed at length. A vote is taken and discussed till we agree on a salary for the coming year. This process is carried out for our second staff member, though the focus is given to the executive director and Presidents comments as they are the primary people she reports to. Form 990, Part VI, Section C, Line 18 990's for nonprofits are available online. See for example www.tax990.com. Alternate Path...see below https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/tax-exempt-organization-search So if you click the above link -- click the link to: Tax Exempt Organization Search Tool which takes you to this link: https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/search-for-tax-exempt-organizations If you click the button on that page that says: "Search for Tax Exempt Organizations", it brings you to this search page: https://apps.irs.gov/app/eos/ Form 990, Part VI, Section C, Line 19 The organization makes its governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements available to the public during the tax year by requests to the executive director. We also have an annual meeting for the membership with an open forum where questions are encouraged.