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Wonderhaven

EIN 47-2691499 · Boulder, CO

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak29 out of 100GovernanceStrong91 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WONDERHAVEN'S STATED MISSION,AS OUTLINED IN OUR ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION, IS "TO SUPPORT HUMAN ENDEAVORS THAT RECOGNIZE THE NOBILITY OF HUMANITY AND STRIVE FOR ITS REALIZATION, INCLUDING SUPPORTING PEOPLE AND PROJECTS THAT EXEMPLIFY WISE AND COMPASSIONATE CARE FOR EACH OTHER, THE EARTH, AND ALL OF ITS CREATURES." AT PRESENT, OUR FIRST AND FLAGSHIP PROJECT IS "DHARMA'S GARDEN", A NEIGHBORHOOD EDUCATIONAL FARM WITH ITS OWN STATED MISSION "TO DEMONSTRATE, EDUCATE, AND INSPIRE OTHERS TO TAKE ON THE NOBLE WORK OF TENDING THE EARTH".

Income
$461,115
Spending
$521,824
Spent on programs
95%
Reserves
-29.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 74%
Employees
6
Volunteers
100
Highest pay
$62,072, 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

Weak: 29 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 68% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 13% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 23% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    95% 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: 91 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    3 of 5 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

    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 (2)
  1. $265,473 spent. EDUCATIONAL FARM PROGRAM (DHARMA'S GARDEN): WE OPERATED AN URBAN FARM AND HOMESTEAD IN THE CITY WITH THE MISSION TO DEMONSTRATE, EDUCATE, AND INSPIRE OTHERS TO TAKE ON THE NOBLE WORK OF TENDING THE EARTH. THROUGH THIS WORKING DEMONSTRATION FARM, WE PROVIDED PRODUCE FOR OVER 150 FAMILIES ON A WEEKLY BASIS THROUGH THE HARVEST SEASONSUPPORTED ENTIRELY THROUGH DONATIONSWITH EXCESS PRODUCE DONATED TO LOCAL FOOD RESCUE ORGANIZATIONS. WE HAD ROBUST ATTENDANCE FROM BOTH YOUTH AND ADULTS AT OUR REGULAR, TWICE-WEEKLY VOLUNTEER DAYS IN SPRING THROUGH AUTUMN, IN ADDITION TO SPECIAL VOLUNTEER EVENTS ORGANIZED FOR VARIOUS VISITING GROUPS. WE ALSO OFFERED HANDS-ON EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR BOTH CHILDREN AND ADULTS, INCLUDING NUMEROUS CLASSES, WORKSHOPS, AND EVENTS (SUCH AS CLASSES ON BIODYNAMIC FARMING, COMPOSTING, BASKET WEAVING, BIRD-BANDING, BOTANICAL ILLUSTRATION; AND EVENTS SUCH AS SEASONAL FESTIVALS AND COMMUNITY CELEBRATIONS). WE OFFERED A MONTHS-LONG MORNING PROGRAM FOR PRESCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN OF NATURE-BASED EDUCATION ON THE FARM. WE LED MOTHER-BABY PROGRAMS THAT FOSTERED FAMILIES CONNECTION WITH NATURE. WE HOSTED NUMEROUS SCHOOL VISITS AND FIELD TRIPS FOR LOCAL STUDENTS FROM PRE-K THROUGH COLLEGE-AGE, ENGAGING THE YOUTH IN HANDS-ON REGENERATIVE FARMING TASKS. WE ALSO PROVIDED INVALUABLE WORK EXPERIENCES TO TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
  2. $231,659 spent. LAND STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM (WONDERHAVEN LAND TRUST): WE MADE FURTHER PROGRESS TOWARD THE DEVELOPMENT AND EXECUTION OF OUR COMPREHENSIVE STEWARDSHIP PLAN (WHICH GUIDES THE LONG-TERM LAND CONSERVATION & MANAGEMENT), INCLUDING HIRING PROFESSIONALS TO SUPPORT THIS PROCESS (INCLUDING A BIRD EXPERT TO CONDUCT MONTHLY BIRD TRACKING AND BANDING, AND A LAND CONSULTANT TO ADVISE ON OVERALL LANDSCAPE HEALTH). ADDITIONALLY, WE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE PROCESS OF OBTAINING COLORADO TAX CREDITS RELATED TO OUR RECENT CONSERVATION EASEMENT. WE ALSO MADE NUMEROUS INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS, INCLUDING PERIMETER FENCING, AND THE (RE)CONSTRUCTION OF AN IMPROVED BARN TO REPLACE THE HISTORIC SHEEP BARN ALREADY ON THE PROPERTY (WHICH HAD BEEN ORDERED BY THE LOCAL COUNTY AUTHORITIES TO BE RELOCATED OUT OF THE FLOODWAY).

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? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    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 March 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.