Alliance for Recreation and Natural Areas
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
This corporation's primary purpose shall be to facilitate community-supported projects to enhance recreation and connect people to their natural and cultural heritage in Benton County, Oregon, and surrounding areas.
- Income
- $56,023
- Spending
- $61,447
- Spent on programs
- 95%
- Reserves
- 3.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 55%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 45
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 59 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, under $250k).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 3.9 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 10% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 97% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1595% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 256 of 6 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 June 30, 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 (7)
- $31,614 spent. Marys Peak West Point Project. This is a multi-year project started by the US Forest Service to restore meadows in the US Forest Service's Marys Peak Scenic-Botanical Special Interest Area. It is the highest point in the Oregon Coast Range and a popular recreation area and biological reserve. This is a continuation of a project started by the Forest Service in 2014 to remove trees and other vegetation that were encroaching into the meadows. At least 1/3 of the meadows visible in early (1940s) aerial photos have been lost to invading trees. The US Congress awarded funds for multi-agency projects. Part of the restoration area on Marys Peak is on City of Corvallis property and the rest on Forest Service land. The Forest Service was awarded funds for this project. They chose Cascade Pacific RC&D (a 501(c)(3) organization) to manage the funds for the project. Cascade Pacific hired AFRANA to oversee the work. AFRANA hired the Institute for Applied Ecology (a 501(C)(3) organization) to do the on-the-land work to remove invasive species, grow native species from seeds collected at the project site, and restore the native vegetation.
- $15,569 spent. Marys Peak Fence Project. AFRANA worked with the US Forest Service to design and produce a split rail fence to protect sensitive botanical areas in the Marys Peak Scenic-Botanical Special Interest Area. People were climbing on rock outcrops at the summit of Marys Peak where many sensitive plant species grow. AFRANA paid for the production and installation of fences to keep people off the rocks. The fence design was a USDA approved buck and rail fence. The fences were installed by AFRANA volunteers. The project included placing boulders to block unauthorized trails and signs marking sensitive areas.
- $6,600 spent. Jackson-Frazier Boardwalk Project. AFRANA paid for the structural engineering design for a new boardwalk in the wetland. This is part of an ongoing years long project to replace an aging boardwalk in the Benton County, Oregon, Natural Areas, Parks, and Events Department's Jackson-Frazier Wetlands Natural Area.
- $3,433 spent. Marys Peak Student Field Trips. Marys Peak Alliance (MPA) is a committee of AFRANA that serves as a friends group for Marys Peak, the highest point in the Oregon Coast Range. MPA conducts student field trips in cooperation with the US Forest Service. Our guides and interpreters are trained by the Forest Service and are certified as Forest Service Interpreters. Field trips for Earth Sciences classes from two local middle schools brings 500-600 students to the mountain each year. There they were led by guides to different interpretation spots where professionals in their fields describe the many aspects of the mountain's biology, geology, history and importance as a water source for local communities. This was the 12th year MPA has conducted these field trips. AFRANA pays for porta-potties and some travel expenses for these outings.
- $318 spent. Camas Fund. AFRANA established a Camas Fund to support planting of camas (Camassia quamash and Camassia leichtinii, native lilies) to reestablish historic camas fields in the Willamette Valley in Oregon. Camas was an important food crop for the Native American populations. 2410 camas bulbs were purchased and planted in several locations to establish and expand camas fields. The work was performed by volunteers, including several classes from local middle schools as part of their study program on camas and its importance to Native American populations.
- $543 spent. Marys Peak Creek Signs. The USGS named several previously unnamed creeks on Marys Peak with names suggested by local Native American tribes. AFRANA paid for the production of signs and the US Forest Service installed them.
- $325 spent. Grants. AFRANA awarded grants of $75 to organizations and $250 to individuals for their efforts to support AFRANA's programs.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 June 2025.
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 September 2012.
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.