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Second Nature Inc

EIN 04-3195772 · Cambridge, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong90 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SECOND NATURE'S MISSION IS TO ACCELERATE CLIMATE ACTION IN, AND THROUGH, HIGHER EDUCATION.

Income
$2.4 million
Spending
$2.4 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
6.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 84%
Employees
16
Volunteers
12
Highest pay
$280,343, clerk

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

Strong: 90 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 6.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 9% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 17% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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

    12 of 13 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 (1)
  1. $2.2 million spent. SECOND NATURE BELIEVES COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES MUST EXERCISE LEADERSHIP IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AND THROUGHOUT SOCIETY BY PROVIDING THE KNOWLEDGE, RESEARCH, PRACTICE, AND INFORMED GRADUATES TO CREATE A POSITIVE AND SUSTAINABLE FUTURE. THE PRESIDENTS'CLIMATE LEADERSHIP COMMITMENTS HAVE BEEN CATALYSTS FOR ACTIONS ON HUNDREDS OF CAMPUSES AND IN MANY COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE NATION. THE CLIMATE LEADERSHIP NETWORK IS MADE UP OF THE OVER 400 COMMITMENT SIGNATORIES AND IS FACILITATED BY THE ORGANIZATION. HIGHER EDUCATION PRESIDENTS AND CHANCELLORS CAN JOIN THE CLIMATE LEADERSHIP NETWORK BY SIGNING EITHER THE CARBON OR THE RESILIENCE COMMITMENT, OR THE INTEGRATED CLIMATE COMMITMENT. THE C2P2 PROGRAM IS AN INITIATIVE TO SUPPORT COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES IN DEVELOPING AND MARKETING CARBON OFFSETS AS A WAY TO ACCELERATE THEIR PROGRESS TOWARDS CAMPUS CARBON NEUTRALITY. ELIGIBLE SCHOOLS CAN DEVELOP CARBON CREDITS ON THEIR CAMPUSES THROUGH ENERGY CONSERVATION, ENERGY EFFICIENCY, RENEWABLE ENERGY, AND LEED CERTIFIED BUILDINGS. PROCEEDS FROM CARBON SALES ARE INVESTED INTO SUSTAINABILITY PROJECTS ON CAMPUS, ALLOWING SCHOOLS TO ACHIEVE GREATER EMISSIONS REDUCTIONS AND PUSHING COMMUNITIES TO DEVELOP CLEAN, EFFICIENT ENERGY SYSTEMS. THE CARBON CREDIT AND PURCHASING PROGRAM DEVELOPS CREDITS TO THE VERIFIED CARBON STANDARD (VCS) THROUGH A METHODOLOGY DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR CAMPUS-BASED PROJECTS. AS THE MANAGER OF C2P2, THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES TECHNICAL AND LOGISTICAL SUPPORT TO SCHOOLS PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM.UNIVERSITY CLIMATE CHANGE AND COALITION (UC3 PROGRAM) THE UC3 PROGRAM IS A COALITION OF LEADING NORTH AMERICA RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES THAT WILL PROTOTYPE A COLLABORATIVE MODEL DESIGNED TO HELP LOCAL COMMUNITIES ACHIEVE THEIR CLIMATE GOALS AND ACCELERATE THE TRANSITION TO A LOW-CARBON FUTURE.THE UC3 PROGRAM IS A COALITION OF LEADING NORTH AMERICAN RESEARCH UNIVERSITIES THAT WILL PROTOTYPE A COLLABORATIVE MODEL DESIGNED TO HELP LOCAL COMMUNITIES ACHIEVE THEIR CLIMATE GOALS AND ACCELERATE THE TRANSIT TO A LOW-CARBON FUTURE.THE DISTINGUISHED UNIVERSITIES FROM THE UNITED STATES, CANADA AND MEXICO THAT MAKE UP UC3 HAVE COMMITTED TO MOBILIZE THEIR RESOURCES AND EXPERTISE TO ACCELERATE LOCAL AND REGIONAL CLIMATE ACTION IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BUSINESSES, CITIES AND STATES, FOUNDATIONS AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.

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 August 1993.

    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.