Passes our checks

Yolo Basin Foundation

EIN 68-0230311 · Davis, CA

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

What it says it does

Expand public appreciation and stewardship of wetlands and wildlife in the Yolo Basin through education and innovative partnerships

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Fair: 60 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

Reserves
10 of 35
Spendable reserves would cover 2.0 months of spending.
Debt
5 of 20
It owes 74% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15
Income exceeded spending by 13% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15
Income rose 114% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15
80% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Fair: 68 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

Independent board
25 of 25
14 of 14 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
0 of 5
Reports that it does not keep minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10
Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Independent check of accounts
0 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 June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (5)

$375,791 spent. Embarked on major capital project to upgrade aging educational and program facilities; improve access and the visitor experience in the Yolo Bypass wildlife area with the installation of directional and interpretive signage; and purchase and outfit a mobile visitor center to be based in the wildlife area, and used to expand community outreach.
$269,404 spent. Public outreach and education. Public tours of local wetlands, annual nature-based family festival, and other educational programs includes robust volunteer program to engage community members as docents for outreach and education.
$60,597 spent. Discover the Flyway K-12 environmental education. Delivered over 100 hands-on environmental education field trips and classroom experiences for 2,900 K-12 students from 44 schools throughout the greater Sacramento region. Field trip curriculum is aligned with State science and social studies standards and is focused on the wildlife and wetlands of the Yolo Bypass wildlife area.
$30,649 spent. Bucks for Ducks and Other Fundraising - Yolo Basin Foundation engaged over 11,000 students and community members in educational talks, tours and field trips in the 2024-25 fiscal year.
$30,289 spent. Bat Talk and Tour Program - Presentation about local bat colony and tour of the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area culminating in observation of the flyout of 250,000 bats at sunset.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

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 June 2025.
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 April 1995.
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.