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Delaware Nature Society Inc

EIN 51-6018321 · Hockessin, DE

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak40 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

DELAWARE NATURE SOCIETY CONNECTS PEOPLE WITH THE NATURAL WORLD TO IMPROVE OUR ENVIRONMENT THROUGH EDUCATION, ADVOCACY, AND CONSERVATION.

Income
$4.0 million
Spending
$5.2 million
Spent on programs
82%
Reserves
-15.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 35%
Employees
180
Volunteers
628
Highest pay
$159,405, exec. 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: 40 out of 100. Higher than 6% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 28% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 18% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    82% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 22 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 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    18 of 18 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 (3)
  1. $2.3 million spent. EDUCATION:DELAWARE NATURE SOCIETY'S ROLE AS AN ENVIRONMENTAL LEADER IS LARGELY ACHIEVED THROUGH EDUCATION. THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVES OF OUR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS ARE TO: RAISE AWARENESS, DEEPEN UNDERSTANDING AND PROMOTE INDIVIDUAL ACTION TO PROTECT AND IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT. PROGRAMS INCLUDE: WATERSHED EDUCATION; CITIZEN SCIENCE; ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE; NATURAL HISTORY; CULTURAL HISTORY; AND, AGRICULTURE, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON HANDS-ON, EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION. WE REACH OVER 35,000 SCHOOL-AGED STUDENTS AND 55,000-65,000 PEOPLE ANNUALLY THROUGH PROGRAMS AND EVENTS OFFERED AT OUR STATE-WIDE NATURE CENTERS, PRESERVES AND FARM.
  2. $1.1 million spent. PRESERVATION & CONSERVATION:DELAWARE NATURE SOCIETY'S LAND PRESERVATION PROGRAM FOCUSES ON THE PRESERVATION OF ECOLOGICALLY SIGNIFICANT NATURAL AREAS AND PRESERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND BIODIVERSITY. SINCE OUR INCEPTION, DELAWARE NATURE SOCIETY HAS WORKED WITH LOCAL AND STATE AGENCIES, PRIVATE LANDOWNERS AND OTHER NON-PROFITS TO PROTECT OVER 120,000 ACRES IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE. DELAWARE NATURE SOCIETY MANAGES OVER 500 ACRES THROUGH CONSERVATION EASEMENTS AND DEED RESTRICTIONS. OUR CONSERVATION TEAM PROVIDES LEADERSHIP IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE ON ISSUES RELATED TO THE PROTECTION OF DELAWARE'S NATURAL RECOURSES, HABITATS AND BIODIVERSITY. OUR CONSERVATION PROGRAMS ENGAGE THE PUBLIC WITH TOOLS TO TAKE ACTION ON PROTECTING AND PRESERVING IMPORTANT WATERSHEDS THROUGH EDUCATION & STEWARDSHIP; TECHNICAL MONITORING; ADVOCATING FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND OUR NATURAL RESOURCES INCLUDING CLEAN WATER; AS WELL AS GARDENING TO PROTECT CRITICAL HABITATS, CLEAN WATER, AND WILDLIFE THROUGH OUR CERTIFIED WILDLIFE HABITAT PROGRAM.
  3. $841,697 spent. LAND AND BIODIVERSITY MANAGEMENT:DELAWARE NATURE SOCIETY MANAGES NEARLY 2,000 ACRES IN DELAWARE AND SOUTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. LAND MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES INCLUDE THE PROTECTION AND ENHANCEMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES, BIODIVERSITY, AND WILDLIFE HABITATS. SURVEYS AND MONITORING OF THE LANDS WE MANAGE INCLUDING FLORA, FAUNA, WILDLIFE HABITAT (INCLUDING BIRDS, AN INDICATOR SPECIES); AS WELL AS SOIL AND WATER QUALITY. RESTORATION OF MEADOWS, WOODLANDS, AND FORESTS IS A HIGH PRIORITY. ANNUAL LAND MANAGEMENT PLANS ARE DEVELOPED FOR EACH SITE AND PRESERVE WE OWN, OPERATE, OR MANAGE.

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 January 1965.

    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.

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