DEBRIS FREE
Cite this
Plain text DEBRIS FREE. Strategy Studio, nonprofit organization profile, tax years 2019–2025. https://strategystudio.org/org/464581532. Retrieved 2026-10-20.
APA Strategy Studio. (n.d.). DEBRIS FREE [Nonprofit organization profile; tax years 2019–2025]. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://strategystudio.org/org/464581532
MLA “DEBRIS FREE.” Strategy Studio, tax years 2019–2025, https://strategystudio.org/org/464581532. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.
Retrieved 2026-10-20; covers tax years 2019–2025. Data: Strategy Studio, CC BY 4.0.
2025 · Form 990 · revenue $209K · expenses $187K · assets $247K
- Also known as
- DEBRIS FREE OCEANS
- EIN
- 46-4581532
- Address
- 3775 LOQUAT AVE, MIAMI, FL 33133-5617
- Website
- WWW.DEBRISFREEOCEANS.ORG
- NTEE code
- C30
- Subsection
- 501(c)(3)
- Ruling year
- 2014
- Cross-check
- ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer
Mission
DEBRIS FREE OCEANS IS A MIAMI-BASED ORGANIZATION THAT EMPOWERS LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO GO ZERO-WASTE.
Each tax year counts once: when a return was amended, only the latest return for that period is used below (superseded returns stay listed, greyed, under Finances).
People paid by the organization
4 people paid across every filing: current people first, then by total pay from this organization. Organizations counts every nonprofit each person appears on.
| Name | Latest title | Years | Latest year pay | Total pay from here | Organizations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caitlin Waks | PRESIDENT | 2019-2025 | $64,913 | $173,590 | 1 |
| Jeremy Waks | TREASURER | 2019-2025 | $0 | $600 | 1 |
| Caiti Waks (former) | PRESIDENT | 2021-2022 | $37,804 | $60,304 | 1 |
| Saira Fida (former) | TREASURER | 2019-2023 | $3,866 | $6,866 | 1 |
Officers and directors, no compensation reported
4 people listed on the returns with $0 (or no amount) in every compensation column: current people first. Hours are as filed on the latest return each person appears on.
| Name | Latest title | Years | Hrs/wk (latest) | Compensation | Organizations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ana Meira | DIRECTOR | 2022-2025 | 1 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Scott Grissom | DIRECTOR | 2024-2025 | 1 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Daniel Sebastin Padilla-Ochoa | SECRETARY | 2025 | 1 | $0 reported | 1 |
| Daniel Sebastian Padilla Ochoa (former) | TREASURER | 2023-2024 | 1 | $0 reported | 1 |
People by year
2025 · 5 people listed · 1 paid, $65K · 3 employees · 2,115 volunteers
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAITLIN WAKS | PRESIDENT | 30 | $48,458 | $0 | $16,455 | $64,913 | 1 |
| JEREMY WAKS | TREASURER | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| DANIEL SEBASTIN PADILLA-OCHOA | SECRETARY | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| SCOTT GRISSOM | DIRECTOR | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| ANA MEIRA | DIRECTOR | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
2024 · 5 people listed · 1 paid, $47K · 4 employees · 12,000 volunteers
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAITLIN WAKS | PRESIDENT | 25 | $32,920 | $0 | $14,105 | $47,025 | 1 |
| JEREMY WAKS | SECRETARY | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| DANIEL SEBASTIAN PADILLA OCHOA | TREASURER | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| ANA MEIRA | DIRECTOR | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| SCOTT GRISSOM | DIRECTOR | 1 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | 1 |
2023 · 4 people listed · 2 paid, $36K
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAITLIN WAKS | FOUNDER & PR | 10 | $25,324 | - | $6,328 | $31,652 | 1 |
| SAIRA FIDA | TREASURER | 4 | $3,007 | - | $859 | $3,866 | 1 |
| JEREMY WAKS | SECRETARY | 2 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
| DANIEL SEBASTIAN PADILLA OCHOA | DIRECTOR | 0 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
2022 · 4 people listed · 2 paid, $41K
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAITI WAKS | PRESIDENT | 15 | $30,000 | - | $7,804 | $37,804 | 1 |
| SAIRA FIDA | TREASURER | 10 | $3,000 | - | $0 | $3,000 | 1 |
| JEREMY WAKS | SECRETARY | 3 | $0 | - | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| ANA MEIRA | BOARD MEMBER | 2 | $0 | - | $0 | $0 | 1 |
2021 · 3 people listed · 1 paid, $22K
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caiti Waks | President | 25 | $22,500 | - | $0 | $22,500 | 1 |
| Jeremy Waks | Secretary | 3 | $0 | - | $0 | $0 | 1 |
| Saira Fida | Treasurer | 1 | $0 | - | $0 | $0 | 1 |
2020 · 3 people listed · 1 paid, $15K
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caitlin Waks | President | 15 | $15,000 | - | - | $15,000 | 1 |
| Jeremy Waks | Secretary | 3 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
| Saira Fida | Treasurer | 1 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
2019 · 3 people listed · 2 paid, $16K
| Name | Title | Hrs/wk | From org | From related | Other | Total | Orgs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAITLIN WAKS | PRESIDENT | 15 | $15,000 | - | - | $15,000 | 1 |
| JEREMY WAKS | SECRETARY | 3 | $600 | - | - | $600 | 1 |
| SAIRA FIDA | TREASURER | 1 | $0 | - | - | $0 | 1 |
Highest-paid independent contractors
No independent contractors reported.
Who gave
Contributor names are not public for this form type.
Public charities filing Form 990 or 990-EZ report large donors on Schedule B, but the IRS withholds their names and addresses from public copies. Private foundations (990-PF) are different: their contributors are public.
Finances
Newest first. Each filing: its name on one row, its figures on the row beneath. Greyed filings are superseded by a later return for the same period and are left out everywhere else on this page.
| Revenue | Expenses | Assets | Net assets | Contributions | Program revenue | Officer pay | Employees | Volunteers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $208,908 | $186,576 | $246,654 | $223,781 | $131,560 | $77,348 | $30,600 | 3 | 2,115 |
| 2024 · Form 990 | ||||||||
| $295,739 | $251,440 | $224,901 | $201,449 | $181,643 | $84,984 | $32,920 | 4 | 12,000 |
| 2023 · Form 990EZ | ||||||||
| $193,598 | $229,913 | $175,482 | $157,150 | $142,014 | $48,579 | - | - | - |
| 2022 · Form 990EZ | ||||||||
| $199,028 | $134,640 | $196,355 | $193,465 | $135,534 | $61,687 | - | - | - |
| 2021 · Form 990EZ | ||||||||
| $63,212 | $90,440 | $130,984 | $129,077 | $55,425 | $7,086 | - | - | - |
| 2020 · Form 990EZ | ||||||||
| $142,990 | $55,058 | $157,219 | $156,305 | $140,542 | $2,448 | - | - | - |
| 2019 · Form 990EZ | ||||||||
| $61,545 | $34,940 | $68,890 | $68,373 | $45,414 | $16,131 | - | - | - |
Funders of this organization
7 grantors reported grants to this organization, $241,325 in all, tax years 2019 to 2024. Exact: the grantor wrote this organization's EIN. Fuzzy: the grantor wrote only a name (foundations' 990-PF has no EIN field), matched to the same or a near-identical name in the same state; the name as filed is shown. From the latest return for each grantor and year, so amended returns aren't counted twice. CSV
| Grantor | Type | Match | Years given | Grants | Total | Latest year | Latest year's amount | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OCEAN CONSERVANCY INC | Public charity | Exact | 2022 | 1 | $120,466 | 2022 | $120,466 | show |
| ACT FOR ALEXANDRIA | DAF sponsor | Exact | 2021-2024 | 4 | $40,000 | 2024 | $10,000 | show |
| MIGHTYCAUSE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION | DAF sponsor | Exact | 2023-2024 | 2 | $31,373 | 2024 | $8,975 | show |
| UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI | Public charity | Exact | 2023-2024 | 2 | $23,461 | 2024 | $16,618 | show |
| THE MIAMI FOUNDATION INC | DAF sponsor | Exact | 2020 | 1 | $20,000 | 2020 | $20,000 | show |
| THE BLACKBAUD GIVING FUND | DAF sponsor | Fuzzy filed as “DEBRIS FREE” | 2023 | 1 | $6,000 | 2023 | $6,000 | show |
| AMERICAN TOWER CHARITABLE FOUNDATION INC | Private foundation | Fuzzy filed as “DEBRIS FREE” | 2019 | 1 | $25 | 2019 | $25 | show |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| COLLIER COUNTY AUDUBON FOUNDATION INC | FL | C30 | $196,148 | $54,668 | Director | $0 | Same NTEE code C30, revenue within 2x, same state |
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| COLLIER COUNTY AUDUBON SOCIETY INC | FL | C30 | $377,555 | $386,729 | Director | $0 | Same NTEE code C30, revenue within 2x, same state |
| FRIENDS OF LOVERS KEY INC | FL | C30 | $201,379 | $256,523 | Director | $0 | Same NTEE code C30, revenue within 2x, same state |
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| RESHORING INITIATIVE | FL | C30 | $156,436 | $217,276 | PRESIDENT | $51,989 | Same NTEE code C30, revenue within 2x, same state |
| FRIENDS OF JOHN PENNEKAMP CORAL REEF STATE PARK AND DAGNY JOHNSON | FL | C30 | $145,221 | $65,693 | DIRECTOR | $0 | Same NTEE code C30, revenue within 2x, same state |
| BLUE SCHOLARS INITIATIVE INC | FL | C30 | $353,906 | $230,262 | OPERATIONS DIRECTOR | $60,000 | Same NTEE code C30, revenue within 2x, same state |
| FRIENDS OF WAKULLA SPRINGS STATE PARK INC | FL | C30 | $174,287 | $173,907 | DIRECTOR | $0 | Same NTEE code C30, revenue within 2x, same state |
| BLUE WORLD FOUNDATION INC | FL | C30 | $330,955 | $326,596 | PRESIDENT | $0 | Same NTEE code C30, revenue within 2x, same state |
| COASTAL CONNECTIONS INC | FL | C30 | $261,829 | $251,944 | Key Employee | $47,840 | Same NTEE code C30, revenue within 2x, same state |
| 7ELEMENTS FOUNDATION INC | FL | C30 | $135,248 | $115,084 | PRESIDENT | $0 | Same NTEE code C30, revenue within 2x, same state |
| PUTNAM LAND CONSERVANCY INC | FL | C30 | $394,090 | $247,547 | CEO & CONSERVATION DIRECTOR | $64,167 | Same NTEE code C30, revenue within 2x, same state |
| MADERAS RAINFOREST CONSERVANCY CORP | FL | C30 | $224,150 | $210,650 | Executive Director | $0 | Same NTEE code C30, revenue within 2x, same state |
| ASSOCIATION FOR FIRE ECOLOGY | FL | C30 | $381,383 | $320,974 | PRESIDENT | $0 | Same NTEE code C30, revenue within 2x, same state |
| SOUTHERN WASTE INFORMATION EXCHANGE INC | FL | C30 | $256,656 | $712,001 | EXEC DIRECTO | $137,183 | Same NTEE code C30, revenue within 2x, same state |
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| SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENT COUNCIL OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA INC | FL | C30 | $205,370 | $162,312 | EXECUTIVE DI | $26,400 | Same NTEE code C30, revenue within 2x, same state |
| FLORIDA COASTAL CONSERVANCY INC | FL | C30 | $180,492 | $138,056 | President | $35,250 | Same NTEE code C30, revenue within 2x, same state |
| INTERNATIONAL AROID PLANT SOCIETY INC | FL | C30 | $268,544 | $257,895 | PRESIDENT | $0 | Same NTEE code C30, revenue within 2x, same state |
| FRIENDS OF FAKAHATCHEE INC | FL | C30 | $136,127 | $113,516 | Executive Director | $37,800 | Same NTEE code C30, revenue within 2x, same state |
Who funds organizations like this
Grantors that funded the 100 most similar organizations. Ranked by total given to them. Foundations (990-PF) and donor-advised fund sponsors only. Same matching as Funders above (by EIN, or by name for foundations).
The full list · all similar organizations
Where the money went
Every expense line on each return, biggest first: Form 990 Part IX (with its program, management and fundraising columns), 990-EZ Part I, or 990-PF Part I. Event marks lines the organization itself describes as events. “Events” in each summary adds those lines, conferences and meetings, and the direct costs of fundraising events. Unusual is not the same as improper. Many of these patterns have ordinary explanations. Check the filing.
2025 · Form 990 · $186,576 spent · pay $118,314 · grants $0 · events $21,629
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other salaries and wages | $68,654 | $57,958 | $8,179 | $2,517 | 36.8% | |
| Pay: officers, directors, trustees, key employees | $30,600 | $22,490 | $6,360 | $1,750 | 16.4% | |
| Fees: other services | $24,356 | $14,284 | $10,072 | - | 13.1% | |
| Other (as described) Event | EVENT EXPENSE | $21,629 | $18,270 | $3,359 | - | 11.6% |
| Other employee benefits | $10,598 | $10,598 | - | - | 5.7% | |
| Fees: accounting | $9,800 | - | $9,800 | - | 5.3% | |
| Payroll taxes | $8,462 | $6,135 | $2,026 | $301 | 4.5% | |
| Other (as described) | DUES & SUBSCRIPTIONS | $3,084 | $451 | $1,841 | $792 | 1.7% |
| Information technology | $3,000 | - | $3,000 | - | 1.6% | |
| Occupancy | $1,720 | $1,468 | $252 | - | 0.9% | |
| Travel | $1,640 | $1,085 | $555 | - | 0.9% | |
| Other (as described) | BANK & MERCHANT FEES | $1,125 | $21 | $1,104 | - | 0.6% |
| All other expenses | $894 | $51 | $843 | - | 0.5% | |
| Other (as described) | TELEPHONE & INTERNET | $847 | $750 | $97 | - | 0.5% |
| Insurance | $167 | - | $167 | - | 0.1% | |
| Total | $186,576 | 100% |
2024 · Form 990 · $251,440 spent · pay $170,116 · grants $0 · events $14,032
| Line | As described | Total | Program | Management | Fundraising | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Other salaries and wages | $109,022 | $107,132 | $508 | $1,382 | 43.4% | |
| Pay: officers, directors, trustees, key employees | $32,920 | $29,978 | $660 | $2,282 | 13.1% | |
| Fees: other services | $26,701 | $25,730 | $220 | $751 | 10.6% | |
| Other employee benefits | $16,632 | $7,545 | $9,087 | - | 6.6% | |
| Fees: accounting | $15,133 | $2,715 | $12,418 | - | 6.0% | |
| Other (as described) Event | EVENT EXPENSE | $14,032 | $12,961 | $1,071 | - | 5.6% |
| Payroll taxes | $11,542 | $10,427 | $777 | $338 | 4.6% | |
| Other (as described) | DUES & SUBSCRIPTIONS | $5,733 | $566 | $3,389 | $1,778 | 2.3% |
| Occupancy | $5,672 | $4,717 | $955 | - | 2.3% | |
| Travel | $4,575 | $4,222 | $349 | $4 | 1.8% | |
| Insurance | $3,817 | $3,172 | $645 | - | 1.5% | |
| All other expenses | $2,417 | $965 | $1,452 | - | 1.0% | |
| Other (as described) | PAYROLL EXPENSES | $1,673 | - | $1,673 | - | 0.7% |
| Other (as described) | BANK & MERCHANT FEES | $1,199 | $1,189 | $10 | - | 0.5% |
| Advertising and promotion | $273 | $273 | - | - | 0.1% | |
| Office expenses | $99 | $61 | $38 | - | 0.0% | |
| Total | $251,440 | 100% |
2023 · Form 990EZ · $229,913 spent · pay $187,426 · grants $0 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salaries, other pay and benefits | $187,426 | 81.5% | |
| Other expenses (detail on Schedule O) | $23,126 | 10.1% | |
| Fees to independent contractors | $10,620 | 4.6% | |
| Occupancy, rent, utilities, maintenance | $8,568 | 3.7% | |
| Printing, publications, postage | $173 | 0.1% | |
| Total | $229,913 | 100% |
2022 · Form 990EZ · $134,640 spent · pay $102,276 · grants $0 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salaries, other pay and benefits | $102,276 | 76.0% | |
| Other expenses (detail on Schedule O) | $23,091 | 17.2% | |
| Occupancy, rent, utilities, maintenance | $6,309 | 4.7% | |
| Fees to independent contractors | $2,964 | 2.2% | |
| Total | $134,640 | 100% |
2021 · Form 990EZ · $90,440 spent · pay $65,265 · grants $0 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salaries, other pay and benefits | $65,265 | 72.2% | |
| Other expenses (detail on Schedule O) | $21,845 | 24.2% | |
| Fees to independent contractors | $3,102 | 3.4% | |
| Occupancy, rent, utilities, maintenance | $150 | 0.2% | |
| Printing, publications, postage | $78 | 0.1% | |
| Total | $90,440 | 100% |
2020 · Form 990EZ · $55,058 spent · pay $40,460 · grants $0 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salaries, other pay and benefits | $40,460 | 73.5% | |
| Other expenses (detail on Schedule O) | $10,986 | 20.0% | |
| Fees to independent contractors | $3,560 | 6.5% | |
| Printing, publications, postage | $52 | 0.1% | |
| Total | $55,058 | 100% |
2019 · Form 990EZ · $34,940 spent · pay $20,443 · grants $0 · events $0
| Line | As described | Total | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salaries, other pay and benefits | $20,443 | 58.5% | |
| Other expenses (detail on Schedule O) | $13,778 | 39.4% | |
| Occupancy, rent, utilities, maintenance | $450 | 1.3% | |
| Printing, publications, postage | $269 | 0.8% | |
| Total | $34,940 | 100% |