Pepperwood Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
PEPPERWOOD FOUNDATION'S MISSION IS TO INSPIRE CONSERVATION THROUGH SCIENCE.
- Income
- $3.6 million
- Spending
- $4.2 million
- Spent on programs
- 79%
- Reserves
- 36.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 56%
- Employees
- 35
- Volunteers
- 522
- Highest pay
- $157,422, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 36.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 16% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 32% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1579% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 14 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2512 of 12 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (2)
- $2.9 million spent. RESEARCH, CITIZEN SCIENCE, AND CONSERVATION: PEPPERWOOD IS A PERMANENTLY PROTECTED 3,200 ACRE NATURE PRESERVE LOCATED IN SONOMA COUNTY. THE PRESERVE SERVES AS A FIELD SITE FOR CUTTING EDGE UNIVERSITY RESEARCH AND LEADS GROUND-BASED HABITAT AND WATERSHED RESTORATION PROGRAMS IN CONCERT WITH DEDICATED CITIZEN SCIENTISTS. WE SYSTEMATICALLY MONITOR WEATHER, WATER, AND THE HEALTH OF LOCAL PLANT AND ANIMAL POPULATIONS AND PURSUE ONSITE RESTORATION AIMED AT INCREASING THE HEALTH AND RESILIENCE OF THE MANY SPECIES THAT CALL THIS REGION HOME. THESE APPLIED RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION PROJECTS SERVE AS LEARNING MODELS FOR LAND AND WATER MANAGERS THROUGHOUT THE BAY AREA AND BEYOND. IN 2016, OUR SCIENCE PROGRAMS WERE HONORED BY INCLUSION IN A NEW WHITE HOUSE CLIMATE ADAPTATION INITIATIVE AND BY A NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION BIOLOGICAL FIELD STATION AWARD.
- $394,539 spent. ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND OUTREACH: PEPPERWOOD'S 3,200 ACRE NATURE PRESERVE SERVES OVER 10,000 VISITORS ANNUALLY VIA A COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAM FOR ADULTS, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND THE SANTA ROSA JUNIOR COLLEGE. WE IGNITE A PASSION FOR CONSERVATION AT EVERY EDUCATIONAL LEVEL, TEACH OUR CITIZENS HOW TO BETTER STEWARD OUR WILD LANDS, AND INSPIRE AN INCREASINGLY DIVERSE POPULATION TO JOIN THE PROFESSIONAL CONSERVATION COMMUNITY. WE STRENGTHEN THE ECO LITERACY OF OUR COMMUNITY AS A FOUNDATION FOR CONSERVATION ACTION. IN 2016, OUR ELEMENTARY EDUCATION PROGRAM WAS AWARDED CERTIFICATION AS AN OFFICIAL SONOMA COUNTY "UPSTREAM INVESTMENTS" PORTFOLIO SELECTION AND WE TRIPLED THE NUMBER OF CONSERVATION SCIENCE INTERNSHIPS FOR SANTA ROSA JUNIOR COLLEGE STUDENTS.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 2006.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.