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Ojai Valley Defense Fund

EIN 27-0429286 · Ojai, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthNot ratedToo small or too little detailGovernanceFair50 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PROMOTE EFFORTS TO PRESERVE THE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY OF OJAI VALLEY FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC BY PROVIDING FUNDS TO PAY THE LEGAL FEES AND COSTS INCURRED BY ORGANIZATIONS WHO ARE UNDERTAKING LEGAL ACTION TO PROTECT AND SUSTAIN THE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY OF OJAI VALLEY.

Income
$121,404
Spending
$18,065
Spent on programs
31%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 100%
Employees
0
Volunteers
0

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

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 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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.

  • 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 (2)
  1. $5,550 spent. PROMOTE EFFORTS TO PRESERVE THE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY OF OJAI VALLEY FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC BY PROVIDING FUNDS TO PAY THE LEGAL FEES AND COSTS INCURRED BY ORGANIZATIONS WHO ARE UNDERTAKING LEGAL ACTION TO PROTECT AND SUSTAIN THE ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY OF OJAI VALLEY.
  2. THE OJAI VALLEY DEFENSE FUND PLAYED A MAJOR ROLE IN HELPING TO TURN BACK MINING INTERESTS' PLANS TO CONVERT HIGHWAYS 33 AND 150 INTO CORRIDORS FOR MASSIVE INDUSTRIAL GRAVEL TRUCKING, DESTROYING THE ENVIRONMENT, LIVABILITY AND LOCAL ECONOMY OF THE OJAI VALLEY.

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 September 2009.

    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.