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Friends of the New Jersey School of Conservation

EIN 52-1592485 · Branchville, NJ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood80 out of 100GovernanceFair67 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THE FRIENDS OF NJSOC IS TO FOSTER ENVIRONMENTAL KNOWLEDGE AND ACTION THROUGH EDUCATION PROGRAMS DELIVERED IN A NATURAL SETTING. WE ARE A COMMUNITY OF DIVERSE, RESPONSIBLE STEWARDS OF THE EARTH WHO PROMOTE SUSTAINABILITY PRACTICES, CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE.

Income
$1.8 million
Spending
$1.0 million
Spent on programs
76%
Reserves
3 months of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 93%
Employees
33
Volunteers
50
Highest pay
$27,063, treasurer

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 3.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 10% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 43% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 9% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    76% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Fair: 67 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    16 of 16 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give 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

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 June 30, 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 (2)
  1. $166,308 spent. RAN ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR TEACHERS, STUDENTS AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ON THE GROUNDS OF THE NEW JERSEY SCHOOL OF CONSERVATION
  2. $602,396 spent. MAINTAINED BUILDINGS, ROUNDS AND OTHER FACILITIES AT 250 ACRE CAMPUS AT THE NEW JERSEY SCHOOL OF CONSERVATION IN 2021. FRIENDS OF NJ SOC PAID FOR AN ASSESSMENT OF THE BADLY DETERIORATED FACILITIES THAT HAD BEEN NEGLECTED FOR MANY YEARS BY THE PREVIOUS MANAGING ORGANIZATION. WORK BEGAN IN 2022 TO STOP DETERIORATION AND RESTORE ALL FACILITIES INCLUDING HISTORIC BUILDINGS BUILT BY THE CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS IN THE 1940S. WORK HAS CONTINUED THROUGH 2024.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Worth knowing.

    Status was revoked on May 15, 2018 for not filing returns for three years, and reinstated on May 15, 2018.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since May 2020.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.