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Owls Hill Nature Sanctuary Inc

EIN 02-0781338 · Brentwood, TN

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MISSION/WORK: TO PROVIDE A PROTECTED SANCTUARY FOR NATIVE WILDLIFE AND THEIR HABITATS WHILE CONNECTING PEOPLE WITH NATURE IN WAYS THAT INSPIRE EXPLORATION AND LIFELONG ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION.

Income
$2.4 million
Spending
$549,447
Spent on programs
70%
Reserves
50.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 85%
Employees
9
Volunteers
344
Highest pay
$88,111, 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 50.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 77% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 329% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    70% 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 73% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    17 of 18 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 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 (4)
  1. CAMP PROGRAMSSPRING BREAK CAMP AND SUMMER CAMPS (11 WEEKS OF PROGRAMMING) PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR 216 CHILDREN AGE 5-12 TO DEVELOP NEW FRIENDSHIPS, EXPLORE NATURE, LEARN ABOUT THE FLORA AND FAUNA OF OWL'S HILL, DEVELOP SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL SKILLS, AND ENGAGE IN SCREEN-FREE ACTIVITIES FOR BODY AND MIND. THE CHILDREN COLLECTIVELY SPENT 6,500+ HOURS OUTDOORS, CONNECTING WITH THE NATURAL WORLD AND EACH OTHER. OHNS EDUCATORS AND GUEST EXPERTS PRESENTED 300+ HOURS OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMMING WHILE DAY CAMPERS EXPLORED THE OPEN SPACE AT OWL'S HILL. WEEKLY ACTIVITIES INCLUDED HIKING, LIVE ANIMAL PRESENTATIONS, CRAFTS, FREE PLAY, UNSTRUCTURED LEARNING, AND HABITAT EXPLORATION.
  2. PUBLIC PROGRAMS: TOTAL VISITATION 10,6412,743 PEOPLE OF ALL AGES TOOK PART IN EDUCATOR-LED PROGRAMS2,985 VISITORS HIKED AND EXPLORED OWL'S HILL ON THEIR OWN4,126 CHILDREN ENGAGED IN OUTDOOR LEARNING SUCH AS OUR KNEE HIGH NATURALISTS, SCOUT PROGRAMS, CAMPS AND MORE344 VOLUNTEERS PROVIDED MORE THAN 4,000 HOURS TO PROPERTY PROJECTS, INVASIVE SPECIES REMOVAL, TRAIL UPKEEP, AND PROGRAM SUPPORT30 ADULTS COMPLETED THE 10-MONTH TENNESSEE NATURALIST PROGRAM
  3. SCHOOL PROGRAMSOWL'S HILL EDUCATORS IGNITED CURIOSITY FOR NATURE AND THE ENVIRONMENT FOR 4,126 TENNESSEE SCHOOLCHILDREN THROUGH NATURE-BASED SCHOOL PROGRAMMING HOSTED AT OWL'S HILL ON PROPERTY AND THROUGH SCHOOL OUTREACH VISITS. FOR THE SIXTH YEAR, OWL'S HILL WAS SELECTED AS A METRO NASHVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS STEAM PARTNER REACHING 1,386 4TH GRADE STUDENTS AND 138 TEACHERS AT 22 SCHOOLS. STUDENTS LEARN ABOUT NATURE USING BIOFACTS, JOURNALING, AND A GUIDED HIKE.
  4. $383,813 spent. CONSERVATION & RESEARCH 1.5 ACRES OF INVASIVE PLANTS CLEARED BY VOLUNTEERS (278 HOURS) 67 INDIVIDUALS VOLUNTEERED 754 HOURS TOWARD CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECTS MONITORING PLANT AND WILDLIFE POPULATIONS BIRD COUNTS: 445 BIRDS RECORDED REPRESENTING 53 SPECIES. DATA IS REPORTED TO THE TENNESSEE ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY (NASHVILLE CHAPTER) MIGRATION BIRD BANDING: 103 BIRDS OVER 10 SESSIONS BANDED AND RECORDED. EIGHTEEN (18) SPECIES REPRESENTED IN THE FALL (SEPTEMBER MID-NOVEMBER) AND 19 SPECIES REPRESENTED IN THE SPRING (APRIL EARLY MAY). DATA TRACKS TRENDS IN NUMBERS, SPECIES DIVERSITY, LONGEVITY/RECAPTURES, AND THE GENERAL CONDITION OF MIGRATING BIRDS. THIS ACTIVITY IS A VITAL TOOL IN UNDERSTANDING THE SIGNIFICANCE OF OWL'S HILL AS A MIGRATORY STOP-OVER SITE. DATA IS REPORTED TO THE USGS BANDING LAB AND TENNESSEE WILDLIFE RESOURCE AGENCY. NEST BOX MONITORING: 139 BIRDS FLEDGED FROM NESTING BOXES (4% INCREASE FROM PRIOR YEAR), MOSTLY EASTERN BLUEBIRDS, BLACK-CAPPED CHICKADEES, CAROLINA WRENS AND TUFTED TITMOUSE. DATA IS REPORTED TO THE CORNELL LAB OF ORNITHOLOGY. BUTTERFLY COUNTS: 399 BUTTERFLIES RECORDED REPRESENTING 26 SPECIES (54% DECREASE IN INDIVIDUALS AND A 44% DECREASE IN SPECIES FROM PRIOR YEAR). DATA IS REPORTED TO THE NORTH AMERICAN BUTTERFLY ASSOCIATION. MAINTAINED LEVEL 1 ARBORETUM CERTIFICATION WITH THE TENNESSEE URBAN FORESTRY COUNCILWILDLIFE PROTECTIONWE ARE PERMITTED BY THE US FISH AND WILDLIFE AGENCY TO CARE FOR SIX (6) NON-RELEASABLE OWLS. THESE EDUCATIONAL WILDLIFE AMBASSADORS ARE ON PERMANENT OUTDOOR DISPLAY FOR OUR VISITORS; CURRENTLY THREE WORK ON THE GLOVE AND ARE USED IN SCHOOL AND PUBLIC PROGRAMS. OTHER WILDLIFE AMBASSADORS INCLUDE A CORN SNAKE, A TIGER SALAMANDER, MILLIPEDES, EASTERN BOX TURTLE AND A ROCK DOVE (FKA ROCK PIGEON). WE ALSO PARTNER WITH LICENSED NON-PROFIT WILDLIFE REHABILITATORS AS A RELEASE-SITE FOR SUCCESSFUL REHABILITATIONS. WORKING WITH A LICENSED REHABBER, WE WERE A RELEASE SITE FOR THREE (3) REHABILITATED RED FOXES. TO DATE, 159 REHABILITATED OWLS, HAWKS AND KESTRELS HAVE BEEN RELEASED AT OWL'S HILL AS WELL AS NUMEROUS MAMMAL SPECIES INCLUDING RED FOX, GREY FOX, RABBIT, AND RACCOONS.NATURE MATTERSRESEARCHERS ARE ASSEMBLING A GROWING BODY OF EVIDENCE THAT STRONGLY SUGGESTS THE IMPORTANCE OF NATURE TO CHILDREN'S HEALTH AND THEIR ABILITY TO LEARN. WHILE THE TREND IN AMERICA IS CLEARLY TILTED TOWARD INDOOR DIGITAL TIME, THERE ARE A VAST NUMBER OF BENEFITS IN MOTIVATING CHILDREN (AND ADULTS) TO BE OUTDOORS. THESE BENEFITS INCLUDE BUILDING CONFIDENCE, PROMOTING CREATIVITY, LEARNING RESPONSIBILITY, EXERCISE, REDUCING STRESS AND DEVELOPING A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.AUDIENCES WE REACHOWL'S HILL IS A SPECIAL PLACE FOR VISITORS OF ALL AGES, CLASS, GENDER, AGE AND ABILITY TO EXPLORE THE GREAT OUTDOORS, LEARN ABOUT OUR NATIVE WILDLIFE AND CONNECT WITH NATURE. WE ENGAGE A DIVERSE CONSTITUENCY WITH YEAR-ROUND SCHOOL AND PUBLIC PROGRAMMING, SCOUT PROGRAMS, WORKSHOPS, LECTURES, HIKING TRAILS, TENNESSEE NATURALIST TRAINING, OUTREACH PROGRAMS AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES.

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 November 6, 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 January 2007.

    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 November 4, 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.