Ideas for US
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
DEVELOP IDEAS, FUND ACTION, AND SCALE SOLUTIONS TO THE WORLD'S MOST PRESSING ENVIRONMENTAL AND HUMANITARIAN CHALLENGES
- Income
- $1.3 million
- Spending
- $1.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 86%
- Reserves
- 0.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 80%
- Employees
- 12
- Volunteers
- 14,064
- Highest pay
- $69,433, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 65 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.6 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 25% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 19% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 8% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1586% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 2 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 75 out of 100. Higher than 26% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 257 of 8 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
0 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 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)
- $438,106 spent. ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION: WE PROVIDE EXPERIMENTAL LEARNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES TO PEOPLE OF ALL AGES, WITH A FOCUS ON TOPICS INCLUDING ENERGY, WATER, FOOD, WASTE AND ECOLOGY. EDUCATION COMES IN THE FORM OF MONTHLY COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS CALLED "THE HIVE," COORDINATING STATEWIDE RALLIES, ORGANIZING REGIONAL SCREENINGS OF ENVIRONMENTAL FILMS/ DOCUMENTARIES, AND HOSTING TOURS OF ENVIRONMENTAL FACILITIES (E.G. RECYCLING PLANT, SOLAR FARM, WATER UTILITY, LANDFILL, ETC.).
- $387,562 spent. PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION: WE ORGANIZE COMMUNITY EVENTS THAT ENGAGE PEOPLE OF ALL AGES IN PROVIDING SOLUTIONS TO ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES. THESE INCLUDE BUILDING COMMUNITY GARDENS, TRASH CLEAN-UPS, TREE PLANTINGS, CLEAN ENERGY DEVELOPMENT, AND MORE.
- $53,668 spent. MICROGRANTING: WE EMPOWER CREATIVE THINKERS BY PROVIDING PROJECT FUNDING OF UP TO $1,000 FOR PILOT AND PROOF-OF-CONCEPT PROJECTS THAT WORK TO SOLVE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES. WE IDENTIFY MEASURABLE OUTCOMES AND TRACK THE IMPACT OF THESE PROJECTS OVER TIME.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending August 31, 2025, 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 September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Worth knowing.
Status was revoked on May 15, 2013 for not filing returns for three years. The IRS now lists it as tax-exempt again.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending August 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since June 2014.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.