Skip to the page content
Your donations
Passes our checks

Friends of Middlesex Fells Reservation Inc

EIN 22-3278797 · Melrose, MA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood82 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION IS TO PROMOTE THE CONSERVATION, APPRECIATION, AND SUSTAINABLE ENJOYMENT OF THE MIDDLESEX FELLS RESERVATION. WE PROTECT AND ENHANCE THE ECOLOGY OF THE FELLS THROUGH INITIATIVES TO MANAGE INVASIVE SPECIES, REDUCE ROGUE TRAILS FOR WILDLIFE, AND FOSTER A CULTURE OF CARE AND COMMUNITY STEWARDSHIP. WE PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PEOPLE TO LEARN, ENJOY, AND CARE FOR THE FELLS WITH MORE THAN 100 FREE WALKS ANNUALLY AND A MULTITUDE OF OPPORTUNITIES TO JOIN US IN ON-THE-GROUND STEWARDSHIP OF THE FELLS. WE ADVOCATE FOR PROTECTION OF THE FELLS THROUGH PRODUCTIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH DCR STAFF, ELECTED OFFICIALS, AND COMMUNITY LEADERS AND ACTIVATE MORE THAN 4,000 SUPPORTERS TO SPEAK UP ON BEHALF OF THE FELLS.

Income
$514,665
Spending
$511,080
Spent on programs
71%
Reserves
43.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 48%
Employees
27
Volunteers
674
Highest pay
$82,377, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending November 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 82 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 43.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 81% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    71% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 23 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending November 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 97 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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 November 30, 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. $362,054 spent. PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH OUR FELLS FOREST CAMP AND OTHER YOUTH PROGRAMMING, AND FOR ADULTS VIA FREE GUIDED OUTINGS IN THE FELLS. LEAD COMMUNITY STEWARDSHIP PROJECTS TO MANAGE INVASIVE PLANTS AND IMPROVE HABITAT IN THE MIDDLESEX FELLS.ADVOCATE TO PRESERVE AND PROTECT NATURAL RESOURCES AND STRENGTHEN THE STATE PARKS SYSTEM IN MASSACHUSETTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending November 30, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending November 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since February 1994.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 21, 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.