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Eastern Sierra Interpretive Association

EIN 23-7253530 · Bishop, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair53 out of 100GovernanceGood73 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

EASTERN SIERRA INTERPRETIVE ASSOCIATION (ORGANIZATION) WAS INCORPORATED A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION IN 1971. THE MISSION IS TO ASSIST IN THE EDUCATIONAL, HISTORICAL, SCENIC, AND INTERPRETIVE ACTIVITIES OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE'S NATIONAL FORESTRY SERVICE AND THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR-BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, WHICH IS ACHIEVED THROUGH THE OPERATION OF QUALITY BOOKSTORES AND THE DEVELOPMENT, PUBLISHING, AND SELLING OF INTERPRETIVE MATERIAL. OUR MISSION IS TO EDUCATE AND INSPIRE PEOPLE ABOUT EASTERN SIERRA PUBLIC LANDS THROUGH HIGH QUALITY INTERPRETIVE PRODUCTS, EXHIBITS AND PROGRAMS. THROUGH OUR INTERPRETIVE WORK, WE WILL CREATE STRONG EMOTIONAL AND INTELLECTUAL CONNECTIONS BETWEEN PEOPLE AND THE PUBLIC LANDS OF THE EASTERN SIERRA, MOTIVATE PEOPLE TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE THIS REGION THROUGH EFFECTIVE STEWARDSHIP, RESPONSIBLE BEHAVIOR AND PERSONAL INVESTMENT.OUR VALUES: SUPPORT AND WORK CLOSELY WITH OUR PUBLIC AGENCY AND NON-PROFIT PARTNERS.

Income
$1.4 million
Spending
$1.5 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
2.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 51%
Employees
50
Volunteers
489
Highest pay
$101,974, executive director

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

Fair: 53 out of 100. Higher than 16% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 52% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 4% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 99% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 73 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (1)
  1. $1.2 million spent. TO OPERATE OUTSTANDING BOOKSTORES, COOPERATE WITH PUBLIC LAND MANAGEMENT PARTNERS, TO OPERATE SUCCESSFUL VISITOR CENTERS, AND PROVIDE HIGH QUALITY INTERPRETIVE PROGRAMS, EXHIBITS AND PUBLICATIONS THROUGHOUT THE EASTERN SIERRA. THE ORGANIZATION DOES THIS TO EDUCATE AND INSPIRE PEOPLE ABOUT THIS REGION, TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO GET TO KNOW THE AREA BETTER AND TO ENABLE EVERYONE TO BE EFFECTIVE STEWARDS OF THESE RESOURCES.

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 February 1973.

    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.

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