Hilton Head Island Audubon Society
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Our mission is to be a leading voice for birds and conservation in the Lowcountry, where people and nature thrive together. Our goals include preservation and protection of our coastal marshes, beaches, maritime forests and other habitats, ensuring they will be available for the continued enjoyment of residents and visitors, and for their use by migrating and resident birds. We actively partner with state and local leaders and the community-at large to promote a positive, forward-looking agenda for people and wildlife.
- Income
- $83,793
- Spending
- $79,128
- Reserves
- 18.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 65%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending April 30, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 100 out of 100.
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 18.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 6% of income.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending April 30, 2026, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending April 30, 2026, 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)
- $51,297 spent. Conservation: Advocacy, Education Programs and Community Science to promote protection and respect of critical habitat for resident and migrating birds. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Produced two conservation-related videos shown before every movie at Park Plaza Cinema from July 2024 to June 2025 where it was seen 20 times daily in all 5 theaters and also shown at two other local venues. Expanded our Certification of Bird and Wildlife Friendly Habitat Program, certifying thre schools, two businesses and in process with others. Developed three conservations brochures. Participated in two festivals including a Birds and Nature Day for Juneteenth at Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park. Hosted 19 education events throughout the year, led 24 field trips including for both members and other community groups, spoke at 5 community groups, co-ordinated the Christmas bird count for the Hilton Head Island circle with 302 participants, and active on social media with conservation messages.
- $23,161 spent. Maintain and operate Audubon Newhall Preserve, a 50-acre nature preserve open to the public at no charge. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------This year we continued our improvement program at the Audubon Newhall Preserve through replacement of aerators to improve the health of the pond. We also engaged Folk Land Management, a highly respected forestry and ecological restoration firm, to help develop a science-based vision and management plan for the property's future. We estimate the Preserve gets approximately 21,000 visitors per year.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending April 30, 2026, 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 April 2026.
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 January 1976.
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.