Association for Nature -Based Education Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- Raising each dollar of donations cost 93 cents.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
WE PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY-BASED INITIATIVES THAT CULTIVATE EQUITABLE ACCESS TO NATURE-BASED EDUCATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY FOR ALL.
- Income
- $416,057
- Spending
- $454,718
- Spent on programs
- 78%
- Reserves
- 4.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 87%
- Employees
- 23
- Volunteers
- 40
- Highest pay
- $91,721, executive director
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
Weak: 49 out of 100. Higher than 13% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 4.3 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 2% of what it owns.
Living within its means
4 of 15Spending exceeded income by 9% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 12% on the year before.
Spending floor
0 of 1578% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 93 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
Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 53% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 255 of 5 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
0 of 10Did not give 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 (2)
- $178,097 spent. THE ASSOCIATION FOR NATURE-BASED EDUCATION, INC. CONTINUES TO FULFILL OUR MISSION THROUGH NATURE-BASED EDUCATION PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES THAT SERVE TEACHERS, CHILDREN, AND FAMILIES. DURING THIS FISCAL YEAR, WE DEEPENED OUR ROOTS AND SPREAD OUR WINGS REACHING OVER 1,300 EDUCATORS WHO ATTENDED NATURE-BASED PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT OFFERINGS. WE PLANTED SEEDS OF NATURE CONNECTION WITH ALMOST 500 CHILDREN IN OUR COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS, AND STRENGTHENED PARTNERSHIPS ACROSS THE U.S. WE DELIVERED PROGRAMS, BELOVED AND NEW, TO MEET OUR MISSION: TO PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY-BASED INITIATIVES THAT CULTIVATE EQUITABLE ACCESS TO NATURE-BASED EDUCATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL LITERACY FOR ALL.
- $175,619 spent. NOTCHCLIFF NATURE PROGRAMS OFFER OPPORTUNITES FOR NATURE CONNECTION, ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP, SUSTAINABLE LIVING, AND APPRECIATION FOR OUR SHARED NATURAL WORLD THROUGH COMMUNITY-BASED INITIATIVES. DURING THIS FISCAL YEAR, PROGRAMS INCLUDED AN OUTDOOR PRESCHOOL FOR CHILDREN AGES 3-5 YEARS OLD, HOMESCHOOL PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AGES 5-10, CAREGIVER AND CHILD CLASSES, AND LICENSED SUMMER NATURE CAMPS. OTHER PROGRAMS INCLUDED COMMUNITY GARDEN DAYS, AN ANNUAL EARTH DAY FAIRY FESTIVAL, AND THE ELDERFLOWERS NATURE SERIES WITH SENIOR RESIDENTS OF A LOCAL RETIREMENT COMMUNITY. NOTCHCLIFF NATURE PROGRAMS IS THE OFFICIAL LAB SCHOOL OF THE ASSOCIATION FOR NATURE-BASED EDUCATION, INC., A 501 (C)(3) NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO GROWING CAPACITY FOR ACCESSIBLE NATURE-BASED EDUCATION.
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 November 6, 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 June 2017.
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 November 4, 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.