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Friends of Famosa Slough

EIN 33-0221334 · San Diego, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthNot ratedToo small or too little detailGovernanceFair62 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE FRIENDS OF FAMOSA SLOUGH (FFS) WAS ESTABLISHED TO PROTECT AND RESTORE FAMOSA SLOUGH, A 37-ACRE TIDAL WETLAND, AS A NATURAL WETLANDS PRESERVE AND TO PROMOTE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF WETLANDS. FFS LEADS RESTORATION EFFORTS TO INCREASE WILDLIFE AND OPEN SPACE VALUES AND SUPPORTS THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO'S PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT WHICH MANAGES THE FAMOSA SLOUGH. THE FRIENDS HAVE ACQUIRED VACANT LAND AROUND THE SLOUGH AND HAVE ESTABLISHED AND MAINTAINED CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANTS.

Income
$7,761
Spending
$9,218
Spent on programs
84%
Reserves
-607.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 79%
Employees
0
Volunteers
50

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2023, 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, 2023, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 62 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 9 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

    10 of 10

    Gave 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, 2023, 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. $6,902 spent. We engaged over 400 community members at work party events, bird and nature walks, and school events. We had small groups of volunteers for approximately 15 work sessions to maintain the property owned by the Organization that was purchased for the purpose of serving as a buffer adjacent to the wetlands. We removed over 6,000 pounds of non-native vegetation, planted over 120 native plans, maintained trails by cutting back vegetation and picking up an estimated 500 pounds of trash.We incurred $3,722 in property taxes for the adjacent land purchased by the Organization in 2012 and 2014 which will be turned over to the City of San Diego when the native plants have been established.
  2. $808 spent. Education which included an annual meeting featuring the King Tide Project in San Diego. Monthly bird/nature walks, and publications including newsletters, brochures and bird lists that were distributed locally and to our members and multiple on-line announcements, photos and event notices.Provided information about the Slough and Wetlands when we hosted events with school students and corporate volunteers while removing non-native plants, maintaining trails, and taking care of California Native Plants.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2023, 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 2023.

    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 June 1987.

    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.