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Cottonwood Institute

EIN 20-1822172 · Denver, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak49 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO CONNECT MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO NATURE AND INSPIRE THEM TO PROTECT IT.

Income
$779,815
Spending
$822,626
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
1.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 58%
Employees
24
Highest pay
$107,242, executive di

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

Financial health

Weak: 49 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 1.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 68% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    84% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 16 cents.

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

Governance

Strong: 97 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 (2)
  1. $691,625 spent. DURING THE 2024-25 SCHOOL YEAR, COTTONWOOD INSTITUTE: - COLLABORATED WITH 12 EDUCATIONAL PARTNERS - DELIVERED 25 UNIQUE PROGRAMS - SERVED 457 YOUTH ALONG THE COLORADO FRONT RANGE - LOGGED 35,851 PROGRAM CONTACT HOURS - RECORDED 93 FIELD DAYS ---------------------------SEE SCHEDULE O ------------------------------
  2. DURING THE 2024-25 PROGRAMMING YEAR, WE SERVED 454 PARTICIPANTS. 63.3% OF OUR PARTICIPANTS SELF-IDENTIFIED AS NON-WHITE. A MAJORITY OF OUR STUDENTS LIVE IN HISTORICALLY EXCLUDED COMMUNITIES IN AURORA, DENVER, AND BOULDER COUNTY. ACCORDING TO ONE COTTONWOOD INSTITUTE ALUM: "I'VE ALWAYS LOVED THE OUTDOORS, BUT YOUR PROGRAM WAS THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY I HAD TO GO CAMPING AND GET A REAL TASTE OF THE OUTDOORS. I THINK YOUR PROGRAM REALLY IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE, BECAUSE AFTER THAT CAMPING TRIP, I'VE WANTED TO DO SO MANY THINGS OUTDOORS AND EVEN BEGAN ROCK CLIMBING AS OF LAST YEAR."

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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 September 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 2007.

    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.