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Free Flight

EIN 33-0498947 · Del Mar, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

FREE FLIGHT STRIVES TO UNITE THE NEEDS OF BIRDS AND PEOPLE THROUGH PROGRAMS OFFERED THROUGH OUR LEARNING CENTER AND THE SERVICES WE PROVIDE. OUR PARROTS HELP BY INSPIRING VISITORS TO LEARN MORE, AND TO PARTICIPATE IN ONE OF OUR MULTIPLE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS. WE TEACH ADULTS AND CHILDREN THE PROPER METHODS OF AVIAN CARE TO ADVOCATE FOR THE WELL BEING OF COMPANION PARROTS IN SOCIETY AS A WHOLE. WE BRING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER THROUGH EVENTS TO CELEBRATE THE HUMAN ANIMAL BOND AND FOSTER THE CONNECTION BETWEEN PARROTS AND PEOPLE.

Income
$428,699
Spending
$337,248
Spent on programs
85%
Reserves
14.2 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 49%
Employees
9
Volunteers
25
Highest pay
$26,628, executive dir.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 82% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 14.2 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% 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 27% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    85% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 91 out of 100. Higher than 87% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    4 of 5 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

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 December 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 (4)
  1. $100,584 spent. BIRD ADOPTION: As a measure to prevent inadvertent avian abuse or neglect within our community, Free Flight receives parrots relinquished from private parties who are no longer able to care for them due to changing life conditions and/or health and behavioral challenges with the bird. We provide a nurturing home, working to re-socialize each bird while addressing their individual mental, physical, and emotional needs - for the remainder of their life or until such time that they can be adopted out into an appropriate new home.
  2. $99,233 spent. SPECIALIZED BOARDING FOR PARROT SOCIALIZATION AND OWNER-PARROT RELATIONSHIP LONGEVITY SUPPORT: Free Flight meets a truly unique, niche need within our community. Our one-of-a-kind sanctuary environment, equipped with staff trained in avian husbandry & enrichment, maintains strict veterinary clearance requirements. Our team is committed to providing a safe haven (including housing, basic training/behavior modification and ambient social learning opportunities) for parrots. We are here for people to turn to in the event their parrot requires temporary placement, and for providing educational resources that help owners better understand, care for, and maintain lasting positive relationships with them.During a parrot's stay, they have access to outdoor fresh air time daily, nutritious food, grooming services as needed, and are permitted to (safely) socialize through interactions with other parrots and the public.Free Flight gives companion parrot owners options to maintain their capacity to provide permanent home/care for their birds amidst all the challenges and obligations of daily life as their circumstances and need change over time.
  3. $52,390 spent. COMMUNITY OUTREACH & EDUCATION: Free Flight provides a truly unique opportunity for the public to safely engage with and learn about the complex personalities and need of parrots. Throughout the year we host a wide array of on and off-site educational outreach events such as field trips, guided tours, scout troop badge workshops, classroom/assembly visits, summer youth programs, and more. Our primary goal at each event is to walk away knowing we've increased awareness of the parrots and the ways in which they need our help to advocate (be their voice) for avian welfare and conservation efforts around the world. As part of these programs, Free Flight hosts adult volunteers, Junior (high school) docents, Senior docents, and occasional collegiate interns throughout the year as well.
  4. $35,479 spent. OTHER PROGRAMS INCLUDE BIRD SPONSORSHIP WHICH PROVIDES INDIVIDUALS WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO FINANCIALLY SPONSOR A BIRD WITHOUT THE FULL BURDEN OF OWNERSHIP BUT WITH DEDICATED INTERACTION.

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