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Passes our checks

Southern Group of Foresters Inc

EIN 52-2131892 · Washington, DC

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceFair62 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO PROVIDE LEADERSHIP IN SUSTAINING THE ECONOMIC, ENVIRONMENTAL, AND SOCIAL BENEFITS OF THE SOUTH'S FORESTS, AND WORK TO IDENTIFY AND ADDRESS EXISTING AND EMERGING ISSUES AND CHALLENGES THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO THE SOUTHERN FORESTS AND CITIZENS. WE USE EXTENSIVE RESEARCH, IN-DEPTH ANALYSIS, AND CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY TO DEVELOP SYSTEMS TO ASSESS AND ANALYZE FOREST RESOURCES, SUCH AS THE SOUTHERN WILDFIRE RISK ASSESSMENT AND SOUTHER FOREST LAND ASSESSMENT. THESE PROACTIVE TOOLS ENABLE USERS - WHETHER THEY ARE LANDOWNERS, LEGISLATORS, OR COMMUNITY DECISION-MAKERS - TO MAKE MORE INFORMED DECISIONS.

Income
$232,074
Spending
$220,208
Spent on programs
100%
Reserves
15 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 75%
Employees
0

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

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 81% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 15.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% 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

    100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

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

Governance

Fair: 62 out of 100. Higher than 39% of charities in its peer group (environment, under $250k).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    0 of 8

    Reports no written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    0 of 7

    Reports no 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.

  • 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, 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. $207,674 spent. THE SOUTHERN STATE AND TERRITORIAL FORESTORS CONDUCT MEETINGS WITH ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITTEES, SIMILAR ORGANIZATIONS, AND THE USDA FOREST SERVICES TO DISCUSS ISSUES THAT EFFECT FORESTLANDS IN THEIR REGION AND SEEK SOLUTIONS FOR RESOLVING THEM.
  2. $12,534 spent. THE SOUTHERN STATE AND TERRITORIAL FORESTORS CONDUCT MEETINGS WITH ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITTEES, SIMILAR ORGANIZATIONS, AND THE USDA FOREST SERVICES TO DISCUSS ISSUES THAT EFFECT FORESTLANDS IN THEIR REGION AND SEEK SOLUTIONS FOR RESOLVING THEM.
  3. THE SOUTHERN STATE AND TERRITORIAL FORESTORS CONDUCT MEETINGS WITH ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITTEES, SIMILAR ORGANIZATIONS, AND THE USDA FOREST SERVICES TO DISCUSS ISSUES THAT EFFECT FORESTLANDS IN THEIR REGION AND SEEK SOLUTIONS FOR RESOLVING THEM.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 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? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    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 September 2025.

    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 September 2003.

    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.