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Scarce

EIN 36-3908867 · Wheaton, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak48 out of 100GovernanceGood78 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

MISSION STATEMENT: THE MISSION OF THE ORGANIZATION IS TO PROMOTE THE THREE RS (REDUCE, REUSE, AND RECYCLE), CONSERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES, ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS, REDUCTION ALTERNATIVES TO

Income
$877,836
Spending
$864,886
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
0.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 68%
Employees
19
Volunteers
800
Highest pay
$63,139, chief operating officer

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    2 of 20

    It owes 97% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 17 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 50% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

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

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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, 2024, 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. $150,000 spent. AGREEMENT WITH DUPAGE COUNTY ILLINOIS TO PERFORM ENVIRONMENTAL AND EDUCATION SERVICES FOR TEACHERS AND COMMUNITY THROUGH MEANS OF TEACHER IN-SERVICE WORKSHOPS AND MODELING, PREPARATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL NEWSLETTER, AND CREATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE ROOM USING THE FULL STAFF OF 17+ INDIVIDUALS FOR 5,100 HOURS THROUGH OUT THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT DURING 2024. CONTRACT PAYING SALARIES AND RELATED PAYROLL COSTS, TRAVEL AND AUTOMOBILE EXPENSES. OUR PROGRAMS WERE PRESENT TO 40,000 PLUS ADULTS, CHILDREN AND PARTICIPANTS.
  2. $85,000 spent. AGREEMENT WITH DUPAGE COUNTY ILLINOIS TO PERFORM SERVICES PERTAINING TO ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION FOR WATER QUALITY UTILIZING A STAFF COORDINATOR FOR 2,400 HOURS THROUGH THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT FOR 2024,PAYING FOR SALARY AND RELATED COSTS, AUTOMOBILE EXPENSES, AND PROGRAM SUPPLIES
  3. $455,627 spent. COLLECTING AND REPURPOSING OF RECORDS, BOOKS, SCHOOL SUPPLIES, PAPER, HOUSEWARES ETC, IN A SMALL WAREHOUSE FACILITY FOR OFFERINGS TO RELIGIOUS AND CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS, THE PUBLIC, ETC IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE; UTILIZING THE STAFF OF 17+ TO ORGANIZE AND ASSIST IN STOCKING,RECOMMENDING HOW ITEMS CAN BE USED AND ARRIVING AT DIFFERENT IDEAS FOR USE. EXCESS COLLECTIONS ARE EVALUATED AS TO CONDITION AND OFFERED FOR SALE AT PUBLIC EVENTS AND ON-LINE VENUES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, 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 2024.

    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.