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Coastal Virginia Wildlife Observatory

EIN 54-1712549 · Lightfoot, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthNot ratedToo small or too little detailGovernanceFair62 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

PROTECTING WILDLIFE THROUGH FIELD RESEARCH, EDUCATION AND HABITAT CONSERVATION

Income
$187,008
Spending
$48,747
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 83%
Employees
0
Volunteers
101

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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

    9 of 9 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 December 31, 2025, 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 (5)
  1. $17,935 spent. EDUCATION AND GRANT PROGRAMS. SPONSORS ANNUAL GRADUATE STUNENT GRANTS, YOUTH GRANTS AND OTHER CONSERVATION GRANTS. SPONSORS YOUTH TO ATTEND YOUTH SYMPOSIUM, WORKSHOPS, CONFERENCES, CAMPS AND CONVENTIONS TO ALLOW THEM TO LEARN MORE ABOUT BIRDS AND GO BIRDING WITH OTHERS IN THEIR AGE GROUP.
  2. $2,706 spent. BUTTERFLY RESEARCH THROUGH THREE PROGRAMS. VOLUTNEERS HELP MANAGE THE BUTTERLY GARDENDS AT FOUR GARDEN LOCATIONS. THE MONARCH BUTTERLY MIGRATION PROGRAM CONDUCTS FALL SURVEYS AND TAGS MONARCHS. THERE IS THE ANNUAL DELMARVA TIP BUTTERFLY COUNT THAT IS SPONSORED BY THE NORTH AMERICAN BUTTERLY ASSOCATION.
  3. $14,786 spent. RAPTOR RESEARCH PROGRAM THROUGH THE ANNUAL KIPTOPEKE STATE PARK HAWKWATCH, WHERE EXPERIENCED HAWKWATCHERS ARE HIRED TO GATHER RESEARCH AND MONITOR THE POPULATION TRENDS AND PROMOTE CONSERVATION. THE RESEARCH CONTRIBUTES TO THE INTERNATIONAL DATABASES, SCIENTIFIC INSIGHT AND THE PRESERVATION OF THESE BIRDS OF PREY.
  4. $3,717 spent. SONGBIRD RESEARCH, PRIMARILY MONITORING PROTHONOTARY WARBLER BOXES IN SEVERAL LOCATIONS IN THE COASTAL PLAIN CHESAPEAKE, JAMES CITY COUNTY, NEWPORT NEWS, KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, MIDDLESEX COUNTY. WATERBIRD RESEARCH TO MAINTAIN THE CONTINUITY OF SHOREBIRD AND COLONIAL NESTING SEABIRD MONITORING STUDIES.
  5. SONGBIRD RESEARCH, PRIMARILY MONITORING PROTHONOTARY WARBLER BOXES IN SEVERAL LOCATIONS IN THE COASTAL PLAIN CHESAPEAKE, JAMES CITY COUNTY, NEWPORT NEWS, KING AND QUEEN COUNTY, MIDDLESEX COUNTY. WATERBIRD RESEARCH TO MAINTAIN THE CONTINUITY OF SHOREBIRD AND COLONIAL NESTING SEABIRD MONITORING STUDIES.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 November 6, 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 2025.

    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 May 1996.

    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 November 4, 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.