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Ecoforesters Inc

EIN 47-3365113 · Asheville, NC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak49 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Restoring and conserving our Appalachian forests through education and stewarship.

Income
$1.2 million
Spending
$1.3 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
2.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 46%
Employees
29
Volunteers
10
Highest pay
$67,438, co-executive director

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: 49 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    10 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 2.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 34% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    4 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 8% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 4% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 8 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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

    0 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 (3)
  1. $1.0 million spent. In 2024, EcoForesters made significant impact in advancing forest restoration and stewardship throughout Western North Carolina. With support from the USDA Landscape Scale Restoration, National Fish and Wildlife Foundations America the Beautiful, and Community Foundation of Western Carolina grants, access to forest management services for underserved and private landowners was expanded. Programs like the FOREST Fund and the expanded Sandy Mush project provided funding and technical assistance. Through the piloted Sweat Equity Program, newly trained landowners were empowered to actively participate in restoring the health and resilience of their forests.
  2. EcoForesters on-the-ground work impacted more than 20,000 acres in 2024. We developed 41 ecological forest stewardship plans covering over 8,500 acres, consulted on 86 properties, and conducted forest stand improvement, invasive species control, and native plantings across more than 600 acres. We partnered with a wide range of organizations, including the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, NC Wildlife Resources Commission, Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, and the US Forest Service, to carry out restoration projects across public and private lands. Through these partnerships, 23 projects on ecologically significant lands were completed, increasing community engagement in sustainable forestry practices. In response to devastation from Tropical Storm Helene, crews were deployed to assist with recovery efforts by removing hazardous trees, reopening trails, and prioritizing forest resilience through targeted management.
  3. Education and outreach remained core to our mission. We hosted five public workshops, offered staff-led chainsaw training, produced a biannual newsletter, and participated in community events to raise awareness about forest health, resilience, and management. These efforts, combined with our collaborative projects and growing technical support network, have helped build momentum for large-scale, long-term restoration across the Southern Appalachians. EcoForesters remains committed to equipping landowners and partners with the tools and knowledge needed to be effective stewards of the regions forests.

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 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 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 May 2015.

    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.