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Passes our checks

Releaf Cville

EIN 61-2190970 · Charlottesvle, VA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong92 out of 100GovernanceGood76 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

RELEAF CVILLE IS ROOTED IN A SIMPLE TRUTH: TREES SAVE LIVES-SO WE SAVE TREES. WE PROTECT THE HEALTH OF CHARLOTTESVILLE BY EXPANDING AND MAINTAINING THE TREE CANOPY, FOCUSING ON NEIGHBORHOODS IMPACTED BY RISING HEAT AS THE CLIMATE CHANGES. WE DO THIS BY PLANTING TREES, PRESERVING MATURE TREES, AND EDUCATING THE NEXT GENERATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERS.

Income
$419,381
Spending
$218,154
Spent on programs
69%
Reserves
9.9 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 76%
Employees
1
Volunteers
40
Highest pay
$57,515, executive di

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

Strong: 92 out of 100. Higher than 77% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.9 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 48% of income.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    69% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.

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

Governance

Good: 76 out of 100. Higher than 51% of charities in its peer group (community improvement, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    11 of 11 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a 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.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed 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 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 (3)
  1. $66,493 spent. TREE PRESERVATION WE'VE LAUNCHED AN INNOVATIVE NEW PROGRAM THANKS TO A GRANT FROM THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY, ONLY THE SECOND SUCH PROGRAM IN VIRGINIA. WITH THIS GRANT, WE ARE OFFERING FREE TREE CARE TO PRESERVE MATURE TREES IN FIFEVILLE AND 10TH AND PAGE. PRESERVING EXISTING TREES IS EVEN MORE IMPORTANT THAN PLANTING NEW TREES, WHICH CAN TAKE 15-20 YEARS TO PROVIDE THE BENEFITS OF EXISTING TREES.
  2. $43,765 spent. TREE PLANTING SINCE 2022, WITH GRANTS OVER 107,000 FROM THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY, WE HAVE PLANTED OVER 300 FREE TREES IN THREE OF CHARLOTTESVILLE NEIGHBORHOODS WHO NEED THEM THE MOST, 10TH & PAGE, ROSE HILL AND WOOLEN MILLS.
  3. $38,158 spent. EDUCATION/ADVOCACY WE HAVE BUILT A NUMBER OF PROGRAMS TO EDUCATE STUDENTS ABOUT THE VALUE OF TREES AND NATURE IN THE CITY. WE HAVE GIVEN PRESENTATIONS AND FACILITATED ACTIVITIES FOR ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CHILDREN, ORGANIZED ENVIRONMENTAL CAREER FAIRS FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND THE CREATED THE GREEN TEAM. IN THE SUMMER, THE GREEN TEAM LEARNS ABOUT TREES, CLIMATE CHANGE AND HOW TO PLANT AND CARE FOR TREES. IN THE FALL, THEY CANVAS NEIGHBORHOODS FOR FREE TREES AND FINALLY HELP PLANT THE TREES.

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 July 2024.

    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.