Audubon Society of Rhode Island
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF THE AUDUBON SOCIETY OF RHODE ISLAND IS TO PROTECT BIRDS, OTHER WILDLIFE AND THEIR HABITATS THROUGH CONSERVATION, EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY, FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL PEOPLE AND LIVING THINGS.
- Income
- $4.6 million
- Spending
- $4.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 74%
- Reserves
- 77.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 50%
- Employees
- 89
- Volunteers
- 273
- Highest pay
- $180,415, executive director
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
Strong: 97 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 77.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 12% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1574% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2522 of 22 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.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (4)
- $1.4 million spent. EDUCATIONAL AND PUBLIC PROGRAMS- THE SOCIETY IS STRONGLY DEDICATED TO EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, WITH A MISSION TO INSPIRE ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP ACROSS ALL AGES. ITS EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS ARE BROAD AND INCLUSIVE, OFFERING ENRICHING EXPERIENCES FOR CHILDREN, ADULTS, AND FAMILIES ALIKE.THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, THE SOCIETY HOSTS A VARIETY OF EVENTS, SUCH AS GUIDED NATURE WALKS, BIRD-WATCHING OUTINGS, AND SEASONAL FESTIVALS. THESE EVENTS CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO CONNECT WITH THE NATURAL WORLD WHILE ENJOYING RECREATION, LEARNING, AND A SENSE OF COMMUNITY.IN ADDITION, THE SOCIETY OFFERS WORKSHOPS AND LECTURES COVERING TOPICS LIKE BIRD IDENTIFICATION, HABITAT RESTORATION, AND SUSTAINABLE LIVING. THESE PROGRAMS EQUIP PARTICIPANTS WITH THE KNOWLEDGE AND TOOLS TO MAKE ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE CHOICES IN THEIR EVERYDAY LIVES.THE SOCIETY'S OUTREACH GOES BEYOND ITS OWN PROPERTIES THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH SCHOOLS, COMMUNITY GROUPS, AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO PROMOTE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND CONSERVATION. ONE STANDOUT INITIATIVE, THE AUDUBON YOUTH CONSERVATION LEAGUE, HELPS DEVELOP FUTURE ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERS BY OFFERING MENTORSHIP, HANDS-ON TRAINING, AND OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN REAL-WORLD CONSERVATION EFFORTS.A CORE VALUE OF THE SOCIETY IS INCLUSIVITY. ALL PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO BE ACCESSIBLE TO EVERY MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY, ENCOURAGING A SHARED COMMITMENT TO PROTECTING AND PRESERVING RHODE ISLAND'S NATURAL ENVIRONMENT.
- $1.1 million spent. PROPERTIES AND CONSERVATION- THE SOCIETY STEWARDS APPROXIMATELY 9,800 ACRES OF PROTECTED WILDLIFE REFUGES AND CONSERVATION PROPERTIES, PRESERVING ESSENTIAL HABITATS FOR A WIDE RANGE OF PLANT AND ANIMAL SPECIES. THESE LANDS SPAN A VARIETY OF ECOSYSTEMS INCLUDING COASTAL MARSHES, FORESTS, WETLANDS, AND GRASSLANDS EACH PLAYING A CRITICAL ROLE IN RHODE ISLAND'S ECOLOGICAL HEALTH.AMONG THE SOCIETY'S SIGNATURE PROPERTIES ARE: CLAIRE D. MCINTOSH WILDLIFE REFUGE (28 ACRES) - HOME TO THE AUDUBON NATURE CENTER AND AQUARIUM, THIS REFUGE OFFERS AN IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE IN ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND ESTUARINE HABITATS. CARATUNK WILDLIFE REFUGE (SEEKONK, MA) - ONE OF THE SOCIETY'S MOST FREQUENTLY VISITED SITES, CARATUNK FEATURES MILES OF TRAILS THROUGH MEADOWS, WOODLANDS, AND WETLANDS. PARKER WOODLAND - KNOWN FOR ITS ANCIENT STONE WALLS, MATURE FOREST, AND EXCEPTIONAL BIODIVERSITY, THIS REFUGE INVITES EXPLORATION AND OFFERS A GLIMPSE INTO THE REGION'S NATURAL AND CULTURAL HISTORY.EACH OF THESE REFUGES SUPPORTS CONSERVATION, EDUCATION, AND RECREATION, SERVING AS VITAL RESOURCES FOR WILDLIFE AND THE PUBLIC ALIKE.THE SOCIETY'S CONSERVATION WORK IS ROOTED IN A COMMITMENT TO PROTECTING RHODE ISLAND'S NATURAL HERITAGE. KEY INITIATIVES INCLUDE SAFEGUARDING ENDANGERED SPECIES, RESTORING NATIVE PLANT COMMUNITIES, AND CONTROLLING INVASIVE SPECIES TO MAINTAIN ECOLOGICAL BALANCE. THE SOCIETY ALSO WORKS TO SHIELD CRITICAL HABITATS FROM DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION, ENSURING THESE LANDSCAPES REMAIN RESILIENT FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN THESE EFFORTS. THROUGH A ROBUST CITIZEN SCIENCE PROGRAM, VOLUNTEERS HELP MONITOR BIRD POPULATIONS, ASSESS WATER QUALITY, AND TRACK ECOLOGICAL CHANGES. THIS ENGAGEMENT NOT ONLY SUPPORTS RESEARCH AND HABITAT MANAGEMENT BUT ALSO DEEPENS THE PUBLIC'S CONNECTION TO THE ENVIRONMENT.TOGETHER, THE SOCIETY'S LAND STEWARDSHIP AND CONSERVATION PROGRAMS CREATE A LASTING IMPACT PRESERVING BIODIVERSITY, FOSTERING ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS, AND PROTECTING THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF RHODE ISLAND AND BEYOND.
- $460,719 spent. AUDUBON NATURE CENTER AND AQUARIUM- LOCATED IN BRISTOL, RHODE ISLAND, THE AUDUBON NATURE CENTER AND AQUARIUM SERVES AS THE SOCIETY'S PRIMARY HUB FOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT. THIS DYNAMIC FACILITY INVITES VISITORS OF ALL AGES TO IMMERSE THEMSELVES IN THE NATURAL WORLD THROUGH INTERACTIVE EXHIBITS, LIVE ANIMAL DISPLAYS, AND AQUARIUMS FEATURING LOCAL MARINE SPECIES.THE CENTER OFFERS A RICH EXPLORATION OF SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND'S ECOSYSTEMS, FROM COASTAL MARSHES TO FORESTED WETLANDS. NATURE TRAILS AND A BOARDWALK WIND THROUGH A SALT MARSH TO THE SHORES OF NARRAGANSETT BAY, OFFERING EXCEPTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR BIRDWATCHING AND WILDLIFE OBSERVATION. DESIGNED TO INSPIRE CURIOSITY AND STEWARDSHIP, THE CENTER PROVIDES A WIDE RANGE OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR LEARNERS OF ALL AGES. SCHOOL GROUPS CAN PARTICIPATE IN HANDS-ON FIELD TRIPS THAT ALIGN WITH STATE SCIENCE STANDARDS, REINFORCING CLASSROOM LEARNING THROUGH DIRECT ENGAGEMENT WITH NATURE. IN THE SUMMER, THE CENTER HOSTS NATURE CAMPS WHERE CHILDREN EXPLORE, DISCOVER, AND DEEPEN THEIR CONNECTION TO THE ENVIRONMENT.ADULTS ARE ALSO INVITED TO LEARN AND ENGAGE THROUGH A VARIETY OF WORKSHOPS, LECTURES, AND GUIDED TOURS THAT COVER TOPICS SUCH AS ECOLOGY, CONSERVATION, AND SUSTAINABLE LIVING. THESE PROGRAMS EMPOWER PARTICIPANTS TO MAKE INFORMED, ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE DECISIONS AND BECOME ACTIVE STEWARDS OF THEIR COMMUNITIES.PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT IS CENTRAL TO THE CENTER'S MISSION. SIGNATURE EVENTS SUCH AS RAPTOR WEEKEND, THE SOCIETY'S LARGEST PUBLIC GATHERING, DRAW THOUSANDS OF VISITORS EACH YEAR, CELEBRATING THE NATURAL WORLD AND FOSTERING A SENSE OF COMMUNITY. BEYOND ITS WALLS, THE CENTER PARTNERS WITH LOCAL SCHOOLS, ORGANIZATIONS, AND ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS TO BRING ITS MESSAGE OF CONSERVATION INTO THE BROADER COMMUNITY.THROUGH ITS IMMERSIVE EXHIBITS, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING, AND WIDE-REACHING OUTREACH EFFORTS, THE AUDUBON NATURE CENTER AND AQUARIUM PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN INSPIRING A LIFELONG APPRECIATION FOR NATURE AMONG RHODE ISLAND RESIDENTS AND VISITORS ALIKE..
- $446,627 spent. WATER RESOURCES- THE SOCIETY LEADS THE STORMWATER INNOVATION CENTER, A REGIONAL HUB FOR ADVANCING SUSTAINABLE, NATURE-BASED STORMWATER MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS AND EDUCATING COMMUNITIES ON THEIR CRITICAL IMPORTANCE. LOCATED IN ROGER WILLIAMS PARK, THE CENTER FUNCTIONS AS A LIVING LABORATORY, DEMONSTRATING INNOVATIVE GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE DESIGNED TO REDUCE STORMWATER RUNOFF AND IMPROVE WATER QUALITY. FEATURES SUCH AS RAIN GARDENS, BIOSWALES, PERMEABLE PAVEMENTS, AND GREEN ROOFS ARE SEAMLESSLY INTEGRATED INTO THE PARK'S LANDSCAPE, OFFERING REAL-WORLD EXAMPLES OF URBAN STORMWATER SOLUTIONS.UNDER THE SOCIETY'S LEADERSHIP, THE STORMWATER INNOVATION CENTER SERVES AS BOTH A MODEL AND A CATALYST FOR CHANGE, SHOWCASING BEST PRACTICES WHILE HELPING MUNICIPALITIES, DEVELOPERS, AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROFESSIONALS IMPLEMENT EFFECTIVE STORMWATER STRATEGIES THROUGHOUT THE REGION.EDUCATION AND TRAINING ARE CENTRAL TO THE CENTER'S MISSION. THROUGH A WIDE RANGE OF WORKSHOPS, GUIDED TOURS, AND HANDS-ON TRAINING SESSIONS, THE CENTER ENGAGES AUDIENCES FROM ALL BACKGROUNDSINCLUDING STUDENTS, RESIDENTS, MUNICIPAL STAFF, AND ENVIRONMENTAL PRACTITIONERS. THESE PROGRAMS NOT ONLY DEMONSTRATE THE FUNCTION AND BENEFITS OF GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE BUT ALSO EMPOWER PARTICIPANTS TO APPLY THESE PRACTICES IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES. THE CENTER ALSO PARTNERS WITH LOCAL SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE CURRICULUM-ALIGNED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, HELPING STUDENTS UNDERSTAND THE SCIENCE BEHIND STORMWATER MANAGEMENT AND ITS ROLE IN PROTECTING WATERWAYS, WILDLIFE, AND ECOSYSTEMS.AS CLIMATE CHALLENGES GROW, THE STORMWATER INNOVATION CENTER PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN PROMOTING CLIMATE RESILIENCE THROUGH RESEARCH, DEMONSTRATION, AND INNOVATION. THE SOCIETY COLLABORATES WITH UNIVERSITIES, GOVERNMENT AGENCIES, AND ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS TO PILOT NEW TECHNOLOGIES, CONDUCT DATA-DRIVEN RESEARCH, AND REFINE STORMWATER PRACTICES FOR BROADER APPLICATION. THESE PARTNERSHIPS CONTRIBUTE TO A GROWING BODY OF KNOWLEDGE THAT SUPPORTS SMARTER, MORE EFFICIENT INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING.THROUGH ITS LEADERSHIP, OUTREACH, AND COLLABORATIVE SPIRIT, THE SOCIETY ENSURES THAT THE STORMWATER INNOVATION CENTER REMAINS AT THE FOREFRONT OF SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT DRIVING INNOVATION, BUILDING COMMUNITY CAPACITY, AND SETTING A NATIONAL EXAMPLE FOR URBAN RESILIENCE.ADVOCACY THE SOCIETY IS DEEPLY COMMITTED TO ENVIRONMENTAL ADVOCACY, WORKING TO ADVANCE POLICIES AND INITIATIVES THAT SAFEGUARD RHODE ISLAND'S NATURAL RESOURCES AND WILDLIFE. WITH DECADES OF LEADERSHIP IN THIS AREA, THE SOCIETY PLAYS AN ACTIVE ROLE IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS CHAMPIONING LAWS AND REGULATIONS THAT SUPPORT CONSERVATION, CLIMATE RESILIENCE, BIODIVERSITY, SUSTAINABLE LAND USE, AND CLEAN ENERGY.BY ENGAGING DIRECTLY WITH POLICYMAKERS, THE SOCIETY PROVIDES SCIENTIFIC EXPERTISE, RESEARCH, AND DATA-DRIVEN INSIGHTS TO INFORM SOUND ENVIRONMENTAL DECISION-MAKING. THESE ADVOCACY EFFORTS HAVE LED TO MEANINGFUL PROTECTIONS FOR CRITICAL HABITATS AND AT-RISK SPECIES, HELPING TO PRESERVE RHODE ISLAND'S NATURAL HERITAGE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.BEYOND THE STATE HOUSE, THE SOCIETY BUILDS STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS WITH ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS, ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS, AND THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO AMPLIFY ITS IMPACT. THESE COLLABORATIONS ALLOW THE SOCIETY TO ADDRESS COMPLEX ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES AND DRIVE MAJOR INITIATIVES, SUCH AS THE ACT ON CLIMATE, THAT REQUIRE BROAD, COORDINATED ACTION.THROUGH ITS ADVOCACY WORK, THE SOCIETY NOT ONLY INFLUENCES POLICY BUT ALSO HELPS SHAPE A COLLECTIVE VISION FOR A MORE SUSTAINABLE AND RESILIENT RHODE ISLAND. BY UNITING VOICES AND LEVERAGING SHARED EXPERTISE, THE SOCIETY STRENGTHENS ITS ROLE AS A LEADING ADVOCATE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP ACROSS THE STATE AND BEYOND.
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
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.
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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since January 1943.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 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.