Deering Estate Foundation Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO PROVIDE RESOURCES AND ASSISTANCE FOR THE ENHANCEMENT & EXPANSION OF THE EDUCATIONAL, ENVIRONMENTAL, HISTORICAL, CULTURAL, ARCHAEOLOGICAL, SCIENTIFIC, PARK AND REC FACILITIES, PROGRAMS AND OTHER SERVICES OFFERED AT, THROUGH, OR IN CONJUCTION WITH THE DEERING ESTATE AT CUTLER, A 450 ACRE HISTORICAL PRESERVE LOCATED IN SOUTH FLORIDA ON BISCAYNE BAY.
- Income
- $923,082
- Spending
- $977,050
- Spent on programs
- 72%
- Reserves
- -18.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 62%
- Employees
- 5
- Volunteers
- 281
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
Fair: 54 out of 100.
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 9% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1571% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 18 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
Strong: 100 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2531 of 31 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.
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 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)
- $570,122 spent. 1. HISTORIC PRESERVATION: PROJECT SUPPORT FOR HISTORIC ROOF AND SOFFET REPAIRS ON ONE OF THE HISTORIC BUILDINGS LOCATED ON THE DEERING ESTATE - THE STONE HOUSE. THREE ART PIECES WERE PROCURED AS PART OF THE HISTORIC DEERING COLLECTION. THE "FIGHT INTO EGYPT" THREE PANELED STAINED GLASS PART OF THE CHARLES DEERING COLLECTION WAS RESTORED AND IS NOW PART OF THE MUSEUM AND IS DISPLAYED IN THE STONE HOUSE. A NUMBER OF FURNISHINGS AND COLLECTION PROJECTS WERE ALSO UNDERTAKEN. A CLIMATE CONTROLLED STORAGE IS MAINTAINED TO HOUSE HISTORIC COLLECTION PIECES OFF-SITE, AND ADDITIONALLY, SPECIAL ART AND COLLECTIONS INSURANCE IS PROVIDED.
- $13,969 spent. 2. PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT: FUNDS WERE UTILIZED IN THE CREATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF FIELD STUDY CURRICULA INCLUDING A PROVISION FOR PROGRAM SUPPLIES AND EQUIPMENT FOCUSED ON STEM AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS. THIS EXPANDED THE DEERING ESTATE'S EXHIBITS, COLLECTIONS, CUTURAL ARTS PROGRAMS AND RELATED MARKETING AND PROMOTION, FUNDING FOR SPECIAL MARKETING AND ADVERTISING INITIATIVES AND FUNDING FOR STAFF AND PROGRAM SPECIAL EVENT SUPPORT AT THE DEERING ESTATE AND THE DEERING ESTATE'S INSTITUTE FOR CONSERVATION RESEARCH AND LEARNING.
- $114,272 spent. 3. RAISING PUBLIC AWARENESS AND EDUCATING THE COMMUNITY: PUBLIC AWARENESS AND COMMUNITY AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS INCLUDING WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING WERE UNDERTAKEN. DEVELOPMENT OF VIRTUAL PLATFORM PROGRAMS. DOCUMENTARY FILM ON "THE LAND - THE CHARLES DEEERING ESTATE" WAS TRANSLATED AND IS OFFERED IN SPANISH IN ORDER TO ENGAGE COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND VOLUNTEERS.
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 December 1989.
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.