Friends of St Joseph Bay Preserves Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Friends of St. Joseph Bay Preserves, Inc., is a Citizen Support Organization with the purpose of promoting the goals of the managers of the St. Joseph Bay State Buffer Preserve by volunteering for specific tasks and by raising funds for improvements to the Preserve. The semiannual fundraiser, Bay Day, includes educational exhibits which raise awareness of the Preserves and help the community around St. Joseph Bay learn about the importance of keeping the bay clean.
- Income
- $26,198
- Spending
- $16,499
- Reserves
- 67 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- other income, 52%
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.
Source: Form 990EZ 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)
- Part III, line 28, A large expense category for 2025 was payments for maintenance of Preserve equipment and vehicles, combined with utilities (Part I, line 14). The interpretive trail by the lodge was completed in 2025 . By paying for maintenance of the equipment used for this work, the support organization helps the Preserve's program. The utility that we pay for is phone and internet service for the large number of students and researchers who visit the Preserve to study plants and animals of the St. Joseph Bay.
- Part III, line 29, The support organization spent a considerable amount of money in preparation for its two semiannual fundraisers called Bay Days. A "Low Country Boil" lunch is served and a donation for the lunch is requested; so purchase of food, drinks, and serving ware are the largest expenses each time. Amost all of the work of cooking and serving food, setting up information booths to educate visitors about local nature and nature-focused organizations, presenting free, guided tours of the Preserve, and arranging parking is performed by volunteers. Educating people who live around the St. Joseph Bay about the importance of pristine water is a goal of the St. Joseph Bay State Buffer Preserve.
- Part III, line 30, Volunteers carry out projects of both the Friends of St. Joseph Bay Preserves support organization and the Preserve itself. Some are our members, but we get an out-sized share of help from site volunteers, people who park their RVs at the Preserve for one month, and in return, work 20-40 hours per week at the Preserve. Depending on their skills, they mow, build and repair buildings, clean the lodgings for students and researchers who stay, and do many odd jobs. The Friends organization pays for amenities such as a farewell meal for each group of volunteers, to recognize and thank them for their contributions.
Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2025, 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 December 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 April 2004.
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.