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Friends of Cibolo Wilderness

EIN 74-2564700 · Boerne, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair50 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

- TO PROMOTE CONSERVATION AND PRESERVATION OF THE AREA WITHIN THE CIBOLO CREEK WATERSHED- TO SERVE AS A REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER OF NORTHERN BEXAR COUNTY AND KENDALL COUNTY- TO PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS ON THE AREA'S ECOSYSTEMS- TO ACQUIRE LAND FOR CONSERVATION AND PRESERVATION PURPOSES

Income
$4.9 million
Spending
$3.9 million
Spent on programs
80%
Reserves
-3.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 76%
Employees
89
Volunteers
703
Highest pay
$171,467, cao

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: 50 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (environment, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    0 of 35

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

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 21% of income.

  • Income trend

    0 of 15

    Income fell 25% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    80% 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

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

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    13 of 13 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

    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

    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 (3)
  1. $837,147 spent. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND CAMPS ARE CONDUCTED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES ADULT PROGRAMS INCLUDING PRESENTATIONS, LECTURES AND WORKSHOPS ON CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUBJECTS AND PROVIDES A BROAD ARRAY OF CHILDREN'S PROGRAMS WHICH ARE DESIGNED TO TEACH CHILDREN ABOUT CONSERVATION AND PRESERVATION OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE ECOSYSTEMS AND PLANT LIFE IN THE CIBOLO CREEK WATERSHED AREA IN KENDALL COUNTY, BEXAR COUNTY AND SURROUNDING AREAS. IN ADDITION, THE ORGANIZATION HOSTS SEVERAL CHILDREN'S CAMPS DURING THE YEAR.
  2. $614,938 spent. THE STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC REGARDING ISSUES IMPACTING THE CIBOLO CREEK WATERSHED AREA AS WELL AS GENERAL LAND, WATER AND WILDLIFE. THE PROGRAM CONSISTS OF THREE ACTIVITIES: COMMUNITY SCIENCE - A RESEARCH ACTIVITY WHERE STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS COLLECT CRUCIAL DATA ON PLANTS, WATER, AND WILDLIFE THAT INHABIT THE ORGANIZATION'S PROPERTY. THIS DATA IS USED TO DETERMINE THE IMPACT ON PROPERTY DUE TO URBANIZATION. CIBOLO CONSERVATION CORRIDOR - A LAND AND WATER INITIATIVE TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY ALONG THE UPPER CIBOLO CREEK WATERSHED, PROTECT AND RESTORE WORKING LANDS, AND PRESERVE AND ENHANCE CONSERVATION EFFORTS ON PUBLIC AND PRIVATE LANDS. LAND MANAGEMENT - ORGANIZATION'S EFFORT TO REACH OUT TO LANDOWNERS TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON BEST PRACTICES AS IT RELATES TO STEWARDSHIP AND CONSERVATION MATTERS IMPACTING LANDOWNER LAND HOLDINGS.
  3. $1.6 million spent. THE NATURE SCHOOL IS AN IMMERSIVE, HIGH QUALITY AND RESEARCH-BASED PRESCHOOL PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN AGES 3-5 YEARS OLD. STUDENTS SPEND THE MAJORITY OF THEIR DAY IN A NATURAL SETTING ENGAGED IN EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING, INCLUDING OUTDOOR PLAY AND GROUP EXPLORATION SUCH AS HIKING THE HERFF FARM'S GROUNDS, BUILDING FORTS, DRAMATIC PLAY, DIGGING, GARDENING, AND OTHER HANDS-ON EXPERIENCES WITH THE NATURAL WORLD IN WHICH THEY LIVE.

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 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 October 13, 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 2024.

    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 June 1990.

    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 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.