What is Friends of the Pelican’s mission as a 501(c)(3) Charity?
I am responding to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission seeks public input at Jan. 25 virtual workshop for potential Skyway Pier fishing regulations. Members of the Hooked Pelican Working Group had also asked for the Skyway Fishing Piers to be closed in part or in whole.
Closing Tampa Bay’s Skyway Fishing Piers State Park concerns tourism, photographers, and the public’s ability to use the Skyway Fishing Piers State Park. This also impacts People With Disabilities ability to enjoy the State Park.
In 2021, when I heard Friends of the Pelicans was in the news accusing anglers of harming pelicans and showed scalped pelicans, I was startled. Anglers know pelicans fly into barnacle covered pylons. FWC spent 416.5 hours investigating this accusation and found this to be unfounded. I have photographed Friends of the Pelicans working and published stories. They have more than enough hours rescuing birds and I would expect them to have known this.
Then I heard and later read Friends of the Pelicans wanted to shut down the Skyway Piers by sections or both sides. The social media posts concerned me. Now I wanted to know who was “Friends of the Pelicans.”
The first place to start was the IRS. There are rules charities must follow. According to Exemption Requirements — 501(c)(3) Organizations
To be tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, an organization must be organized and operated exclusively for exempt purposes set forth in section 501(c)(3)… The organization must not be organized or operated for the benefit of private interests,.. Section 501(c)(3) organizations are restricted in how much political and legislative (lobbying) activities they may conduct.
According to the IRS, Friends of the Pelicans C/O JEANETTE EDWARDS was granted 501(c)((3) status as a public charity on May 3, 2018.
A charity is required to file Form 990. The Form 990 provides financial and other information that is public information.
Friends of the Pelicans largest program services are: Volunteer program Pier Monitors, Volunteer program Mangrove Monitors, and Pelican Patrol program.
According to 990 Schedule O, Supplemental Information, Friends of the Pelicans are actively seeking funding for our Pier Warden program.
Pier Warden program. We are actively seeking funding for our Pier Warden program which would involve contracting with a Certified Wildlife Rescue Individual who could man the busiest fishing piers, such as the Skyway Fishing Piers, on a daily basis to prevent fishing line entanglement. rescue any birds with do become hooked and to educate fishermen and tourist s about this issue and what to do If a pelican or other bird is accidentally hooked.
Here is the full text for the Part III.
Form 990EZ, Part III — Statement of Program Service Accomplishments requires the charity to “Describe the organization’s program service accomplishments for each of its three largest program services, as measured by expenses. In a clear and concise manner, describe the services provided, the number of persons benefited, and other relevant information for each program title”.
28. Volunteer program Pier Monitors involves volunteers educating fishermen at local piers and rescuing any birds caught in fishing line Over 150 pelicans were rescued
29 Volunteer program Mangrove Monitors involves volunteers with access to the water monitoring bird rookeries for any entangled birds Due to this program dozens were rescued
30 Pelican Patrol program involves paying someone to patrol the waters around the Skyway Fishing Pier in a boat and rescuing entangled birds Several pelicans rescued each time
The information is available on the IRS website. EIN: 30–1011601
Follow the links to Pub 78 Data, Determination Letters, Copies of [Tax] Returns
According to the IRS, 2020–2022 are scheduled to be released to the Public around February 15, 2023.
Many anglers at the Skyway Fishing Piers know of me or have seen me with my camera, lens and tripod. My thanks for letting me use your fishing spot to photograph the cruise ships. I am a writer, photojournalist and have had press credentials and media access. I am writing a book on the Skyway and now this may include a section on FWC’s public comment. I also am a volunteer bird steward with the Florida Audubon.
