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Cleveland Audubon Society

EIN 51-0143965 · Solon, OH

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthNot ratedToo small or too little detailGovernanceFair62 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

The mission of the Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland, a chapter of the National Audubon Society, is to promote conservation and preservation of birds and other wildlife through habitat preservation activities and education focusing on the Greater Cleveland communities.

Income
$46,476
Spending
$38,009
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 73%
Employees
0
Volunteers
250

Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 62 out of 100. Higher than 40% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 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. $12,186 spent. The Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland maintains 4 sanctuaries. Maintenance of trails and property areas; including maintenance of storage sheds, mowing equipment, brush hogs, saws, deer fencing, boardwalks, signage, invasive plant species control, building of bird blinds, observation platforms, and bird houses/boxes. This allows members and the general community to view birds and animals in their natural environment.
  2. $11,395 spent. The Society conducts educational programs. The Society continues to hold Zoom Educational programs that allow the greatest number of people to participate. These programs focus on birds, animals, & plants that inhabit the area. Additional live in-person programs allow people to interact with nature throughout the year. Children's owl pellet demonstration allowed students to learn independently while interacting with specimens provided to each attendee. High school students participated in invasive species field studies led by the education committee. Outdoor Bird Quest in which the cost of materials, guest speakers, and mailings are paid for by the society and free of charge to attendees continues to be our largest outreach activity. Nature In My Backyard is an educational program in which committee members visit homeowner residents and educate them on invasive plants and natural plants that can be added to attract birds, butterflies, and maintain a biodiverse natural habitat. Outdoor hikes and animal/bird identification opportunities were a large part of the 2023/2024 Educational program.
  3. $6,332 spent. The Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland maintains an Educational Center that has routine maintenance, utilities, and upkeep. This building is used to store a library of books and educational materials. In addition, board meetings were held in this location in 2023-2024. A Documentum team used this facility to catalog the many historic documents and photos of the Audubon Society of Greater Cleveland and its original turn of the century Cleveland Bird Club.
  4. $8,096 spent. The organization publishes a monthly newsletter to its members and anyone in the public that requests to be on our mailing list. The newsletter allows the organization to be connected to the community, particularly those that may not have electronic access, and notify them of activities and birding information/education.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending October 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? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on March 15, 2013 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on March 15, 2013.

    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 October 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 June 2014.

    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.