Rockfish Valley Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The mission of the Rockfish Valley Foundation is to preserve the natural, historical, ecological and agricultural resources of the Rockfish Valley. We accomplish this with an education process that uses the following resources: the Nelson Scenic Loop, Spruce Creek Park, the Natural History Center, six miles in the Rockfish Valley Trail System, and lands associated with them. The mission further supports conservation, recreation, preservation, agricultural and environmental education, and promotes a rural tourism experience in the Rockfish Valley of Nelson County, Virginia. We aim to inspire a healthy lifestyle by offering hiking trails, a public park, programs and events. We support all students whether in Nelson public schools, home schools or private schools. The lands serve as our outdoor laboratory for students, the community and visitors, alike. Our vision is to enhance environmental literacy and create better stewards. We are the nature guys and Nature is our game.
- Income
- $162,959
- Spending
- $125,203
- Reserves
- 13.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 100%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 13.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 23% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 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 (3)
- $24,196 spent. ROCKFISH RIVER TRAILS, CHILDREN'S NATURE TRAIL AND SPRUCE CREEK PARK OPERATIONS, MAINTENANCE AND VISITATION. All facilities were open and RVF celebrated 20 years of operations. Grounds maintenance and repairs continue to be a major focus. Hurricane Helene that occurred in Sept 2024 continued to require efforts to repair a lot of washouts along trails, parking and entrances along with some erosion. Weather is getting more impactful. Volunteer Work Days with Master Naturalists and RVF volunteers continued into 2025 to be a focus. The wonderful educational learning Pavilion that was designed and constructed with contractors and volunteers became a central focus. There was focus on the need to increase maintenance budget, create reserves and enhance our contact numbers and information for volunteers, donors and visitors. The capacity needs become more evident. As a result, the 2025 budget goal was increased to $130,000. RVF facilities and operations have grown significantly since just before COVID. The budget has grown from $25,000 about 6 years ago to $130,000.
- $1,869 spent. COMMUNITY NATURE PROGRAMS. RVF is the nature guys, as big as all outdoors and holds education of the community as its top objective. Rockfish Valley Foundation's Natural History Center continued to have its focus on being open more to the public. We say come visit "when the flags are flying". In 2025 RVF celebrated 20 years and there were several enhancements to exhibits. Volunteers including members of the Nelson Hispanic community maintained the translation in Spanish of the self-guided tour in the museum. Another volunteer continued the creation of a Monacan Nation exhibit in two large cases and their surrounds with the install of new lighting. Visitation continues to increase. This is the first such exhibit outside their own headquarters. Further promotion of our Lending Library was seen in 2024 and into 2025.
- $7,655 spent. PLANTS & EDUCATION -Environmental literacy education project began in 2018 with a grant form VA Department of Conservation and Recreation. The grant was completed in December 2024, and the program was dedicated to the public on May 2nd. ENLIT is a recreational trails project that creates accessible educational content thru QR code activated modules that support a fun experience for different age levels to enhance environmental literacy. It is displayed thru signage, website and devices with digital connectivity along the trails and in the park. We created digital connectivity using Firefly fiber optic taken from existing electric lines and existing Verizon cellular. Teaching aids and devices that relate to water, rocks, plants, animals, culture and history are installed as well. The control of invasive and support for the previous and current planting of natives was major. Install of native and invasive plant signs with QR codes was a created as a resource along the South Fork of the Rockfish River trails. There is an outdoor learning pavilion. In 2025 we maintained trailside amenities such as benches, picnic tables and dealt with the challenge of pet waste. Walk Talks and enhanced modules are always developing with the public interests.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 November 6, 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 2025.
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 August 2006.
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 November 4, 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.