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Santa Catalina Island Conservancy

EIN 23-7228407 · Avalon, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE CATALINA ISLAND CONSERVANCY PROTECTS AND STEWARDS 88% OF CATALINA ISLAND. MORE THAN 42,000 ACRES OF WILDLANDS, COVES AND COASTAL HABITATS. FOUNDED TO PRESERVE THE ISLAND'S NATURAL RESOURCES, THE CONSERVANCY ADVANCES A MISSION ROOTED IN CONSERVATION, EDUCATION AND RECREATION. IN 2024, THE CONSERVANCY DEEPENED ITS COMMITMENT TO RESTORING NATIVE ECOSYSTEMS, EXPANDING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND ENSURING THAT CATALINA REMAINS A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE AND NATURE THRIVE.

Income
$30.2 million
Spending
$21.9 million
Spent on programs
67%
Reserves
36.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 40%
Employees
130
Volunteers
253
Highest pay
$563,349, president & ceo

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 36.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 28% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 60% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    67% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 21 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 85 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    14 of 15 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.

  • 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 December 31, 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 (3)
  1. $8.9 million spent. RECREATIONAL AND INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICESTHROUGH RESPONSIBLE ACCESS AND INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS, THE CONSERVANCY ENSURED SAFE, INCLUSIVE EXPLORATION OF CATALINA'S WILDLANDS. IN 2024, MORE THAN 10 MILES OF TRAILS WERE RESTORED, 350 MILES OF ROADS MAINTAINED, AND PARTNERSHIPS EXPANDED AT WHITE'S LANDING AND CHERRY COVE. THE CONSERVANCY'S RECREATIONAL OFFERINGS, INCLUDING CONSERVANCY ECO TOURS, THE WILDLANDS EXPRESS SHUTTLE, AND ACCESS TO AIRPORT IN THE SKY AND WRIGLEY MEMORIAL & BOTANIC GARDEN, WELCOMED MORE THAN 100,000 VISITORS, FAMILIES AND YOUTH CAMPERS TO CONNECT WITH NATURE, ENSURING A CATALINA ISLAND FOR ALL.
  2. $3.3 million spent. CONSERVATION SERVICESIN 2024, THE CONSERVANCY ADVANCED THE CATALINA ISLAND RESTORATION PROJECT, A LANDMARK INITIATIVE TO REBUILD FIRE-RESILIENT NATIVE HABITATS AND REMOVAL OF INVASIVE SPECIES. CONSERVANCY STAFF TREATED INVASIVE PLANT SPECIES, MANAGED SENSITIVE WILDLIFE INCLUDING THE FEDERALLY THREATENED CATALINA ISLAND FOX, AND EXPANDED PROPAGATION OF RARE AND ENDEMIC PLANTS SUCH AS THE SANTA CATALINA ISLAND IRONWOOD (LYONOTHAMNUS FLORIBUNDUS SSP. FLORIBUNDUS). THE CONSERVANCY ALSO HOSTED COMMUNITY FORUMS, CONVERSATIONS AND EVENTS, AND SECURED MORE THAN 60 LETTERS OF SUPPORT FROM COMMUNITY AND GOVERNMENT LEADERS TO ACCELERATE PROGRESS TOWARD LONG-TERM ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION.
  3. $2.5 million spent. EDUCATIONTHE CONSERVANCY SERVED MORE THAN 5,000 STUDENTS AND LIFELONG LEARNERS IN DIRECT ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS THAT HIGHLIGHT CATALINA'S UNIQUE BIODIVERSITY AND CULTURAL HISTORY, AND HOSTED ANOTHER 300,000 IN AFFILIATED CAMPS, VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS, AND SUPPORT GROUPS VISITING THE ISLAND. PROGRAMS LIKE THE CATALINA OVERNIGHT EXPERIENCE PROVIDED TRANSFORMATIVE OUTDOOR LEARNING, OFTEN FIRST-TIME EXPERIENCES IN NATURE, FOR YOUTH FROM ACROSS SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. AS LOS ANGELES COUNTY'S LARGEST OUTDOOR CLASSROOM, THE ISLAND CONTINUES TO FOSTER DISCOVERY, STEWARDSHIP AND THE NEXT GENERATION OF CONSERVATION LEADERS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 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 December 2024.

    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 April 2015.

    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.