Teller Refuge Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TO INSPIRE, EDUCATE, AND DEMONSTRATE CONSERVATION IN ACTION. TELLER IS COMMITTED TO ENSURING THE FUTURE OF FISH AND WILDLIFE BY CONSERVING, RESTORING, AND ENHANCING HABITAT WHILE SERVING AS A MODEL FOR CONSERVATION LAND STEWARDSHIP. UNDER ITS MISSION, TELLER OFFERS DIVERSE CONSERVATION EDUCATION PROGRAMS, PROVIDES QUALITY RECREATIONAL EXPERIENCES FOR PRIVATE GUESTS AND PUBLIC VISITORS, AND PROMOTES VOLUNTARY CONSERVATION ACTIONS ON OTHER PRIVATE LANDS.
- Income
- $363,614
- Spending
- $508,923
- Spent on programs
- 61%
- Reserves
- 21.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 85%
- Employees
- 9
- Volunteers
- 78
- Highest pay
- $113,600, 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
Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 23% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 21.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 1% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 40% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 42% on the year before.
Spending floor
8 of 1561% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 24 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 98% of charities in its peer group (animals, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2510 of 10 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
15 of 15Its accounts were audited 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 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 (1)
- $309,111 spent. TELLER IS A NON-PROFIT WILDLIFE CONSERVATION ORGANIZATION WITH A MISSION TO INSPIRE, EDUCATE, AND DEMONSTRATE CONSERVATION IN ACTION. ITS PRIMARY FOCUS IS TO MANAGE 1,300 ACRES OF LAND IN THE BITTERROOT VALLEY FOR THE BENEFIT OF FISH AND WILDLIFE. TELLER IS COMMITTED TO ENSURING THE FUTURE OF FISH AND WILDLIFE BY CONSERVING, RESTORING, AND ENHANCING HABITAT WHILE SERVING AS A MODEL FOR CONSERVATION LAND STEWARDSHIP. UNDER ITS MISSION, TELLER OFFERS DIVERSE CONSERVATION EDUCATION PROGRAMS, PROVIDES QUALITY RECREATIONAL EXPERIENCES FOR PRIVATE GUESTS AND PUBLIC VISITORS, AND PROMOTES VOLUNTARY CONSERVATION ACTIONS ON OTHER PRIVATE LANDS.MISSION PROGRAMS - THE MISSION-SPECIFIC PROGRAMS AT TELLER INCLUDE CONSERVATION, EDUCATION, AND RECREATION. TO DELIVER THESE MISSION PROGRAMS TO THE COMMUNITY, TELLER RELIES ON A PROFESSIONAL STAFF. AS PART OF TELLER'S MISSION PROGRAMS, THE ORGANIZATION PROVIDES LODGING SERVICES AND ACCOMMODATIONS TO A SEASONAL CLIENTELE ON THREE PROPERTIES. TO PROVIDE THESE SERVICES, TELLER PAYS LODGING/BED TAXES, PURCHASES VENDOR LICENSES, MARKETS ITS SERVICES, AND MAINTAINS THE FACILITIES AT A COMMERCIAL VERSUS RESIDENTIAL LEVEL. TELLER OFFERS CONSERVATION EDUCATION ACTIVITIES FOR YOUTH AND ADULTS, INCLUDING A YOUTH CONSERVATION AND EDUCATION EXPO, SUMMER DAY CAMPS, AND VOLUNTEER STEWARDSHIP ACTIVITIES.TELLER MUST ALSO ACTIVELY MANAGE ITS 1,300 ACRES OF LAND USING A VARIETY OF TOOLS AND TECHNIQUES. WHILE THE MISSION IS FOCUSED ON BENEFITING WILDLIFE HABITAT, THE ONGOING DEMANDS OF PROPERLY STEWARDING THE LAND, THE WATER, AND THE RESOURCES ARE CRITICALLY IMPORTANT TO BUSINESS AT TELLER.
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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 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 September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since January 2004.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.