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Central Sierra Environmental Resource Center

EIN 77-0279240 · Twain Harte, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood85 out of 100GovernanceWeak48 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CSERC protects water, wildlife, and wild places of the Northern Yosemite region.

Income
$392,095
Spending
$390,589
Spent on programs
91%
Reserves
7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 98%
Employees
6

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: 85 out of 100.

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 7.0 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 2% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 0% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    91% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 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

Weak: 48 out of 100.

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    8 of 8 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    0 of 15

    Reports no 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

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 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 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 (5)
  1. $249,950 spent. FORESTS/WILDLIFE: CSERC conducted watchdog monitoring, meadow surveys, and forest fieldwork in support of national forest resources in the local region. CSERC undertook wildlife photo-detection surveys for rare species, reviewed all projects open for public comments in the Stanislaus Forest, and organized volunteers to join with staff in performing restoration projects at multiple sites during the year.
  2. $35,707 spent. RIVERS/WATER: CSERC staff monitored riparian areas and wetlands, assessed stream conditions, and advocated for water quality in proposed projects and plans. Staff continued to play a lead role in the IRWM watershed planning collaborative process and in numerous river or water issues in the region.
  3. $35,707 spent. CONSERVATION: CSERC participated in more than 100 meetings and hearings to serve as a respectful voice for the environment. CSERC produced informational brochures, website articles in both English and Spanish, and newsletters to help citizen activists learn how to participate in decision-making processes affecting wildlife and wild places.
  4. $17,854 spent. EDUCATION: In addition to CSERC offering "Educational Games for Kids" on the CSERC website, CSERC staff provded newsletters, E-newsletters, online articles, and other educational outreach to members and to the general public.
  5. $17,854 spent. LAND PLANNING: CSERC reviewed proposed development projects and land use policies in the local region. All projects that posed risks to natural resources were responded to with specific recommendations to minimize impacts and to better comply with natural resource objectives.

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

  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 2025.

    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 June 1996.

    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.