Big Thicket Association
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
The Big Thicket Associations mission is to preserve, protect, and promote the Big Thicket region, its natural resources and cultural history, for the enjoyment and well-being of present and future generations through advocacy, education and research.
- Income
- $191,060
- Spending
- $202,717
- Spent on programs
- 90%
- Reserves
- 18.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 42%
- Employees
- 3
- Volunteers
- 95
- Highest pay
- $50,169, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 89 out of 100.
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 18.6 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 6% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 3% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1590% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 1 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 88 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2523 of 23 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
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 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)
- $31,865 spent. Awareness and Conservation: The Association promotes awareness of the Big Thicket National Preserve and the need to protect the natural resources and natural beauty of the Big Thicket.
- $121,042 spent. Neches River Adventures: The Association operates the Ivory Bill, a covered excursion boat on the Neches River for school field trips, social events and nature classes. Public tours are conducted most Saturdays between late March and early November. The Ivory Bill is also available for private tours all year. During the year ended December 31, 2025, the Ivory Bill conducted 25 private charters, 41 public tours, and 91 school field trips.
- $29,146 spent. Thicket of Diversity and Field Research Learning Center: The Association, in partnership with the Big Thicket National Preserve, The Nature Conservancy, and other entities, administers and coordinates the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (ATBI). The ATBI is undertaken to enhance the ability of the National Park Service management to identify every living species inhabiting the Big Thicket National Preserve and surrounding areas and the role of ecosystem dynamics in its health. The Field Research Station and Learning Center includes a small laboratory, classroom and domitory. For a nominal fee, FRSLC provides lodging for reasearch scientists and their graduate students, conservation groups, and volunteers. As part of ATBI, the Assoiation administers and disburses grant funding received from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and other grantors.
Source: Form 990 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 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 December 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 1967.
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.