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Friends of the Forest Preserve District of Dupage County

EIN 45-2343580 · Wheaton, IL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood83 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE FRIENDS EXIST TO ADVANCE THE VISION OF THE FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT OF DUPAGE COUNTY THROUGH PHILANTHROPIC ENDEAVORS. THE MONEY IT COLLECTS THROUGH ITS FUNDRAISING EFFORTS HELPS THE DISTRICT MANAGE THE COUNTY'S PRAIRIES, WOODLANDS AND WETLANDS AND OFFER EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES COUNTYWIDE.

Income
$401,649
Spending
$402,632
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
21.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 89%
Employees
0
Volunteers
12
Highest pay
$125,674, ex-officio

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

Good: 83 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 21.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    8 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 22% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    95% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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: 95 out of 100. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 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.

  • Pay set independently

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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, 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. $375,691 spent. FRIENDS OF THE FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICT OF DUPAGE COUNTY PARTNERED WITH THE FOREST PRESERVE DITRICT OF DUPAGE TO ACCOMPLISH THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS IN 2025: CONSTRUCTION OF THE NEW DUPAGE WILDLIFE CONSERVATION CENTER; CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION OF NATURAL AREAS; SPECIES RECOVERY PROGRAMS; EDUCATION CENTERS AND PROGRAMS; PRESERVE AND RECREATIONAL IMPROVEMENTS.
  2. $1,907 spent. FRIENDS INVITED THE COMMUNITY TO LEARN ABOUT SPECIES RECOVERY AT FOR THE LOVE OF WILDLIFE IN FEBRUARY AND HOSTED A SPECIAL VISIT TO THE URBAN STREAM RESEARCH CENTER IN MAY. MORE THAN 200 PEOPLE PARTICIPATED IN THE OTHER ENGAGEMENT EVENTS OFFERED BY FRIENDS. FRIENDS BESTOWED ITS FIRST VOLUNTEER AWARDS AT ITS ANNUAL GATHERING IN NOVEMBER, CELEBRATING THE DEDICATION OF CURRENT VOLUNTEERS AND HONORING THE LEGACY OF DOROTHY HOGER, WHO ONCE LED WILDLIFE REHABILITATION AT THE DUPAGE WILDLIFE CONSERVATION CENTER (THEN KNOWN AS THE WILLOWBROOK WILDLIFE HAVEN).
  3. $6,570 spent. OTHER PROGRAMS

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 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 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 December 2011.

    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.