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Hubbard Brook Research Foundation Inc

EIN 02-0474938 · Thornton, NH

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROMOTE THE UNDERTANDING AND STEWARDSHIP OF ECOSYSTEMS THROUGH SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH , LONG TERM MONITORING AND EDUCATION AND TO DEVELOP NEW INITIATIVES LINKING ECOSYSTEM SCIENCE AND PUBLIC POLICY.

Income
$1.2 million
Spending
$964,044
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
3.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 48%
Employees
15
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$165,093, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 4% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 19% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 35% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 94 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 (3)
  1. $196,638 spent. THE FOUNDATION SUPPORTS SCIENTISTS AND STUDENTS, PARTICIPATING IN THE HUBBARD BROOK ECOSYSTEM STUDY BY PROVIDING FACILITIES AND OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE, INCLUDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING, LABORATORIES, STORAGE SPACE, A CLASSROOM AND INTERNET ACCESSIBILITY. SOME OF OUR EMPLOYEES PROVIDE DIRECT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO RESEARCHERS ON A CONTRACTUAL BASIS.
  2. $239,816 spent. PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS AT HUBBARD BROOK INCLUDE AN ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY PROGRAM WITH SCHOOL OUTREACH AND CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT FOCUSED ON DATA INQUIRY ACTIVITIES; A COMMUNICATIONS TRAINING AND PUBLIC OUTREACH PROGRAM FOR UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE ENVIRONMENTAL STUDENTS THAT SERVES OVER 50 STUDENTS PER YEAR FROM ALL OVER THE US AND INTERNATIONALLY; THE FOUNDATION ALSO PROVIDES TOURS OF THE HUBBARD BROOK EXPERIMENTAL FOREST FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS, HIGH SCHOOL GROUPS AND EDUCATORS,INTERNATIONAL GROUPS AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.
  3. $338,997 spent. THE FOUNDATION IS AN INTERFACE ORGANIZATION SPANNING THE BOUNDARIES BETWEEN SCIENCE AND SOCIETY. IN ITS ROLE AS AN INTERFACE OR BOUNDARY-SPANNING ORGANIZATION, THE FOUNDATION CONVENES "HUBBARD BROOK ROUNDTABLES" USING TECHNIQUES OF FACILITATED DIALOGUE TO SUPPORT PRODUCTIVE, MULTI-DIRECTIONAL ENGAGEMENT AMONG SCIENTISTS, PRACTITIONERS, EDUCATORS AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS; PRODUCES SCIENCE LINKS SYNTHESIS PRODUCTS TO LINK HUBBARD BROOK RESEARCH TO RELEVANT STAKEHOLDER AND POLICY ISSUES AND DECISIONS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since July 1995.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. 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.