Earth Guardians Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
TRAINS DIVERSE YOUTH TO BE INFLUENTIAL LEADERS AT THE FOREFRONT OF THE CLIMATE JUSTICE MOVEMENT USING STORYTELLING ART & COMMUNITY PROJECTS
- Income
- $332,375
- Spending
- $342,143
- Spent on programs
- 81%
- Reserves
- -0.6 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 95%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 1,000
- Highest pay
- $52,618, global programs 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
Weak: 48 out of 100. Higher than 12% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 9% of what it owns.
Living within its means
8 of 15Spending exceeded income by 3% of income.
Income trend
5 of 15Income fell 19% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1581% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 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
Good: 72 out of 100. Higher than 40% of charities in its peer group (environment, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
18 of 254 of 4 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
0 of 7Reports no 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
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
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 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)
- $154,604 spent. The Crews program empowers youth-led intergenerational volunteer groups globally to advocate for and lead innovative climate justice projects. We provide comprehensive leadership training to support local initiatives contributing significantly to the global climate movement. Our primary goal is to cultivate leaders dedicated and capable of solving environmental issues worldwide. In addition to education training and mentorship we offer Crews non-political campaigns to be involved in and small honorariums on occasion. However we act as a fiscal sponsor or fundraiser for some Crews able to do larger projects discussed in Schedule F. Through nurturing grassroots efforts and offering vital skills and resources we strive to generate a lasting impact on the planet and upcoming generations.
- $64,839 spent. The Indigenous Youth Leadership Initiative IYI empowers Indigenous voices and leadership in environmental justice by annually training a cohort of 20 young Native leaders. It emphasizes skills and traditional knowledge to support Native American youth in climate action and Indigenous sovereignty. The program includes optional onboarding into our Crews program for continuous post-training support.
- $57,570 spent. The Speakers Bureau program places youth voices on local and global stages to share their experiences through workshops keynotes and speaking engagements. It inspires climate action by sharing stories from diverse frontline youth leaders and program trainees. We also promote our Crews program to support audiences inspired to learn more or engage with Earth Guardians.
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
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 December 2024.
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 February 1999.
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.