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Wildcare

EIN 51-0172331 · San Rafael, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

WildCare supports people everywhere to live well with wildlife, through a full cycle of programs including wildlife advocacy and information resources, nature education programs, and medical aid for wild animals in need. Each year we treat as many as 3,500 ill, injured and orphaned wild animals in our wildlife hospital, teach 13,000+ children and adults through our acclaimed environmental education programs, and advocate for wildlife at the local, state and national levels.Since our hospitals founding, we have treated and cared for more than 120,000 wild animal patients, and we have engaged more than 1,000,000 children and adults through environmental learning experiences and advocacy.

Income
$13.6 million
Spending
$4.0 million
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
25.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 92%
Employees
42
Volunteers
250
Highest pay
$232,899, exec. director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 25.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 5% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 70% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 190% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 5 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    10 of 10 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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 September 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 (2)
  1. $1.9 million spent. ANIMAL CARE: Each year, WildCare delivers world-class medical care to as many as 3,500 ill, injured and orphaned wild animal patients in our open-admission wildlife hospital. Over the course of our history in wildlife medicine, we have given more than 120,000 wild animals a second chance at life in the wild.WildCares patients represent more than 200 different species, and over 90% of the wild animals we have helped have been injured or orphaned as a result of human interaction. Our goal is always to treat and heal our wild animal patients, and release them back to their wild lives.
  2. $1.1 million spent. WILDLIFE EDUCATION: WildCares Terwilliger Nature Education programs provide school and youth programs, as well as family nature outings, which connect over 16,000 children and adults to the Bay areas abundant open spaces and wildlife. Our programs aim to strengthen environmental stewardship and responsibility by teaching an appreciation of nature and a respect for wildlife. Our experiential and academically supportive approach to environmental education attracts participation from more than 130 schools and community organizations for the eight Bay Area counties. Through our scholarship program, WildCare is able to provide our programs to students from disadvantaged and low-income backgrounds, so these students no longer have to miss out on nature discovery opportunities that ignite a sense of excitement about science and foster personal connections to the natural world. Through free family nature outings, our robust scholarship and bilingual programming (Spanish/English) ensure that children and families from diverse backgrounds have equal access to environmental education. This is a non-cash scholarship program. The scholarship is a discount of WildCares normal educational program fees using the percentage of the student body used to establish eligibility under the free and reduced lunch program of each school. In past years, an estimated 34% of students participating in our youth programs received a scholarship.WildCares advocacy efforts are committed to preventing wildlife injuries, protecting habitat, and promoting understanding of our wildlife neighbors. Our Living with Wildlife Hotline 415-456-7283 supplies advice on safely rescuing injured and orphaned animals and living well with wildlife to over 15,000 callers each year. Our advocacy team speaks out and encourages community action against harms to wildlife including the use of rat poisons, illegal trapping, tree-trimming during wildlife baby season and many more.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 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? 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 September 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 October 1975.

    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.