Windmill Hill Pinnacle Association
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Only 40% of its spending went to programs.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
In order to foster habitat conservation, watershed integrity, education and the enduring connection of people to the natural world, we acquire and provide access to lands along the Windmill Hill Ridgeline and nearby areas.
- Income
- $250,415
- Spending
- $102,412
- Spent on programs
- 40%
- Reserves
- 92.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 83%
- Employees
- 1
- Volunteers
- 49
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 34% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 92.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 59% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 30% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1540% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 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: 97 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2515 of 15 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.
Independent check of accounts
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
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 (3)
- $38,859 spent. Stewardship - We make sure our 2,863 acres and 29.5 miles of trails are properly cared for. Expenses are property taxes, liability insurance, and trail and access road maintenance. Other stewardship activity includes invasive weed control and boundary markings. Total volunteer stewardship hours by Board Members and others total 2,405 hours, with a value $82,717. This value is based on the Value of Volunteer Hours provided by Independent Sector.org. This value is not part of the Statement of Revenue or Statement Functional Expenses on pages 9 and 10, respectively.
- $1,354 spent. Outdoor recreation -- Our main goal is to help people connect with nature, both through our trail network and from programs we offer. Many of the trails have kiosks and maps for users. Our programs include guided walks open to the community and an annual Accessibility Day for people who cannot walk to one of our summits. The guided walks help people learn more about the environment, as does the "Field Note" section in our newsletter. Expenses include trail maps, brochures, other kiosk material and trail maintenance. Volunteers worked 1121.75 hours on trail development and maintenance, for a value of $38,577.
- $451 spent. Education -- Local schools use the Pinnacle lean-to and trails for field trips and environmental study, and some students do community service projects such as helping to remove invasive species. We sponsor a naturalist who accompanies elementary school students on hikes on Pinnacle land to help with their environmental education. Board Members provide guided walks to points of interest, ie to locations such as Bald Hill, Lily Pond, Creature Rock, and to areas of blooming spring flowers. Volunteers worked 73.5 hours on education programs at a donated value of $2,528.
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since April 1994.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.