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Xerces Society Inc

EIN 51-0175253 · Portland, OR

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

XERCES SOCIETY IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT PROTECTS WILDLIFE THROUGH THE CONSERVATION OF INVERTEBRATES AND THEIR HABITAT. THE SOCIETY IS AT THE FOREFRONT OF INVERTEBRATE PROTECTION WORLDWIDE, HARNESSING THE KNOWLEDGE OF SCIENTISTS AND THE ENTHUSIASM OF CITIZENS TO IMPLEMENT CONSERVATION PROGRAMS.

Income
$11.8 million
Spending
$11.2 million
Spent on programs
81%
Reserves
13.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 55%
Employees
104
Volunteers
3,288
Highest pay
$322,045, 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

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (animals, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 13.4 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 11% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 18% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    81% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 19% of charities in its peer group (animals, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    7 of 7 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 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 (5)
  1. $3.9 million spent. POLLINATOR CONSERVATION: XERCES' POLLINATOR CONSERVATION PROGRAM WORKS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES TO EDUCATE FARMERS, LAND MANAGERS, AND THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF POLLINATORS AND OTHER BENEFICIAL INSECTS, AND TO ESTABLISH HABITAT PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT AS KEYS TO THEIR CONSERVATION. AS A LEADING VOICE IN POLLINATOR CONSERVATION, XERCES PROMOTES PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS THAT ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF POLLINATOR DECLINES: HABITAT LOSS, PESTICIDE USE, UNSUSTAINABLE FARMING PRACTICES, DISEASE, AND CLIMATE CHANGE. IT DIRECTLY REACHES AGRICULTURAL PROFESSIONALS AND FARMERS AS WELL AS OTHER LAND MANAGERS THROUGH TRAININGS, WORKSHOPS, AND OTHER OUTREACH EVENTS.SEE SCHEDULE O FOR CONTINUATION. IN ADDITION, XERCES MANAGES THE FIRST THIRD-PARTY CERTIFIED POLLINATOR CONSERVATION PROGRAM TO HELP FARMERS PROTECT AND RESTORE HABITAT FOR POLLINATORS. AS A RESULT OF XERCES' WORK, NATIVE POLLINATORS ARE NOW A KEY PRIORITY FOR AGRICULTURAL CONSERVATION PROGRAMS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES, AND OVER TWO MILLION ACRES OF HABITAT IMPROVEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE FOR THESE VITAL INSECTS ON FARMS.
  2. $3.2 million spent. ENDANGERED SPECIES CONSERVATION: TO CONSERVE AND RESTORE THE DIVERSITY OF LIFE ON EARTH, XERCES' ENDANGERED SPECIES CONSERVATION PROGRAM ENGAGES IN EDUCATION, RESEARCH, COMMUNITY SCIENCE, CONSERVATION PLANNING, AND ADVOCACY TO PROTECT AT-RISK SPECIES AND THEIR HABITATS. THE PROGRAM COLLABORATES WITH SCIENTISTS AND LAND MANAGERS TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE PLIGHT OF INVERTEBRATES AND TO GAIN PROTECTION FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE SPECIES BEFORE THEY DECLINE TO A LEVEL AT WHICH RECOVERY IS IMPOSSIBLE. IT ALSO WORKS WITH FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL AGENCIES TO PROMOTE RESILIENT RESTORATION AND BEST PRACTICES FOR HABITAT MANAGEMENT. SEE SCHEDULE O FOR CONTINUATION.ITS CURRENT WORK INCLUDES EFFORTS TO PROTECT BUMBLEBEES, MONARCHS AND OTHER BUTTERFLIES, FRESHWATER MUSSELS, FIREFLIES, AND OTHER INVERTEBRATES. THROUGH COMMUNITY SCIENCE PROJECTS, WHICH INCLUDE BUMBLE BEE WATCH, THE WESTERN MONARCH COUNTS, THE WESTERN MONARCH MILKWEED MAPPER, AND THE FIREFLY ATLAS, XERCES ENGAGES TENS OF THOUSANDS OF INDIVIDUALS WHO GATHER DATA TO INFORM CONSERVATION EFFORTS.
  3. $866,059 spent. OTHER CONSERVATION: XERCES UNDERTAKES A VARIETY OF OTHER CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES TO RAISE AWARENESS AND APPRECIATION OF THE VALUABLE ROLE OF INVERTEBRATES, AND THEIR ROLE IN PROTECTING THE NATURAL WORLD. THESE INCLUDE THE PUBLICATION OF ITS MAGAZINE WINGS: ESSAYS ON INVERTEBRATE CONSERVATION, WHICH FEATURES THE WORK OF RENOWNED WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHERS, SCIENTISTS, AND CONSERVATIONISTS. XERCES ALSO PROVIDES HUNDREDS OF PUBLICATIONS FOR FREE DOWNLOAD THROUGH ITS WEBSITE, INCLUDING GUIDELINES TO HELP FARMERS AND GARDENERS CONSERVE POLLINATORS, GUIDES TO IDENTIFYING ENDANGERED BUMBLE BEES, OTHER BENEFICIAL INSECTS AND SOIL INVERTEBRATES AND MANY MORE. SEE SCHEDULE O FOR CONTINUATION.ANOTHER ASPECT OF THIS PROGRAM IS THE JOAN M. DEWIND AWARD, WHICH IS OPEN TO GRADUATE AND UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS. EACH YEAR, CHOSEN APPLICANTS RECEIVE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM XERCES FOR LEPIDOPTERA RESEARCH AND CONSERVATION PROJECTS.
  4. $586,455 spent. PESTICIDE REDUCTION: XERCES' PESTICIDE REDUCTION PROGRAM REDUCES RELIANCE ON PESTICIDES BY SUPPORTING THE DIVERSE NATURAL SYSTEMS THAT REDUCE PEST PROBLEMS. IT PROVIDES SCIENTIFIC RESOURCES FOR FARMERS, RANGELAND MANAGERS, BACKYARD GARDENERS, NURSERY MANAGERS, URBAN FORESTERS AND PARK MANAGERS, FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL AGENCY STAFF, AND POLICY MAKERS SO THAT THEY CAN MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS ABOUT PESTICIDE USE AND REGULATION. BY PROVIDING ON-THE-GROUND TECHNICAL SUPPORT, XERCES INCREASES THE ADOPTION OF ECOLOGICALLY SOUND PEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES EVERYWHERE. XERCES PESTICIDE REDUCTION PROGRAMS HAVE ELIMINATED AND LOWERED PESTICIDE USE ACROSS MILLIONS OF ACRES OF RANGELAND, FARMLAND AND TOWNS AND CITIES.
  5. $531,759 spent. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM PROVIDES RESOURCES ON INVERTEBRATE CONSERVATION TO ALL AGE GROUPS. IT PROVIDES EXPERTISE ON HABITAT FOR POLLINATORS AND OTHER INVERTEBRATES TO COMMUNITY AND SCHOOL GARDENS, CITIES, AND COLLEGE CAMPUSES, AND IT OFFERS CONSERVATION WORKSHOPS FOR URBAN AND SUBURBAN AUDIENCES, REACHING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE EACH YEAR. OUR BEE CITY USA NETWORK WORKS WITH TOWNS, CITIES AND COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES TO PROTECT AND RESTORE POLLINATOR HABITAT AND TO REACH BROADLY INTO THESE COMMUNITIES TO PROMOTE POLLINATORS. BEE CITY USA AFFILIATES HAVE RESTORED HABITAT, MINIMIZED PESTICIDE USE AND REACHED MORE THAN 1.4 MILLION PEOPLE WITH POLLINATOR CONSERVATION MESSAGING. BY ENGAGING VOLUNTEERS, OVER 100 XERCES AMBASSADORS, AND YOUTH THROUGH X KIDS, XERCES EDUCATES AND INSPIRES INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES TO TAKE ACTION TO CONSERVE INVERTEBRATES.

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 December 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.