George Wright Society
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The GWS advances the natural and cultural heritage values of parks, protected/conserved areas, cultural sites, and other forms of place-based conservation. The GWS promotes professional research and resource stewardship across natural and and cultural disciplines, provides avenues of communication, and encourages public policies that embrace these values.
- Income
- $165,582
- Spending
- $243,309
- Spent on programs
- 87%
- Reserves
- 24.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- investment income, 50%
- Employees
- 2
- Volunteers
- 24
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 70 out of 100. Higher than 40% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, under $250k).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 24.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 47% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 43% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1587% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 96% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, under $250k).
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.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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 (4)
- $30,112 spent. GWS recurring publications: Parks Stewardship Forum is a thrice-yearly professional journal on all aspects of park research, management and policy (launched 01/2020). The GWS website explains our work, contains most of our publications in PDF format, and publishes our daily news summary, Parkwire. GWS News+Notes is an occasional members' newsletter. This activity also includes licensing fees from discontinued ("legacy") GWS publications. (Activity accounts for 40% of salaries/benefits and other expenses attributable to Program Services.)
- $144,026 spent. Workshops and Exchange Programs. With the US National Park Service and other partners, continued planning the International Capacity Development Workshop (formerly International Visitation Workshop; scheduled for May 2024); began planning the West by Northwest Natural Resource Stewardship Training Workshop (scheduled for April 2024). Binational Exchange Program with Argentina National Parks to Enhance Visitor Services. Co-learning exchange between the Argentine Rep. (Argentina) and the United States of America (USA) to develop mutually beneficial ways to deliver high-quality visitor experiences in Argentina's national parks. (Activity accounts for 45% of salaries/benefits and other expenses attributable to Program Services.)
- $32,290 spent. World Heritage support activities. Support for professional consultations on, preparation of, and evaluations of World Heritage nominations and other activities. (Activity accounts for 10% of salaries/benefits and other expenses attributable to Program Services.)
- $5,159 spent. Indigenous Involvement Working Group. Monthly discussions and occasional webinars led by Indigenous people focused on their involvement with parks, protected/conserved areas, cultural sites, and other forms of place-based conservation. (Activity accounts for 5% of salaries/benefits and other expenses attributable to Program Services.)
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2024, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 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 October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since August 1981.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.