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Santa Ynez Valley Airport Authority

EIN 77-0321025 · Santa Ynez, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong100 out of 100GovernanceStrong95 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

SYVAA LEASES, MANAGES AND OPERATES THE SANTY YNEZ VALLEY AIRPORT FOR THE BENEFIT OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, THE COMMUNITY IN WHICH THE AIRPORT IS LOCATED, AND THE AIRPORT USERS. THE AIRPORT IS OWNED BY SANTA BARBARA COUNTY AND OPERATED BY 9 ELECTED VOLUNTEERS KNOWN AS THE SANTA YNEZ VALLEY AIRPORT AUTHORITY.

Income
$856,493
Spending
$754,133
Spent on programs
74%
Reserves
24.5 months of spending
Largest source of income
other income, 81%
Employees
6
Volunteers
24
Highest pay
$71,233, assistant manager

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 24.5 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 8% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 12% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 16% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    74% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 90% of charities in its peer group (public benefit, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 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

    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 June 30, 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 (1)
  1. $558,499 spent. SYVAA IS UNDER CONTRACT WITH SANTA BARBARA COUNTY TO OPERATE, MANAGE, MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE THE AIRPORT FACILITIES FOR A TERM OF 50 YEARS BEGINNING JUNE 1, 1993 AND ENDING JULY 31, 2043. UPON CONTRACT TERMINATION ALL ALTERATIONS, ADDITIONS, OR IMPROVEMENTS BECOME THE PROPERTY OF SANTA BARBARA COUNTY. AIRPORT IMPROVEMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO THE AIRPORT LAYOUT/LAND USE PLAN APPROVED BY SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, DIVISION OF AERONAUTICS, AND THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION FOR A TERM OF 20 YEARS BEGINNING IN JUNE 2004 AND UPDATED EVERY 5 YEARS. CURRENT CONSTRUCTION IN PROGRESS TOTALS $240,252. 40 HANGARS WERE LEASED TO AIRPORT USERS, AND 46 LAND LEASES FOR OWNER BUILT HANGARS. CURRENT YEAR RENTALS ALSO INCLUDED PARKING, RENTAL CARS, AIRCRAFT TIEDOWNS, GLIDER RIDE OPERATIONS, OFFICE SPACE, APCD, AND THE USFS BUILDING.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 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 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 June 2025.

    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 April 1995.

    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.