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City Wildlife Inc

EIN 26-2641235 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The goals of City Wildlife are to rescue sick, orphaned, and injured wild animals and return them to the wild; to promote the enjoyment of and harmonious co-existence with native wildlife; and to protect the District of Columbias wild places for animal habitat.

Income
$1.1 million
Spending
$835,728
Spent on programs
90%
Reserves
7.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 80%
Employees
18
Volunteers
70
Highest pay
$104,691, executive director former

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 83% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 21% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 20% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 69% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).

  • 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

    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

    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 September 30, 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 (4)
  1. $747,909 spent. Wildlife Rehabilitation Center: City Wildlifes Rehabilitation Center cared for more than 1,800 sick, injured, and orphaned wild animals in 2024. Patients included wild birds - raptors, waterfowl, and songbirds - small mammals, and native reptiles and amphibians. Many were Species of Greatest Conservation Need in the District of Columbia. City Wildlifes goal is to release healthy animals back to the wild. The Center, open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., is staffed by a full-time wildlife veterinarian with the assistance of licensed wildlife rehabilitators. Protecting wildlife: Most of our patients injuries are caused directly or indirectly by human activities. We work to heal the animals in our clinic, but also to connect with people in a way that advances understanding and compassion for wildlife. With each patient intake and phone call, we share helpful information about our wildlife neighbors, build understanding, promote compassion, and dispel concerns. Protecting people: Our wildlife rehabilitation program serves as a sentinel for detecting zoonotic disease in wildlife. It also provides a place for people to bring distressed wild animals whom they might otherwise try to care for at home, risking possible disease or injury to themselves or others. Protecting the environment: In addition to its primary mission, City Wildlife reviews and comments on local actions proposed by governments and private developers that might have impacts on wildlife. Our comments and advocacy support the protection of the Districts wildlife as well as actions that conserve habitat.
  2. Education Programs: City Wildlife educates and supports the community in furtherance of our mission. In 2025, we received more than 5,000 calls and emails requesting advice with animals. We also provided wildlife education in local schools, held regular online seminars, and maintained active educational social media accounts.
  3. Lights Out DC: Lights Out DC, an all-volunteer participatory science program, works with residents, owners, and managers of buildings in Washington, DC, to reduce bird/glass collisions. During spring and fall bird migration seasons, volunteers collect dead and injured birds - more than 6,500 since 2010 - that have hit glass, document these collisions, and make recommendations to residents and businesses to reduce nighttime lighting and install bird-safe features. Injured birds are taken to our Rehabilitation Center. Dead birds are donated for research. Using LODC data, City Wildlife led efforts to pass a new District of Columbia bill requiring bird-safe glass and design on all new construction and substantial external renovations of buildings. The bill went into effect in January 2024.
  4. Duck Watch:Duck Watch seasonal staff and volunteers assist urban waterfowl by monitoring nests, teaching people how to protect nests, and helping Mallard hens get their ducklings safely to water. When Mallard families are trapped on roofs or balconies, or in courtyards, they capture them and transport them to water. In 2024, Duck Watch helped almost 700 ducklings stay with their mothers.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 September 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 March 2009.

    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.