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1000 Friends of Florida Inc

EIN 59-2761163 · Tallahassee, FL

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

Our mission is Building Better Communities and Saving Special Places to enhance the quality of life for current and future Floridians.

Income
$2.4 million
Spending
$1.1 million
Spent on programs
79%
Reserves
41.6 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 97%
Employees
6
Volunteers
0
Highest pay
$141,346, president

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 41.6 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 3% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 53% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 168% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    79% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 3 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 25

    15 of 15 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a 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

    10 of 10

    Gave 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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, 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 (7)
  1. $217,014 spent. EDUCATION: Citizen involvement is at the heart of all we do. We conduct regular webinars on Florida-specific planning, conservation and policy topics reaching more than 6,000 participants a year. We prepare reader-friendly newsletter and special reports on Floridas planning process. We regularly highlight important issues through our email contact list of 20,000 addresses and our social media platforms. Through projects like Sea Level 2040/2070 and Agriculture 2040/2070, we share projections of what our state will look like if current patterns of development continue and provide sustainable alternatives.
  2. $386,436 spent. BUILDING BETTER COMMUNITIES: 1000 Friends advocates community-driven approaches to encourage compact, energy-efficient urban design. These include alternative means of transportation, quality infill development, affordable housing and strategies to help Floridians age in place. We apromote revitalized downtowns and waterfront communities, walkable neighborhoods, protection of historic places, and strategies to address climate change and sea level rise.
  3. $182,001 spent. SAVING SPECIAL PLACES: 1000 Friends is a recognized leader in protecting Floridas unique and distinctive resources. We back major statewide initiatives to conserve sensitive natural lands and waters through land conservation programs, greenways protection, springs and springshed initiatives, Everglades restoration efforts, and planning strategies to protect natural areas from inappropriately placed and poorly designed development. We also encourage local land conservation and water protection initiatives. We understand That a strong natural environment is Floridas best economic develoment tool.
  4. $86,294 spent. ADVOCACY: Since 1986, 1000 Friends has been leading the way to a more sustainable future for Florida. We educate, advocate, negotiate and, when necessary, litigate to protect our quality of life. We also advocate on behalf of citizens in the halls of the legislature, promoting sound legislation to build better communities and save special places while blocking damaging
  5. legislation. To promote sound public policy, we also serve on state boards and committees and provide guidance on sustainability practices.
  6. ADVOCACY: Since 1986, 1000 Friends has been leading 86294. 0. 8666.
  7. legislation. To promote sound public policy, we also 0. 0. 0.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 June 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 March 1987.

    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.