Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Reflection Riding restores the vital connection between people and nature. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to experience nature, regardless of where they live or their economic status.
- Income
- $2.5 million
- Spending
- $1.7 million
- Spent on programs
- 82%
- Reserves
- 38.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 61%
- Employees
- 40
- Volunteers
- 500
- Highest pay
- $143,838, president
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. Higher than 86% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 38.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 32% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 101% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1582% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 9 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2512 of 12 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a 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.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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)
- $571,842 spent. Public EducationWe create experiences that spark curiosity about the natural world. Each year, thousands of children experience our education programming either on our campus or in their classrooms thanks to our traveling animal ambassador team. Our educators focus on outreach to Hamilton County schools and dozens of schools across our region to introduce nature-based learning experiences, particularly for students who have limited access to these opportunities. Reflection Riding offers forest kindergarten and school on our campus, integrating academics with naturalist skills and outdoor exploration.
- $394,865 spent. Wildlife ConservationReflection Riding connects people with native wildlife to inspire a lifetime of nature-based values. Our wildlife team cares for non-releasable, native wildlife. We are a member of the Red Wolf SAFE breeding program, helping to protect Red Wolves--the most endangered canid in the world--and increase the wild population.
- $427,878 spent. Land Conservation/Habitat RestorationReflection Riding actively manages a 300+ acre landscape to safeguard populations of imperiled plant and animal species. We advocate for native plant restoration through teaching, local government and agency partnerships, and native plant sales.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since January 1978.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 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 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.