Southern Group of Foresters Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
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 35Spendable reserves would cover 15.0 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 0% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 5% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 18% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15100% 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 2515 of 15 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
0 of 15Reports no written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $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.
- $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.
- 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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.