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Center for Social Sustainable Systems

EIN 45-3163638 · Albuquerque, NM

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceFair54 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE ORGANIZATION ENVISIONS A SUSTAINABLE, HEALTHY, AND THRIVING COMMUNITY WHERE TRADITIONS CONNECTED TO LAND AND WATER ARE PROTECTED, PRESERVED, AND PASSED ON TO FUTURE GENERATIONS. THE MISSION IS TO PROTECT HISTORICAL ACEQUIAS, WATER, AND LAND IN THE MIDDLE RIO GRANDE REGION.

Income
$422,492
Spending
$129,982
Spent on programs
87%
Reserves
43.8 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 87%
Employees
5
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$18,133, executive di

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 85% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 43.8 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 69% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 292% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    87% 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

Fair: 54 out of 100. Higher than 18% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    18 of 25

    4 of 4 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 (1)
  1. $112,512 spent. WHILE CESSOS'S PROGRAMS CONTINUE TO WORK WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS TO RE- ORGANIZE THE ACEQUIAS UNDER THE NEW MEXICO WATER LEGAL CODE OUR WORK HAS EXPANDED BEYOND ACEQUIA PRESERVATION TO INCLUDE WATER AND LAND ADVOCACY AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT. PROGRAM ACTIVITIES INCLUDE AGUA SAGRADA, AN INITIATIVE WHERE WE WORK ALONGSIDE OUR COMMUNITY TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE THE MOST PRECIOUS RESOURCES - WATER. THIS INITIATIVE ENCOMPASSES VARIOUS PIECES, ACADEMIA CE AKATAL, WATER RIGHTS EDUCATIONAL PROJECT AND THE ACEQUIA TALK AND WALK. GOALS OF OUR HIDDEN GEMS PROGRAM ARE THREEFOLD: 1) IT INTENDS TO MAKE VISIBILE THE INDIVIDUALS AND PEOPLE IN INFORMAL AND FORMAL ORGANIZATIONS AND THEIR STORES OF HOW THEY ARE STRENGTHENING FAMILIES/CLANS, THEIR COMMUNITY, AND THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD; 2) UNCOVER THE LOCAL RESOURCES AND CULTURE; AND 3) TO LAY THE FOUNDATION FOR MORE CONNECTED AND FUNCTIONAL LOCAL SYSTEMS. CESSOS HAS ALSO DEVELOPED "CICLOS DE LA TIERRA: CULTIVATING QUERENCIA THROUGH MUTUALISMO RESOLANA AND SELF GOVERNANCE," A CURRICULUM REPRESENTING AN ONGOING COLLABORATIVE EFFORT AMONG COMMUNITY MEMBERS, LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS, AND SCHOOLS. WHILE CESSOS'S PROGRAMS CONTINUE TO WORK WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS TO RE- ORGANIZE THE ACEQUIAS UNDER THE NEW MEXICO WATER LEGAL CODE OUR WORK HAS EXPANDED BEYOND ACEQUIA PRESERVATION TO INCLUDE WATER AND LAND ADVOCACY AND YOUTH DEVELOPMENT. PROGRAM ACTIVITIES INCLUDE AGUA SAGRADA, AN INITIATIVE WHERE WE WORK ALONGSIDE OUR COMMUNITY TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE THE MOST PRECIOUS RESOURCES - WATER. THIS INITIATIVE ENCOMPASSES VARIOUS PIECES, ACADEMIA CE AKATAL, WATER RIGHTS EDUCATIONAL PROJECT AND THE ACEQUIA TALK AND WALK. GOALS OF OUR HIDDEN GEMS PROGRAM ARE THREEFOLD: 1) IT INTENDS TO MAKE VISIBILE THE INDIVIDUALS AND PEOPLE IN INFORMAL AND FORMAL ORGANIZATIONS AND THEIR STORES OF HOW THEY ARE STRENGTHENING FAMILIES/CLANS, THEIR COMMUNITY, AND THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD; 2) UNCOVER THE LOCAL RESOURCES AND CULTURE; AND 3) TO LAY THE FOUNDATION FOR MORE CONNECTED AND FUNCTIONAL LOCAL SYSTEMS. CESSOS HAS ALSO DEVELOPED "CICLOS DE LA TIERRA: CULTIVATING QUERENCIA THROUGH MUTUALISMO RESOLANA AND SELF GOVERNANCE," A CURRICULUM REPRESENTING AN ONGOING COLLABORATIVE EFFORT AMONG COMMUNITY MEMBERS, LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS, AND SCHOOLS.

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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2014 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2014.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 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 February 2016.

    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 November 4, 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.