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Redwood Forest Foundation Inc

EIN 68-0404767 · Fort Bragg, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair61 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF THIS ORGANIZATION IS TO ACQUIRE, PROTECT, RESTORE AND MANAGE FORESTLANDS AND OTHER RESOURCES IN THE REDWOOD REGION FOR THE LONG-TERM BENEFIT OF THE COMMUNITIES LOCATED THERE.

Income
$53.6 million
Spending
$3.7 million
Spent on programs
89%
Reserves
-54.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 99%
Employees
13
Volunteers
60
Highest pay
$88,000, interim president/ceo

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

Fair: 61 out of 100. Higher than 24% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

    Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 24% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 93% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 523% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    89% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 7 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

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 7% of charities in its peer group (environment, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    5 of 5 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

    0 of 5

    Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.

  • 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 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 (2)
  1. $38,595 spent. THE FOUNDATION PROTECTS AND MANAGES FORESTLAND TO ENSURE ECOLOGIC AND ECONOMIC MANAGEMENT OF FOREST RESOURCES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ORGANIZATION'S PRIMARY EXEMPT PURPOSE, INCLUDING SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY PRACTICES PROVIDING EMPLOYMENT IN FORESTLAND MANAGEMENT, WATERSHED AND HABITAT RESTORATION, TIMBER HARVESTING, AND FOREST PRODUCTS PROCESSING. THIS IS FOR THE SOCIAL, ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECONOMIC BENEFIT OF ALL THE CITIZENS IN THE NORTHWESTERN CALIFORNIA REGION IN PERPETUITY.
  2. $3.3 million spent. IN CONTINUANCE OF THE ORGANIZATION'S DEVELOPMENT OF RENEWABLE RESOURCES AND ECONOMICALLY SUSTAINABLE FOREST RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, INCLUDING FULLY INVENTORYING, ASSESSING AND EVALUATING ITS FORESTLANDS, THE ORGANIZATION IS REGISTERED ON THE CLIMATE ACTION RESERVE REGISTRY FOR CARBON CREDITS AND SELLS CARBON CREDITS FOR THE REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS OFFSET BY THE ORGANIZATION'S FORESTLANDS.

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

  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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. 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 September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since January 2000.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.