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The Clifton Institute Inc

EIN 52-1413042 · Warrenton, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong94 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

OUR MISSION IS TO INSPIRE A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATION OF NATURE, TO STUDY THE ECOLOGY OF OUR REGION, TO RESTORE HABITAT, AND TO CONSERVE NATIVE BIODIVERSITY. WE FULFILL OUR MISSION BY PROVIDING ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION TO PEOPLE OF ALL AGES, CARRYING OUT ECOLOGICAL RESEARCH, AND RESTORING HABITAT FOR NATIVE PLANTS AND ANIMALS. OUR 900-ACRE FIELD STATION IN CENTRAL FAUQUIER COUNTY VIRGINIA, WHICH INCLUDES FORESTS, GRASSLANDS, SHRUB FIELDS, AND WETLANDS, PROVIDES A BEAUTIFUL AND EASILY ACCESSIBLE LOCATION FOR OUR PROGRAMS AND IS PERMANENTLY PROTECTED UNDER A CONSERVATION EASEMENT.

Income
$1.0 million
Spending
$978,690
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
36.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 82%
Employees
21
Volunteers
252
Highest pay
$57,343, co- 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.

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 36.9 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 1% 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 54% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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: 94 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    12 of 12 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

    9 of 15

    Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.

  • 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. $220,888 spent. EDUCATION. WE PROVIDE ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS TO SHOWCASE THE INCREDIBLE PLANTS AND ANIMALS THAT LIVE IN VIRGINIA, TO TEACH PEOPLE HOW TO DO SCIENCE, AND TO INSPIRE THEM TO TAKE CARE OF NATURE. IN 2024, WE PROVIDED 196 EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR 2,737 CHILDREN AND 1,524 ADULTS. IN 2024, WE STARTED A NEW LAND-MANAGEMENT EXPERIMENT, LAWN LAB, ON THE CAMPUS OF LOCAL PUBLIC SCHOOLS IN SOUTHERN FAUQUIER COUNTY TO BRING THE KIND OF CONSERVATION BIOLOGY RESEARCH WE DO TO A SCHOOL WHERE STUDENTS CAN PARTICIPATE. IN 2024, WE ALSO HOSTED SEVEN HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE INTERNS AT OUR FIELD STATION TO GIVE THEM EXPERIENCE WITH CONSERVATION BIOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION.
  2. $283,542 spent. RESTORATION. IN 2024, THROUGH OUR LANDOWNER OUTREACH PROGRAM, WE CONTINUED TO PROVIDE FREE AND PERSONALIZED ADVICE TO LANDOWNERS IN SIX VIRGINIA COUNTIES ABOUT HOW TO MANAGE INVASIVE SPECIES, ESTABLISH NATIVE PLANTS, AND SUPPORT WILDLIFE. OUR MANAGEMENT OF OUR 900-ACRE FIELD STATION SERVES AS A DEMONSTRATION TO THE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THAT VISIT US EVERY YEAR. IN 2024, WE MANAGED 44 ACRES OF GRASSLANDS AND SHRUBLANDS WITH PRESCRIBED BURNS. WE CLEARED 10 ACRES OF SHRUBLANDS OF INVASIVE SPECIES AND, WE CONTROLLED 10 ACRES OF WAVYLEAF BASKETGRASS IN OUR FORESTS. IN 2024, WE ENROLLED OUR EIGHTH FARMER IN THE VIRGINIA NATIVE SEED PROJECT, A PARTNERSHIP FORMED TO JUMPSTART THE NATIVE SEED INDUSTRY IN THE STATE.
  3. $275,728 spent. RESEARCH. WE DO RESEARCH THAT HELPS US UNDERSTAND HOW LAND MANAGEMENT DECISIONS AFFECT DECLINING NATIVE SPECIES. AND THEN WE MAKE SURE THAT WHAT WE LEARN FROM OUR RESEARCH GETS BACK INTO THE HANDS OF THE PEOPLE WHO CAN USE IT. FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS, WE HAVE BEEN STUDYING AMERICAN KESTRELS AND EASTERN BOX TURTLES TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO MANAGE HABITAT FOR THESE CHARISMATIC SPECIES. WE HAVE ALSO BEEN STUDYING NATIVE GRASSLANDS TO LEARN ABOUT THE CONSERVATION STATUS OF THESE HABITATS AND COME UP WITH STRATEGIES TO RESTORE THEM. IN 2024, 12 RESEARCH TECHNICIANS AND INTERNS TRACKED 19 AMERICAN KESTRELS AND 11 BOX TURTLES FROM SPRING THROUGH FALL. WE PUBLISHED 2 PEER-REVIEWED PAPERS ABOUT OUR RESEARCH PROJECTS AND WE GAVE 5 PRESENTATIONS AND WORKSHOPS ABOUT OUR RESULTS.

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 November 1985.

    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.