Ralston White Retreat Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Raltson White Retreat in Mill Valley, California. As trustee, the organization carries out the intent of the 1950 deed of trust from Ruth White Bowie regarding the preservation of the Retreat, which includes the following: 1) to maintain and restore the historically significant 1911 Willis Polk designed home that is the focus of the property and which houses the meeting place accommodations and food services; 2) to offer the retreat on a day-use and overnight-use basis to tax-exempt organizations in furtherance of their charitable, educational, religious and public benefit programs; 3) to conserve the 43 acre-site and protect the property from subdivision and development; and 4) to allow the general public to use the retreat and site for cultural, musical, arts and other community public benefit activities.
- Income
- $286,191
- Spending
- $280,711
- Spent on programs
- 90%
- Reserves
- -7.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 100%
- Employees
- 4
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
Weak: 42 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
10 of 20It owes 37% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 11% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1590% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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
Good: 72 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 5 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no 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
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (1)
- $253,546 spent. The organization's retreat center is operated by a team of staff with oversight by the board of directors through an operating committee. Site use reservations, scheduling, marketing, supply purchases management, building and property maintenance and personal hiring, supervision and training are handled by a site director who is supported by other full-time and part-time employees.A business-accounting manager is responsible for maintaining the books of account and records, monthly financial accounting and reporting, payroll processing, development of annual operating budget, site-use fee rates for board review, administration of site-use contracts and management and renewal of appropriate insurance coverages.Member of the operating committee, which include the president, treasurer, site director and business-accounting manager meet monthly and on an ad-hoc basis as needed, to review the retreat center operations and finances.
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 2005.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.