Friends of Trailside Nature Museum
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The mission of the Friends of the Trailside Museum is tdedicated to promoting a better appreciation and understanding of thenatural world between people and the environment.The Friends group focuses on funding programs for the public interest equipembnt used to enhance the beauty of Ward Pound Ridge Reserfvation supporting park staff with tools tht enable them to better serve the public.
- Income
- $88,529
- Spending
- $86,916
- Reserves
- 45.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 99%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ 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 (10)
- $7,350 spent. .College Intern: Providing funding to support a college internship in Natural Resources Conservation aligns with the Friends mission because it is a 10-week education project for students majoring in biology ecology wildlife conservation or related field. The goal of the program is to expose students to ecological research projects conservation management projects and parks maintenance tasks in a way that deepens their understanding of the conservation field and emphasizes the role of human land managers as stewards of the land. Students have also contributed to exhibit design and expanded our capacity to educate other groups including summer campers and the general public. For example last year interns providing turtle trapping programs to summer camp students in the park and helped lead a public nature program.
- $27,000 spent. Flora Project that beegan in 2023 and will conclude in 2025-discovering cataloguing and labeling native plant speices and permananetly perserving in a sientific manner. Three botanists funded by the Friends group along with the supplies needed to complete the project.
- $15,310 spent. Provided funding for tree work in WPRR-the tree removal was completed so that the Wildflower Garden area was protected and readied for a future project
- $13,850 spent. Wood Turtle project that researched the population of the wood turtle in WPRR=this included trained dog to help find nests; interns working over the summer collecting data; having summer campers get the opportunity to learn about conservation research; specialized tracking equipment;
- $1,875 spent. supplied proper firewood for use in WPRR campsites
- $6,600 spent. Provided supplemental funding for a parkwide event in October that attracted over 700 people called Spooktacular which gave thepublic an opportunity to experience WPRR and all it has to offer with the lure of a Halloween event
- $5,300 spent. Provided funding for an upgrade to the Visitor Information Center located at the beginning to the Park which will now house the enviromental library previously kept in the museum.
- $1,000 spent. We supported the Meadow Symposium at Stone Barns where one of our naturalists presented a well received presentation on Meadow Management
- $2,900 spent. We funded some tree replacement in WPRR by using a couple of local nurseries. These plantings were of native plants and trees supporting our mission.
- $1,875 spent. Purchase of firewood to be used at the campsites in the 5000 acre park that is clean and free of possible insect that might affect the current enviornment of the trees existing in the park.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
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.
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.
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.
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 October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 1982.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
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.