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Patagonia Area Resource Alliance

EIN 45-4416414 · Patagonia, AZ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceFair61 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PARA WORKS TO PROTECT THE PATAGONIA MOUNTAINS AND SONOITA CREEK WATERSHED FROM NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF INDUSTRIALIZED MINING BY: 1. HOLDING STATE AND FEDERAL AGENCIES ACCOUNTABLE FOR ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS; 2. COLLABORATING WITH STRATEGIC PARTNERS TO ENSURE ANY MINING ACTIVITIES MEET THE HIGHEST SCIENCE-BACKED STANDARDS AND 3. SUPPORTING THE NATURE-BASED ECONOMY DEPENDENT UPON THE REGIONS RICH BIODIVERSITY AND CULTURAL HERITAGE.

Income
$251,958
Spending
$127,334
Spent on programs
68%
Reserves
16.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 99%
Employees
3
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$37,211, executive director

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

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 16.3 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 49% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 63% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    68% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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

Fair: 61 out of 100. Higher than 27% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    6 of 7 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, 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 (4)
  1. $17,605 spent. PARA and allied conservation groups have officially commented on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement DEIS issued by the US Forest Service for the South32 Hermosa critical minerals project in the Patagonia Mountains. The comment period which closed in June 2025 drew numerous objections asserting that the DEIS fails to adequately assess the projects environmental health cultural and biodiversity impacts especially concerning water resources wildlife habitat and cumulative effects from dewatering and infrastructure development. PARA has urged the Forest Service to enhance and revise the federal environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act NEPA before the anticipated final decision in early 2026.
  2. $16,678 spent. PARA partnered with the Center for Biological Diversity to submit an appeal to the EPA over the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality ADEQs approval of South32 Hermosas air quality permit and had partial success. In May 2025 the EPA objected to key aspects of the permit under the Clean Air Act finding inadequate enforceable limits and monitoring. ADEQ was forced to revise the permit and we continue to scrutinize the adequacy of the permit.
  3. $13,922 spent. PARA created outreach in the local community and beyond to inform and educate about the potential environmental hazards of industrialized mining in the area. Its monthly newsletter reaches over 1300 subscribers. PARA is also launching a Water is Life campaign to increase its outreach beyond the local community and to collaborate with other conservation groups to draw regional and national attention to the loopholes in law and regulations that the mining industry is able to exploit.
  4. $37,910 spent. EXPENDITURES ALLOCATED TO OTHER PROGRAM EXPENDITURES: Continuation of legal battles regarding Aquifer Protection permit and others work to grow coalitions of likeminded groups outreach and advocacy for the mission of the organization.

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 November 2013.

    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.