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Norman Bird Sanctuary Trust

EIN 22-2746733 · Middletown, RI

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair69 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO SPARK PEOPLE'S CURIOSITY TO EXPLORE, STEWARD, AND FIND PEACE AND JOY IN NATURE. IN SERVICE TO THIS, NORMAN BIRD SANCTUARY INSPIRES, BUILDS, AND ENGAGES A COMMUNITY OF STEWARDS WHO PRESERVE, PROTECT, ENJOY, AND LEARN FROM THE ECOSYSTEM WITHIN AND BEYOND OUR STONE WALLS. WE FOSTER LIFELONG CONNECTIONS BETWEEN PEOPLE AND OUR DYNAMIC NATURAL WORLD.

Income
$2.0 million
Spending
$1.7 million
Spent on programs
71%
Reserves
0.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 70%
Employees
49
Volunteers
268
Highest pay
$147,308, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 69 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 15% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    71% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 11 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (animals, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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 March 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 (2)
  1. $750,138 spent. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING - THE ORGANIZATION IS A LEADER IN RHODE ISLAND EXPERIENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION; OFFERING PLACE-BASED SCIENCE AND NATURE PROGRAMS TO DIVERSE AUDIENCES AT THE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY AND IN CLASSROOMS ACROSS THE STATE. THOUSANDS OF PRE-K TO GRADE 12 STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN THE ORGANIZATION'S INNOVATIVE SCHOOL PROGRAMS. EDUCATORS CAN SELECT FROM OVER 75 ENGAGING AND INQUIRY-BASED CLASSES ON ANIMAL ADAPTATIONS, WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AND NEW ENGLAND'S UNIQUE NATURAL RESOURCES. PROGRAMS INCLUDE ON-SITE FIELDTRIPS, IN-SCHOOL OUTREACH, TEACHER TRAINING AND SUMMER CAMPS. THE ORGANIZATION'S PROGRAMS ARE DESIGNED TO ENGAGE ALL AGES FROM AGE-APPROPRIATE PRESCHOOL COURSES TO SATURDAY EXPLORERS CLUBS, FAMILY NATURE NIGHTS AND A WILDLIFE SPEAKER SERIES. THE GOAL IS TO FOSTER AN ENDURING POSITIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE ENVIRONMENT WITH A PASSION TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS.
  2. $492,210 spent. SANCTUARY PRESERVATION - THE ORGANIZATION IS CHARGED WITH THE PRESERVATION OF MORE THAN 300 ACRES OF HABITAT OF DIVERSE AND OFTEN RARE SPECIES OF ANIMALS AND PLANTS. THE ORGANIZATION UNDERTOOK A COMPREHENSIVE INVASIVE PLANT MANAGEMENT PLAN WHICH PROVIDES AN EXHAUSTIVE STUDY OF THE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY AND IDENTIFIES OVER 150 SEPARATE AREAS THAT CONTAIN INVASIVE PLANTS AND PROVIDING A PLAN FOR THEIR CONTROL. THE ORGANIZATION'S STAFF AND GROUPS OF DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS HAVE IMPLEMENTED INITIAL INVASIVES MANAGEMENT PRIORITIES USING ONLY MANUAL AND MECHANICAL METHODS, NOT CHEMICALS. AS PART OF THE WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, THE ORGANIZATION MAINTAINS AND PRESERVES ONE OF THE OLDEST INTACT 18TH CENTURY FARMHOUSES ON OVER 200 ACRES IN THE UNITED STATES. THE ORGANIZATION'S MULTI-YEAR INVESTMENTS IN LONG-RANGE PLANNING PROVIDES A DETAILED ROAD MAP FOR THE THOUGHTFUL STEWARDSHIP OF THE WILDLIFE HABITATS AND HISTORIC FACILITIES IN THE ORGANIZATION'S CARE.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending March 31, 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 March 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 1988.

    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.