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Connolly Ranch Education Center

EIN 80-0493340 · Napa, CA

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceFair50 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CREC INSTILLS CHILDREN OF ALL AGES WITH A DEEP RESPECT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT; AN UNDERSTANDING OF SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE; AND A LOVE FOR THE NATURAL WORLD.

Income
$2.6 million
Spending
$1.1 million
Spent on programs
66%
Reserves
9.4 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 60%
Employees
35
Volunteers
14
Highest pay
$125,000, executive director

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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 78% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    28 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 9.4 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 59% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 141% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    66% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 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

Fair: 50 out of 100. Higher than 11% of charities in its peer group (food and agriculture, $1m to $10m).

  • 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

    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

    0 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, 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. $329,163 spent. SEASONAL PROGRAMS (AGES 3 TO 12): CREC CAMPS ARE DESIGNED TO EMBRACE NEW EXPERIENCES AS THEY ARISE WITHIN THE MAGICAL OUTDOOR SETTING. OUR ESTABLISHED INQUIRY-BASED CURRICULUM PROVIDES SPONTANEOUS OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN FROM WHAT "JUST HAPPENED; ALLOWING CHILDREN TO DEEPEN THEIR CONNECTION WITH NATURE, THEMSELVES AND EACH OTHER. PROGRAMS INCLUDE, BUT NOT LIMITED: SUMMER CAMP ANDHOLIDAY CAMPS.
  2. $328,789 spent. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS (AGES 0 TO 12) SCHOOL-YEAR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOLLOW OUR UNIQUE EDUCATIONAL PEDAGOGY, CURRICULUM, AND HOURGLASS MODEL OF LEARNING & RELATIONS . CONNOLLY RANCH EDUCATION CENTER'S UNIQUE DISCOVERY BASED PEDAGOGY IS CENTERED AROUND CULTIVATING SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL AND ECOLOGICAL INTELLIGENCE AS CHILDREN OF ALL AGES EXPLORE AND INTERACT WITH OUR ANIMALS, GARDEN AND WILD SPACES. WE LEAD WITH INQUIRY TO ENCOURAGE CHILDREN TO BECOME DYNAMIC LEARNERS, MINDFUL LEADERS, AND DIVERGENT THINKERS. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED: PARENT-CHILD CLASS (AGES 0-2), PLAYSCHOOL (AGES 3-5), OUTDOOR AFTERSCHOOL (AGES 6-12)
  3. $62,503 spent. CREC IS COMMITTED TO BEING AN ACTIVE COMMUNITY PARTNER AND PROVIDES A NUMBER OF LOW-COST WEEKDAY AND WEEKEND PROGRAMS AND SEASONAL FESTIVALS. ADDITIONALLY, CREC PARTNERS WITH OVER 6 BAY AREA SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO PROVIDE ENGAGING, HANDS-ON, FARMBASED EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES DESIGNED TO MEET CALIFORNIA STATE STANDARDS FROM PRESCHOOL THROUGH HIGH SCHOOL. COMMUNITY PROGRAMS INCLUDE, BUT NOT LIMITED: SATURDAY FARM OPEN HOUSE, K-12 FIELD TRIPS & MIDDLE SCHOOL SCIENCE RETREATS, HARVEST FESTIVAL, EARTH NIGHT FESTIVAL, AND GREEN FRIDAY.

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 March 2010.

    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.