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The Connecticut Audubon Society Incorporated

EIN 06-0653531 · Fairfield, CT

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair65 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE CONNECTICUT AUDUBON SOCIETY PROTECTS CONNECTICUT'S BIRDS, OTHER WILDLIFE, AND THEIR HABITATS THROUGH CONSERVATION, EDUCATION, AND ADVOCACY.

Income
$8.4 million
Spending
$5.8 million
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
-26.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 44%
Employees
100
Volunteers
725
Highest pay
$151,977, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 30% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 30% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 30, 2025, 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 25

    25 of 25 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 April 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 (6)
  1. $3.3 million spent. EDUCATIONAL - PROVIDES PROGRAMS ON CONSERVATION AND THE ENVIRONMENT TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC AT SEVEN CENTERS LOCATED THROUGHOUT THE STATE.
  2. $286,794 spent. ADVOCACY - WORK WITH ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICIALS, THE PUBLIC, AND OTHER NGOS, TO PROMOTE THE CONSERVATION OF THE STATE'S NATURAL RESOURCES
  3. $267,829 spent. MEMBERSHIP SERVICES - TO IMPROVE HABITATS FOR SPECIES OF CONSERVATION CONCERN THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND PROVIDE MEANINGFUL OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR MEMBERS AND THE PUBLIC TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR BIRDS, OTHER WILDLIFE AND HABITATS.
  4. $1.1 million spent. CONSERVATION AND RESEARCH - CONDUCT STUDIES ON HABITAT USE, ANALYZE TRENDS IN BIRD POPULATIONS AND HABITATS, IDENTIFY CONSERVATION THREATS AND PUBLISH RESULTS. MANAGE 3,300 ACRES OF SANCTUARIES TO IMPROVE THEIR USE AS WILDLIFE HABITAT AND DEMONSTRATE SOUND PRACTICES.
  5. ADVOCACY - WORK WITH LEGISLATORS AND STATE AGENCIES TO PROMOTE THE CONSERVATION OF BIRDS AND THEIR HABITATS. WORK WITH OTHER NGO'S IN THIS AREA AND PROVIDE ASSISTANCE, INFORMATION AND INPUT TO STATE AGENCIES AS REQUESTED.
  6. MEMBERSHIP SERVICES - PROVIDE BENEFITS TO THOSE WHO SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION THROUGH DUES AND DONATIONS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending April 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 October 13, 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 April 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 August 1942.

    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 October 21, 2026.

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