Save the Waves Coalition

EIN: 364515216 501(c)(3) Environment

Santa Cruz, CA

Total Revenue
$1,358,277
Total Expenses
$1,731,972
Total Assets
$1,084,321
Net Assets
$845,375
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Financial Vulnerability Assessment (Tuckman-Chang)

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Financial Trends

Organization Details

Formation Year
2003
Legal Domicile
CA
Phone
8314266169
Tax Period
2025-01-01 to 2025-12-31

Save the Waves Coalition, founded in 2003, is a community nonprofit in the Environment sector that reported $1.4M in total revenue in fiscal year 2025. Revenue surged 26% from the prior year, signaling strong growth momentum. Expenses of $1.7M exceeded revenue, resulting in a 28% operating deficit.

Mission

Note re: FYE Dec 2025 Revenues less expenses of -373,695. See 3rd page of Schedule O for detailed explanation. This deficit was covered under a three-year grant which provided for $500,000 each year, all of which was recognized in a previous year.

Program Service Accomplishments

Program 1
Expenses: $564,531

PROTECTED AREAS:Save The Waves advanced stewardship activities across our World Surfing Reserves, protecting surf breaks and engaging volunteers and community members in local conservation...

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PROTECTED AREAS:Save The Waves advanced stewardship activities across our World Surfing Reserves, protecting surf breaks and engaging volunteers and community members in local conservation initiatives. We supported environmental education programs for youth in El Salvador and completed a first-of-its-kind mangrove documentation study in Costa Rica. We continued Surf Protected Area strategies in California, Mexico, Costa Rica, and the Azores, including promoting statewide surf ecosystem protection in California.

Program 2
Expenses: $424,416

Campaigns and Outreach:Save The Waves executed campaigns to defend surf ecosystems from development, pollution and threats globally. We released a groundbreaking report documenting the annual...

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Campaigns and Outreach:Save The Waves executed campaigns to defend surf ecosystems from development, pollution and threats globally. We released a groundbreaking report documenting the annual economic value from surfing in Santa Cruz and promoted statewide surf ecosystem protection and surf reserve concepts. We expanded the Save The Waves Film Festival to events across multiple countries, reaching thousands of in-person attendees and millions of individuals through digital campaigns.

Program 3
Expenses: $324,151

Stewardship and Resilience:Save The Waves conducted workshops and outreach training for local communities across Costa Rica, the Azores, California, and Mexico. We published a comprehensive resource...

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Stewardship and Resilience:Save The Waves conducted workshops and outreach training for local communities across Costa Rica, the Azores, California, and Mexico. We published a comprehensive resource on surf ecosystem conservation best practices in partnership with Conservation International. We advanced a new model of parametric insurance in El Salvador to safeguard surf breaks, mangroves, and community livelihoods from extreme weather events.

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Trantor Score

Financial Health Score (300–850) · Liquidity · Solvency · Sustainability · Efficiency

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Liquidity (40%) • Solvency (30%) • Sustainability (20%) • Efficiency (10%)

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Financial Overview (2025)

Revenue Breakdown

Contributions & Grants $1,339,198
Program Service Revenue $0
Investment Income $19,387
Other Revenue $-308
TOTAL REVENUE $1,358,277

Expense Breakdown

Grants Paid $31,000
Salaries & Benefits $1,176,095
Fundraising Expenses $169,572
Program Expenses $1,313,098
Other Expenses $524,877
TOTAL EXPENSES $1,731,972

Year-over-Year Comparison

2025 2024 Change
Revenue $1,358,277 $1,078,963 +0.3%
Expenses $1,731,972 $1,527,181 +0.1%
Net Income $-373,695 $-448,218 -0.2%
Key Indicators
Grants to Organizations Grants to Individuals Lobbying Political Activity Foreign Activities Donor Advised Fund Schedule B Required
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Governance

Voting Members
11
Independent Members
11
Employees
11
Volunteers
11

Governance Policies

Conflict of Interest Policy
Whistleblower Policy
Document Retention Policy

Special Practices & Reported Activities

Operated a School
Operated a Hospital
Provided First Class Travel
Reported Conflict of Interest
Reported Asset Diversion
Excess Benefit Transaction
Made Political Expenditures
Engaged in Lobbying
Operated Donor Advised Fund
Maintained Art Collections
Filed Form 720

Compensation of Officers, Directors & Key Employees

Total Officers
6
$299,718
Total Directors
11
$0
Key Employees
0
$0
Highest Compensated
0
reported
Name Title Hours/Week Role Reportable Comp Other Comp Total
Nik Strong-Cvetich CEO 40.00
Officer
$138,697 $37,522 $176,219
Susan Coffey Dir Ops and Fin 35.00
Officer
$95,659 $27,840 $123,499
Lauren Parrino Dir Communications 40.00
$103,039 $17,432 $120,471
Mara Arroyo Rodriguez SrMgr Conservation 40.00
$109,490 $0 $109,490
Hugo Tagholm Chairman 3.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Annie Vranizan Vice Chair 2.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Rahim Walker Treasurer 2.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Laura F Rodriguez Secretary 2.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
Will Henry Board Member 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Christy Chin Board Member 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Scott Atkinson Board Member 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Pat Gonzales-Rogers Board Member 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Greg Jones Board Member 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Richard Margoluis Board Member 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Ian Stewart Board Member 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
Note: Compensation data is self-reported by the organization on their Form 990. "Reportable Comp" includes salary, bonuses, and other reportable compensation from the organization and related organizations. "Other Comp" includes benefits, deferred compensation, and non-taxable benefits.

Historical Data

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Net Income
2025 $1,358,277 $1,731,972 $1,084,321 $-373,695
2024 $1,078,963 $1,527,181 $1,383,856 $-448,218
2023 $2,569,172 $1,402,356 $1,690,580 $1,166,816
2022 $1,177,157 $1,112,956 $547,037 $64,201
2021 $1,218,711 $1,185,848 $498,551 $32,863
2020 $1,086,875 $945,764 $452,414 $141,111
2019 $777,935 $773,158 $339,383 $4,777
2018 $571,735 $567,501 $146,265 $4,234
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