Taking Care of Texas
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Texan by Nature (TxN) advances conservation efforts that benefit people, prosperity, and natural resources.
- Income
- $5.0 million
- Spending
- $3.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 88%
- Reserves
- 13.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 94%
- Employees
- 25
- Volunteers
- 30
- Highest pay
- $290,843, ceo and president
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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 13.7 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 5% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 38% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 44% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1588% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 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
Strong: 94 out of 100. Higher than 52% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2515 of 16 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.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
9 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (10)
- $768,250 spent. Membership, projects, and statewide initiatives: Texan by Nature's membership program supports its mission to advance conservation that benefits people, prosperity, and natural resources. Member contributions fund no-cost services for over 145 conservation partners, including strategic planning, partnership building, and communications support.Broad Membership: Catalyst members provide year-round support, enabling Texan by Nature to offer essential services that strengthen conservation efforts across Texas.(See Schedule O for continuation)Custom Projects: Projects, such as those in partnership with EOG, NRG in Jewett, and CapMetro in Austin, are led by Texan by Nature staff, who convene partners, drive action, support communications, and deliver impact-focused reporting. More details are available at TexanbyNature.org.
- $766,505 spent. TxWAC:The Texas Water Action Collaborative (TxWAC) connects funders with conservation projects that improve water quality and quantity across Texas. Piloted in the Upper Trinity River Basin in 2021 and expanded in 2022, the 18-month trial secured over $3 million for local water initiatives. Following its success, TxWAC is expanding statewide. Its goals include enhancing river health, increasing awareness of effective water conservation, and fostering collaboration among conservation groups, companies, and communities. Texan by Nature facilitates the initiative, overseeing project matching, stakeholder engagement, and communications.
- $351,536 spent. Conservation Wrangler - Projects and Summit:Texan by Nature's Conservation Wrangler program accelerates high-impact, Texan-led conservation initiatives. Up to six projects are selected annually for 18 months of support, including strategic planning, messaging, metrics analysis, partnership development, and a professionally produced video. Projects are announced each April and featured at the annual Conservation Summit. Texan by Nature provides approximately $65,000 support per project each year. The Summit is typically scheduled for November at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas.
- $320,596 spent. Conservation Partner Support: Texan by Nature supports a network of over 170 Conservation Partners across Texas and beyond, offering resources in strategy, marketing, education, and partnership development. The program includes monthly media roundups, quarterly meetups, training sessions, and year-round engagement to strengthen and connect conservation efforts. This trusted network serves as the foundation for aligning conservation projects with industry partners to scale impact statewide.
- $208,304 spent. Deep in the Heart:Deep in the Heart is a Texas-based film designed to inspire conservation, highlight the connection between water and wildlife, and showcase Texas' ecological significance. Premiering in theaters on June 3, 2022, it is now available via streaming and reaches audiences through schools, universities, community screenings, and digital platforms. To support conservation education, the film includes free companion curriculum aligned with TEKS and NGSS standards. Materials are available in English and Spanish for K12 teachers and students.Production of Deep in the Heart 2 began in 2023.
- $139,736 spent. Nature and Health Alliance: Texan by Nature serves as program manager for the Nature and Health Alliance, a network advancing the connection between nature and human health. The Alliance includes researchers, medical professionals, and practitioners across 30 states and four countries, working together to promote the health benefits of nature through research, collaboration, and shared initiatives.
- $68,595 spent. Center for Health and Nature: In 2016, Texan by Nature and Houston Methodist co-hosted a symposium to explore gaps in the science behind nature's impact on health and healing. This led to the creation of the Center for Health & Nature. Since then, the Center has advanced research, launched data-driven projects, and shared findings through publications and annual symposiums.
- $67,164 spent. Texan by Nature 20: Launched in 2019, the TxN 20 honors Texas-based organizations leading in conservation and sustainability through innovation, commitment, and best practices. These organizations serve as models for others across Texas and beyond. Texan by Nature evaluates more than 2,000 organizations across 12 sectors using a 17-point scoring system, narrowing to a top 50. A selection committee of industry leaders then chooses the final 20. The TxN 20 generates millions of media impressions annually and showcases replicable examples of conservation leadership.
- $37,864 spent. Return on Conservation (ROC):Texan by Nature is developing a standardized framework and baseline dataset to measure conservation investment and impact across Texas. These tools will support industries, municipalities, and conservation groups in setting goals, tracking outcomes, and aligning efforts with global standards like the UN Sustainable Development Goals. By addressing the current lack of trusted data and reporting frameworks, ROC aims to improve funding, visibility, and strategic integration of local conservation. Planned deliverables include a statewide conservation report and project-level report cards illustrating how local actions contribute to broader sustainability goals.
- $20,750 spent. Texan by Nature Certification: Texan by Nature Certification recognizes Texas-based conservation efforts that benefit people, support economic prosperity, and protect natural resources. Certified projects are data-driven and serve as replicable models for others. Texan by Nature supports these projects through case study development, media outreach, and knowledge sharing. Efforts include building a searchable project repository to increase visibility and ease replication.
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
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.
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.
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.
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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 2012.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.