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San Bernardino Mountains Wildlife Society

EIN 33-0612093 · Cedar Glen, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak35 out of 100GovernanceFair62 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • It reported loans to or from officers, directors or other insiders.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE A PROTECTIVE ENVIRONMENT WHERE NON-RELEASABLE WILD ANIMALS CAN LIVE OUT THEIR LIVES IN SAFETY AND PEACE. FACILITY IS ALSO AN EDUCATION AND VISITATION CENTER FOR THE PUBLIC.

Income
$61,147
Spending
$303,658
Spent on programs
94%
Reserves
-22.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 92%
Employees
0
Volunteers
20

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

Weak: 35 out of 100. Higher than 10% of charities in its peer group (animals, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 397% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 92% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    94% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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

Fair: 62 out of 100. Higher than 59% of charities in its peer group (animals, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    5 of 25

    1 of 3 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.

  • No reported misuse

    0 of 10

    Reports at least one of: diversion of assets, excess benefits, 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 (3)
  1. $286,022 spent. RESCUE/WILDLIFE CARE: PRIOR TO 2010 WILDHAVEN HAD SUCCESSFULLY REHABILITATED AND RELEASED THOUSANDS OF SICK, INJURED OR ORPHANED WILDLIFE. THE FACILITY IS DESIGNED TO SHELTER WILD ANIMALS WHO CANNOT BE RELEASED BACK INTO THE WILD AND NEED A HOME FOR LIFE. THEY RECEIVE ON SITE VET CARE AS WELL AS PROPER FOOD AND NUTRITION. THOROUGH RECORDS ARE KEPT TO IDENTIFY ANY TRENDS DUE TO ILLNESS OR HABITAT LOSS.
  2. PUBLIC EDUCATION: WILDHAVEN EDUCATES THE PUBLIC THROUGH PRESENTATIONS AT DIFFERENT VENUES - EG: CAMPS, VILLAGES, PARKS, SCHOOLS, HOTELS AND LIBRARIES. WILDHAVEN STRIVES TO TEACH THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE DIVERSE ECOSYSTEMS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.
  3. WALKING TOURS: EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS PRESENTING ANIMALS PERMITTED BY THE CALIFORNIA STATE DEPARTMENT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE, USDA AND US FISH AND WILDLIFE, TOURS INCLUDE BIRDS OF PREY INCLUDING EAGLES, HAWKS, FALCONS AND OWLS. MAMMALS INCLUDING BOBCAT, DEER, RACCOONS, FOX, COYOTES AND BLACK BEARS. THE PUBLIC LEARNS ABOUT EACH RESCUED ANIMALS HISTORY AND ITS UNIQUE PART IN THE ECOLOGY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA FORESTS. PROGRAMS ALSO EXPLAIN THE VALUE OF NATIVE FLORA AND HOW THE LIVES OF THE FAUNA ARE AFFECTED BY THE NATIVE PLANTS AND TREES. VISITORS ALSO LEARN HOW TO HANDLE ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS IN THE WILD AND ABOUT HUNTING AND CAMPING SAFETY PRACTICES.

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

  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 June 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 May 1997.

    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.