Rescape California
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
ReScape addresses climate change by providing a regenerative, nature-based whole systems foundation for landscaping education, workforce development and policy.Foundational to our work is a whole systems watershed framework that acknowledges that one landscaping input affects the whole ecosystem. All aspects of a healthy community, including of nature communities, must be in coordinated partnership with one another and speak to local geography, as well as regional impact, and rely on management techniques based on sound scientific data, tools, and techniques.
- Income
- $911,138
- Spending
- $722,802
- Spent on programs
- 80%
- Reserves
- 0.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 53%
- Employees
- 5
- Volunteers
- 1
- Highest pay
- $121,650, executive dir.
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
Fair: 51 out of 100. Higher than 15% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
4 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 0.5 months of spending.
Debt
2 of 20It owes 83% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 21% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 83% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1580% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 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: 91 out of 100. Higher than 71% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 259 of 9 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
10 of 10Gave 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.
Independent check of accounts
6 of 15Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports 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 (3)
- $287,460 spent. Diverse Workforce Training & Climate EquityReScape's Diverse Workforce Development Program (DWDP) creates a future where regenerative landscaping drives sustainable development through equitable workforce training. Our nature-based, whole systems approach empowers individuals, companies, and agencies to transform landscapes into thriving ecosystems. We equip professionals to tackle climate challenges while driving economic success. ReScape creates a demand for our work by educating and working with public agencies and municipalities, businesses and communities who hire our 8 Principles professionals trained in policy-driven landscape standards and practices.ReScape's whole systems foundation requires that landscaping and land use must include communities of concern, those lacking access and unequally affected by a warming planet. Too much planning is based on historical models that are no longer working. We must listen deeply and work with communities, not on behalf of them, engaging in authentic partnership that recognizes the profound wisdom held within traditional ecological practices and ancestral ways of knowing. Our approach honors the fact that many communities have been stewarding land sustainably for generations. The only workable climate change solutions call in a new map that weaves together ancient wisdom with contemporary innovation, and includes racial, environmental and socioeconomic justice as foundational principles for regenerative land stewardship.
- $143,730 spent. Policy AdvocacyReScape advocates for state and regional policies, permits and ordinances that encourage and enable implementation of and compliance in regenerative land use. Landscapes produce 12% of GHG emissions. Opportunities exist to reduce emissions and increase the potential to sequester carbon from the atmosphere by enhancing sinks. At a time when climate change, coupled with biodiversity loss, has created a profound, existential planetary emergency, there is an urgent need for the nature-based solutions provided by restored and climate positive landscapes. Our policy focus creates the framework for adoption of legislation at governmental and civic levels to implement regenerative principles that address earthscaping climate change issues. Our policy work is based on our Rated Landscape Program that uses a Rating System based on ReScapes Eight Principles and Landscaping Guidelines practices. Trained Raters use the Rated Landscape Scorecard, a tool to help project teams evaluate eligible landscapes and plan, track and verify the practices they implement to improve their landscapes. To qualify as ReScape Rated a landscape must earn at least 60 of 200 possible points in 14 required practices. Over 150 landscapes have been rated to date. https://www.rescapeca.org/rated-landscape-gallery
- $143,730 spent. Regenerative Action League - https://ral.world/Established in 2024, the Regenerative Action League (RAL) is a global coalition of changemakers and eco-innovators tackling the climate crisis through regenerative practices that restore Earth's ecosystems. Going beyond harm reduction, RAL members pioneer innovations that actively heal our environment across diverse industries. United by a shared vision, they create sustainable products, implement best management practices, and advance community-led initiatives. This collaborative network fosters thriving ecosystems, resilient communities, and lasting environmental restoration through collective action and real impact. Includes a Resource Hub and CommUnity forum, dynamic gathering places designed to inspire action, foster collaboration, and tackle the urgent challenges of climate change.
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
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 June 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 August 2009.
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.