Cloud Ridge Naturalists
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
Cloud Ridge Naturalists and Cloud Ridge Publishing focuses on science literacy through the creation of books and other visual media that emphasize natural history and inspire conservation stewardship. We underwrite and publish books independently and in cooperation with mainstream publishing houses, currently Sasquatch Books/Penguin Random House. We donate all royalties from Sasquatch Books for our 2 Salish Sea books to UC Davis' SeaDoc Society, a research and educational outreach nonprofit. Royalties from our 2 Rocky Mountain titles are deposited as income in our nonprofit's publishing account.
- Income
- $54,855
- Spending
- $20,822
- Reserves
- Over 10 years of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 91%
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
We do not score finances when yearly spending is very small or the return has too little detail. The ratios stop meaning much at that size.
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)
- Pacific Northwest Titles (2): Salish Sea: Jewel of the Pacific Northwest (2015, Sasquatch Books and Cloud Ridge Publishing, Seattle authors Audrey DeLella Benedict (Cloud Ridge Naturalists) and Joseph K. Gaydos (SeaDoc Society). ISBN: 978-1-57061-9 85-4 (Library of Congress). Nautilus Gold Award winner. By contractual arrangements between the authors and Sasquatch Books, all annual royalties paid by Sasquatch Books to Cloud Ridge Publishing are donated to the SeaDoc Society by Cloud Ridge Publishing. The SeaDoc Society is part of the Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center at the University of California Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Refer to seadocsociety.org for more information. Book 3: Explore the Salish Sea: A Nature Guide for Kids (2018, Little Bigfoot/Penguin Random House, Seattle); authors: Joseph K Gaydos (SeaDoc Society) Audrey DeLella Benedict (Cloud Ridge Naturalists). ISBN: 978-1-63217-095-8 (Library of Congress). Nautilus Silver Award winner. All royalties received for sales of both books, by contractual arrangement, are donated to the SeaDoc Society.
- Colorado Titles: A Naturalists Guide to the Southern Rockies: Colorado, Southern Wyoming, and Northern New Mexico (originally published by Sierra Club Books in 1991; printed and released again by Falcon Publishing in 2008; revised and re-printed from 2010 to present by Cloud Ridge Publishing). This 655 page natural history guide to the southern Rockies continues to be used by several universities as a required field biology textbook and remains the most popular regional guidebook for university students, nature lovers and national park visitors. Sold to universities and NPS at a 40% discount. ISBN-13:978-0-9845257-1-3 (pbk). Valley of the Dunes: Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve; author: Audrey DeLella Benedict. photographers: Bob Rozinski and Wendy Shattil. ISBN: 978-0-9845257-0-6 (Library of Congress). Originally published by Fulcrum Publishing in 2005 in (Golden, Colorado); revised edition published by Cloud Ridge Naturalists in 2010. Both books are contractually warehoused and catalog marketed by Mountain Press Publishing (Missoula, MT). Royalties from books sold and shipped by Mountain Press (less their warehouse storage and shipping costs) and books sold by us directly and delivered to the National Park Service and to regional universities are paid to Cloud Ridge Naturalists and deposited in our nonprofit's account.
- ePostcards From Around the World: Our online educational outreach was highlighted by the 4th year of our ePostcards Series, which launched in May 2020 during the COVID-pandemic. Beautifully designed by our website manager, Clyde Lovett, the ePostcards are global in scope, natural history-focused, and written and illustrated by Audrey Benedict. We regard the ePostcard series as our monthly educational outreach effort and there is no subscription fee. Clicking on our website (www.cloudridge.org) and the ePostcard menu bar allows readers access to the current ePostcard as well as to an archive of over 150 series postings.
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
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 2024.
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 February 1984.
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.