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Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute

EIN 23-7393204 · Fort Davis, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The mission of the Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute is to promote public awareness, appreciation, and concern for nature generally and the natural diversity of the Chihuahuan Desert region specifically, through education, the visitor experience, and through the support of research.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$406,714
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 56%
Employees
8
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$74,625, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 63% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 88% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • 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

    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

    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, 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 (3)
  1. $294,719 spent. Nature Center/Gardens/Public Outreach Program: CDRI operates from a 507 acre site named the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center & Botanical Gardens. The Nature Center contains a wide range of features including: i) a 20 acre botanical and pollinator garden, ii) a cactus house, iii) over 5 miles of trails including a canyon with a year round spring and pools and an overlook trail featuring one of three geologic exhibits at the Nature Center, iv) a mining exhibit, v) a visitor center with a well merchandised gift shop and vi) a bird blind with a year round water feature. CDRI offers annual memberships of varying levels and benefits to nearly 450 members and hosts over 14,000 visitors annually to its site. CDRI employs three full time personnel: the Executive Director, Events Coordinator and gardener, and 2-3 part time personnel, depending on seasonal demands. CDRI also utilizes the help of volunteer Host Campers throughout the year. Consistent with its mission, CDRI offers educational programs for Grades Pre-K through 8th, all free to Region 18 students, in addition to adult workshops and the Conant Lecture program (2x annually), also free of admission fees. There are 2 fundraiser events each year: The Cactus & Succulent Sale and the Cookout & Auction, with the Cookout/Auction being the principal fundraiser.
  2. $78,342 spent. Education Program: CDRI has three major mission tenets: i)visitor experience, ii)education and iii) the support of research. The educational focus centers on programs for school aged children in a served market of schools within an approximate distance of 100 or so miles from the Nature Center. CDRI hosts two spring programs for area 1st-3rd , a summer day camp for Pre-K through 8th grades, and two fall programs for area 4th & 5th graders. All programs are designed to comply with TX Essential Knowledge & Skills (TEKS) tests. In addition to the site-based student programs, throughout the year the Nature Center hosts schools from across the State who visit for guided hikes and tours focusing on Chihuahuan Desert plants, geology, anthropology and animals from this unique biome. These costs include payroll for the personnel who design and coordinate these programs, and include other education program related costs. Additionally, CDRI funds, subject to eligible applicants, one or two $1000 scholarships to graduate students attending Texas colleges, and is continuing its 8 week summer college internship program begun in 2023.
  3. Research and Conservation Program: The other major tenet of CDRIs mission is the support of research and both education and research support are linked to conservation and sustainable practices. CDRI actively and overtly promotes the use of the Nature Center site in furtherance of research initiatives. CDRI allocates a portion of its site based costs to this expense classification.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since September 1974.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.