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Hitchcock Center for the Environment Inc

EIN 04-2487748 · Amherst, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood75 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

HITCHCOCK CENTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, INC.'S (HCE) MISSION IS TO FOSTER A GREATER AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING OF OUR ENVIRONMENT AND TO DEVELOP ENVIRONMENTALLY LITERATE CITIZENS. (SEE SCHEDULE O)THIS IS DONE THROUGH COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS THAT SERVE CHILDREN, ADULTS AND FAMILIES. HCE'S PRIMARY OBJECTIVES ARE AS FOLLOWS: TO PROMOTE THE SUSTAINABILITY OF THE PLANET; TO CULTIVATE A RESPECT FOR ALL LIVING THINGS AS WELL AS A DESIRE TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT; TO INSPIRE WONDER, CURIOSITY AND OPENNESS TO THE NATURAL WORLD; AND TO LEAD TO POSITIVE CHANGE THROUGH EDUCATION AND EXAMPLE.

Income
$1.5 million
Spending
$1.4 million
Spent on programs
78%
Reserves
1.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 70%
Employees
33
Volunteers
251
Highest pay
$112,484, 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: 75 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 7% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 34% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    78% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 20 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.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 14 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 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)
  1. $551,624 spent. K-12 SCHOOL PROGRAMS: STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN INTERDISCIPLINARY, HANDS-ON PROBLEM SOLVING AND DESIGN CHALLENGES THROUGH FIELD TRIPS TO OUR LIVING BUILDING, SCIENCE RESIDENCIES AT THEIR SCHOOL, WATER CONSERVATION, AIR QUALITY, CLIMATE EDUCATION AND OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS. TEACHERS ARE TRAINED IN THE BEST PRACTICES OF SCIENCE AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION THROUGH WORKSHOPS, PRE-SERVICE COURSES AND INSTITUTES.
  2. $478,614 spent. CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILY PROGRAMS: CHILDREN, YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS ARE PROVIDED WITH ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION EXPERIENCES EMBEDDED IN THE OUTDOORS THROUGH SUMMER AND SCHOOL VACATION CAMPS, PRESCHOOL, AFTERSCHOOL, HOMESCHOOL AND FAMILY PROGRAMS. YOUTH CLIMATE ACTION TEAMS WORK ON COMMUNITY CLIMATE RESILIENCE PROJECTS.
  3. $50,003 spent. ADULT CIVIC ENGAGEMENT: OUR ADULT COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND CLIMATE ACTION SERIES BROUGHT TOGETHER MORE THAN 1,000 COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO LEARN ABOUT LOCAL NATURAL HISTORY AND ADDRESS CRITICAL ISSUES AT THE INTERSECTION OF CLIMATE CHANGE, SUSTAINABILITY, AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE THROUGH PRACTICAL WORKSHOPS, LEARNING SESSIONS, AND DISCUSSIONS.

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

  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 June 2025.

    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 March 1972.

    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.