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Bolsa Chica Land Trust

EIN 33-0516059 · Huntingtn Bch, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair67 out of 100GovernanceStrong97 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ACQUISITION, PRESERVATION, AND RESTORATION OF ALL OF BOLSA CHICA AND THE EDUCATION OF THE PUBLIC TO ITS NATURAL WONDERS AND CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE.

Income
$353,234
Spending
$382,604
Spent on programs
54%
Reserves
18.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 84%
Employees
5
Volunteers
1,250

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

Fair: 67 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 18.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 31% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    54% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 22 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: 97 out of 100. Higher than 88% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 14 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.

  • Independent check of accounts

    12 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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. $98,111 spent. NATIVE HABITAT RESTORATION ACTIVITIES; STAFFING, PLANNING, PURCHASE OF PLANTS, TOOLS, EQUIPMENT, SUPPLIES AND IRRIGATION FOR LARGE-SCALE HABITAT RESTORATION ON THE BOLSA CHICA MESA. THE ON-GOING PROJECT IS IN COOPERATION WITH THE CALIFORNIA DEPT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE, WHO MANAGE THE RESERVE, AND UTILIZES THE EFFORTS OF THE MANY COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS IN THE PROJECT.
  2. $77,894 spent. SUPPORTED THE RESERVE AND THE PUBLIC BY HOSTING PUBLIC TOURS, CREATED AND DISSEMINATED EDUCATION MATERIALS TO THE PUBLIC AND THROUGH THE MIRACLES OF MARSH EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM.
  3. $19,509 spent. PROVIDED "MIRACLES OF THE MARSH" EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM TO 22 SCHOOLS, AND IN 2024 PROVIDED 1,602 STUDENTS WITH WORKBOOKS, ON-SITE EDUCATIONAL FIELD TRIPS, AND SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS.
  4. $11,263 spent. PUBLICATIONS CREATED AND DISSEMINATED TO THE 5,000 MEMBERSHIP BASE, AND GENERAL PUBLIC, TO KEEP THEM INFORMED OF THE STATUS OF BCLT'S PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS, AS WELL AS OTHER ISSUES PERTAINING TO, OR WHICH MAY HAVE IMPACTED BOLSA CHICA.

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 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 2025.

    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 October 1992.

    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.