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Wilderness East

EIN 20-0223486 · Bainbridge, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthNot ratedToo small or too little detailGovernanceFair62 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Land acquisition for nature preservation

Income
$56
Spending
$226
Largest source of income
investment income, 54%
Employees
0
Volunteers
6

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

We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 62 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports 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 (1)
  1. In 2024, Wilderness East (WE) furthered its mission of advancing wildlands protection in Ohio and the greater Appalachian region by supporting and collaborating with the nonprofit The Highlands Nature Sanctuary, Inc., as prioritized in its articles of incorporation's mission statement. After the 2024 fiscal year that is being described herein, on February 2, 2025, The Highlands Nature Sanctuary initiated a formal name change to what was previously its dba, Arc of Appalachia, and will be referred to in this program description as Arc of Appalachia, its current identity as the 2024 year reports are being written. The mission of Wilderness East is to help Arc of Appalachia acquire new natural areas by buying and holding them temporarily in order to give time for Arc of Appalachia to raise funds to buy and permanently secure them as nature preserves. In 2024, WE acquired, via secured promissory notes held by Arc of Appalachia, the following properties: 1) a 10.4-acre parcel of land and an 8-acre parcel of land in Highland County, Ohio that lie adjacent to the the Arc of Appalachia's oldest and largest preserve, the Highlands Nature Sanctuary, thus expanding the nearly 3,000-acre nature preserve 2) a 1200-acre parcel of land in Greenbrier County, West Virginia, known as Wild Rock Canyon Preserve, Arc of Appalachia's and Wilderness East's first preservation endeavor in West Virginia, and 3) a 86-acre parcel of land in Gallia County, Ohio, known as Beaver Wetlands, the first acquisition by Wilderness East for the Arc of Appalachia in Gallia County, Ohio.

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

  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 December 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 2004.

    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.