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Blue Heron Nature Preserve Inc

EIN 02-0648202 · Atlanta, GA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair54 out of 100GovernanceFair61 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

We create personal experiences with nature for people of all ages through innovative environmental education programs, conservation projects, and nature-inspired art exhibitions at our 30-acre preserve and in communities across Atlanta to advance environmental stewardship.

Income
$455,759
Spending
$484,415
Spent on programs
75%
Reserves
2.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 41%
Employees
8
Volunteers
500
Highest pay
$21,745, executive dir.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 20% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    75% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 21 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 61 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

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

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

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

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 (1)
  1. $362,083 spent. THE ORGANIZATION OPERATED THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS IN 2024:CONSERVATION: AS AN ECOLOGICAL TREASURE FILLED WITH WOODLANDS, WETLANDS, RIPARIAN CREEK AREAS OVER 30-ACRES, A MEADOW, BLUE HERON NATURE PRESERVE IS COMMITTED TO TAP THE BEAUTY AND WONDER OF OUR GREENSPACE REGIONALLY AS A DYNAMIC OUTDOOR CLASSROOM AND RESEARCH HUB FOR METROPOLITAN ATLANTA AND BEYOND. IN 2024, WE CONTINUED A PARTNERSHIP WITH GEORGIA TECH AND THE CITY OF ATLANTA TO LEVERAGE THE USE OF DRONE AND APPS FOR OUR ONGOING TREE CANOPY WORK. OUR NATIVE PLANT GARDEN HAS GROWN IN SIZE AND APPRECIATION WITH THE HELP OF VOLUNTEERS GUIDED BY OUR MEADOW MANAGER. DURING THE YEAR WE INSTALLED A DEMONSTRATION NATIVE PLANT GARDEN AROUND OUR NEW ENTRANCE SIGN TO INSPIRE THE COMMUNITY TO SEE FIRST HAND THE BEAUTY AND BENEFITS OF NATIVE PLANTS.EDUCATION: BLUE HERON NATURE PRESERVE, INC. ENHANCED THE QUALITY AND REACH OF OUR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN 2024. UNDERSTANDING THAT OUR CURRICULUM SHOULD BE DYNAMIC LIKE OUR 30-ACRE GREENSPACE, BLUE HERON EDUCATORS COMPLEMENTED OUR REGGIO EMILIA CURRICULUM WITH ART ACTIVITIES FOR THE 1267 STUDENTS AND FAMILIES IN OUR SUMMER AND SCHOOL BREAK CAMPS, SCOUT PROGRAMS, AND AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS, AND COUNSELOR-IN-TRAINING PROGRAMS. THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH ORGANIZATIONS SERVING UNDERSERVED FAMILIES INCLUDING TITLE 1 SCHOOLS, WE WERE HONORED TO INSPIRE CHILDREN AND ADULTS OF DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS ABOUT THE NATURE BEAUTY AT OUR 30-ACRE PRESERVE AND THE GREENSPACES IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.PUBLIC ART: 2024 WITNESSED THE BLOSSOMING OF OUR NATURE-THEMED ART PROGRAMS. TO CELEBRATE ITS 10TH YEAR WE HAD 10 VISUAL ARTISTS FROM THE ATLANTA REGION AND THE SOUTHEAST PARTICIPATED IN OUR ART OF NATURE OUTDOOR ART EXHIBITION, CURATED BY THE BLUE HERON ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE. WE CONTINUED OUR QUARTERLY INDOOR ART EXHIBITIONS FEATURING EMERGING AND ESTABLISHED ARTISTS FROM ATLANTA AND THE SOUTHEAST REGION. OUR ARTS PROGRAM STANDS OUT AS ONE OF THE FEW COMMUNITY-BASED NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS TO PROVIDE FREE, ENVIRONMENTAL ARTS PROGRAMS IN THE SOUTHEAST

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

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

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since September 2003.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.