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Friends of Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge Inc

EIN 22-3674438 · Basking Ridge, NJ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood81 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PROMOTING THE CONSERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES OF THE GREAT SWAMP NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE; FOSTERING PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATION OF THE REFUGE; ENGAGING IN ACTIVITIES THAT WILL SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE REFUGE.

Income
$134,816
Spending
$128,968
Spent on programs
93%
Reserves
30.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 88%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0

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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (animals, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 30.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 46% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    93% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 82% of charities in its peer group (animals, under $250k).

  • 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

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • 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 (4)
  1. $33,320 spent. Recreation, environmental education and outreach: Lead interpretive tours for school groups, scouts, and community organizations; host educational events and programs for the public; provide communications through newsletters and online media; present outreach programs; provide opportunities for children to learn about nature through the Junior Refuge Manager program; participate in the urban wildlife refuge partnership with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and urban communities; construct and maintain infrastructure for visitor recreation.
  2. $77,478 spent. Habitat and Wildlife: Remove invasive plant species and restore native plant vegetation; fund improvements to wildlife habitat, turtle research, and songbird and waterfowl surveys; maintain native plant gardens to increase public awareness.
  3. $3,355 spent. Volunteer coordination program: Plan and coordinate volunteer activities, projects and training; co-host annual volunteer recognition event.
  4. $5,625 spent. GRANT TO NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE ASSOCIATION AND DONATION TO DOUBLE V ROD & GUN CLUB

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 May 2000.

    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.