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Mount Pisgah Arboretum

EIN 23-7345974 · Eugene, OR

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood72 out of 100GovernanceGood72 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO ENGAGE PEOPLE WITH NATURE THROUGH INTERACTIVE LEARNING AND STEWARDSHIP.

Income
$902,233
Spending
$1.0 million
Spent on programs
64%
Reserves
14.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 43%
Employees
24
Volunteers
290
Highest pay
$57,373, executive di

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

Good: 72 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 14.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 15% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 19% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    64% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 31 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: 72 out of 100. Higher than 40% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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 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. MOUNT PISGAH ARBORETUM IS A 209-ACRE NATURAL AREA WHERE VISITORS EXPLORE SOUTHERN WILLAMETTE VALLEY ECOLOGY ON OUR SEVEN MILES OF FAMILY-FRIENDLY TRAILS. LOCATED WITHIN A 2,200-ACRE LANE COUNTY PARK, WE HOST 400,000 YEARLY VISITS. WE ARE SUPPORTED BY 2,100 MEMBERS, AND ENGAGE HUNDREDS OF VOLUNTEERS. THE ARBORETUM HAS INVESTED OVER A MILLION DOLLARS TO BUILD INFRASTRUCTURE WITHIN THE PARK. WE CONSTRUCTED AND MAINTAIN THE PARK'S MAIN PARKING LOT, ITS PRIMARY PUBLIC RESTROOMS, AND POTABLE WATER SYSTEM. IN 2005 WE OPENED THE BEAUTIFUL WHITE OAK PAVILION, WHICH NOW HELPS SUPPORT OUR NATURE EDUCATION PROGRAMS BY SERVING AS A VENUE FOR WEDDINGS, MEMORIALS, AND OTHER COMMUNITY EVENTS.
  2. THE ARBORETUM PROVIDES NATURE EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR 3,000 CHILDREN AND ADULTS. EACH YEAR OVER 2,000 K-5 STUDENTS DISCOVER THE WONDERS OF NATURE ON FIELD TRIPS LED BY OUR TRAINED VOLUNTEERS. WE PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR 50% OF THESE CHILDREN WHO COME FROM LOW-INCOME HOMES. 200 ADULTS AND FAMILIES ENJOY OUR GUIDED NATURE WALKS,AND NATURAL HISTORY WORKSHOPS. ANOTHER 6,000 VISITORS LEARN ABOUT NATURE AT OUR ANNUAL WILDFLOWER AND MUSHROOM FESTIVALS.
  3. IN THE LAST FEW YEARS WE'VE BEEN DEVELOPING PERMANENT EDUCATIONAL EXHIBITS AIMED AT ENGAGING MORE PARK VISITORS IN LEARNING ABOUT SOUTHERN WILLAMETTE VALLEY ECOLOGY. FOUR EXHIBITS ARE NOW IN PLACE. WE PLAN TO CREATE FOUR MORE EXHIBITS, AS WELL AS A NEW KIOSK AT THE ARBORETUM'S ENTRANCE.

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 November 1974.

    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.