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Austin Bat Refuge

EIN 81-1326348 · Austin, TX

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong96 out of 100GovernanceNot ratedThe short tax form does not cover thisImpact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE MISSION OF AUSTIN BAT REFUGE IS TO PROMOTE RESPECT FOR BATS AND THEIR PLACE IN THE ENVIRONMENT THROUGH EDUCATION, CONFLICT RESOLUTION, REHABILITATION AND RELEASE.

Income
$165,111
Spending
$164,044
Reserves
13.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 96%
Highest pay
$22,000, executive director

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Strong: 96 out of 100. Higher than 85% of charities in its peer group (animals, under $250k).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 13.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 0% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

Source: Form 990EZ for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

This organization files the short tax form, which does not ask about boards, policies or audits. That is normal for a small charity and is not a mark against it.

Source: Form 990EZ 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. $80,184 spent. REHABILITATION: WE PROVIDE DIRECT, LOVING CARE FOR HUNDREDS OF BATS EACH YEAR. INJURED, ORPHANED, OR DISPLACED DUE TO A VARIETY OF CIRCUMSTANCES, ALL WERE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO HEAL, RECOVER, AND RETURN TO THE WILD IN MOST CASES. BATS THAT CANNOT SUPPORT THEMSELVES IN THE WILD HAVE A HOME WITH AUSTIN BAT REFUGE FOR THE REMAINDER OF THEIR LIVES. EACH RESCUE IS AN EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PEOPLE WHO FIND BATS IN TROUBLE, AND OUR FOLLOWERS ON SOCIAL MEDIA. WE CONTINUED OUR QUEST TO DIVERT BATS THAT HAVE HAD NO CONTACT WITH PEOPLE OR PETS FROM CERTAIN EUTHANASIA BY SOME COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL AGENCIES.
  2. $42,000 spent. EDUCATION: WE PROVIDE PUBLIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN CENTRAL TEXAS THAT PROMOTE APPRECIATION FOR BATS AS A CRUCIAL MEMBERS OF LOCAL ECOSYSTEMS. SOME OF OUR RESIDENT BATS COME WITH US TO PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOLS, MASTER NATURALIST CHAPTERS, TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES CLASSES, WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONALS AND PUBLIC EVENTS AT PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS. WE ALSO HOST AN EDUCATION TABLE ON WEEKENDS FROM MARCH THROUGH OCTOBER AT CONGRESS AVENUE BRIDGE, WHERE THOUSANDS OF TOURISTS AND LOCALS GATHER TO WATCH AND LEARN ABOUT AUSTIN'S FAMOUS COLONY OF MEXICAN/BRAZILIAN FREE-TAILED BATS.
  3. $5,091 spent. CONFLICT RESOLUTION: WE ANSWER CALLS ABOUT BATS ROOSTING IN BUILDINGS, ADVISING HOMEOWNERS AND BUSINESSES ON HOW THE BATS MAY HAVE ENTERED THE BUILDING AND HOW, IF NECESSARY, TO SAFELY REMOVE THEM AND PREVENT THEIR RETURN. WE ARE COLLABORATING WITH STAKEHOLDERS ON THE SOUTH CENTRAL WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT AS IT PROGRESSES NEAR CONGRESS AVENUE BRIDGE, TO PROTECT THE BAT COLONY THERE.

Source: Form 990EZ 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 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 2024.

    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 February 2016.

    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.