Anza-Borrego Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
OUR MISSION IS TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE THE NATURAL LANDSCAPES, WILDLIFE HABITAT AND CULTURAL HERITAGE OF ANZA-BORREGO DESERT STATE PARK AND ITS SURROUNDING REGION FOR THE BENEFIT AND ENJOYMENT OF PRESENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS.
- Income
- $1.5 million
- Spending
- $2.0 million
- Spent on programs
- 74%
- Reserves
- 54.2 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 34%
- Employees
- 23
- Volunteers
- 108
- Highest pay
- $163,163, executive dir.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 73 out of 100.
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 54.2 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 35% of income.
Income trend
10 of 15Income fell 9% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1574% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 46 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2514 of 14 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
10 of 10Gave 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
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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 June 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)
- $694,822 spent. INTERPRETIVE SALES: ABF operates two retail locations, one inside the Park Visitor Center and one in Borrego Springs. Both retail locations sell interpretive merchandise such as books, apparel, and maps, and staff help visitors discover and remember the wonders of the Park. Proceeds from the sales directly support education and interpretation programs.
- $539,818 spent. EDUCATION PROGRAMS: Anza-Borrego Foundation offers environmental education programs, including in-field activities, virtual and in-person lectures and workshops, guided hikes and drives for adults and children. Topics include climate science, photography, archaeology, paleontology, geology, hiking, botany, quiet and astronomy.
- $144,671 spent. LAND ACQUISITION: Anza-Borrego Foundation conserves lands through outright purchase or donation from willing sellers. Purchased properties are transferred to Anza-Borrego Desert State Park for perpetual stewardship and management. ABF funds the purchases through grants and private donations. Since 2006, the Resources Legacy Fund has provided more than $3 million for land conservation under its Preserving Wild California Program and Wilderness Acquisition Programs. Over 55,000 acres have been preserved, and approximately 14,000 acres of inholdings remain. With funding from grants and dedicated donors, ABF continues the land conservation program to make the Park whole.
- $114,247 spent. PARK SUPPORT: As the official park partner, ABF is the fiscal agent, supporting the needs of the park superintendent, botany, Archaeology, Paleontology, and the Visitors Center. ABF also provides resources for special projects for the Park.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
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 June 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 May 1993.
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.