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CHARITY REVIEW
Issued: July 2026 Expires: July 2028

Algae Foundation

Standards Not Met
Standards Not Met
4 14 16 17 18
(909) 712-8643
2309 Markoe Avenue
Wentzville, MO, 63385
https://thealgaefoundation.org/
📄 Full Report 🖨️ Print 📋 BBB Charity Standards

Standards For Charity Accountability

Governance

  1. Board Oversight
  2. Board Size
  3. Board Meetings
  4. Board Compensation
  5. Conflict of Interest

Measuring Effectiveness

  1. Effectiveness Policy
  2. Effectiveness Report

Finances

  1. Program Expenses
  2. Fundraising Expenses
  3. Accumulating Funds
  4. Audit Report
  5. Detailed Expense Breakdown
  6. Accurate Expense Reporting
  7. Budget Plan

Fundraising & Info

  1. Truthful Materials
  2. Annual Report
  3. Website Disclosures
  4. Donor Privacy
  5. Cause Marketing Disclosures
  6. Complaints

Algae Foundation does not meet the following 5 Standards for Charity Accountability:

Standard 4 (Compensated Board Members)
Not more than one or 10% (whichever is greater) directly or indirectly compensated person(s) serving as voting member(s) of the board. Compensated members shall not serve as the board's chair or treasurer.

AF does not meet this standard becasue:

  • Two of the organization's seven board members are compensated.
  • The chairperson of the board is directly compensated.

Standard 14 (Budget)
Have a board-approved annual budget for its current fiscal year, outlining projected expenses for major program activities, fund raising, and administration.

AF does not meet this Standard because, when the organization provided 2026 budget information, it indicated that the budget:

  • Did not identify total projected program service expenses.
  • Did not identify total projected fundraising expenses.
  • Did not identify total projected administrative expenses.

Standard 16 (Annual Report)
Have an annual report available to all, on request, that includes: (a) the organization's mission statement, (b) a summary of the past year's program service accomplishments, (c) a roster of the officers and members of the board of directors, (d) financial information that includes (i) total income in the past fiscal year, (ii) expenses in the same program, fund raising and administrative categories as in the financial statements, and (iii) ending net assets.

AF does not meet this Standard because the 2024 annual report did not include:

  • 2024 financial information.

Standard 17 (Web Site Disclosures)
Include on any charity websites that solicit contributions, the same information that is recommended for annual reports, as well as the mailing address of the charity and electronic access to its most recent IRS Form 990.

AF does not meet this Standard because the organization’s website, https://thealgaefoundation.org/, does not include all of the recommended information for those charity websites that solicit for donations. Specifically, it does not include:

  • Electronic access to the organization’s 2024 IRS Form 990.
  • 2024 financial information.
  • A summary of 2024 program service accomplishments.

Standard 18 (Privacy for Written Appeals & Internet Privacy)
Address privacy concerns of donors by (a) providing in written appeals, at least annually, a means (e.g., such as a check off box) for both new and continuing donors to inform the charity if they do not want their name and address shared outside the organization, (b) providing a clear, prominent and easily accessible privacy policy on any of its websites that tells visitors (i) what information, if any, is being collected about them by the charity and how this information will be used, (ii) how to contact the charity to review personal information collected and request corrections, (iii) how to inform the charity (e.g., a check off box) that the visitor does not wish his/her personal information to be shared outside the organization, and (iv) what security measures the charity has in place to protect personal information.

AF does not meet this Standard because:

  • The organization's website, https://thealgaefoundation.org/, does not provide access to a privacy policy.

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: 1, 3, 13, 15

Algae Foundation meets the remaining 11 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Stated Purpose:
"to promote the power of algae to solve societal and environmental challenges through education, workforce development, mentoring, and public outreach."

Year, State Incorporated:
2013, WA

Algae Foundation (AF) reports that it works towards a future in which algae are a fundamental source of energy, nutrition, and health products, industrial chemicals, dyes, and ecological services for sustainable societies globally. The organization reports that it offers workplace development opportunities through hands-on labs, intern and externships, national research competitions, and asynchronous courses. The organization also develops STEM educational programs for students from K-12 and supports the development of future leaders throughout the algae industry through scholarships, grants, and organizational support. Finally, AF reports that it facilitates communication and outreach amongst private, academic, and public sectors with the goal of increasing literacy and awareness of the benefits of algae for humankind and the planet.

For the year ended December 31, 2024, Algae Foundation's program expenses were:

Program services $1,061,315
Total Program Expenses $1,061,315

Chief Executive
Ira Levine, Chief Executive Officer

Compensation*
$221,000

Chair of the Board
Jesse Traller Ojeda

Chair's Profession / Business Affiliation
Grant Manager, California Marine Sanctuary Foundation

Board Size
7

Paid Staff Size
5

*2024 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.

Method(s) Used:
Grant proposals, Internet

Fundraising costs were 18% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $386,815, 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 Algae Foundation's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024.

Source of Funds
Program service revenue $926,811
In-kind contributions $233,341
Contributions and grants $153,474
Interest and dividend income $79,909
Sales income, net $101
Total Income $1,393,636

Programs: 81% Fundraising: 5% Administrative: 14%

Total Income $1,393,636
Total expenses: $1,311,631
  Program expenses $1,061,315
  Fundraising expenses $69,910
  Administrative expenses $180,406
  Other expenses $0
Income in Excess of Expenses $82,005
Beginning Net Assets $1,438,815
Other Changes In Net Assets $0
Ending Net Assets $1,520,820
Total Liabilities $64,463
Total Assets $1,585,283

Note: For the year ended December 31, 2024, AF reported in-kind contributions totaling $233,341 including legal services ($192,419) and algae ($40,922).

An organization may change its practices at any time without notice. A copy of this report has been shared with the organization prior to publication. It is not intended to recommend or deprecate, and is furnished solely to assist you in exercising your own judgment. If the report is about a charity and states the charity meets or does not meet the Standards for Charity Accountability, it reflects the results of an evaluation of information and materials provided voluntarily by the charity. The name Better Business Bureau is a registered service mark of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus.

This report is not to be used for fundraising or promotional purposes.

RELATED CONTENT

Report completed by:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance